a more fun run

My dog Rowlf is an Irish Water Spaniel and I make sure he gets to swim regularly because that is what he loves to do. Whether he loves it or not is moot; it could have just been bred into him as the breed was bred  to retrieve from water, albeit Irish bogs and not Sydney Harbour. So, having not taken him for a swim yesterday I got up this morning, waited for Sal to achieve semi-conscoiusness and, after not checking the weather, I took him for a walk.

On the plus side I did have my morning coffee in hand and was near a large tree when the heavens opened, so we waited for the shower to pass when all it wanted to do was not be a shower and not pass. Bugger. I mooched from one tree to another until deciding to brave the Gallipoli Steps in a downpour with exuberant dog in tow. Or he had miserable middle aged wet bloke in tow, not sure. Anyway, I made it to Spit Bridge soaked through and sheltered there for a while, out of the rain but able to throw stuff for the lump to retrieve.

No running yet. Sal had put herself on Harrie duty last night and the two of them, having had a somewhat interrupted sleep, stayed at home while I took Alex to Evie's princess themed 3rd birthday paty. Similar drill to yesterday, 10-12 an ankle-biters aplenty. This one was at the parent's house and, without ducks for entertainment they had sensibly hired Princess Aurora to herd the kids (pretty much all girls), paint their faces and give the adults a break. I got home to find Harrie about to go to sleep at about the same time as Alex needed her sleep. Cracking timing, and that would mean Sal could - fingers crossed - get a little peace while I was out. The girls went to bed, Sal put on Rise of the Planet of the Apes, I unblocked a sink and then headed out for a run.

Today's game plan was to crack 200 Janathon miles and I needed 14km, a little longer than the stock loop. A bit tired of trudging along asphalt I decided I would sort of do the loop but instead of heading down the road to Manly I would go via the Spit to Manly Scenic walk. This would add 6km of mostly trails to my loop.

It had stopped raining but the rain had upped the humidity. I think I'd take temperature over humidity, but beggars can't be choosers and I was glad that it was un-seasonally cool, by which I mean very low 20s and 70-something percent humidity. It could have been a lot worse. Sydney's second La nina summer in a row kept the route fairly walker-free. It was a little damp underfoot which when added to he humidity-induced-sweaty-feet meant it was a bit of a squelchy trip. The nipples were a bit sore again - poor singlet choice - so as soon as I was away from the crowds I went weekend-warrior-stroke-hero bare chested. A little something for the lay-deez (I think not!)

It is a nice run. As a trail run it is a bit "meh" because it has been sanitised with sandstone steps built into the hills - I like my trails a tad rougher. But there is no traffic, you get great views of the Harbour and if you care to stop there are aboriginal engravings en route. On warmer days there are lizards aplenty, eastern water dragons that are so used to the foot traffic that some simply refuse to get off of the path. Oh, and you end up in Manly, the start of Sydney's Northern Beaches.

And from Manly, if you've been following, you know the route by now. The Garmin - my brother's, which he left with me and has not missed a beat - clicked over 17km at the bottom of the small rise to my home and I thought that'll do for today.

Fifteen days in and I have hit half of the June miles and I am just a little bit pleased with myself. Right leg is a bit grumbly but not a concern at the moment. Think I might need to retire the 7year old shorts I wore today. I spent more times at kid's parties than I did running. AFC Wimbledon finally got a win. All in all, not a bad weekend.