I f**king Love Running
That was bloody brilliant. I’ve just finished my Saturday session and felt compelled to scribe.
Wednesday was a slog. The second interval set never really bit and I wasn’t bouncing. Fair enough, it’s a build week, nudging up both volume and intensity on last week. Life off the road didn’t help either. A trip to London, an over-caffeinated Thursday that wrecked Thursday night, heavy rain on Friday and yet another roof leak at home. It may be a lovely old house, but it is also a constant list of repairs. Stress was high. The school run turned into a detour to Gloucester when the train was marooned and the kids were offloaded. Gloucester seems to have more traffic lights than the rest of the UK combined, perfectly timed to go red as you arrive. I did at least get to bed early on Friday.
So I was hesitant about today. The plan was a progressive 20 km, each 5 km faster than the last. Start at 5:00 min/km and take 15 seconds off every 5 km. I dropped the kids in Cheltenham and, not risking the train again, found a flat stretch of road. Out and back a few times. I don’t mind the same road.
The first 5 km came and went. Early drama with a dog, a toddler and a road. At 6 ft 6 I make a decent moving traffic cone, stopped the cars, mum said thanks, on we went.
Second 5 km back to the start. Uneventful, smooth, enjoying the feeling of hitting the splits and letting a bit of excitement build.
Third section and I was rolling. Somewhere along Shurdington Road I said to myself, “I fucking love running”. The week slid into the rear-view. The watch read 4:30 min/km and I felt good. I couldn’t wait to turn and press for the last leg.
Turn. 4:15 min/km. Go. Every tiny rise matters when the pace comes up. It’s like everything sharpens. I was breathing hard, slightly hoping the finish was closer than it was, and loving it anyway.
Lesson learned? No revelation, just reminders. Sleep is vital, treat it like a super power. Consistency matters more than perfection. Show up, even when you feel flat. Some sessions will be a grind, some will miss, and every now and then you fly. Those days are the reward for all the dull ones, the uphills, the sluggish moments.
Keep going. Never stop.