Well, tomorrow is the annual "Run the Ridge" at Rowella in the West Tamar. In previous years it has always been run on a Saturday but, like most things these days, it is now on a Sunday.
Even if I wasn't preaching I would not be there as, for me, being part of corporate worship is my first priority. In the light of eternity what does being involved in races count for at all? Absolutely nothing! I know that other Christians get involved in these things - some for evangelistic outreach and others just because they want to go in it - but I believe that I must view things differently. That doesn't stop me wishing that I could enter some of these races and have a go at them - especially next January's Cadbury Half Marathon when I will be on holidays!
So today I ran my version of the race using 5 laps of the course from home to the start of the bike track at Devonport Pool. It was close enough to 1k to get there (perhaps a few metres more - but that doesn't matter), so I tackled it. I started at a slower pace so I could manage the course I call "Heart Break Hill" because of the steep climb up from the pool to home.
I was doing quite well until I was almost at the 1k mark and then realised that I wouldn't make the whole course without an essential pit stop. At least, running from home, I could call in there. All in all, it took over 6 minutes extra time on the run (should make next year's run far faster, though). By this stage it had started raining and continued to do so for the rest of the run. It meant that I didn't get hot like I normally do, but also that I had to be careful I didn't slip on wet grass (especially as both turns were grassed areas) or those areas of bitumen that had water streaming down them. I was pleased with my time of 1.15.48 and how I handled that course.
I would like to train up for the half, but I know I don't have much time and I haven't done anything over 10k for a long time now - especially as I was trying to build up to 4 days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). Oh, well!
