Guilt-free indulgence

The long runs are getting longer now, and take up most of my Sunday.  Yesterday’s effort was 14 wet, cold and windy miles around Richmond Park.  Looking out of my office window at the beautiful blue sky smiling down this Valentines Day, I’m a bit peeved at the contrariness of the English weather for making what could have been a beautiful run more of a grim one.

Of course at this stage in the training, its all about endurance, and I guess there’s nothing quite like exposure to two and a half relentless hours of a London February to help build that stamina.  I’ve got to the point where I have to think about fuelling before and during my run, and have been delighted to discover that my secret weapon seems to be Haribo Starmix.  A generous helping of the yummy sweeties in the hour before setting off for a long run, plus a handful spread out during the course of the run, seem to be doing wonders to get me round intact.  Yesterday when I got back to the car I devoured a Nutrigrain Elevenses in about 2 seconds flat but I hadn’t felt ravenous or weak until I actually stopped and sat down.  The only thing to watch out for with the Starmix is the cola bottles as they make me thirsty.  Appropriately, given the day, my favourites seem to be the strawberry hearts.

Stats
Distance:  14.1 miles
Time:  2:27:15
Route:  laps of Richmond Park
Weather:  February
Notable features:  sweeties

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