So, when we left off, I had done my first ever run on the West Highland Way - good, eh?! I was hesitantly deciding running might be 'alright after all', but instead of going straight out for a run, I had a couple of rest days - partly because of legs being a wee bit heavy (but not sore - win!) but mainly because in the run-up to my couple of weeks off work, my workload was manic, and I really had to put the hours in at the office. However, I got out for a pre-work run on the Wednesday - 2.75 miles in a wholly unimpressive 33 mins (couple of walk breaks) - and Thursday was a good personal training session in the gym.
Then - Friday. :-) Friday was the start of my summer holidays off work - 2.5 weeks of awesomess, and I wanted to make my mark on it immediately. So, I went for a walk into town, the long way (along some of the cycle path network), stopped for a coffee and cake, then went into Run & Become for a spot of running shoe shopping. My trainers are now about 3 years old (granted, I bought 3 pairs in one go, and have worn them in rotation) and in desperate need of replacing, but of course, newer versions of 'my' model have completely changed and no longer fit my stupid feet. So, many pairs were tried on, and many pairs of trail shoes, and eventually I left empty-handed. I mean, they're ordering me in a pair in my size that I suspect will be perfect, but still, it was a wee bit demoralising. I headed to my gym, and went for a swim, feeling much better again. After a bit more of a walk, I went to the cinema with friends, and finished off with an evening stroll home. I'd walked almost 8.5 miles over the day, and felt great. :-)
Saturday I headed to Strathclyde parkrun for the first time, on a red hot sunny day. Caught up with friends there, and then had what felt at the time to be a godawful horrendous run in the heat, but looking back was actually okay - a very fast first mile, then a run/walk back to the finish line, in 35:16 - par for the course for me, somewhat disappointing but still a reasonable time, and my best for a few months.
It was early to bed on Saturday night, as I'd arranged to get up at daft o'clock to go meet Tamara as she attempted her holy grail of a sub-8 hour Moonwalk. :-) We'd previously agreed I would meet her at around about the 16 mile mark, and walk with her for a bit, to get her pace up, then I would take a short cut ( and get a wee rest) until she caught me back up, walk a bit again, and so on. However, cutting a long story short, I felt fresh and was unimpeded by coats or bags or anything like that, and it was really nice weather, so from when I met her at about 4:45am, I walked the whole way to the finish with her, covering 9.7 miles in 3 hours. My first mile with her was a 15:38 - wtf?! I didn't know my little legs were capable of that! We followed it with a 16:04 - bearing in mind Tamara was now past 18 miles, I'm stunned at how awesome she was doing. She took a couple of short breaks, and we slowed a wee bit, but we managed to pick the pace up again towards the end, and powered home, to get her across the line in a completely awe-inspiring 7:45. Bearing in mind we'd struggled to finish in around 9:30 last year, this is bloody fab.
I went home completely inspired..... But then spent the rest of Sunday doing nothing, lol!!! I have lots more to write about my thoughts following this walk with Tamara - I will write a post all about it very soon, on the subject of goals, and training, etc. Lots to say!!!!
Anyway, I'm running very short on time, so just quickly cover Monday-Thursday by saying I've been off work, meeting friends for lunch, chilling out, and getting some gym time, a run, and loads of walking. Proper loving it. Friday (was that really only yesterday?) I spent 7 hours on a train to get to Taunton, and now I'm here, at Paula's house, so I can cheer myself hoarse as she completes her first Ironman 70.3 tomorrow, at Wimbleball lake in Exmoor National Park. I have to say, it's STUNNING here, I've never been down this part of the world before. But I shall leave any more to my next blog post......
Sorry to rush over the last few days, I'll aim for a bit more blog consistency this week, I promise. x
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