Mind over matter

On Monday afternoon I took New Running Dog on The Pink Run. And I was RUBBISH. I was running like an old woman - slow, aching limbs, head down. RUBBISH. So I gave myself a severe talking to (much to the surprise of New Running Dog) and tried again. Better - by the end of the run I was fairly romping along, legs not hurting, going twice as fast, enjoying it again. YAY!

On Wednesday night the weather was so glorious we headed for Rudry Top again. I swear that hill gets steeper every week... Pretty much the same time going up, but 4 minutes faster coming back down. FOUR MINUTES!! Instead of 49 minutes I was 45 minutes. See - positive thinking.

And on Friday Ice Cream Sian, New Running Dog and I all went out on our newly found 10k muddy route. Before we set off I watched Ice Cream Sian lacing her trainers and showed her the extra holes where you can really secure your laces and make sure your shoes don't come off... She didn't use them this time, but promises to relace them for next time.

So what happened when we reached good old Caerphilly clay?

Yep!

Now, much as I would love to say that that is Ice Cream Sian's shoe, it isn't. It's mine. Oh dear. And I did lace them properly.... honest!

Saturday night Guy's band were playing the Heath Ceilidh so I danced. Because of the fab hot weather there weren't many dancers, so I danced all but one of the sets - about 3 hours bopping, in all. Phew. Dancing seems to use different muscles to running but I figured I was fit, so I kept going.

Stiff on Sunday morning? Oh yes... Meanwhile, Rubbish Running Dog had slipped on the kitchen floor and, being an extreme drama queen, had said that one of her legs had come off and she 'couldn't possibly even BREATHE without dying although yes, quite possibly I could manage just a little food it might help me feel better'. Yet New Running Dog was very very very bouncy, so what to do? Yep, send me out with New Running Dog to do a quick (hilly) 4k to tire her out. Didn't work at all - after 4k she was still bouncing, and it was me that was tired out...

Back to Mind over Matter - on Friday I ran with Ice Cream Sian and forgot my knee brace. Didn't even notice for the first 3k.... Then I noticed and began to feel a twinge. Again, gave myself a severe talking to and it was just fine.

Even better, I met a podiatrist at the ceilidh on Saturday night who reckons he can sort my knees. YAY! Says he's just moving house and will let me know when he's available for consultations again. I don't mind lying on the floor surrounded by packing crates - honestly, can't we just crack on and fix it?!

So, kilometres towards our target(s);

Ice Cream Sian: previously 18 + 10 on Friday = 28.

Me: previously 38 + 6 on Monday, 5.4 on Wednesday and 12 on Friday = 61.4

There might be a change of scenery this week.... will keep you posted next weekend! Just two weeks before the Mud Runner now - I am getting ridiculously excited!