Waterlogged Trenches

91 min
Start 7.30
On the day after Armistice Day the fields here had a look of the trenches about them. The wind was so strong that sometimes it felt almost like running on a treadmill, with little noticable forward movement. The wind was
howling and I wasn't keen on getting out of bed but hopes of a visible sunrise breaking through the lower clouds got me up and dressed. And of course once I was out I was glad I'd made the effort, even if the skies were a universal grey.





Early circuit of the Klompenpad followed by a run round the Eng to make up the time, taking in the bit down to the field where this beautiful big heavy horse lives.

The big munitions waggons were dragged forward by resplendant shires,
as strong as engines, with huge, intelligent heads. They lifted their
forelegs like dancers in a dance that had become stylized by
repetitiion. They were almost ridiculously beautiful, like wonders in
a story, and all about them ground on the columns of uniformed men.
(From 'A Long Long Way', Sebastian Barry)

Irish Duo

91 min
Start 8.30
Long run about the Soesterduinen. First 20 minutes or so there was a drizzly rain settling into steady rain but luckily it tailed off and most of the rest of the run was more or less dry so we didn't actually get soaked through. Lots of other dogs but Joep was very laid back about socialising. Usually he just lay down and waited to see if they'd come up to him. If they did he was fine with it and if they didn't he just trotted after me. We zig-zagged about the dunes, alternating between hilly/sandy bits and easier grassy paths through the heather, just making up the time as I wanted to get at least 90 minutes running today.

New Running Belt Configuration

73 min
Start 16.00
The Soesterduin was back to having only the odd dogwalker today so Joep and I ran about there for a while.










I had him on the long lead on the way out and back, this time trying out a new way of fastening things. Seemed to work quite well. As he was running loose most of the time on the dunes he decided this was too easy for me so added an additional complication by carrying a big stick most of the way and running right behind me so that it regularly smacked me on the back of my knees. I suspect sometimes that his brain isn't in proportion to his body size...

Week total 402

Change of plan this afternoon meant I didn't do the 9k cross so didn't make up the time before it got dark due to a lot of stopping and starting while experimenting with Joep's lead. Never mind, plenty time to catch up this month still

Sunset with Joep

57 min
Start 16.30


Tried various variations of the long line at its longest setting but we both still managed to trip over it sometimes. But when it does intermittendly work as it should, canicrossing with Joep is fAst.

Joep Circuit

29min
Start 16.15
The heaviest rain stopped just before sunset so we were able to go out for an easy run about the Eng. I'd mistakenly thought I'd be running the Maple Leaf Cross this afternoon but when I went to check the starting time this morning I saw that it's actually tomorrow so just had an easy run today instead. Have just had a big bowl of broccoli soup - apparantly it's full of iron and that's supposed to help get more oxygen to the muscles so who knows, every little helps (and I like broccoli anyway, I just tend to forget to buy it).

No Pics Today

76 min
Start 16.00
Forgot my camera but ach, it was all so grey and dull that I didn't really miss it. Just ran about the Eng and a few of the surrounding streets, listening to the Extra Mile Podcast, which is quite exciting at the moment as Kevin plans to have a second attempt at a marathon tomorrow after his dissapointing DNF (Did Not Finish) in Chicago on 10-10-10. I was only planning on running an hour but wanted to hear the end of the programme so made an additional detour. Included 2 'fast circuits' with about 20 minutes between them. The first in 6:18, the second in 6:21. Bit of wind and slippery bits where the fallen leaves mean I have to slow a wee bit so not the fastest time but it was at least good to make an attempt at some brief speed.