Day 26 - Training Blog 19th January 2013

A good nights sleep, up at 5:45, a bit of a sore throat and tickley cough so quick Barrocca then 3 granary toast and a cup of tea. All consumed by 6:45. Not looked out yet, I hope it has not snowed ...too much! Kit on, looks like it has not snowed during the night so all good. Truck took a bit of warming then off to Bovingdon to meet Guy. Decided on wind proof top over running kit with woolly hat, quick photo and we were off. We ran out of Bovingdon towards Chesham then left towards Ley Hill, we then took a right down a track and that is the end of my awareness of our route! All off road, all through fantastic countryside, up hill, down hill, along valleys through farmers fields and down tracks, reminded me of the film 101 Dalmatians. Underfoot varied from snow and flat'ish ground, quite difficult to run on, snow underfoot with soft mud underneath, difficult to run on, snow underfoot with rutted hard ground underneath, almost impossible to run on! At this point we both thought our clothes choice was slightly out as we were both sweating and overheating! All conditions sapped the strength in one way or another but we hit a hill track just under the rail line for the underground into Chesham, it required almost pigeon steps and burnt my calves and left thigh! I do not think the hill was that long but we just did not seem to be getting anywhere how ever much effort we put in. All good though and we were soon climbing a hill and across a field to the Green Dragon pub in Flaunden. A bit of tarmac a grip underfoot was very welcome but did not last long! We were soon back on the snow heading up another snow covered path hill towards Chipperfield, a quick left and right, across a farmed field with snow drifts and we were back into civilisation and Austins Mead! Tarmac again up through the High Street and the finish back at Guys house, 21.68k in 1'50"32 including a loo stop. Very tough and legs in quite a bit of pain, hip flexers and groin's particularly sore over the last couple of miles. All good though, especially the tea and fresh made cookies with hot melted chocolate in waiting for us at Guys house! Quick chat with Guys family whilst consuming another cookie, his children excited and waiting to kit up themselves and go sledging with dad. Not too sure Guy was as keen! Home, showered, changed and back out over to Tring to have a well deserved breakfast in Espresso Lounge, highly recommend it, the breakfast was great, poached eggs, grilled bacon, grilled sausage, beans, tomato's and mushrooms, all great and the coffee is fantastic. Now back home and trying to finalise the route for tomorrows 20 mile road run with Vince! All good. Here is the run link from Guys watch.
http://www.trainingpeaks.com/av/PFUSZAOT5EDZAD3UN6OL2EEECY