11 miles and lots of memories

Well my exam is done and it went ok. I attempted everything, though I was pressed for time so some answers were pretty short, but the main thing is it’s done.

I was absolutely wrecked after it. I had intended to go down to the running shop and buy new runners and other bits I need but in the end I was so tired I went to bed. I roused myself sufficiently to do the food shopping, and got Saturday’s dinner made on Friday evening. Having the post-run dinner made in advance is a major part of my strategy to avoid weight gain during marathon training.

I was in bed early enough on Friday night to be up at 6.30 am to get ready for an 8 am start. While it’s a bit painful, I am much less resistant to the early starts. I used to resent having to get up early on a Saturday morning, but now I just get up and on with it.

I met the running gang and we started just after 8. There were various distances being done and I was doing 11 miles. I ended up running with Yvonne, a buddy from last year, and we took it fairly easy. There are a good few hills in the Park so it was good training. And having company definitely makes the miles go by quicker. You have less time to think about yourself. And while the pace was slower than I would run by myself, there was less stopping and starting. We only stopped once or twice.

We met some of the others afterwards for a coffee and chat, which is an essential part of the experience. So all in all it was a great morning and another step on the marathon road. As we all agreed, the marathon is about these summer mornings spent running with like-minded people, not just getting a medal on the day. These are the days we will remember.