The sun is in the sky, and the clouds are rolling by...

A while since I posted and I just know you'll be dying to know how I got on at the Peopleton Scenic Six....... and the answer is pretty well by my standard. Conditions were excellent, with dry, mild weather and I managed to clock a creditable 48:45 for the 6.1 mile course, which is a steady 8 minutes per mile and almost four minutes better than last year. Better still I came in 115th out of 317 entrants which is a good 21 places higher than last year too, and although I was pretty knacked afterwards (being honest) it was worth the effort.

Since that race I've been pretty much sticking to a half marathon training schedule cribbed from Runners World, with varying success given the temptations of Easter. The "Easy" and "Steady" distance runs I can generally manage, but its the speed and tempo work where I fall down, my "fast" intervals being run at a barely perceptible increase from the steady. More work definitely required but with the sun now shining and the lighter nights getting longer the motivation is easier to find so I'm not too downhearted.

Yesterday saw an 8.5 mile run along the canal into Worcester and back via the Racecourse and riverside. A nice route to run with plenty of visual interest, but I was really struggling over the last few miles and a sore calf and tight hamstring is testament to the continuing lack of fitness. Blisters seem to be more of an issue these days too and I feel the need for a new pair of trainers - something with a little extra cushioning to molly-coddle my namby pamby civil servants feet. Either that or I'll have to start walking on hot coals to toughen them up a bit.

That long run was really to make up for "dodging" the Eastnor Castle Magnificent Seven, a hellishly hilly romp around the bottom end of the Malvern hills which I didn't fancy subjecting myself to at this particularly stage. Wimping out never sits comfortably, but ...... but ........ well, but nothing really - I'll stick to the Crowle 10k on 10 May, which has a nice family atmosphere and plenty for the kids to do, and then stick with the training through to the Malvern Half in early June.

Just got to keep going. Follow those clouds, rolling on by.

Total mileage to date: 188.71. Weight: A toddler too much.