How wonderful it is to be able to go out running in a light summer evening, taking in footpaths through the countryside and along the river. How equally lovely it is for the flying insects which can exploit the warm evenings to come out and feed on passing runners!
Following some really nasty bites I received a few years ago I always plaster myself with copious quantities of industrial strength insect repellent (deet) whenever I go off road at this time of year. Did you know that most animals on planet Earth are insects? Well I can jolly well beleive it because when I went running by the Derwent on Wednesday, although I didn’t get eaten, many tiny flies did by accident as I ploughed into clouds of these things hovering by the riverbank.
I can’t and won’t complain though, I love the good weather and sunny days. I particularly love the smell of suncream because it instantly invokes the atmosphere of preparing for sunny days while on holiday in sunny climes!
So today, after doing the timing at Temple Newsam parkrun, Helen and I went for a lovely run along the canal in the sun, protected by my trusty deed-based insect repellent and hi-factor suncream.
“As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honour.” Ecclesiastes 10:1 NIVUK
This weekend I have been reflecting on recovery. This was initiated by my good friend (and running club secretary) Louise, who has been recovering (slowly) from a hip operation and ran a first tentative parkrun on Saturday; it was a very emotional experience. Since Louise has for the past year been loyally coaching our training sessions from the sidelines it must have been eating at her each week that she couldn’t participate which no doubt heightened the emotions!
A few days ago I resolved to put a little more effort into my training. Rather than simply running obscenely large mileage lazily and expecting results (which wasn’t working), I would try harder, put more “oomph” into quality runs!
Marathon Mann 