Happily Ever After
Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running
Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.
Frosty The Runner
by Russell Turner - 12:22 on 14 December 2017
The shorts didn’t return today – an unsurprising decision considering the Garmin told me that the temperature was -1.1ºC and felt like -5.6ºC in the wind. Fortunately there was no wind in our corner of the Black Isle.
There were a few icy patches though, and the intended route had to be revised on a couple of occasions. My perambulations saw me pass Kirkmichael, abandon the attempt to reach Newhall Point (too slippery), retrace my steps to Newhall Bridge then run to the Udale Bay bird hide and back. The scenery was impressive, with clear skies and snowy horizons which I was able to see thanks to following Matchgirl’s instructions to run tall and keep my head up.
The 5k was completed non-stop (apart from two turnarounds) in under 36 minutes, which may not sound much to boast about but was my best time yet (although I’m not supposed to be keeping score) and felt comfortable. Whether I could have doubled the distance at the same pace remains to be seen. My heart rate was high but I’ll put that down to the cold rather than over-exertion.
I took the plunge and have signed up as a Parkrunner, so Saturday may find me on the Inverness 5k course, straggling in at the back of the field if the most recent set of runners’ times is anything to go by. At least I’ll have Matchgirl beside me if she keeps her promise to run round with me and can bear the shame of recording a poor time.
One thing I can look forward to is running less and walking more when I begin the marathon programme. For the first two weeks, anyway. Then it gets serious.
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