Last Wednesday night I didn't get to sleep until 1.30 am on account of Mr B's snoring. He was forgiven as Thursday he celebrated a BIG birthday. Another late night followed due to celebrations. A bottle or two of Champagne were consumed and a lovely evening was had with great friends. A very busy day at work on Friday had me sneaking off to the golden arches for a very naughty fast lunch.
I'm telling you all this because when I got in from work on Friday afternoon I put on my trainers and headed out the door. I had planned to do a clockwise circuit around Stoke Woods. But, I changed my mind. I was feeling good and suddenly decided I actually really needed to do my very long experimental run. I was already on the Taunton 10k route and instead of turning right towards the planned route I found myself turning left.
I thought to myself that I would see how it went and if by the time I got back to my village I had had enough it would be OK to head for home. I managed to thoroughly cheese off one particular driver. She had to slow down and even stop, how very rude of me to be wanting to use the road! My timing for this route was not so good, I was meeting a lot of commuter traffic but I am happy to say that all bar the one woman happily acknowledged my waves of thanks for giving me space.
I got thoroughly soaked from a very heavy downpour and began to worry that if the weather didn't improve I would run out of light before energy. Back on my home turf I approached the turning to my house, I could see my very faint shadow on the lane and a quick timing calculation had me choosing to do a second circuit. Off I went, round again. This time the traffic had considerably lessened and my legs still felt OK. I did have the option of not adding in the Holway section of the route but that would not get my mileage up to what I needed to prove to myself what I was capable of. It had to be done and it was.
For my second trip along South Rd I slowed quite noticeably and as I turned into Stoke Rd I realised I had no memory whatsoever of having already run there some good few minutes before. As I headed out towards Stoke I put my head down, I was running against daylight. I was cross with myself. I should have left work sooner and gotten on with the job and now if the light went I would be putting myself and others in danger.
I ran almost 20km. I was delighted. And, I did that after 2 late nights, alcohol and junk food. Surely that can't be right?
I slept like a log and woke on Saturday morning ravenously hungry and Mr B treated me to breakfast in town AND we went out for lunch too! I had a lovely day visiting relatives on Sunday and through all this I felt amazing. However when I got up yesterday morning I felt awful. I had a banging headache, sore throat, chills and aches and pains. I duly took painkillers and got through work. I should have been running after work but ended up having a really early night. Today I started the day feeling rough but it has warn off somewhat and I was able to complete a 6k outing around the woods I had originally planned to do last Friday.
The highlight of my run today was that once I had reached the top of the world, just over the other side of the woods on the hill I can see from home, I was enjoying the amazing views out over towards town when I was joined in the lane by the prettiest deer I have ever seen. Sadly she didn't approve of my company, she skitted off down the lane and disappeared over the hedge. I always feel immensely privileged to see these shy creatures, she made my day, all that effort so worthwhile for those few seconds.
This weekend I have an eightieth birthday party to celebrate hopefully with bubbles and good food and another top quality meal to look forward to on Saturday, I shall be driving for this one so no alcohol. I am hoping that the two late nights, a little drop of alcohol and some excellent food will stand me in good stead for a long run next Sunday. What do you think?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find another box of tissues. Achoo x
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