One of the things I often tell people when they state with horrified certainty that they could never run 26.2 miles is that it takes training and preparation and that you don't just jump out of bed one morning and decide to run a marathon. I might have to slightly revise this statement for future conversations however, as it would appear that is exactly what I did today. It wasn't a complete non sequitur of course, there was something of a reason for it. Today was the Summer Solstice, the point in the astronomical calendar when the sun is at it's highest (in the Southern Hemisphere at least) and we have the most hours of daylight as a result. It was also therefore the Longest Day Run weekend, and an event I had agreed to participate in. As the challenge spans the 21st and the 22nd and you can choose to spread your runs over any 24 hour period on those days, I had already agreed to a ten mile run with a friend tomorrow, on Sunday the 22nd.
The Breakfast of Champignons! I had in my mind that to challenge myself I'd like to do a distance I'd never yet run and 30 miles seemed the next benchmark after the 26.2 of a marathon. that would leave me with 20 to run today. I decided to start at about 12pm as that would be the time by which we'd probably have finished our ten miles tomorrow and so allow me to fit all the miles in to the specified period. I also had it in the back of my head that if I felt good, tacking an extra 10k on the end might not be such a bad thing to do... but that was the optional extra, the goal plus one. I had a kind of notional route in mind; out towards Altricham, down on to the Mersey and along to Stockport before heading back into town with the option to bail out at Didsbury if I felt rough, or even get the train back from Stockport if needed. With no more than that to go on, I made the most of an excuse for a hearty cooked brunch and laced up.
I'll admit my legs did feel a little heavy to begin with, still full of yesterday's hill reps no doubt but the first chunk of the route went pretty much with out a hitch at a fairly steady, roughly eight and a half minute mile pace. When I got to the point at which I hoped to drop down on the Mersey however, things went a little skewiff; I could easily see how to get down and head out towards Urmston... but that was completely the opposite direction to the one I had planned. I used this as an opportunity for a pit-stop at a local garage and by that point a welcome loo break. Unfortunately, as I had to queue for the toilet I made the decision to save, not pause, the Garmin in case it had a GPS fart and reset itself so the record of my day out is split over two sessions. Hey ho, better than the device crashing and totally losing the data!
Finally Made it to the Mersey! Half a flapjack and an apple later, having reviewed the map, I was back on my way. I couldn't help wondering if stopping had been a bad idea though; heavy legs had turned to slow legs and I'd only done six miles! Thankfully, I warmed up again and the speed returned. The weather was glorious and I just sat back (mentally at least) and enjoyed the scenery, so many lovely gardens to run past! Eventually, I recognised the road name I had been looking for and made it to a junction I recognised as well as to the Mersey. It was a relief to realise I was back on what passed for a planned route. I always find it very draining when I get a little misplaced on one of my 'mystery' runs and knowing I could now return to the initial idea encouraged an energy boost that was much needed!
The Mersey at Didsbury Thankfully, I do prefer running in warm weather and am not adversed to a bit of sunshine. I was aware though that I needed to be careful to stay fuelled and hydrated so I sipped frequently on the water and sports drink I'd brought along. I tried to be friendly but not annoying to other runners; some people seem to be running like they're enduring some kind of personal torture and I imagine it must be really irritating to see me with a grin like a slice of water melon and brimming with enthusiasm. I couldn't help wondering how far they were planning and if there were any more Longest Day participants! When I got as far as Didsbury I felt good enough to keep going but decided it was probably time to crack open an isotonic energy gel before I felt like I needed it rather than waiting to crash.
The View from Stockport Thankfully, I had walked this section of the route (albeit about 4 years ago!) so it was now pretty familiar and I felt like the hard (unknown) bit was behind me. I knew the instinct that I was almost home now was a little optimistic but made the most of it to spur me on! Nonetheless, the familiarity, pleasant weather, beautiful scenery (and sugar kick no doubt) carried me on happily to Stockport. where I really did feel like I was almost back. Close but not so fast... Still the drop back down into Manchester through Longsight and Levenshulme! Past the McVities Factory (Mmmm Biscuiiiiiits..!) and down in to City Centre, I started to see the tall architectural landmarks of the universities, Beetham Tower and Arndale Centre get ever closer. And yes, I started to feel a little tired.
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| I was half way down the road back to my house when I decided to check exactly how far I had actually run... 17 miles. "is that all!?" I thought to myself, "so much for that 20 miler maybe a Marathon!" AH! But there was another 6 to add to that wasn't there because I'd stopped the watch? 23 miles. Yes that felt a bit more like it! I was tired, I was aching, but I was so close. And I still had half a flapjack. Down the cakehole and time to dig deep! |
Non Comprendes Senor Garminos... The hardest decision of the run but I turned a sudden right off the 'home straight', away from the shower, away from the cold drink, away from the toilet and kicking off the trainers and sitting on the balcony and off for a final 3.2 lap round Ancoats to hit that distance! Why wouldn't you? Off, as it turned out, to a frustrating sequence of closed tow paths and minor diversions, but on the plus side all that snaking back and forth just added to the miles without taking me too far back out of the city centre. Upon returning home with a total of 26.47 miles under my heels, the Garmin now suggests that I should be 'recovering' for 24 hours. Yeah. Right.
The Sun Sets on The Longest Day So, this evening is all about chilling out and re fuelling for a little jaunt in the countryside tomorrow... I won't pretend I can't feel the miles in my legs but I think I'll be OK. We'll be taking it slowly anyway and it's only ten miles after all. The weather is forecast to be as good as today and I'll enjoy the company tomorrow too, as well as an even more rural route so as the sun set on the longest day, it was with a sense of only vaguely weary anticipation that I look forward to it rising again!
Now where's that cake...?
Now where's that cake...?
