Family commitments meant that my only window was mid afternoon (Sunday). The morning was spent with the boys finishing their half term homework and Jack’s game (the other boys had no game). On a heavy pitch Jack’s team were not great but they still won 8-1. Henry Thomas is the centre forward and it helps that he’s the London schools 100m champion. He’s lightening.
Before leaving I cooked dinner which took the pressure off and set off with a view to pushing the initial 14k which is almost entirely uphill. What’s the worse could happen? I told myself. The ks were ticking over around 4.10s having to work hard though to keep it there managing to complete the Layham’s road section before crossing the main road ahead of the next undulating part. The route then swoops down on Beddlestead Lane followed by the 4k slog up to the far main road and the left hand turn towards Tattsfield. It reminds me of a scene out of the Danny the Champion of the World with all the pheasants flying around. This section really hurts too and reached the high point with the average having risen to 4.14s but still 9 seconds per k quicker than 3 weeks ago.
The next 2 or 3k are marginally downhill and is always where I try to recover. In theory it is all downhill from that point but there are 3 or 4 really nasty short and sharp hills to tackle. Slowly the average started falling to around 4.10s before the most extreme hill of them all, the bugger just before Downe which knocked the stuffing out of me. It was then a case of holding on for the final 8 or so ks to get home for a 4.09 average. 2 hours and 17 minutes and absolutely faarked.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1414277517
This evening it was calm in our house which is definitely not normal.
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