I love the sunlight, but I am not that fond of the heat. Fortunately my regular run is mostly shaded so I have been able to enjoy saturated colours without getting too hot and bothered. On Saturday I ran fairly late in the evening and was treated to special views from the low angle light and woods scented with wild woodbine.
Sunday's run ventured into the open enough for me to start to get acclimatised to the heat (Long Tour of Bradwell can be scorching), while still being very pleasant. Despite the sun there is still enough moisture in the ground to maintain beautiful lush greens in the landscape (and a fair bit of mud on its surface).
Thursday's Summer Series was Biddulph Grange Country Park. Sarah Clough and I travelled together once again, Sarah was mended enough to run this time.
This was a lapped race of three laps. The course started near the visitor centre then headed east into Spring Wood lapping the wood to return past Fish Pond (actually a small lake) to finish across an open field. A lap is very similar to the Country Park suggested walking route ("..with steps & some steep climbs. Allow 1hr") except for the open field parallel to the outward path.
My leg was feeling stiff again, but it was too hot to warm up with the thoroughness of last week. A canter round the field suggested I would not survive the three laps, I hoped things would ease up when I got going, they usually do. After all, a day seated at a desk and a couple of hours driving would make anyone's legs stiff.
The outward leg and sweeping turn of each lap is predominantly uphill and steepening all the while. The return leg is mostly downhill with a little level running by the pond. I started the first lap at a very steady pace then, when my body had reconciled itself to the fact that I was making it run on a very warm summer's evening, settled into my normal amble. The usual game of passing on ascent and being re passed on descent took place, with each lap the number of re passings grew fewer which was gratifying especially as the finish was downhill.
I was quite tired by the end of the second lap, I also turned my ankle sharply, but not so badly as to prevent me finishing. The third lap seemed easier than the second though my pace had slowed. Despite guzzling half a litre of isotonic before the start I was thirsty half way through the first lap and I was now so dry mouthed that speech was difficult. I crossed the open field to the finish dreaming of the other half litre of isotonic and without challenge.
After clearing the finishing tunnel my thoughts turned to cheering Sarah in, these thoughts were quickly wrestled to the ground by the desire to get the top off the drink in the car. I got back just in time to see Sarah walking down the field after finishing.
We changed and headed off to the Talbot Inn for a social pint and wind down, another good evening out. Sipping beer outside the pub as the sun went down was the first time I had felt cool in several days,
I finished in around 42.5 minutes, there is no doubt I could have made a bit more effort on the level and downhill stretches, but it was too damned hot. The ankle hurts a bit though it will do for the weekend if I don't provoke it. My left leg seems to maintain a constant level of stiffness whether I run on it or not. so I will continue to up my long runs in preparation for the Long Tour of Bradwell.
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