Rejuvenation

1st stop, Seton Sands

Next weekend's challenge - The Lomonds of Fife

Fred Flintstone?

It being a nice day, and me not having any work this week (huzzah!), I decided to try another long run and see if it would go any better this time. Right from the start my legs felt almost unnaturally good given they got a fair thrashing yesterday. It didn't hurt that I had a good following breeze, the temperature seemed  lower today and it was a little over-cast. I tried to rein in my optimism afraid of having another real stinker of a long run but 8 or so miles into it I was starting to feel confident that it was going to go well after all. I decided to give Prestonpans a miss for refreshments as it keeps weirding me out. I pressed on to the more salubrious Seton Sands where I got a nice filter coffee and a caramel slice. (I know, I know, I don't need 5 cakes on a plate - but am I to live like a puritan, eschewing all earthly pleasures?.) Disaster was only just averted as at the very last moment I spotted the little dog who was just about to lick my caramel slice as I was distracted taking pictures of the Lomonds of Fife.

I had a walk along the front at Seton Sands to let the coffee go down and then set off on the paths beside the beach. Nature has been going a little wild since I was last along. I guess all this sun and rain has been good for something. I took photos of a tiny fraction of it all but it was burgeoning and the usually fairly well defined path was overgrown at times. My pace slowed because I was off-road but still there was no sign of the aching stiff-leggedness I was struggling with last Wednesday. Pretty soon I was in Aberlady and thought I better make sure I had plenty energy reserves. (yeah  I know, shoosh). Chocolate raisins went down well. It took discipline to put the bag away. Mango flavoured Lipton's tea also went down really well.

I went round the shore beyond Aberlady but headed back in-land at Gullane as the tide was now tight up against the shore. Since I had to run on the pavement I tried to inject a bit more pace and to my surprise my legs responded. I wasn't flying or anything but I was able to pick it up. I had my ipod along and was enjoying listening to Amy Winehouse. Its a shame her music went so much on the back-burner - she's got (had) an amazing voice. If you forget everything you know or have read and just listen to her voice - oh well I've already said it - its amazing. It was giving me chills. Or maybe it was the combo of coffee, caramel slice, tablet, chocolate raisins and Lipton Tea ...

I got a bit of a funny feeling right knee in Dirleton so stopped and stretched and backed off a bit - it would be a pity to run straight into an injury. Still, I wasn't particularly tired. I ran on to the Co-op in the centre of North Berwick taking me up to 24 miles, and had a cold drink.

There were "youths" on the train on the way home but even this couldn't spoil my happy buzz. I don't know what was different about today. Maybe the cooler temperatures, lower humidity, being better dressed for the occasion, favourable wind and recent proximity to Graham Henry all helped me, but it was a relief to get out there and actually enjoy it. Another mile down the road from the station took me up to 25 for today. And that will have to do as preparation for the Speyside Way Race as its in less than 2 weeks now.

Edinburgh to North Berwick Train Station

Shamefully decided to DNS the Ben as the forecast said days of rain. Not just the race itself in the rain but the night before kicking our heels in the Fort as the locals knock chunks out of each other. I've been to Fort William for manys a wet race now and it does get old...

And the tension between hill racing and marathon training has been building for some time. My original plan was to do a long run on Thursday and then do the Ben (badly) on Saturday. Then the rain set in and my long run would have to be all in the rain, while the forecast for Saturday here was dryish, and the forecast for Saturday at Fort Bill - you've guessed it. So I could run badly in the rain on Saturday or I could do a pleasanter long run here...and meantime Peter's enthusiasms were dampened...and Ben, having just done the CCC didn't wanna....not a good showing for Porty today I think...

So I set off before Peter was up in case he attempted to come with me because it doesn't matter how many times I tell him that him springing along beside me talking incessantly is a BUMMER as far as long running goes, he doesn't seem to get it. I need to focus and I need to let my head drift. And he continually looks like he's going under the next car so I can't relax

The weather said 20 mph SW winds and some light rain and that was about right. I wore a t-shirt and a Montane marathon jacket - that felt a little too warm for a while but when I took it off I got chilly so back on it went.

The first few miles went by easily as usual and I didn't try to regulate my pace but just ran comfortably and was bringing in about 8.48 pace. I deliberately didn't set myself any goal paces or check the times of the trains back from NB because I didn't want it to be stressful. Recently I have been hating my long runs and setting slow times and I need to somehow get out of that.

By Gullane (c.18 miles) I was starting to feel pretty bad and very achy. I made the decision to stop and get something to eat and drink. I had a bottle of ISO carbohydrate drink which was fine as a drink but didn't seem to make much impact as far as fuelling goes. I stopped at a v. posh delicattesen and got the nicest Italian lemonade which was fizzy but not too fizzy and very lemony and not too sweet, and also a chocolate, marshmallow thing which was superb. They were so nice I had to take a photo of them.

They also sorted me out. After some initial mild discomfort from eating on the run I was suddenly feeling a whole lot better and realised I was going to take the last few miles in my stride! It felt good passing all the familiar landmarks of the E2NB race but relaxed and relatively comfortable. Psychologically it felt really good to finish a long run without cutting it short and feeling okay. Makes me think some of my recent slump may be a fuelling issue.

At the foot of the road up to the train station it was 22.4 miles which I'd done in 3hrs 26 mins. and I caught the train with 3 minutes to spare.

Next thing; I've ordered a pair of VFF KSOs! Hope they are the right size. I want to give this barefoot running thing a go...