Library, library & back: 4th December 2012
I should have worn my gloves.
Steady now, not too fast. Settle into a steady pace. I always start off too quick. I really must think about what I’m doing.
There’s those damned stinging nettles. All withered, their leaves nearly gone; frozen by the cold until they have no potency left. Good. Little bastards were stinging at my arms two months ago. Reaching out with their nasty little stingy fingers as I puffed on past.
Damn it, my hands are cold. Should really have worn my gloves.
A little bit of rain is falling. There’s the guy with that beautiful Dalmatian. Go round him on the road. First kilometre done.
Four minutes and fifty-four seconds.
Too quick again. Never mind. Feeling strong.
The first little kick-start from the downhill is behind me. Lungs feeling the strain — it makes a change from the calf muscles. Must be the cold.
No traffic to dodge so far, which is nice. Fingers are numb, which isn’t. Gloves would have been a good idea. On the side in the bedroom. Second kilometre done.
Five minutes and twenty-two seconds.
Still fast. I could be onto something here. Can I keep this pace up? The interval training at the weekend was all about this. It all depends on the busy section in town, I suppose.
The smell of the Chinese food. That’s a tough bit. Now past the Indian restaurant. Very tough.
Round the library and back towards home. Getting more confident at dodging the cars and not getting clipped crossing the road.
Back across the river.
Just the slight incline over the bridge burns the lungs. I’m assuming it’s the incline, of course, and not some nasty stench coming up from the swirly darkness of the water below me.
I need to go out into the road now to avoid the guy with his shopping bags. Bright orange from Sainsbury’s, set off beautifully by his stylish high-visibility site jacket.
Ah, the sweet smell of cigarette smoke. That’s going to help my breathing no end. Three kilometres done.
Five minutes and forty-nine seconds.
Slowed down there. Time for a choice. Am I feeling lazy? Give it a push and I could really do this. Five and a half minutes average for five kilometres is the next milestone. Am I up for it, or do I take it easy and be satisfied with that?
Do it. See how the fourth pans out.
Runners going the other way now. They look like fit-types. Probably in the running club. They meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Getting out of my way. That’s nice. Thanks, lads. A little wave too. Perhaps they felt sorry for me. “Ah, bless. Fat lad’s having a go though. Fair play to him,” I imagine.
This long stretch back up the main road is mind-numbing. Thinking about numb, at least the hands aren’t now. A little rise. Even the slightest incline I’m feeling. Must practise hills more. Fourth kilometre done.
Five minutes and twenty-three seconds.
Blimey. That’s better than I expected. Could be on for that next milestone after all. Need to push now. I don’t want to be blowing it right at the end.
Through the trees in the dark. I don ‘t like that bit. Dopes on bikes with no lights make it a bit hairy. Now the Failure Fairy is going to throw everything at me to slow me down.
Mr Fool who parks on the pavement, leaving only enough space for a skinny fella to get through. I’m not that skinny fella yet. Back on the road and round the outside of his pride and joy. I wouldn’t want to scratch it. He’s so thoughtful, after all.
Cool kids, hoods up, sucking on their fags like they’re keeping them alive. Don’t mind me. Just running here. I’ll take the road. Crossing side street after side street.
Now the car is coming that’s going to stop me in my tracks. I can see it a long way off, but I’m not going to slow. You never know, he just might. He’s waiting. Yes, he’s going to wait for me.
Thank you….She waited. Thank you, lady.
Perhaps she was worried her car might come off worse if she clipped me.
Just a couple of hundred metres to go. I can see the bus stop ahead despite the sweat in my eyes. Like stingy nettles trying to distract me.
They’re not winning tonight. Tonight was always going to be a personal best night. The rain has stopped.
Five kilometres. Hands are warm. Stop the clock…..
26:52
