Those who run seem to have all the fun
10.4 miles in 1:25:46
Route: Windsor circuit 4
45 minutes of squash - Andrew 2 - 1 Jonathan
Alarm went off some time around 7. Checked weather. Saw rain and wind. Overnight gales had rearranged the furniture on the roof terrace. Went back to bed.
Andrew texted me around 9 asking my ETA. Guilt tripped me into getting up. Switched on espresso machine. Went to bathroom. Looked in mirror. Went back to bed.
Hauled myself back to the kitchen and made extra strong coffee. Threw essentials into a bag (trainers, ipod, socks, squash racquet, wash bag) and set off for Waterloo. Barged past rude tourists as they tried to clamber onto the tube before I could get off. Mild satisfaction.
Arrived Waterloo. Paid £3.85 for ticket to Egham. Wondered why ticket price is different every week. Got onto a train to Staines. Listened to Abba to pump myself up.
Arrived Staines. Noted that weather improved but still icy cold. Met Andrew and scored a banana. Felt better.
Went running. Circumnavigated Virginia Water. Amazing scenery. Head wind. Ducks. Blue skies now. Andrew and Chloe following on bikes. Left them for dust.
Cruised around a full circuit of the lake. Reminded how picturesque Windsor Great Park is. Picked up old route past the polo club and to Cumberland Lodge. Went across the fields up to the statue that looks over Windsor castle. Very muddy.
Decided on a whim to add on an extra mile along the Long Walk. Cold head wind. Hummed Abba to keep spirits up. Met Andrew at top of hill on the way out of the park. Running slower now - feeling the distance a little.
Scorched past Chloe on final mile. Her bike is no advantage when matched against speed like mine. Asked Andrew how I was looking. "Tired" he said.
Finished in a time I was happy with. Distance exceeded my target. Extensive stretching confirmed that I am about as flexible as
Ate lunch. Sandwich. Cheese. Ham. Pickle. Better than anything I've ever tasted.
Dragged to Egham Sports Centre for more ritual humiliation on the squash court. Legs so stiff I could barely warm up, let alone beat Andrew. Lost first two games. Struggling. Changed strategy for final game and went on the attack. Andrew had no answer. Saved some face.
Quick shower. Learnt that only sport where two opposing teams can be attacking different sized goals is water polo (it's to do with who's in the shallow/deep end). Back to station and on train to London. Ipod on shuffle.
Tube across London. Limped home via shops to pick up bread, milk and Hob-nobs (bad bad JD). Ate left-over quiche and baked potato with sweetcorn. Ate multiple Hob-nobs. Retired to bed to contemplate my aches and pains.
Another happy day in the life of a marathon runner.
Route: Windsor circuit 4
45 minutes of squash - Andrew 2 - 1 Jonathan
Alarm went off some time around 7. Checked weather. Saw rain and wind. Overnight gales had rearranged the furniture on the roof terrace. Went back to bed.
Andrew texted me around 9 asking my ETA. Guilt tripped me into getting up. Switched on espresso machine. Went to bathroom. Looked in mirror. Went back to bed.
Hauled myself back to the kitchen and made extra strong coffee. Threw essentials into a bag (trainers, ipod, socks, squash racquet, wash bag) and set off for Waterloo. Barged past rude tourists as they tried to clamber onto the tube before I could get off. Mild satisfaction.
Arrived Waterloo. Paid £3.85 for ticket to Egham. Wondered why ticket price is different every week. Got onto a train to Staines. Listened to Abba to pump myself up.
Arrived Staines. Noted that weather improved but still icy cold. Met Andrew and scored a banana. Felt better.
Went running. Circumnavigated Virginia Water. Amazing scenery. Head wind. Ducks. Blue skies now. Andrew and Chloe following on bikes. Left them for dust.
Cruised around a full circuit of the lake. Reminded how picturesque Windsor Great Park is. Picked up old route past the polo club and to Cumberland Lodge. Went across the fields up to the statue that looks over Windsor castle. Very muddy.
Decided on a whim to add on an extra mile along the Long Walk. Cold head wind. Hummed Abba to keep spirits up. Met Andrew at top of hill on the way out of the park. Running slower now - feeling the distance a little.
Scorched past Chloe on final mile. Her bike is no advantage when matched against speed like mine. Asked Andrew how I was looking. "Tired" he said.
Finished in a time I was happy with. Distance exceeded my target. Extensive stretching confirmed that I am about as flexible as
Ate lunch. Sandwich. Cheese. Ham. Pickle. Better than anything I've ever tasted.
Dragged to Egham Sports Centre for more ritual humiliation on the squash court. Legs so stiff I could barely warm up, let alone beat Andrew. Lost first two games. Struggling. Changed strategy for final game and went on the attack. Andrew had no answer. Saved some face.
Quick shower. Learnt that only sport where two opposing teams can be attacking different sized goals is water polo (it's to do with who's in the shallow/deep end). Back to station and on train to London. Ipod on shuffle.
Tube across London. Limped home via shops to pick up bread, milk and Hob-nobs (bad bad JD). Ate left-over quiche and baked potato with sweetcorn. Ate multiple Hob-nobs. Retired to bed to contemplate my aches and pains.
Another happy day in the life of a marathon runner.
posted by Jonathan @ 10:23 PM
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