Wonderously Tame

What a wonderful day today is. I went out for my first run in way too long. There's been a few days of snow in Glossop, beautiful white hills just above town. This morning brought us slushy wet white stuff on the roads and pavements down here. I had a run planned for today and as it's been about 5 weeks since I last went out I just wanted an easy road run, so before venturing out I waited on the weather. Not being chicken, just realistic for the sake of my health. By lunchtime the pavements were clear of slush and the sky looked promising for a dry half hour. Perfect.

Shoes on. Garmin on. Gloves on. Buff on. Leggings on. Extra layer on top on. Montane smock on. Inhaler in a pocket. Phone in another. Key attached to bra strap. And I'm ready.

I really wasn't under any illusion that the run would be far in either distance or time - that was the point - keep it short, wake my legs and lungs up gently. I opted for a fairly flat run too. I am recovering from a chest infection after all and my tonsils are still not 100% (how annoying is that eh!?). But cabin fever and feeling strong after an almost full on training session at S&P yesterday won the day.

And it was just a little run, 20 minutes and 3.34km with about 38m elevation gain. Tame to say the least. But great to get out and move. I kept about 6min/km pace and ran the whole way. Now that's brilliant news. My pace hasn't dropped. I sense it won't take long until I'm back up to full fitness.

The lungs played up for a while once back at home, the pesky cough returning temporarily (I hope). I'll review how I feel in the morning - I feel positive all will be well - and then I'll plan my training for the rest of the month - returning to regular runs, full training at S&P and getting fitter fitter fitter.

Blink

Just when you think you're getting into the swing of things, running is getting stronger, you're more comfortable pushing up the hills, and bang. Chest Infection.

I ran two days in a row, on 1st November I ran 8.5km on my own up to the far end of Shelf Benches, then a steady 5km with Tim the following day. He is recovering from an issue with his heel so it was just a tester for him and a chance for me to stretch my legs for a second day. It went well.

The following day I did my gym training, on 5th November I was on a recovery day - an easy 40 minutes spin on the turbo. On 7th I was back in the gym but missed off the metabolic blaster at the end as I didn't feel 100%. Tim and I went for a walk on the 8th, wandering up Kinder Low to the Woolpacks on a wonderful claggy day. We had planned to go to the Lakes but swapped it for a couple of days holiday in the Peak instead - saving petrol, me not quite right and him still not 100% with his heel.

That was 9 days ago. Since then I've done nothing, apart from a couple of very short walks into town. A trip to the doctors today and I have antibiotics, instructions to stick my head over a bowl of hot water to steam my sinuses and there you have it. There is apparently a bug going round!! I can vouch for that.

So, yet again I find I cannot run. Tis most frustrating. I'm not even keen to get out walking which is all the more frustrating as the weather has been particularly mild and sunny for a few days. But, intelligent rest and following the doctors orders should have me back to reasonable fitness next week.