Not such a bright day today – about 11 degrees and very London in colour. Still no peace for the stupid, I agreed with Mr JCR that I’d run down to the coffee shop and he’d meet me there for breakfast.
First off, up Mill Lane – past the Water Pumping Station, where I flicked a V sign. I realise it’s not its fault our water leak, but that bloody station often conks out – why oh why not this time? Anyway, up to Lovers’ Lane and Villa Bali, back to its usual coachload of school children on the obligatory science trip. As I ran around the grounds, one smart-arse yoof, decided it would be fun to mimic my running. As he did, he tripped over. I didn’t laugh although was sorely tempted, but he got his comeuppance with a roar of laughter and catcalls from the other students.
Continuing on down the hill that kills, and slope of hope, turning into the bendy, scary road. It’s always quiet on a Monday morning, most shops are shut and there’s not so many folk around. One lone cyclist came into view – it’s the ninja O.A.P., who I see quite often, fair play to him I was running downhill, he was cycling uphill. At that point the bendy, scary road lived up to its reputation with two school buses coming up behind me and a large freight lorry coming towards me. All that metal, it wasn’t worth the fight, so I stopped. Re-starting, I had stones in my shoe – stopped again, removed stone. Carried on for all of 10 metres, then there was another stone in the other one, and my sock has lost some elasticity, so my left trainer was rubbing my heel. Minor wardrobe adjustments made, I then carried on. Turning at the fish shop, I was now on the home stretch, although this part of the road runs parallel to the Via Flaminia (which is nice and flattish), but the road I’m on fools you – it starts off on a gentle slope down, but then bites you on the bum and reverts back to type – uphill and nasty.
My final schlep was on the Via Flaminia itself, where I took shelter from the thundering juggernauts and finally made it to the cafe for a well-earned cappuccino and pastry. Oh and my final ’S’ for today – I have broken the 600km barrier.
Playlist
Night Fever – Bee Gees
Ruby – Kaiser Chiefs
Glory Days – The Boss
Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran
She’s Electric – Oasis
London Calling – The Clash
Locomotion – OMD
Cabron – Red Hot Chilis
Marvin Gaye – Phuth and Traynor
Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles
Na Na Na Naa – Kaiser Chiefs
Upside Down – Paloma Faith
It’s Called A Heart – Depeche Mode
Back To Black – Amy Winehouse
I Try – Macy Gray
Enola Gay – OMD
Two Tribes – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Dance Away – Roxy Music
Help me Rhonda – The Beach Boys
Stats
Distance 10.23km
Time 1:05:05
Average Pace 6:21
Elevation Gain 42 metres
Alzheimer’s Challenge
Kms Done 603.73
Kms to Do 1414.27
