Training Notes: 7th July

Rest day, and I’m twitchy.

Last Monday kicked off with a nasty 3 × 5 km session; this Monday I’m parked at my desk because yesterday was Basil’s 13th. Birthday boy wanted a run, so we knocked out 13 km for his 13 years - the rest of the extended family thought we were mad as we set off in the thunder and rain, we thought they were mad for not joining. Add a Saturday night in a tent and a fair bit of car time and, surprise, my back feels like it slept on the gearstick. No intervals today, and I’ve been grumpy about it all afternoon.

Tomorrow the 3 × 5 goes back on the menu. Yes, I know: “you only grow when you rest.” Consider me growing (growling!).

Big news: I’ve entered the Daytona 100. A flat, fast 100-miler down the Florida coast in December. Perfect dress-rehearsal and another shiny line on the Badwater application.

Last week was solid even with too much travel - missed a couple of drills but the key runs got done. Back is behaving as long as I keep up Joel’s exercises and don’t get smug.

School term’s nearly over, which means the usual summer juggle of kids, chaos and work. We adapt, we try and remain sane, we log the miles anyway.

More next week - hopefully after those intervals actually happen.

— Ben