Ever just taken off somewhere random with your running shoes and a few other essential things to keep you company for the day? Sunday was like that. Sometimes, when an idea comes into your head, it simply has to be actioned before you can rest. A week to go before the WHM and a long run was on the cards...a final hurrah to the training that's been done leading to this. A strong desire to pack a bag and take off found me at Conwy Castle and the beginning of the Conwy Half Marathon route. If you know it, you know the Great Orme. And this route takes you out along the coast, a cut back into Llandudno and up round the hill and back down the other side. It had it all, early morning sunshine, waves crashing (small but perfectly formed) on the beach just meters from your feet, the vision of the B&B'ers waking, checking out and wondering around looking for 'it', the locals on the same mission as you... and then the hill. Gentle at first, a sheer drop to the right, overhanging cliffs to the left. Wonderful views. A cyclist gently passing as his feet whizzed round in a low gear focused on his awaiting reward once he gets to the top. Then the hill steepens, breathing becomes heavier and a comfortable silence falls as you focus. At the top, the windiest, iciest cold blast rudely robs anyone of a triumphant cheer at the summit. In fact the first few 'k' of the descent was pretty hard work as the wind was right in your face, making the promise of a relaxing descent a hopeless dream. And then, the wind stops. It was like the giant hand that was keeping you from running pushing against your chest was taken away, causing you lunge forwards unexpectedly and almost fall.
More traffic on the descent, hopping from road to pavement, searching for some underfoot consistency that locks your rhythm, until the road levels out and any spec of momentum you had has gone. Nonetheless, a breezy run back, this time the waves were a little closer, one of them catching me out and getting a bit of a dunking...a very special moment.
And then back to Conwy...bursting for the loo, ignoring the need for a proper stretch. Not gunning for a fast time. Fish and Chips, cake and coffee...a good summary to a grand day out :-)
More traffic on the descent, hopping from road to pavement, searching for some underfoot consistency that locks your rhythm, until the road levels out and any spec of momentum you had has gone. Nonetheless, a breezy run back, this time the waves were a little closer, one of them catching me out and getting a bit of a dunking...a very special moment.
And then back to Conwy...bursting for the loo, ignoring the need for a proper stretch. Not gunning for a fast time. Fish and Chips, cake and coffee...a good summary to a grand day out :-)
