The Road and the Miles to London

Loneliness of the long distance runner? Loneliness my  ****s ! I think the words freedom, peace, free space, etc. would be more applicable. Okay, so you’re on your own for 3 hours plus, but that’s 3 hours to sort out the world’s problems, arrange your work for the next few weeks, organise holidays, etc. etc. and because the long run is at an easy pace (and in my case, on a scale of the animal kingdom, I’m talking geriatric snail with a broken sucker!), surroundings can be absorbed. Where I’m training - that ain’t half pleasant.

Having been fortunate enough to be drawn for the club’s London Marathon entry, I have been gradually increasing my Sunday run, following a ‘Runners World’ schedule. Last week, I did 22 miles - and not being one who fancies circuits or repetitions (I’m not talking speedwork here!) I went with a 22 mile loop from home. Accurately measured (not!) on my Ordnance Survey map with my trusty piece of string.

I’m lucky enough to live on the edge of the city, so most of the running was in scenic countryside around Lennoxtown and Dumgoyne. Anyone who fancies a run out this part of the world, let me know as I do a good rate for changing and showers!!! (I also make a fine cuppa!!)

I’ve done very little speedwork (what a shame), most efforts coming from fartlek sessions. The midweek runs vary from six to ten miles. I thing the psychology of it all must be very interesting to study. Not that long ago, a 10 mile Sunday run was long distance for me and I would have to ‘psych’ myself up for it before starting. Tomorrow, I’m going to leave work 10 minutes early so I can get home in time for enough daylight to do a 10 miler with an 8 mile paced run incorporated in it - and I’m thinking nothing of it! Just a training run.

So....for my second marathon, I think I’ll build by Sunday run up to about 40 - 50 miles making 26.2 miles a breeze....! Yeh, right!!!

Susan Carter