Sunday May 2nd: Another chance to hit the Amesbury countryside

Weekly Mileage: 84.5miles

Mileage: 12 miles - 1.24.45 (all AM)

Today saw another chance for me to take to the lovely countryside that I found yesterday. Unfortunately though, the warm sunshine and light breezes that had helped make yesterday such a pleasurable experience had been replaced by dark clouds, rain and a cold sharp wind. I didn't want to sit through the temptation of the cooked breakfasts again so instead polished off a coffee in our room, laced up my trainers and headed straight out the door. 

I planned to run steady. I was still tired and stiff and my knees were aching a little bit, maybe from the stress of the week or the previous evening's dancing. Aiming for 7 minute miles I headed off the same way as the day before. Yesterday on my run I had noticed a network of footpaths and after 3 miles on the road I came across one with an inviting path through farm fields and by a small stream. Not pushing myself for speed today I reckoned that the soft ground would do me and my knees good so sett off on an adventure that led me through fields, into woods, across bridges and past horses and sheep. 

My pace was still pretty good and after 4 miles I came out a small forest path on to a farm track road that led up the steepest hill I had run up so far, I could feel it working every muscle in my leg and I wasn't surprised that as I passed through the 5th mile my watch told me it was my slowest of the weekend by nearly a minute. Still I enjoyed the challenge, as well as flying back down it on my return. 

After reaching 6 miles I turned round and headed back. My legs felt quite good and despite slipping about a bit on some of the muddier paths and farm tracks I quickened my pace for last 6 miles back home. Despite the rubbish weather it was still a lovely run and the fresh air was great at clearing my head after the wedding. What was really nice was Gail had managed to grab me a bowl of Muesli from breakfast and have it waiting for me with more coffee in our room when I got back, which was great, as I was very hungry and it was well past the B&B's breakfast time.Gail is great at making sure I get food, although I think part of the reason is she can't stand my grumpy mood swings when I am hungry.

I really enjoyed my wee running adventures in Salisbury this weekend. I've got another wedding near Arbroath next weekend, so I am already looking forward to more running adventures there, and the wedding of course! 

My splits:

1) 7.04

2) 6.58

3) 7.09

4) 7.14

5) 7.58 (the Big climb!!)

6) 6.43

7) 6.56

8) 6.36

9) 7.10

10) 7.01

11) 6.55

12) 6.56