A Run to Blue Sky

Yesterday we were under the clouds for the entire day. Low lever clouds or fog kept us away from the sun. I noticed that someone on Strava had managed to get above the clouds by going for a bike ride. I decided to try to do the same thing, eventually, by running. This is the longest distance I have ever run. It was uphill for the first part.

I ran from the height of Nyon towards Tranchepied, and from there I ran up towards the Domaine de Bonmont before turning to run along the foot of the Jura towards Trelex, before running back down towards Nyon and home.

I believe that the running I did in Spain primed me for this run because it got me used to steeper gradients than I encountered on yesterday’s run. That’s why I could run further, and more comfortably. I didn’t suffer. In Spain climbs are steep, rather than long. The gradients are good for fitness. Low altitude, with steep gradients is worthwhile.

Years ago I was trying to run further, and further, but in so doing I felt more and more pain. In the end I peaked at thirteen kilometres but had to stop because I was in agony. I had to limp home. Yesterday I had no such problem.

I felt good on yesterday’s run. I felt calm, I felt relaxed, I felt in control. I also felt that I could continue for a greater distance. I stopped running because I decided to treat myself to a rare drink. It was non alcoholic.

And Finally

It’s interesting that this run felt good. I ran 10 km a few months ago, between Nyon and Gland and it felt more strenuous. If it wasn’t for high traffic roads that I had to cross I would have continued all the way. Having said this, I like to push the envelope by a kilomtre or two but to push by three or four kilometres is breaking one of my own rules. That is part of my reason for stopping when I did.

It’s encouraging. Now I am tempted to try running further, but today I need to recover, and see how I feel tomorrow.