I woke up on Saturday with a mild fever and decided that its not worth taking a chance doing my long run especially since it was raining "cats and dogs". I felt the usual pangs of guilt that I encounter whenever a "hard" workout is missed. I set my alarm for Sunday morning and woke up again to the roar of wind and hard rain. I drifted off to sleep for a while and then awoke with a start thinking that it was late morning. Fortunately, I found that it was still only 6am!
Its raining its pouring
The old man is snoring
He went to bed and he bumped his head
Couldn't get up in the morning.......
Listen to the falling rain, listen to it fall....
I started my long run at a gentle pace but found the going hard. I trudged on (although it says that if you feel tired in the first 3k, you should "can the run") trusting my judgement that this would not turn out to be a "damp squib run". About half way thru' the rain came down real heavy and I looked up at the heavens, revelling in the sting of raindrops on my face. My clothes grew heavy and clung to my body as I ran thru' rivulets on the road, my feet now flapping loud. As I ran alone thru' the lush green, wet and silent forest I remembered "the loneliness of the long distance runner" (Allan Sillitoe). Most of the morning walkers had probably decided to take the easy way out by propping some pillows and drinking hot coffee while watching the news:-).
I completed my target distance feeling secure that my endurance was headed north. I reached home exhausted and ate the regulation protein and carb meal. Late morning we headed for "Haiko Supermarket" to do some much needed weekly shopping. I came home and settled down with a "Tiger" beer (another of my favourites) while tickling Dojo under his chin who looked with doleful eyes, thoroughly enjoying the pampering:-)
