Spring has sprung – Is it a trap?

It is one year on from the ‘Beast from the East’ which held us in its’ icy grip for 2 weeks, this time last year. I remember battling through what seemed like blizzard conditions as we were setting up gazebos for the Cambridge Half Marathon. There were a number of races called off that weekend but fortunately the snow backed off a little and the race was able to go ahead as planned. This year, conditions are a little different. We are now one week away from the Cambridge Half Marathon and the sun is shining. Snowdrops and crocuses are poking out of the soil for a little look around. It all seems a little early and I have to wonder whether we are suddenly going to be hit with fearful frost, hail and snow.

I was a little unsure about going out for my long run today as I suppose that I should be tapering. I have decided not to do the tapering thing and instead I will treat the half marathon as just another training run. The prime focus for this year is ‘Race to the Stones’ and even the delightful Cambridge Half must take a back seat to that one.

The weather was glorious. There was still a bit of a chill in the air when I went out but it warmed up to about 10 degrees Celsius before the run was done.

As usual I didn’t really know where I would run but my feet have developed a habit of making for the lovely wooded area on the Mere Way to do a little circuit under the trees.

I trotted around there and found myself feeling irritated at the tightness in my chest. I have been somewhat snotty now for about a fortnight and this week have been battered around by some extremely vicious sinus headaches. I’ve had just about enough of this carry on and I’d rather like it to stop now please.

Leaving the woodland circuit behind I carried on down the Mere Way toward Landbeach, I could actually feel a little warmth from the sun on the right side of my face and despite my shortness of breath was feeling quite good about myself and life in general. I’ve lost a decent amount of weight recently by virtue of cutting out my mid morning snack of a Ginsters sausage roll. The snack van brings them to my workplace, all piping hot and delicious. They are a joyous thing of flaky pastry and sausage meat. A mixture of wonderful textures and astounding flavour, Truly the sausage roll is a thing of wonder. The downside is that it is around 600 calories and if it’s a day where I’m not going for a run then I am unlikely to burn those extra calories. It is quite a sacrifice but now paying dividends in terms of weight loss.

I glanced to the left and saw my shadow silhouette travelling beside me. For all the weight I have lost my shadow still resembles a condom into which someone has tried to stuff a whole pot of yoghurt *. This was immensely depressing but I must just continue with weight loss regime until some more of this yoghurt has been squeezed out again.

I continued through Landbeach, pausing for a moment to take a picture of some poo in a field.

If you look closely you will see the steam rising from it. Then on to Waterbeach, Bottisham Lock and through an open section by the side of a winding little stream.

A couple of swans drifted down the stream looking for their photo op. Of course I obliged.

I usually do a circular route but this time decided to go out for 11km and then turn around to come back. I wanted to ensure that I didn’t go too far over 21km. This out and back was much more enjoyable than I expected. The act of turning back gave my brain the encouragement it needed. I felt that I was going home and therefore it all started to feel downhill. Sometimes it seems we can make this tricksy brain thing work for us.

This was a beautiful day – This was a fine run.

Next week is Cambridge Half Marathon. The weather forecast shows it being a bit wet with a breeze but soooo much better than last year.

Should be fun.

• * This phrase is partially stolen from Stephen Fry who was describing his own body in an interview. I can’t remember exactly what he said but I am pretty sure that yoghurt was involved.