Another big gap. Maybe this is the best way to do it. Here we go…
Day 74 - 2.32 miles
I've done my two 'big' runs this week, so I thought it was sensible to slip in a short one. A recovery run if you like. Short runs are funny things. They never really feel much easier than long runs. You take a slow pace, aim for a couple of mile, and find yourself labouring up a hill. Go for 15 miles at a steady pace and the hill seems easy. Something about momentum, or psychology, or bloodflow?
Day 75 - Rest
The end of a satisfying week. Three runs of 6, 5 and 2 miles. Significantly higher mileage and I'm feeling great. Moreover, it was my MA graduation today. Brilliant day, great ceremony, seeing some good friends. And we discovered a brilliant new band - Gungor - who play towards the end of the night.
Day 76 - Rest
I worked hard last week, so I figured I could afford an extra rest day to fully recover.
Day 77 - 5.51 miles
I'm really making progress now. Again, I set off onto the trails around Beacon Hill and, though still having to make a considerably effort to dodge stones (not that easy, and not always successful) I was untroubled by any of my lower extremities. Another run or two around 6-7 miles and I'll be ready to return to running club.
Day 78 - Rest
We flew out to Malaga today ready to head off round Andalucia for a couple of days. The running gear (for both of us) is in our rucksacks but, if previous holidays are anything to go on, it remains to seen how much sun it will see. Tonight's dinner was mainly peanuts. We arrived lateish, checked into our hotel, lay down on the bed and decided we didn't really have the energy to go out for dinner. (actually, Rhiannon didn't have the energy and I'm always scared for a couple of days when we arrive in a new country and want to hide in the hotel room).
Day 79 - Rest
We got up and headed for Malaga's main attraction, a moorish fortress. Then picked up our bags and made for the bus station and Ronda. No running today; instead an incredible meal. We'd checked on Trip Advisor and discovered a tiny little backstreet restaurant selling modern interpretations on tapas. Absolutely amazing. The setup was ramshackle, a couple of tables on a dusty street and a proprietor who sat down and gave us a scribble list of what was available. As the dishes began to arrive we couldn't believe our eyes (or taste buds). Michelin standard mini-dishes of all kinds. The wasabi sorbet was a triumph. When the bill came - €28. Including drinks. El loco tapa.
Day 80 - Rest
More sights in Ronda this morning, including some palace gardens and the oldest bullring in Andalucia. Then on to Cordoba. Ronda was busy and bustling, sitting astride a gorge as it does. Cordoba was grand and imperious with a giant moorish construction dominating the old town. It was also strangely empty. Dinner was a stop-start affair too. We went to one place, ordered a drink and a few tapas and then decided we didn't really like it so paid up and went somewhere else. It was worse unfortunately.
Day 81 - Rest
We'd heard that the Mesquita was free for the first hour if you got up early enough. So we joined a quiet throngette outside the main doors at 8.30am. We silently entered to discover something quite breathtaking. And ancient moorish mosque, vast in area and littered with columns and supporting arches, converted hundreds of years ago to a cathedral - including an actual cathedral built in the centre. Quite incredible and difficult to describe. You have to see it I think. Then off to Granada. Better dinner here where we sat down for a drink, were brought a free tapa, ordered another…
Day 82 - 2 miles
I should say at this point - it's very hot indeed. Late thirties during the day. So the morning is the best time for a run. I finally got my shoes out and did a couple of miles. This is the plan really for holidays - don't try and do too much, just head and and turn the legs over every couple of days.
Today's big sight was the Alhambra. We spent most of the day there, having bought afternoon tickets for ticketed bits but with time to kill in the morning. Somewhat protracted effort really. Then on to Lanjaron.
Day 83 - Rest
Rest is the right thing in Lanjaron. It's a town with natural springs to which the elderly and infirm flock in their droves to sample the healing waters. As such, we spent the day with the elderly and infirm. But we did also fit in a 5 mile walk in the hills, a wimbledon final (we were the only people in the town interested in watching it but we found an empty bar that took pity on us), and our own moment of elderly infirmity in the baths. Special mention should probably go to the street-side kebab seller who took great pride in showing us that his kebabs where better because he bought the meat pre-cooked as the cash and carry and just warmed it up. He actually got the plastic tub out and gave us a little sample to make his point.
Day 84 - Rest
Early bus and we arrived in Nerja. We dismounted, collected our bags and promptly walked to what we thought was the town centre but was in fact the opposite direction. It took us quite a while to figure out the map didn't make sense, and why no-one else was walking in the same direction.
Day 85 - Rest
Still in Nerja, where we'll stay for the next few days. A beautiful day at the beach, swimming regularly in the warm mediterranean. Oh, and I finished Born to Run. I know, you all thought I'd read it already, but I hadn't. Very good though, I recommend it.
Day 86 - Rest
The owner of our apartments, Pepe, took us into the hills this morning to see his avacado plantation and country house. If you take the time to chat to people on holiday, these things often happen.
Day 87 - Rest
More holiday. Day trip to Frigiliana.
Day 88 - Rest
Okay, I'm rubbish at running when I'm on holiday. I don't know why but it just doesn't happen. The good thing about barefoot running in the summer is that the gear weighs next to nothing, so it's not too much trouble to stick it in just in case. So we returned home and I had one run in the bag. Prolific.
Day 89 - Rest
Down to visit some friends for a 30th birthday.
Day 90 - Rest
Still haven't been for a run…
Day 91 - Rest
Rhiannon went for a run this morning. I stayed behind to look after a toddler.
Day 92 - 6.20 miles
At last, a run! And what a run. I finally returned to running club. I went out with the 7:30 group, not sure how I would fare. We ran through the woods and over the hills and I was pretty happy. When I returned to the car park to meet the other groups I got into a few conversations about my strange shoes. General encouragement, and nice to be welcomed back. Felt great to do a club run!
Day 93 - Rest
A proper rest day, rather than a 'I just didn't run' day.
Day 94 - 4.17 miles speedwork
Club night again, on the grass track at the grammar school. So I took off my shoes and ran with completely naked feet, much to the fascination of my club mates. It was 90 second reps tonight and I started cautiously, knowing I hadn't done much speed for about 3 months. As each rep progressed I gained a bit of confidence and, after being about 10th on the first one I progressed to 3rd by the final one. I could feel my feet slipping a bit as a tried to run fast on the grass (at the push-off of each stride), so I did put the shoes back on for one rep. I could no longer feel the slipping, but I reasoned that I couldn't feel it because of the rubber on my soles. If I was slipping a bit (which I suspect was no more than in the shoes) then I just have to work harder, which is no bad thing for speedwork.
But boy can I feel my calves now.
No comments:
Post a Comment