Back back back

OK things kicked off again on Monday, after traditional Sunday of rest/tearing up my legs on astroturf. I went out on a long run on a new route, heading towards the motorway in the south of the city. It was quite a nice run; early on the route passes the university science buildings, so I was trudging up hill and obviously my flailing was spotted by a few people I know. Even here it's a boost to get a smile from someone you know, so I'm hoping for a turbo-boost on marathon day! The first half was quite hilly, but it was a steady pace rather than pushing it so it felt fine. There was a "problem part", when I'd got so far out into the wilds (about 6 miles in) that there were fields and smells and things! I turned west and headed across to the dry ski slopes, with wind battering me even more than before and it was a mile and a half that seemed to last for ever. I checked my watch near the start and near the end, and it was only about 15 minutes, but it seemed like an age. I guess the combination of hills, wind and a new route can take their toll.

But soon I'd reached the turn and it was nice from there, mostly downhill after all the climb. I got a bit of cramp which I tried to push through but had to have a walk for a minute or so, which didn't really help, but after that I just kept going. Definitely going to do this run again next Monday, it's a good route with the hills and the slope later on.

13.8 miles
01:35:24
Conditions: very windy
Mood: variable, but huge exercise high at the end.