26 July – Week 5 Run 3 – Welcome Home

After having only recently learnt the Italian for scarper, I was at a restaurant by the sea last night with friends, admiring and enjoying the most amazing thunder and lightning show out at sea. Nature’s fireworks – really glorious. All of a sudden, not quite so glorious as the storm came inland in no more than two minutes and our waitress said we had to scarper – at that point the next table’s plates were lifted off by the wind, so scarper we did. Yes we did pay the bill, and got into the car before hailstones arrived. Hail in July!!!

This morning Mr Smooth’s customary invitation arrived, and I knew we were at a critical point in our relationship. No more Mr Nice Guy. Trainers on, faff with technology and go out the door. It was really quiet today, no Albino or Anouska, Mr 118 nowhere to be seen. Nuns on the run evidently did their chores yesterday. Not even the dogs to bark me on.

So I focussed on my music to try and keep my mind off Mr Smooth telling me this was a mental challenge… Change by the Lightning Seeds came on and I thought of a fellow Week 5er and how he is thinking of things and even changing routes. And at the moment I realise I can’t actually change my route, because then I won’t know how good or bad I’m doing.

Then I think well actually I could change the route, because it’s just a run right? Then I go back to I can’t change the route and one of the reasons why is at present I need the routine, I need to see my Italian running mates who don’t realise how much they help keep my mind going, with silly stories and characters.

So because I didn’t see any of them today, the only witness to my full 20 minutes run, (yes I did it) was this chap hiding in my porch… Not pretty, quite ugly in fact – sporting a colour we will be calling toad brown. To be honest I thought he was piece of animal poo….

My celebrations on the week 5 podium (my porch) were witnessed by an amphibian, who didn’t even blink, let alone scarper.

I sported the Dulux Colour Monarch again – substantially darker than my usual salsa red, but I figure that’s allowed as I just did 20 minutes.

Mr Smooth you were right it is all in the mind, and although today you gave me at least 6 opportunities to swear, it came good at the end. I’m not dumping you just yet.