Well after my last rubbish run, England did at least overcome the penalty hoodoo, and for the first time in ages proved that they could be brilliant both on paper and on grass. In truth I’m not sure brilliant describes their performance, but the job was done. Thanks to G for the internet meme of ‘Arry Kane.
I still had something to prove, having had a lousy run and a sore hamstring last time out. After a day’s rest I was back out in the fray. The headline may give you a clue as to how today went.
I’d decided to run my old C25K loop, which is the Slope of Hope, followed by ascending the Hill That Kills, into Lovers’ Lane, around Villa Bali and back up Lovers’ Lane, a descent of the Hill That Kills. And repeat, until your running time is up. I thought this would be a good idea as it keeps me close to home in case of a niggle/problem.
Today’s characters in order of appearance are:-
So Shite
A middle aged woman who may have bitten a poisoned apple of a challenge in trying to run the year.
Sleepy
Last night we were out eating and drinking in-between the vines at a local vineyard. I didn’t over indulge but it was a late night, so I wasn’t at my best when I hauled my sorry arse out of bed.
Sneezy
On my way down the Slope Of Hope for the first time, I saw a Fiat 500 veering rather erratically on the road. We do have some elderly drivers here who’ve never taken a driving test, so I wasn’t overly alarmed, just stopped and waited for him to drive past. He wasn’t actually sneezing but he was having a coughing fit, hunched over the wheel, causing him to rock from side to side. As Disney didn’t call a dwarf ‘Coughy’, Sneezy will have to do.
Bashful
My hamstring was aching quite a bit as I entered the Hill That Kills – she could be the Evil Stepmother, as she’s quite cunning. You think she’s easy to ascend, but there are a couple of rises that give you quite a challenge. I wasn’t feeling very confident about getting up her today, and was quite bashful about being able to achieve it. First time – yes I managed to run up all the way, without a breather/pause. Second time, no she got me and I had a halfway stop.
Dopey
When not feeling great what’s one of the worst things you can do – that’s right JCR (or Dopey as I now should call myself), it’s running in full sun without shade, that was two loops of Villa Bali and whilst they were short the sun was hot and high in the sky. Who chooses to run in sun when it is 28 degrees? I could have avoided those loops easily and stayed in the shade. But no Dopey by name, and dopey by nature.
Doc
At my second attempt to run up the Hill That Kills, my hamstring started grumbling even more. Evidently this niggle is here to stay. having checked my Dr Google injury recovery checklist – I can expect this to hang around for 2 weeks. I may need to use the foam roller torture instrument to see if that helps. Otherwise rest is the main cure – that is not in the least bit helpful, leading me onto ….
Grumpy
I’m pissed off. I should have run 10km today and managed a pathetic 5k.
Happy
How I was before this stupid hamstring thing.
Playlist
Rock The Casbah – The Clash
Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak – Macy Gray
Everything Must Go – The Manics
Alison – Elvis Costello
Lucky You – Lightning Seeds
It’s Called A Heart – Depeche Mode
Two Tribes – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Smile Like You Mean It – The Killers
Rain On Your Parade – Duffy
Down In The Tube Station At Midnight – The Jam
Wonderwall – Oasis
In The City – The Jam
Sign Your Name – Terence Trent D’Arby
Stats
Distance 5.57km
Time 47:16
Average Pace 8:29 mins/km – So Shite!
Elevation Gain 47 metres
Alzheimer’s Challenge
Kms Done 1141.12
Kms To Run 876.88
