Late start long run

It was a wonderful treat today, starting a couple of hours later and still getting to do a good long run. Becks, Viv, Rod and I headed up to the Discovery Centre, courtesy of a lift from Sugar, where we waited for the Yummies and C Team. The plan had been to join Jane and Kate and others on the second half of their 38km run. Poor Jane was really ill today and the thought of another 17km (for 34km) was worrying enough. Fortunately, Sugar was doing a run from Mundaring so she just had to get there and wait for him to finish. Great to have that option!

So the four of us followed the C Team speedsters, keeping them in sight for long enough to know the way. The start of this run is fairly tough - up and up until you get to Ian's hill, which is one tough hill! Becks and I trotted up in silence, but doing okay and then kept going to the store (where the longer-distance runners were buying coke). From there, the four of us headed onto the trail, waved to Becks as she sped down the hill with the speedy boys and enjoyed a lovely, gentle run. We caught up with Jane at Mundaring, who was looking a lot better now that she had rested a while - she just had another 25 minutes or so to wait for Sugar, so we headed off down the hill again.

The run was lovely and Viv and I were getting into a fabulous groove, when a rock jumped up and tripped Viv up. She is a tough cookie and was up quickly and after just 30 seconds of walking was ready to run again. We joined up with Rod at Glenn Forest, got Viv's wounded knee washed and took off for the last 3km down the hill.

It was one of the best runs I've had in the hills in a long time. Perhaps the later start, with breakfast beforehand, was the key. At any rate, I'd do that again anytime.

I'm very glad not to be in Europe now - we just heard that Damien, Emma and co. are stuck at Stansted Airport, unable to get to Nice for their half marathon. What a disappointment that must be! I hope they at least get to have some fun in the UK!