Well, I didn’t do a whole lot of running this weekend. But if you are going to not do a whole lot of running, then Daios Cove in Crete is definitely the perfect place not to do it. The heat and hills meant that hill reps were the only real option, but with waters an unreal shade of turquoise to cool off legs in, a private beach and pools galore, I am most certainly not complaining.
I did, however, postpone my long run for early evening Sunday and the cooler streets of home, a plan scuppered by a hole in the runway at Gatwick and a last-minute aborted landing. One trek home from Stansted later, and it was just too late. I’ve never really been an evening runner – I do love the odd night-time jaunt, but I can’t quite get my head around starting a long run at 8pm, even with summer evening light. Instead, I get maximum smug Monday points for fitting in 12 miles on my way to work, though someone might need to prod me late morning to check I’m not snoozing …
Summer weekends usually have a host of races. At this time of year, most are shorter – 10km, 5km, track races. Not all, though. I am in awe of two women I know, who bought a whole new meaning to long runs this weekend – Cat Simpson came second in her second 100-miler (yes, 100 miles) at the South Downs Way and Susie Chan came third in a race I think I literally would not survive – the 230km Jungle Ultra in Peru. Add to that, Anna Kessel of this parish was given an MBE for services to journalism and women’s sport. Basically, this weekend was all about epic women. Suddenly, my 12 miles before toast seem slightly less impressive …
So, over to you. As always, I want to hear about your races (even those piddly little ones that are less than 100 miles) and training, your highs and lows. And how those bones are mending, @breezehillpete?
