That was always going to hurt
I've just been for the first run since before Christmas.
I'm a stupid bugger me, (as opposed to John, who's an old bugger). It's been the best part of a month since last I staggered out into the cold hills, so do I take the easy option and go once around the block? Do I heck. Up to the viewpoint for me, even if visibility is zero up there, so there's not much of a view. Then down again. Options: I could go back the way I came; go back the way that's about the same distance but takes a different route to ring the changes; or go the long way, that involves more going up as well. Well, by the time I've reached the point of decision, I'm feeling great. The pain of struggling ever upwards on the outward journey is but a distant memory. Richard Thompson is telling me that Mother Knows Best on the ipod, my hips haven't started to hurt yet and my heart rate monitor's telling me I'm at 120bpm - cruising*. So I take the long way home.
It wasn't too bad, really. I had my nice new camelback bum-bag (fanny pack for you colonial cousins) that the Horse Doctor gave me for Christmas, so I was well-hydrated. The whole run took about five minutes longer than the last time, which isn't bad considering how much goose I've eaten and how many Martinis I've drunk since then.
But I'll feel it tomorrow. I know.
And then on Wednesday I'll do it all again.
And for all of you who are interested, here's what's came up at random from the running playlist on my ipod today:
Spitting Games: Snow Patrol (A bit fast out of the blocks there)
What I Am: Edie Brickell (I prefer this one on the downhill)
I don't Mind: Dr Feelgood (better speed once I've warmed up a little)
Venice Queen: The Red Hot Chili Peppers (two different tempos, gets me every time)
Treason: The Teardrop Explodes (starting to wonder whose good idea this was)
Brave Boys Keep Their Promises: The Teardrop Explodes (plodding uphill at this point)
How 'bout I Love You More: Mull Historical Society (this one's good for uphill, too)
Cat Turned Blue: Rusted Root (I think I was walking at this point)
Once Around The Block: Badly Drawn Boy (another one that has me gasping if it comes on first)
Attention: The Waifs (with an annoying thirty second silent bit at the end, so I can hear my rasping breath)
Milk and Alcohol: Dr Feelgood (the classic)
Mother Knows Best: Richard Thompson (decision time)
Wey Wey Hep Uh Hole: The Soft Boys (he's got an aerial strapped to his back)
She Does It Right: Dr Feelgood (but I'm doing everything wrong)
Where I End And You Begin: Radiohead (drives me on)
Tobermory Zoo: Mull Historical Society (why am I doing this?)
Throw Away Your Television: The Red Hot Chili Peppers (gets the heart racing)
I Feel So Good: Richard Thompson (gonna break somebody's heart tonight - mine probably)
Master and Servant: Depeche Mode (definitely sado-masochism at this point)
Living in Another World: Talk Talk (warming down)
Burn Up: Siouxsie and the Banshees (stretching)
I think that's them all, and in approximately the right order. Bearing in mind that I've finished running by the time Talk Talk start up, that's a little over an hour out on the road. It looks quite impressive when I type them all out, but no wonder I feel shattered.
Right, I'm off to have a hot bath.
* The heart rate monitor is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes I can be struggling to breathe and it tells me my heart's going at 70bpm. Other times it tells me I'm pushing 250, which I think would qualify as a heart attack. On average, I think it more or less gets it right, but as an aid to a structured excercise regime, it's about as useful as eggs. On the other hand, it looks pretty and gives me a figure for calories burnt which sometimes makes the pain seem worth it. Not often, but sometimes.
I'm a stupid bugger me, (as opposed to John, who's an old bugger). It's been the best part of a month since last I staggered out into the cold hills, so do I take the easy option and go once around the block? Do I heck. Up to the viewpoint for me, even if visibility is zero up there, so there's not much of a view. Then down again. Options: I could go back the way I came; go back the way that's about the same distance but takes a different route to ring the changes; or go the long way, that involves more going up as well. Well, by the time I've reached the point of decision, I'm feeling great. The pain of struggling ever upwards on the outward journey is but a distant memory. Richard Thompson is telling me that Mother Knows Best on the ipod, my hips haven't started to hurt yet and my heart rate monitor's telling me I'm at 120bpm - cruising*. So I take the long way home.
It wasn't too bad, really. I had my nice new camelback bum-bag (fanny pack for you colonial cousins) that the Horse Doctor gave me for Christmas, so I was well-hydrated. The whole run took about five minutes longer than the last time, which isn't bad considering how much goose I've eaten and how many Martinis I've drunk since then.
But I'll feel it tomorrow. I know.
And then on Wednesday I'll do it all again.
And for all of you who are interested, here's what's came up at random from the running playlist on my ipod today:
Spitting Games: Snow Patrol (A bit fast out of the blocks there)
What I Am: Edie Brickell (I prefer this one on the downhill)
I don't Mind: Dr Feelgood (better speed once I've warmed up a little)
Venice Queen: The Red Hot Chili Peppers (two different tempos, gets me every time)
Treason: The Teardrop Explodes (starting to wonder whose good idea this was)
Brave Boys Keep Their Promises: The Teardrop Explodes (plodding uphill at this point)
How 'bout I Love You More: Mull Historical Society (this one's good for uphill, too)
Cat Turned Blue: Rusted Root (I think I was walking at this point)
Once Around The Block: Badly Drawn Boy (another one that has me gasping if it comes on first)
Attention: The Waifs (with an annoying thirty second silent bit at the end, so I can hear my rasping breath)
Milk and Alcohol: Dr Feelgood (the classic)
Mother Knows Best: Richard Thompson (decision time)
Wey Wey Hep Uh Hole: The Soft Boys (he's got an aerial strapped to his back)
She Does It Right: Dr Feelgood (but I'm doing everything wrong)
Where I End And You Begin: Radiohead (drives me on)
Tobermory Zoo: Mull Historical Society (why am I doing this?)
Throw Away Your Television: The Red Hot Chili Peppers (gets the heart racing)
I Feel So Good: Richard Thompson (gonna break somebody's heart tonight - mine probably)
Master and Servant: Depeche Mode (definitely sado-masochism at this point)
Living in Another World: Talk Talk (warming down)
Burn Up: Siouxsie and the Banshees (stretching)
I think that's them all, and in approximately the right order. Bearing in mind that I've finished running by the time Talk Talk start up, that's a little over an hour out on the road. It looks quite impressive when I type them all out, but no wonder I feel shattered.
Right, I'm off to have a hot bath.
* The heart rate monitor is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes I can be struggling to breathe and it tells me my heart's going at 70bpm. Other times it tells me I'm pushing 250, which I think would qualify as a heart attack. On average, I think it more or less gets it right, but as an aid to a structured excercise regime, it's about as useful as eggs. On the other hand, it looks pretty and gives me a figure for calories burnt which sometimes makes the pain seem worth it. Not often, but sometimes.
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