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Was half hoping it'd be chucking it down this morning so I had an excuse for not getting out of bed. Slept ever so well, and didn't really want to leave my nice warm pit. However, this inexplicable compulsion for running in the morning drove me out of bed, and off I trotted. Lovely morning, not too cool, but not blistering hot and sunny either. Should be a nice day!
So I headed off with a bit of a plan to head out to Swannington and then home. Which I duly did, but not by any of my previous routes. Talkbot Lane, Jeffcoats Lane to Swannington, fair enough, but I then eschewed the easy return routes of Church Lane, and even Spring Lane, and braved Hough Hill.Now, Sarah's told me about running up Hough Hill, from when she used to train in the mornings a few years ago. Her accounts put it somewhere between the North Face of the Eiger, and attempting the summit of Everest. Pah, thought I, what exaggeration can this be?
More fool me! 'Tis a hellish climb up from the Swannington Village to Hoo Ash roundabout. You should be able to see the scope of the incline on the pics below, but it took some genuine mental fortitude to keep pushing, to keep driving the legs, to keep moving!
It's deceptive. There's a hill, and then you crest it and there's a nice flat bit across the railway lines, past the Railway Pub. then you round a corner and it throws another hill at you. A bigger, longer, uglier one, which snarls at you until you eventually get to the bypass at the top of the hill.
Mostly coasting back from there - certainly everything else pales in comparison - and along the bypass and home along Brooks Lane. Even the final climb up Hervey Woods didn't seem so daunting today.
So, I think it's the longest morning run - nay, the longest run - I've put in thus far. Plus it was quite a punishing one; the same distance on the flat would be a piece of cake.
All in all, a morning to be pleased with!
And here's the route in profile, produced on mapmyrun.com:
Music: Halestorm
Well, last weekend was a weekend of rock and roll excess, in Donington. Meant that keeping fit and running were consigned to the back burner for the weekend, and that this morning was the first since last Wednesday that I got off my arse and went out running.
Beautiful morning for it though, and the sun is still shining. Could totally have stayed in bed, but glad I didn't and hammered around the S Whitwick route in a reasonable time, although I've done it quicker.
Music: Slash
Wednesday's runs are never too much fun, Tuesday night being legs session on the weights. It's deload week, so it wasn't too bad, but then last night I attended one of Sarah's Zumba classes - top fun, and pretty knackering. Highly recommend it!
Meant I slept well last night too - which was a top bonus.
So to this morning: I was tempted to stay in bed (aren't I always), having slept better than I have for a few nights, and being all warm and cosy and stuff. But no, I'd have regretted it had I done that, and I'm glad I dragged myself out and about.
Good run, over three and a half miles, and back to find Sarah's been lounging in the spa bath while I've been out flogging myself.
Music: Zakk Wylde's Pride and Glory
Tough getting out of bed. Tough running. Tough all round, really!
Top weekend just passed - lifted a PB 75KG overhead press on Saturday, which was pretty damned awesome, even if I do say so myself. Follow that with quality beer gardenage and fun times. All good!
So getting up this morning was a nightmare. Shoulders ache. Back aches. Didn't sleep well. Tired. Sarah said "I admire your dedication" as I rolled out of bed. I think I'm just a bit nuts.
Slogged my way up and over the Red Hill route, with Church Lane on the end. Not fun.
Ah well - made it!
Music: Nine Inch Nails
Didn't go running on Monday due to it being a Bank Holiday, and the weather being shitty. Crap excuse, I know. Didn't go running on Wednesday because I was at work until 0130 Tuesday night / Wednesday morning. Better excuse, no?
Anyway, back up and at 'em this morning. Wasn't feeling the love - not running is as addictive as running is, just in a different way. My legs felt really heavy - they did at karate last night too - and it was a real effort to make them move.
Make them move I did, though, and eased myself back into the swing of things with the South Whitwick Loop. First time I've run it for a while, it being only 2.8 miles it's a bit short for me these days(!). Still, enjoyed it, and looking back through the blog the last time I ran it was on 12th May, and I ran it in 23 mins 2 seconds. Today I ran it in 22 mins 43 seconds, which is (I'll do the maths so you don't have to) 19 seconds quicker. I reckon that's not bad, but there's more to come. I'm going to make a point of running it every month or so to try and clock in a better time.
So, let's see how that goes, shall we?
Music: Dio
