On the left we have the international Morse Code on the right, one runner’s thigh. This morning started bright and early after the sound of pitter patter on the roof told us it was raining. Well it told MR JCR it was raining, at which point he scrambled out to the back garden to rescue our outdoor cushions from getting soaked. Somewhat slower in reaction times, I followed suit. Hence I was awake before the witching hour on a Saturday. Amazing, its something that’s hardly ever known to me; having drunk a restorative mug of tea (and a blissful three days of rest with no running), I thought I should aim for a longer run if the temperature was kind.
After a considerable mount of faffing I finally left the house at 7.45am. Congratulating myself on a job well done, I then got bitten by a mosquito – three times on the right leg. Now the sun is up and they are supposed to be nocturnal, what is going on? Continuing on to Mill Lane, I managed to scratch my thigh, I don’t know how that happened – already my right leg is sporting three mozzie dots and one scratched dash – Morse Code for ‘V’ which considering I flick a vee sign at the water pumping station every time I pass, seems appropriate.
I pootle along to Lovers’ Lane, where Lord Kitchener is clearing up after Friday night’s Pink Floyd tribute concert. He is too busy to notice me and so not a word is said. I aim for the hill that kills, and delight in the glorious shade – and thank heavens the mozzies appear to have gone. It’s early, everywhere is sleepy and I take the bendy, scary road and suprisingly don’t see a pedestrian, cyclist or even a car until I reach Royston Vasey. And there she is Miss Marsupio, smiling as ever and listening to her music. Our standard greeting is a nod or a smile, however today we exchanged Ciaos, I don’t know exactly where she walks but I reckon it is more or less a 10km loop.
By now I realise that Map My Run Mechanical Voice Lady has gone awol again, and sure enough I check my phone and yes I have taken 28 minutes to run 1.1km. Then to my great surprise I manage the next km in just 2 seconds. At this point, I decide to run a specific route, so I can record the kilometres accurately. Ho hum, these technological glitches are most peculiar.
I enter the fish shop village and they are either clearing up or setting up for some event as there are a vast number of hay bales in the village square; there aren’t any visible signs/notices – maybe it’s country dancing or similar. I continue onto Bin Lane, and I am shadowed by a car, pretty much all the way up – which is just over a km long. Now there is a universal truism amongst runners that if you have an audience you can’t stop running, no matter how much you may want to. Whilst I desperately wanted to stop to have a drink, I didn’t want the embarrassment of stopping and the car’s occupants, thinking I wasn’t a real runner. So up Bin Lane I schlepped, with my own personal race car behind. Thank heavens it came to a stop before I hit the ‘all roads lead to Rome’ road.
On my final approach to the cafe, I overtook a fellow runner, she was wearing a very fetching natty pink combo, my face was redder than hers, she had the swooshy ponytail, caramel coloured skin, not a sweat droplet in sight, and I felt somewhat deflated. It would be nice just the once, to look like a swooshy ponytail runner, rather than the tomato on legs I actually am. Maybe another day?
Dot dash dot, dot dot dash, dash dot, dash dot dot, dash dash dash, dash dot, dot.
Oh and a huge thank you to friends K&C who have sponsored me for my challenge, when the flesh and motivation is weak, these gestures help a lot. Thanks so much!
Playlist
Night Boat To Cairo, House of Fun, One Step Beyond- Madness
Ghost Town, Gangsters, Too Much Too Young, – The Specials
Selector, On My Radio, Too Much Pressure, – The Selector
007 Shanty Town, Israelites, – Desmond Dekker
Mirror In the Bathroom – The Beat
The Can Can – Bad Manners
One Step Beyond, Al Capone – Prince Buster
Our Lips Are Sealed- Fun Boy Three
Carry Go Bring Come – Justin Hinds and The Dominoes
54-56 Was My Number – Toots and The Maytals
Skinhead Moonstomp – Symarip
Return of Django – The Upsetters
Rudy, A Message To You – Dandy Livingstone
Red Red Wine – Tony Tribe
Start – The Jam
Uptown Top Ranking – Althea and Donna
Train To Skaville – The Ethiopians
Stats
Distance 10.39km
Time 1:15:00
Average Pace 7:13
Elevation Gain 118 metres
Alzheimer’s Challenge
Kms Done 1218.13
Kms To Do 799.87 (yes, now into the 700s)
