Happily Ever After
Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running
Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.
Easing Into The New Year
by Russell Turner - 12:06 on 02 January 2022
Life in 2022 has been lazy, so far, following a hectic final day of 2021 which featured both running and gigging.
The day began with my first sighting of Black Isle Runners, five of whom turned out for a jaunt around my local seven-mile circuit, parts of which several of them had never seen before. The Black Isle’s a small place but it’s easy to stay in your own even smaller part of it.
None of them were speed fiends, fortunately (especially as my pre-run sleep was not aided by Willow, who wanted to curl up as close as possible – for such a small cat she radiates a huge amount of heat), so we stayed together as a chatty bunch and finished back at Kirkmichael after 75 minutes, the final mile the fastest of them all. There might have been more participants, I was told, but a hill run had proved a rival attraction. Rather them than me.
The year ended with slightly fewer miles than in 2020; had Covid not got in the way I’d have certainly recorded a new annual record, although the experts would doubtless point out that quantity miles are not the same as quality ones. Some runners are snobs.
There were a few walks too but not quite enough to hit 1,100 miles.
The evening found City Limits at the socially-distanced and table-served Bandstand Bar in Nairn where entry was by ticket only (which had sold out). I’d feared a subdued gig but after their meal the punters were in a receptive mood, even seated at their tables. Some probably illegal dancing took place, especially towards the end, but a good time was had by all and Covid restrictions were mostly observed.
Another cat-disturbed evening’s slumber meant the abandonment of half-formed plans for a small New Year’s Day run, although it might not have happened anyway. A week after my 50k epic my troublesome ankle felt as good as new; since the Hogmanay run it’s begun to stiffen up again. Go figure.
Next week’s plan was to warm up before stepping out on the long road to Edinburgh: nine weeks of half marathon training, ending in Inverness, then switch to Week 6 of the 16-week marathon schedule, climaxing with the much-delayed Edinburgh Marathon. That’s 20 weeks of training, including Alloa and London Landmarks half marathons.
So I’ll have a lazy week instead and run when I feel like it. The forecast snow may play a part too.
None of last year went to plan. Will this year be better? Time will tell.
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