I'm back from a week in the sun of Tenerife.
I had a brilliant week with family, and I took a book called 'Running with the Kenyans' with me. I learned that the Kenyans don't seem to have any magic secrets, it's just hard work apparently.
So, armed with the knowledge from the book and some new Nike Free shoes I decided to try and reignite my training. This meant getting up at 7.30am, slightly hungover, and running in the humid semi-darkness to the tune of other early birds, other slightly wheezy holiday joggers and giggling Canarian council workers.
Day 1 was a trail blazing run; I travelled as far along the sea front as I could before turning and climbing up towards the edge of town, slightly expiring and retracing my steps. It was hard, hilly, but fun.
Day 2 was a bit more of an adventure; having got to the end of the prom I had to climb over a small ravine (good fell training) and scale a wall (mountain climbing) before regaining the prom. I ran along for a while before deciding I should retrace my steps again. Unfortunately I followed someone on an "easier" route and ended up semi-lost and heading up a long hill which ended eventually on the main road. There wasn't much pavement so car-dodging and gully-running was my only choice. I was out for far too long and really whacked at the end of that one.
Day 3-5 I settled on a two-lap course, and the idea was to run lap 2 quicker than lap 1. It was a success on all 3 days, but harder work on Day 2 (I had done a lot of driving the previous day). On Day 3 I just fell out of bed, got dressed and got it over with. Kenyan style.
Pleased with my new-found mojo I've worked out a new training routine for home. So far, it's working.
