After last weeks successful 15 mile run and a couple of pain free 7 mile efforts in the week the time has finally come to push the mileage a bit higher and see how good the old ankle really is. Like most things I should probably have waited a bit longer and bought the mileage back up a lot slower, but there's a run I want to do in a couple of weeks time and I really need to know if it's going to be achievable, or not, so I can start making arrangements. So that's how I found myself stood in the car park at Old Alresford early Saturday morning waiting for the GPS to find some satellites and pull up the route I walked on the Oxdrove Way a couple of weeks back. It was a nice bit of rolling countryside, with well maintained paths which hopefully avoid to much ankle twisting, and at 22 miles is far enough to really push the legs without killing myself. With the sun shining (I'm loving this September lark) and a gentle breeze blowing it was a lovely day for running and the miles fairly flew past. There's no doubt trail running, whilst tending to be slower than on the road, defiantly passes the time far faster. There's a lot more to occupy your mind, not only some lovely scenery to admire but your constantly thinking about where your going, moving around the track, looking for the best route to cover the distance and avoiding the ankle traps and dog dung! Don't get me wrong I love road running, you can switch off and think about your latest project or attempt at world domination, but it can get pretty monotonous when your 3 hours in and getting tired! Anyway, more importantly, a Gnats chuff under 3:15 saw me back to the van with the sun still shining and 22 miles under my belt. The old ankle started to get a bit tender from about the 19 mile point which I suppose is to be expected and continued to feel a bit sore all afternoon. However, I'm pretty happy with the days efforts, considering that apart from last weekend the farthest I've run since the start of June is 7 miles, my legs felt pretty good and although not quick was at a pace that I felt was easily sustainable. I'm off Audaxing tomorrow, so either my scabby ankle will recover and I'll be a happy bunny, ready to get on with my winter running plans, or I'll be back to hobbling around and cursing myself for my lack of patience, only time will tell! Either way, the bikes in the van, the routes loaded and my pockets full of money to spend on cake, so we'll continue this later!
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Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
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