The week has taken a classic hard/ easy/ hard pattern. Thursday's encouraging track session was followed by an easy pace 5 on the trail in which the pace, unrecorded, was probably no faster than 9.30. So today, keen to return to a double figure for the first time in 3 weeks since the Haweswater half, I drove over to the canal to cover a minimum of 10 miles. Quite hard deciding what to wear today as Pat had been out and reported that whilst sunny there was a chilling, blustery wind. Eventually opted for a longsleeve with a laminated windshirt on top.
Ignoring the running rule book which states the training should start into the wind to come back with the wind behind when tired, would mean a touigh second half but I was hoping that with Pat on the bike she would act as a windbreak. After the usual couple of warm up miles, I accelerated to 8.30 and stayed there for several miles. On the way back I encouraged Pat to stay just in front as planned and things were going well with an 8.15 then I could see her rear tyre suddenly deflate with a puncture!
I ran on hoping she could reflate it and catch me up but with no sign of her at 10 miles, I turned back, picked up the car keys from her and ran on so that I could then drive back and pick her up.
All this added distance to the run which eventually finished up at 13.1.......an unscheduled half marathon indeed. Still a solid 50 miles on the week with tomorrow to come and the old legs held up pretty well; more than can be said about the bike!
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