Monkey Feet

It was a warm, rainy and blowy day and after vacillating all day yesterday about going for a run and going a small one at night I was somehow in better fettle today and decided I'd go and see how the Water of Leith was looking and run maybe 12 miles. How I make these decisions I don't know, it just seemed about right. I did think about taking the camera because how can I illustrate my runs? but I hoped to push the pace a bit at some point and it was chucking it down so decided against it.

Which was a pity because the WOL is swollen and black and the shrubs, bushes and trees have all gone crazy since the last time I was up there. I barely recognised some of it because it was so overgrown and the Garmin did very well to keep a signal as there was more greenery overhead than I ever remember there being.

Legs were a bit stiff but I just set off at any old pace and after 3 miles was starting to feel okay. Decided rather than an out and back I'd make it a round trip and go back across town beside the canal, cross the meadows and then head home via Arthur's Seat. At the canal I thought as a nod to the up and coming marathon that I should try and do a few miles at "marathon pace" (which was sub 8min pace but I think its unlikely that this is this coming marathon pace, - it is last marathon pace...) So I did 3 miles sub 8 but the machinery was creaking a lot!

All-in-all a good run but I got a bit dehydrated as didn't drink before or take anything to drink. (Saw 2 dogs licking the water off some big green leaves and was tempted to join in.) 12.3 miles in 1hr 50mins.

So what of monkey feet? These are my new vibram 5 finger shoes which are going to revolutionise my running. I'll be streaking along like Zola Budd in no time. For now however I have only used them to scare various delivery men and meter readers. "Why did you choose the one's that look like zombie's feet?" enquired Peter. I dunno, I thought it'd make a change from black. They do look a bit like a dead person's feet except with athlete's foot between every toe.