Sometimes things don't go to plan, but instead they offer a new way of thinking. I was due to go out for at least 6 hours today, but Karin has been knocked down hard by her chemo and I was very reluctant to leave her. She has been unable to even get up out of bed even for something small like getting a drink of water and the thought of her laying there for 6 hours without being able to get what she needs put me off running at all. I then came up with a plan; I would run for about 2 hours then go back and make sure she is OK. As soon as possible I would go out and have another run, and so on. This was quite exciting - she would be looked after and I wouldn't need to carry a days worth of supplies.
I hadn't reckoned on the difficulty of leaving the house again and again - it was so tempting to give up. However, I managed 30 miles in 3 legs, and actually I think that stop-start approach was good training: I certainly have tired legs. I also managed to make sure Karin was OK throughout the day and even prepared her a very quick lunch.
As I ran I pondered the natural extension of this type of running - how long could you sustain running for 2 hours, returning for 30 mins, then repeating? I reckon I had one more slow run in me, although each run was getting shorter. I must do some research on this as a training method. I know back to back runs are popular for developing stamina - either two runs on the same day or one late one day followed by the other early next day - but does it compare with continuous running, which after all is what I do when racing.
Going back to the title, I also took my phone, some headphones, and a load of radio 4 podcasts. I got used to listening as I went along; something I have avoided over the years. Having speech was loads better than music as I could still hear environmental sounds through the words.
As I ran towards Failand on leg 3 I put on a podcast about Robert Wyatt singing Shipbuilding. That song catches me every time, but hearing how it was written with some passionate analyses from a variety of people really pulled me up. What a beautiful and profound song. Elvis Costello said that when he finished the lyrics he knew it was the best song he had ever written. So, I ran, sniffing to myself, and occasionally warbling to the snippets of the song they played. Good job no-one was around.
Just to lighten things up I listened to Desert Island Discs with Stephen Pinker and some excellent debates about social policy - I do lead an exciting life! My first day of running using podcasts was great - if I am in terrain that I don't know or in company I won't need any entertainment, but when on my own on familiar trails it was very welcome.
I am still a bit cautious about the 10 Peaks 40 mile race in 4 weeks, mainly due to not knowing how things will be at home, but I have had a good days running, and there is nothing wrong with that!
