February 2016

[Sweder]

Last night I got the Fever. That itch that needs scratching, the burning desire to run.

Sat in my office in Ditchling I watched a beautiful, clear day start the gentle descent into twilight. I pulled the plug, grabbed my gear and bid a hurried adieu to my colleagues. As I drove home I had one eye on the changeing skies. I should make it. Just ...

Twenty minutes later, home, changed, excited hounds harnessed, I was out the door, chasing the blood-orange sun as it sank behind the hills. MLCMMan recently wrote that, for him, there are no junk miles. I think he's right. At least, this modest trundle through the day's last gasp, with no target other than to be out there, felt anything but. 

As light leaked out of the sky, the distant Moyleman hills glowed purple, three-quarter moon beaming high in the darkening blue. I turned just shy of Blackcap, unsure if livestock lurked beyond the ridge. I hammered home at a decent clip, feet feeling their way as unseen mud sent them skittering this way and that. I held my body still, centred, ready to go whichever way the next lunge took me. It was exhilarating stuff, senses jangling, on high alert. I felt alive.

A shade over six kilometres. One of the best runs of recent times.

   

I followed up with a convivial pint or two with local celeb The Ale Lady. I'd promised to drop off a couple of cans of Roadie 'all night' IPA, a delicious little number from East London brew-house Signature. We sat and chatted like old mates (we'd met just the once before, my companion then dressed as Catwoman). Our main theme was writing and the selfish behaviour that comes with The Process. I was relieved to learn I'm not alone in growing two heads, ready to snarl at any interlopers who would break my concentration. 

Just before I left the pub, Tall Simon and Andrea arrived, 'fresh' from their Lewes AC track session. 1200 metres at 10k pace followed by 400 metre reps at 5k pace, rest, repeat. I grinned, telling them about my run. I know who had the best of it tonight. I've never felt more in tune with Askwith's Running Free mantra. This is what it's all about for me now.