Endurance or just hideousness?

It is starting to become apparent, I think, that there is yet another category of endurance events. A category not necessarily named or officially recognised, but exists nevertheless.

Some endurance events are just gorgeous. Hard work, but gorgeous. Whether it's the scenery, the company, the feel of the event itself - they can be such a good experience to attempt. Every second, a pleasure.

And.... Some endurance events are just plain hideous. Maybe the terrain / weather / the challenge itself : you know from start to finish, that every moment is going to be a grind. There will not be a single euphoric glitter at any given point. Even worse, you may have entered the event with this knowledge. So you really only have yourself to blame.

Why are some endurance events more hideous than others? Part of the variety of life? Not all races of similar distance are the same.

Whichever type of event you're training for at the moment - good luck with that.

She's up and running

Thrilled to see a cycle-run friend back out there after a nasty fracture from a driver - blind - to - cyclists injury. She's brilliantly started cycling again after recovery, and even begun some gentle running. Luckily for me, she is prepared to cycle alongside me for hours whilst listening to much waffling chat- some running related, some not. Great way to get the miles in, thank you!

As ever..

As ever, reaching any kind of finish prompts that little buzz of relief and satisfaction

APPARENTLY!!!

Apparently, the weather was being kind to us out on the Mary Townley loop... But did it really really really have to rain quite so relentlessly in its' kindness????

Being around people

Being around, running alongside, attempting navigation with, swapping equipment tips ... With fellow aspiring competitors, was the very essence of this training weekend, in my view.

Spine Race : training weekend

This weekend, I made it up to Hebden Bridge for the Spine Race training event. Aha, I thought when I booked this : a few chats, discussions about navigation and kit, meet fellow competitors. Imagine the distress when I opened the itinerary to find that the Saturday incorporated a 47 mile training run, carrying all mandatory kit, with scenarios thrown in. Even the training weekend felt bigger than me.

Well, to my relief, I survived the run. I have revised my kit yet again, after the info given, experimenting with some items, and talking to other participants. An invaluable weekend to attend, and I loved every minute.

Possibly more importantly for me, during this event I met and ran with other aspiring participants (apparently we are called Spiners). We have semi arranged to meet at the starting line of the real thing, and at least begin the event together. This in itself, has taken some of the worry out of the pre race build up.

The whole thing still looks horrendous though.

School running club : the return

Last year, we started a small running group for Mums and Dads, after school drop off. Just an hour, one morning a week, running around the local park with a few sprints thrown in. Time for the parents, not just the kids.

It became quite a special hour, I thought. An opportunity to off load, talk about any general worries including those related to childcare. Just as importantly, a chance to run outside and dodge the puddles.

Long may it continue, these times. We may be a bit rusty, but I still think we're doing quite well. And it all helps keep our sanity intact.