Proper training and PLANS

And so proper training starts again. Proper training for the Mud Runner Classic in October, that is. And it's only 'proper training' because we're doing it with Fit Mark again. Except it wasn't 'we' this morning as Ice Cream Sian didn't arrive, so it was just me and Fit Mark. This is Not Good. I need help to combat the insults... To be fair, he didn't really go on about the 'brakes on' issue. Well, not much anyway.

In the week I'd suggested 6-8k would be a good starting point, so Fit Mark took this as '8.2' obviously. I should learn and say 'mmm, about 3k would be good' and then I'd only have to do 5... Anyway, he said it would be flattish (as much as anything is flat around here) and we would concentrate on speed. Hah! Speed? Has he seen us run? Well, yes.... Quite.

Anyway, it was a lovely run (gorgeous scenery, partly on Machen Forest Trail, passed a fabulous blue hydrangea, nice blue sky, glorious scenery) only slightly spoilt by my wheezing.

Fit Mark says that when he runs hard he sounds like Darth Vader with asthma. I wouldn't know - he's never had to run hard with us. Compare the following two photos taken at the end of our 8.2k - so, who exactly is the most purple?

After Fit Mark had stopped laughing at the brakes issue he revealed he has plans. Well, actually, they should be called PLANS. These mostly involve some sort of penalty system for certain points on our runs - whoever gets to the big tree last etc. And I think it involves carrying extra weight as we run. Of course, Ice Cream Sian knows nothing about this yet, and we clearly need to talk about it and come up with Counter Plans.

I'm not entirely sure Fit Mark understands us. I think 'chocolate', 'wine' and 'gin' would be much better incentives....