What a difference 6 days makes!!

Given last week's ever so slightly late update, I thought it best to do this update the same day as the run. And thankfully, this week is a much happier week!

Last week was a bit of a step backwards, and a little disappointing with the slow time and number of walks I needed. This week though has been quite a different affair and a good result. I was a touch concerned when I got in my car to go to Ant's though, as it looked rather foggy out. Since we live out in the sticks, this wasn't a big problem as far as visibility goes but cold, damp air is one of my big asthma trigger factors. I also decided to take my hi-vis running top with me just in case.

This week I was expecting to do the usual 4 mile cross country run, but Ant suggested we try something a little different. The suggested run was mostly a road route, with a good section of cross country, but also longer at 5-ish miles. I decided to wear the bright top, as the fog was worse out in the countryside than it was in the villages. I almost look the part too. Well, almost!

Ant also decided on a selfie, for some reason. This is my pre-run face, whilst Ant is his usual smiley self before a run, the git.

I was unsure how to feel about both the road running and the extra distance, as I've never run for more than our usual 4 miles, nor have I run on a road for any distance since I was 17. I also only have my trail shoes to run in. I do know however, that road running is easier than the equivalent distance cross country as the surface is clearly better and you can also get into a smoother rhythm, something that is important for running long distances.

So off we set along the road to Sulgrave, home of the lovely Sulgrave Manor. To start with the running was going well. My feet and legs felt OK, and I was doing a good job of keeping my breathing in time for once. I was therefore quite pleased when we rounded the last bend before Sulgrave and I hadn't had to slow to a walk! There were a few places were I slowed to a jog to recover, but that alone is a vast improvement on my last run. I was even more pleased when I saw the run map after and realised that the last turn into Sulgrave is 2.5 miles in! I don't think I've ever run that far in one go!!

I did have to slow to a walk in Sulgrave itself though, as my endurance isn't close to what it needs to be yet. On the way in, we thought it good to take a photo of me running down the lane and the fog in the background. Although the fog was worse than this in patches, this photo mainly shows how fat I am at the moment!!

Once through the village, and across one of the worst junctions in the area, we were back onto fields. The change back to soft ground was welcome indeed. As was the damp grass, given that my feet were getting quite warm by this point as we were at the 3.5 miles mark. The next mile was all cross country and mostly hills at that. This part was tiring, but also a relief after the roads.

We then came back to the roads, and yet another hill. Ant suggested three options as a challenge on the final 0.75 mile leg. Don't stop, don't drop to a walk or a sprint to finish. Being competitive, I opted for not stopping AND a sprint finish. So off we went, up the hill and back into the village before getting to a back road that was to be the sprint finish. At the start of the back road, off we go with Ant taking an obvious lead. I sprint, then run, then wheeze my way to the end of road, feeling all good about getting there when Ant runs past the turn to his house, saying to follow him and he'll tell me why in a minute. At this point, I hate him a little bit but follow anyway.

I'm just about done but I know the route he's thinking of, and it's pretty flat thankfully. This last few minutes had the sole purpose of ensuring our route was over 5 miles. I'm quite sure it was anyway, but Ant wanted to be certain! So huffing, panting and generally looking less than amazing we arrive back at Ant's. He also manages to make me look especially glamorous in photos.

But once I had walked it off and had a pint of squash in me, I got a little glimpse of that post-run glow that I'm told happens. That's not to say I was feeling amazing at this point, but at least pleased with myself I suppose! I was even more pleased when Ant showed me the run map, with a distance of 5.25 miles and a time of 1hr 1 min 13secs. This is both the furthest and the longest I have ever run. So whilst I hated Ant a bit for making me run even further, it's those pushes at the end that allow me to manage the marathon distance. Keeping this pace up for the full 26.2 miles would see me finish in a smidge under 5 hours!