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My third 20+ miler, and a very enjoyable run it was too (map)… more comment after the England -v- France six-nations championship decider rugby match! … [result: France won the game and the championship, so congratulations to anyone French who might feel like sponsoring me].

Today was a strange run. When you’re running for such a long time all kinds of thoughts and feelings come and go. After 40 minutes a surprise patch of boredom arrived, this didn’t last long, but I really understand why some people run with headphones on. After 120 minutes I’d covered about 16.5 miles, and was quite enjoying it again. This feeling was largely influenced by the fact that I could see the Spinnaker Tower waaay off in the distance, and knew that I’d run past it ninety minutes beforehand. I ran the last 5 miles alone (the rest of the club turned off and cut their run to 17 miles) so this was especially pleasing given that I’d trimmed my run to 11.5 last weekend.

It’s reassuring that each time I’ve gone over 20 miles my recovery has become easier and faster. Recovery, by the way, is measured as my ability to move as far as the kettle, and to keep the duvet wrapped around me whilst sipping tea and watching rugby. The duvet is very useful because after such a long run keeping warm helps the body replenish the energy stocks it’s just torched.

Immediately after the run it was a little difficult doing the stairs, but 24 hours later, all limbs seem to have full movement again.