Setting targets

Today's post will discuss today's beasting and the month's target.

1) Today's beasting
It was clear that Geoff was stiff from yesterday's adventures as he loped around the office this morning. His broad shoulders and rippling muscles were not as free as they have recently been. An aching back, a stiff right quad, stiff left calf and clicky ankle were all too apparent to both sufferer and purveyor. It was also clear that being in a new office has somewhat thrown the lunchtime run routine, with watches, earphones and waterbottles being frequently misplaced.
At last, clad in fluorescent jacket, white shorts with blue thermal shorts underneath and muddy black trainers he collated his running ancillaries and headed for the door.
Any passer by would have remarked on the joy visible on his face resulting from a realisation that despite the ache, he was 'up for it'.

We will later see from the Garmin 310XT run data that will be extracted when he finds his ant+ dongle that he jogged to the castle end of the long walk and struck off directly along his route. A gentle perceived effort would probably be reported as he approached the road crossing with a push as he neared the deer park fence. Beyond that? Anyone out there would have noted the variable South Westerly wind that hindered advances and caused flooding across the path of the plucky Operations Manager.

As the gradient increased there was a definite lengthening in stride. As the path widened and rose further he was seen to push up the hill, take a deviation to the left then attack the Copper Horse on the left flank to ensure the final push would be over slightly further but firmer ground. A pause for a photo of a sunny Windsor then back down the proven route he came, sliding in the full spirit of the Winter Olympics to the road below. Rivulets of unhomed rainwater dominated his footsteps and skid marks, revealed from their tenuous hiding places amongst the long grass that made the going look so deceptively easy.

With some wind behind him (he he, wind) the perceived effort increased with the speed, some interest was added to the run by using the grass rather that the road. The Coldstreamer on guard at the castle gate would have seen no Pythonesque Lancelot making little headway towards him. Instead a yellow blob of progress would have become increasingly threatening as it drew into focus. With motivation enough to jog on the spot whilst awaiting traffic to pass then extending the sprint across the road till the apex of the final rise before the swoop towards the castle, Geoff realised that he perhaps had more reserves left that he had given himself credit for. Interviewed afterwards he might have described an odd feeling in one knee and his gammy ankle, whilst his thigh continued to complain but it wouldn't have been a particularly interesting interview. Attacking the final hill, Geoff gave a yell of excitement that caused panic in a small child, mirth in the parent and a confused look from a cluster of elders. Old people I mean, rather than a group of trees. Maybe they are spelt differently, I don't know.

2) The run today was under 45 minute for the long walk section which included some aches and slow go on Snow Hill. By the end of February I will have that down to under 40 minutes or my name isn't Geoffrey Van Hurst. I should probably set myself a target for each of the disciplines in which I will be testing myself so I will also add as targets timing a 3,800m swim and undertaking a 60mile cycle. Actually, another target will be to run a half marathon (either organised or solo or with a chum). I am going to look back on February and think "Yes! I made the most of that month!".

Dan, fancy a run?

Oh talking of chums, I communicated with Chris for the first time in ages, I didn't even wish him Happy Birthday in December. Damn. Please add a comment wishing Chris Happy Birthday. I must communicate my running schedule with him to get him out for Windsor runs. It's great being able to run and learn anything from history to nanotechnology, discuss anything from films to literature and exchange a barrage of wit that would rival an improv night at the Comedy Store.

Oooh I want to go to the Comedy Store. Who is in?