I had a good run this morning. And its a Wednesday. Wednesdays runs are usually less easy than say Monday or Tuesday runs, even though monday and tuesday runs are like x3 longer. I’m fresher on those days and by today and tomorrow I’m in ‘stamina’ mode which is my alternative modes but they are a little tougher to be in. Anyway, today was strangely different and I attribute it to doing a bit of my assignment this morning at 06:00 instead of lying in – Wednesdays I lie in and take it easy and perhaps here lies the problem – I’m over-rested and it takes me a while to get into ‘stamina mode’ (incidentally stamina mode is a mode on my Android phone that conserves battery) and so I’m just not that great, body and mind wise. This is weird because I’d ve thought that more rest = better performance but I think too much is just counter productive for the reasons I’ve just mentioned.

Also it was a beautiful day, but I’d like to think that's not a reason why physically I ran well and enjoyed it, but it is a good reason. I’d like to think that I can have this new Wednesday feeling irrespective of the weather. That being said, there is a lot to be said of how ones emotional and psychological condition can influence your physical performance so this is very possible.

I think I run better in the heat. It was quite sunny and I decided to wear a vest while running which I dont usually do, but It was hot enough and it was a welcome change. And perhaps that could have been it too – change is wonderful think for influencing ones motivation. I sued to think otherwise, that change was to be avoided. Wear the same shoes, run the same route, eat the same food, do the same routine etc. but the more I deviate the more I change and the more I enjoy the positives of change.

So with all the blibber-blabber I’ve been laying out, my conclusion is that Wednesdays good run was due to not lying in, doing a different and productive activity in that time, changing my running attire and at the same time having a lovely sunny day.

Oh and I got a PR:

And having thought that though that way, I feel much better. Thank you internet.

Well I’m happy to report that this morning the number-plate I ran over yesterday is still there. I’m in two minds if I should go back and get it. No. I won’t – no place to keep it – and besides what the hell am I going to do with a number plate? Anyway, Tuesday runs are usually much more difficult than Monday runs but I think today was easier than yesterday’s! How’s that? Dunno, just wasn’t in pain or the type of pain I associate with being uncomfortable. I think my legs are getting stronger. Definitely stronger.

I think the double-set of squats yesterday helped.

I didn’t blow any records today but neither did I do that yesterday, so its not awards this week but as Woody Allen says: “80% of success is showing up”. And I showed up, so that’s good.

I had a run which was dominated by my legs today, that might sound weird because well its only the legs that are involved in running, right? Well sorta, kind of, not really. There is a lot that goes on when you’re running, like how your body feels and how your breathing might be hindering you or how badly you slept last night. It could be a cramp, for a strain or an irritation that dominates your run. Sometimes its the mind that takes you all the way, sometimes its the weather and a happy though. Equally, these can all turn on you and a bad thought or a problem, emotional or personal can dominate the run and affect you.

Anyway, thankfully, none of this was happening today, only my legs were powering me along. They were strong, I could feel them rebound with every stride and I would shift a lot of weight onto my quads say uphll or even on the straights(I’d lean a bit back but not much) and they would like a tractor just plough on up. remarkable really. I noticed all this because, I wasn’t particularly nimble on my feet today but i was doing well because of the quad action taking place.

It must be said that quad exercises and hills and well leg training in general really help strengthen them legs and really help on days like this. 

I did feel however that this morning was a bit tough on the legs for some reason but they pulled through.