PaleBlueMile

One domestic cat in a parked car (window cracked open).

One fully grown man on a plastic tricycle pedalling past Sainsbury’s.

What happens when you decide it’s time to try running uphill once in a while.

1. [complacency] The above decision is made.

2. [trepidation] Planning a route and noticing that the ‘elevation’ graphic resembles something from ‘Le Tour de France’. 

3. [aggression] Attempting to attack the first climb at the same speed as would run on the flat.

4. [despair] Realisation that walking might be as quick or quicker while getting to the top of a steep bit and noticing that there’s quite a bit still to climb.

5. [contemplation] Wondering what gradient would be embarrasing not to start running again on. 

6. [discomfort] increased awareness of level of sweat, heat of sun, tiredness of legs, shortness of breath and amount remaining in water bottle. 

7. [displeasure] grumbling about the omission of stiles in elevation graphics.

8. [joy] noticing that it is suddenly a lot easier and concluding that much of the remaining distance will be downhill.

6.1 [charity] about this time I should possibly have been thinking about sponsorship and so forth. No, but I did receive an anonymous donation of some sort of timing device. It arrived in a wonderfully unexpected package.

6.2 [initiation] worked out how to switch on my new Garmin thingymebob and had to work out my weight in pounds because a programmer somewhere doesn't understand the metric system. That said, I set the distances to miles...

6.3 [falling apart] went on a final short run before the race and completely failed to breathe or do anything properly. Defeated by four miles, oh dear. On the plus side the 'Forerunner' appears to work and I was doing ok-ish on time.

6.4 [final preparations] travelled down to London, picked up a number and learned that I was running as 'Priya'. Scoured much of my sister's flat, frantically hunting for safety pins to attach our numbers. Bemoaned the early start brought on by the clocks going forward and also the weather forecast.

5.1 [guilt] sheepishly considering whether previous run counted as eight miles, but knowing it probably didn't.

5.2 [resolution] replanned more sensible route.

5.3 [perseverance] took a long while fighting myself to get and keep going, however:

5.4 [sprinting] from about half way I felt as comfortable as I have yet in this process and even ended up speeding up a lot to the finish.

4.1 - [lethargy] took a rest day a day sooner than intended. Then put off 'til racing against the sunset. Thankfully didn't fall in the canal in the dark.

4.2 - [planning to do longer run] basically eight miles gets you to a castle and back. Being that there are two where I live, I thought I'd go to the out of town one.

3.1 [reflecting on first run in years] feel slightly better having done something, beginning to feel something and having something vaguely exciting to tell people about.

3.2 [contemplating second run] much procrastination, eventually went.

3.3 [realisation of consequence of first run] not as easy to start with. Found myself thinking the sentence: I reckon I can get up to that heron..

3.4 [unexpected willingness of incrementation] ended up chosing a slightly longer route on the way back for no particular reason.

2.1 [contemplate purchase of footwear] leading to:

2.2 [purchase of footwear] no way around it even if the first four shops I went to didn't have any proper* trainers or, in one case, was closed (with signs posted that it would magically open again in a week's time, hmm..).

2.3 [finding an outfit] I have very few trousers that aren't jeans or suit ones. None that I have worn recently. The first pair are splattered with paint. The second are too short. Happy to assume that I'm going to look silly anyway within ten minutes.

2.4 [stretching] there is never a time when this doesn't feel silly. I am assured that it really isn't, so I do it.

2.5 [the first run in years] water bottle in hand I set out, and managed to complete four miles without stopping (aside from a couple of moments when I thought I might've gotten lost). This is surprising.

1.1 [contemplation of whenabouts of previous run of any distance] err..not in the last year at least..

1.2 [consideration of training] I am advised by my sister (who is almost entirely to blame for this) that I should try and do three four mile runs during both weeks and one eight mile one next weekend. No idea if I'll be able to do even the shorter one yet.

1.3 [planning of routes] I live near a park, a cycle path and a canal. Surely a good start. Found this site: http://gb.mapometer.com/. Appalled at level of my under-estimation of distances about these circuits. Have to go further than I've cycled before or do laps.

1.4 [consideration of footwear] Do i have any shoes that would be possible to run in any comfort and are likely to survive 50 miles of this? No. Not even close.

"You are like the ticket-half I find inside the pocket of my old leaf-raking coat. There all the time, all the while, forgotten."

3D Card based on the innocence mission song 'happy birthday' (from 'we walked in song'). Thanks to the recipient for taking a photo of it for me.

Don't oft'n eat pancakes.

Yesterday: compulsory.