I had been planning to get my better half to drop me off at the top very early one summer morning in the hope of being ahead of the commuter rush. At the weekend our lovely sons and almost daughter in law treated us to Sunday lunch at our favourite pub which required us to travel along this said route and I was delighted to discover the road is closed this week due to some serious subsidence needing attention. If I didn't do the run now it would be highly unlikely that I would have the chance to do so in relative safety ever again.
When I got up this morning I felt I could run forever, work had to be done first though. Once home I was starving and the sun was hot so I figured I had better eat first and run later. I'm not sure I got that choice right but I enjoyed making a smoked haddock risotto and enjoyed eating it even more. I had to set out a little earlier than I would have liked as I knew I wouldn't manage the whole way there and back from home and my son was going out so it was trainers on and he dropped me 3.24 km from the top of the hill.
The temperature when I started was a very warm 18 degrees, fortunately I was running on the shady side of the road but it wasn't long before I was walking. That hill is steep! Although it was hard, the reward for running in the middle of a road away from the blessed camber, no traffic except for a tractor and trailer and forestry commission truck, glorious weather and magnificent view was priceless. The banter from the farmer and forester kept me running on up determined to run as much as I could and then I reached the top and my long held dream was about to begin.
After a good slurp of water I was off, picking up speed, although still warm I could feel a slight breeze on my hot sticky face and the view unfurled before me as I sped past the workers giving a wave in return for there unheard comments. I loved every minute, every step, every gasp all the way to the bottom. A slight incline slowed me right down and the undulating road kept me alternating between walking and running. I passed the evening drinkers in the pub garden soaking up the rays. I swapped sides of the road on the bends, traffic now but thankfully quiet, running out of steam, got to keep going, getting closer to home. Passing through Thurlbear I hear a car slowing at my side and a voice calls "Fancy a lift?",
"Don't tempt me!" I answer my husband!
I run the last mile and a half hoping he has a big glass of water waiting for me. He did.
To top it all, please notice the photo of my socked foot. This must prove I am a real runner surely?
You don't need proof you're a real runner :) x
ReplyDeleteoh, and ouchiee!
Love it....good for you. I feel like I was running with you - lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThank you and thank you xx
ReplyDelete