When the Going Gets Tough

Today was one of those days where running felt difficult, the going definitely got tough. But I kept going and completed the longest run that I’ve managed… ever…9 and ¾ miles. I’m getting steadily closer to the half marathon distance and keeping up with my training schedule. I actually exceeded 75 miles in January… which seems like a pretty long way even to me! 

So what went wrong today? Nothing disastrous, just lots of little things that meant I didn’t get into a good running rhythm. I decided to stick to the canal towpath today to avoid too many serious inclines. I headed out along the Cauldon Canal through Milton and on to Stockton Brook before turning round and coming back the same way.

First off, it was cold, very cold, as I left home. There was an icy wind blowing along the canal towpath and even though the sun was shining, it didn’t seem to make much difference to the temperature. The canal was pretty much frozen along the whole route and I don’t think that helped. I don’t think I ever really got warm.

After about four miles, I got a problem with my left sock and had to stop to fix that. Then about seven miles into the route, I stepped on a branch and ended up with a thorn going through the sole of my trainer and into the bottom of my right foot! I had to stop again to fix that. Added to that, there seemed to be more than the usual number of yappy dogs trying to trip me up, perhaps also objecting to being out in the cold. I also had to dodge a speeding cyclist coming underneath one of the bridges.

This might make me sound like a very grumpy runner! But I did manage a few smiles along the way, particularly whilst listening to Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World. That song always reminds me to look for the positives and there were plenty. The sun was shining and there was a beautiful view out across the fields. I was running further than I’ve ever managed before and I wasn’t aching too much at the end of it.

Hopefully my next run will go a little more smoothly... I'll be out there again on Friday.

LizT

PS I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that the version of “When the Going Gets Tough” that came up on my playlist today is the Boyzone version, rather than the Billy Ocean original from The Jewel of the Nile! Coincidentally, the original movie Romancing the Stone is showing on E4 this evening and keeping me company as I sit in my hotel room in Bolton – “preparing” for a work event tomorrow!