First long run of the new training plan

I went on my first long run of the new training plan yesterday… a steady target of 9:24 for 7 miles. You may not believe this, but it ended only slightly outside that – at 9:21 for 7 miles. This was also the first time I’d ever run over 1 hour!

It was a pretty hot day, but there was quite a bit of broken cloud and a nice stiff wind at times, so it wasn’t too hard going.

We were at the gym, so my route was around the West Malling area – which doesn’t normally motivate me too much for a long run…

The first 2 miles is along a dual carriageway – quite a nice wide path, but not the nicest view in the world! I then turned towards a village called Larkfield, where I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many petrol stations in the space of 1 mile. Other than that, nothing much to write home about.

On the way back I cut across some wheat fields on a bridleway, which although quite pretty, was quite hard , as the ground was dusty and slippery (and also uphill).

The last couple of miles were back along the main road, and also were uphill.

It felt much loner than 7 miles, but I think that was due to the fact I didn’t have a clue where I was. I think a route is always longer when you haven’t been there before.

I was worried about my left ankle before I started, and it hurt a bit during the run. Every time I get a pain in that area now I wonder if it’s the start of another stress fracture. I think I’m starting to understand what’s a muscular twinge now though and on this occasion I think it’s all right.

When I got back to the gym my Mum and Dad met us, so after some lunch I played my Dad at tennis. It was the first time I’d played tennis for at least 20 years, and it was also the first ever time I’d beaten my Dad!

After tennis is was nice to hit the outdoor pool.