hard

 

21-03-25. I was really looking forwards to another Friday long run with Mary. She had noticed a brisk East wind (opposite to the prevailing), so planned to keep it to our backs by starting from Dunbar and heading West. I think I mentioned taking it to Longniddry via Haddington and we were off. However the weather was a bit shit, yet again, and I found myself flagging badly around 10miles - only halfway. It turned into one of those nasty slogs that make you want to call a taxi or just give up running altogether!

shortly off the train at Dunbar and a flock of geese flew overhead

not so sunny Dunny

Somewhere past Belhaven Bay this massive transporter plane flew overhead. Although I was running with the compact in my hand, there was no time to zoom in properly for a good photo which annoyed me. (It has a sticky zoom-in button.) And the plane was so low it was overhead and gone in no time. Mary asked what was that? I used to be a bit of a plane spotter and knew most of the military planes. It was only later I found out it was the update for the C130 Hercules, an Airbus A400M Atlas. A four engined turboprop military transport aircraft. Interesting point about this aircraft, from wikipedia...

The pair of (8 bladed) propellers on each wing turn in opposite directions, with the tips of the propellers advancing from above towards the midpoint between the two engines. This is in contrast to the overwhelming majority of multi-engine propeller driven aircraft where all propellers turn in the same direction. The counter-rotation is achieved by the use of a gearbox fitted to two of the engines, and only the propeller turns in the opposite direction. All four engines are identical and turn in the same direction. This eliminates the need to have two different "handed" engines on stock for the same aircraft, simplifying maintenance and supply costs. This configuration allows the engine to produce more lift and lessens the torque and prop wash on each wing. It also reduces yaw in the event of an outboard engine failure. Due to these benefits, the vertical stabilizer can be reduced by 17 percent in size, while the size of the horizontal stabilizer can be shrunk by 8 percent.

treasure hunter

Hiya!
dead shrew waving.

I was disappointed the sun wasn't shining and the butterflies weren't out at this good spot for them. (Willow catkins.) Also a cold wind was blowing and we didn't even need to look as there would be heehaw to see today, all day.

about the last time for ten miles I was remotely cheerful!

I think we had sandwiches followed by Portuguese Custard Tarts (as pictured) from the coop at East Linton. I felt okay at this point but was not looking forward to all the miles ahead. Especially as there would be little in the way of wildlife distractions. It felt like there were interminable miles stretching out ahead of us and no alternative but to knuckle down and grind them out. I have been in this position many times and this wasn't the worst. However it wasn't ideal either. I think it was the day before catching up with me - it was only 9miles to Saltoun Wood from Pencaitland and back, and I didn't really take on board how much it took out of me. As a result I very quickly felt the effort on a run far shorter than hundreds I have done. On the upside it made Mary feel fantastic to hear me whinge and complain about feeling tired.

We bumped into these hens at the part where the steps take you up from the riverside. They were about the only animals we had had a chat to all day and so they got their photos taken more than they might have ordinarily.

Near the A1 Mary took off a layer. Not that it was getting lovely and warm. But we were generating heat from running and it makes more sense to take off a dry top and save it for later rather than soak it with sweat. I took the time to photo my newish shoes - this might have been their first long run. They are notable for being the first pair of non-Hoka trail shoes* I have bought in 13 years. I was drawn to them because they looked like they were a decent Hoka copy - thick light soles with good grips (by Vibram who make Hoka soles as well) and a light mesh upper. They even went as far to copy Hoka sizing. I had to send the 9.5s back and get size 10s, same as Hoka.

So why jump ship when they weren't any cheaper? Well Hoka have been going through another "bright colours for young (colourblind) people" phase of late and I liked the colour of these very much. The laces need trimmed a bit shorter or maybe replaced, but otherwise they are shaping up really well so far. Of all the parts that were hurting, my feet were not the worst. I think everything was aching in general.

Another reason I got these (I still have several hundred miles left in at least 2 other pairs at home currently) is the ball of my right foot starts complaining after about 6 faster miles or 10 moderate miles. My other trail shoes are more thin and racy than thick and comforting so I felt thicker soles would help. They do. Although I suspect the ball-of-the-foot injury is probably more about tight calves and a lack of regular stretching than a bruised bone or tweaked muscle/tendon. It hasn't been so bad I've sought professional help and so far the fat shoes are where I'm putting my money.

*I have bought non-Hoka hill type shoes as Hoka don't really have those in their line up.

fat shoes

Vibram soles - ace quality.
- love a grippy bottom!

many more miles of this and similar stretching into the far distance

As Haddington approached I asked Mary if we could detour past a chemist and pick up some paracetamols. She was still feeling much more chipper than myself, and my infirmity was giving her endless morale boosts. I did not resent this - it happens every marathon as you go past people from 20miles onwards. Every younger strong-looking runner you pass who is walking reminds you that whatever you are feeling, if you are still running, then you haven't ballsed it up as much as they have. You cannot help but take fortitude from this. It seems parasitic and ungenerous but most runners know these are the breaks and will be glad when it is not them having a bad day at the office.

Mentally I was chopping the route into 3 parts; Dunbar to East Linton, 8miles; EL to Haddington, 7miles, and the final stretch to Longniddry, about 5miles. Normally the scenery would be adequate anaesthetic and with Mary setting the pace it should all be pleasant enough. You can tell from the number of times I raised the camera after Haddington that I was struggling. Although things did improve.

The pain-killers kicked in fairly quickly. I wasn't racked with pain but had that general ache you get a bit like repetitive strain injury. You wish you were sitting at home drinking beer and didn't have just another 5 miles to the train station. However a mile or two out from Haddington and the general fatigue began to lift. I do wonder how much is physical and how much mental. I have taken paracetamols in marathons and suddenly recovered my mojo at 15 miles leaving behind those who shadowed me up till then. But how much does the anticipation of relief aid and abet the actual relief? As soon as you feel a slight improvement your spirit rises and you feel MUCH better. All the messages your brain was getting from flailing legs, achey arms and wheezy lungs have been dampened and it seems possible with a little effort to take the lead Mary has been bravely holding, and maybe even lift the pace?

the only butterfly of the day

It did not go unnoticed. Mary preferred it when I was a bit quieter and plodding behind her, slightly broken. I was now telling tales from my history with this cyclepath and a training run with Bert and the weekend Porties from many moons ago. As you pass the halfway point the social turns into a race, slowly at first but undeniably the pace quickens and people are dropped. The fact the last 3 miles into Longniddry are downhill really helped and I start to revel in the process. Already flat out I somehow raised my game even more and dropped the last of the competition, arriving first at the finish. As I recounted this tale to Mary I began to pick up the pace over those same miles and soon was making Mary work to keep up. The fastest three miles of the run were the last three and my gps watch rang 20miles as we ran up the incline to the station platform. A perfect 20 miler to the finish. (Although 2 additional miles were required up to Waverley and back home.) 

42 mins to wait

While still moving freely, worried I'd cramp up in no time, I changed out of wet clothes into a dry set I'd been carrying in my pack. We got snacks and drinks (milk shake protein drinks) from the shop just West of the car park and returned to catch the train back into Edinburgh. I was glad to have recovered somewhat from the dip in the middle of the day, halfway through the ordeal. Good to test oneself now and again! 😁

20miles exactly (+2) in 4hrs17m