Comeback - week one

Well we seem finally to have strung a week's half-decent training together. Last Thursday Stef and I did a new road route from home, which we repeated (albeit in the opposite direction, and still with a 2 mile uphill start) on Monday. On Tuesday it was PetShopPete's social run up around Windgate Nick and the mysterious Doubler Stones, and last night a new route over Simon's Seat from Barden Bridge and back along the Dales Way. It was not far off dark when we finished last night and it was the best I've felt for many months after a run-out. My favourite old jeans feel a lot looser this morning and I'm already looking forward to nipping out again tonight. With only 53 weeks till next year's Lakeland 100 it is about time we got moving

The List

It was a big night last Wednesday evening; the time when the list of pubs for our mid-week summer social runs is pored over, scrutinised and finalised. Several old favourites (Fleece in Haworth, OWB, Slaters at Bradley) were approved with a nod; some candidates were rejected, "that landlord is a miserable sod", " Tetleys", "Up for sale. There's a note on the door asking the coalman for no more deliveries for the foreseeable future" but consensus was gained in an hour or so

Last night was the first of our "summer runs". Someone forgot to inform the weather gods because it was cold, misty and gloomy running from the excellent Kings Arms in Silsden. Gloomy enough for us to not reach our intended target of the Doubler Stones, but not gloomy enough to spoil a great start to the season for 23 Keighleyites and Poppy the dog. Top marks go to the legend that is PetShopPete for bringing some new runners into the fold and to the Wensleydale Brewery for their superb Semer Water ale!

Lazy days

Our failed Lakeland 100 attempt really took out of me. I've found recovery hard and have only run twice since. A fair proportion of the skin came off the ball of both of my feet last week and I've lost a couple of toe-nails. Last Tuesday night I ran around six miles with PetShopPete and a few other club-mates from the Swan in the village and on Tuesday night it was over to Embsay for a similar distance (albeit a bit quicker) from the Elm Tree. Several times in the last ten days or so I've said I'll get up in the morning and have a run out from home, but it just isn't happening at the moment. There's another social run from the Swan tomorrow night and I might do that; we'll see

Stef is very busy with work at present and if anything came out of the hundred in even worse shape than me. Her knee swelled up and is only just retreating back and her feet were at least as bad as mine, although she employed a 'pick the dead skin off a bit at a time' strategy, rather than my let time take it's toll approach. We have very few running plans for the rest of the year apart from Stef doing the Rab MM. Probably the biggest thing in our diary, apart from an upcoming holiday, is the Bob Graham dinner in early October, which we're both really looking forward to!