Dear Diary: The Eternal Ramblings of Trevor Watson

Having decided that last week's 13 miles was not enough punishment, I planned to add a couple of extra hills into the mix this weekend adding around 3 miles to the total distance.

So, bright and early on Sunday morning, I filled the Camelback with water, stuck an energy bar (for emergencies) into the small zip pocket on it, donned my ASICS trail shoes and went off out the door into the slightly misty morning air.

Almost immediately, I was into a 300'+ heading out of Sheffield into the glorious surrounding countryside (although it didn't feel that glorious struggling up this hill 5 minutes into the run). Fortunately, once over the top, I was rewarded with a gentle descent of a similar height, allowing my muscles time to recover. Then, another ascent, but this time of no more than 100' over a couple of miles which took me back onto my 13 mile route. However, rather than staying on this route, I went for the longer route going through some of the less desirable areas of Sheffield, which took in a 400'+ descent over about a mile, followed by a 150' ascent in a few hundred feet and then a gradual descent of another 200' into Sheffield centre.

By now I'd covered probably 8-9 miles and my legs were already tired. So I decided that the "emergency" energy bar was required if I was going to complete the run. After nearly choking on the thing, which has the consistency of clay, it appeared that walking whilst eating was the best thing to do. So I quickly munched my way through the bar whilst dawdling through the town centre.

Back to the run and I headed out of Sheffield on one of my two hilly routes home. However, this time, instead of following the road home, I followed the path of the Sheffield Round Walk as far as Forge Dam, then jogged/walked the 300' climb to Ringinglow Fire Station before heading home across the fields of Whirlow Hall Farm which does tremendous work for disadvantaged and disabled kids.

I don't think I've ever been quite so knackered after a run (even after a race). However, despite the aches, it was that satisfying exhaustion of having completed something pyhsically testing. All in all, it took a little under 2.5hrs and (according to my trusty HRM), burnt off over 2200 calories.

Today, my legs have stiffened a little bit, but are better than I expected. However, it will still be a rest day, then back to the normal 5-7 mile runs for the rest of the week, with some speedwork on Friday. Only 4 weeks to go to the first 10k of the year (but more on that nearer the time).