Day 55 - Training Blog 17th February 2013

Late night, good sleep and up at 5:30! 3 slices of granary toast, 2 with Jam and 1 with Nutella, made a change, plus a cup of tea. Too early for bowl of porridge! Quick rub down with TB, kit on quick warm up and off in the van to pick Vince and Matt up. All done and up to Guys by 7:30. Rich met us there, at this point I realised the weather forecast I loo...ked at missed the point about being absolutely freezing before it turns out to be a warm sunny day! We set off and within minutes I was beyond cold. I was the only one with shorts on, my legs froze solid! Great run out the back of Bovingdon to Whelpley Hill, down to Chesham and right towards Tring. 10k covered in about 47 minutes including a group pit stop! and I was still freezing. The pace was steady with plenty of banter flying around, all good to get the miles done. I finally warmed up as we went past Champneys, across the A41 and down Darrs Lane. Another group pit stop was taken at this point, on both occasions I did not need to go but you must never miss an opportunity! Legs feeling a bit heavy as we turned right on the old A41 at Northchurch, just as the pace picked up! We seemed to get quicker every mile through Berkhamsted, Bourne End and Hemel. Really struggling to keep up as we passed through Apsley to the Red Lion but we all kept together. We met a few runners and riders along the way and it was good to see my old mate Paul Rumble with Simon Geary from GVH running towards us by Hemel station at a decent pace! Very good and tough run coming to an end, all that's left is a 3k slog up Rucklers Lane to Chipperfield and back into Bovingdon! We all worked hard up the hill but we did stretch out a bit! Rich pulled us all home to complete, in the sunshine, a very enjoyable, once I had warmed up, 32.8k in 2'27". A good time considering the very steady start and 2 pit stops. Rich had to go but we went into Guys house for a very welcome cup of tea and homemade cake. Great start to a Sunday. Heavy week ahead then next Sunday is GVH 17 mile marathon training run. I believe all welcome but I have no clue of any details, useful! I will find out. Now just woke up after a massive lunch and aching a lot!