Ah, I remember...

Yesterday I remembered some things.

I remembered how pleasant and encouraging most runners are. The bloke who organised the run actually ran with me until I turned around for the return leg - then shot off at his normal pace to catch up with the rest of the group LOL.
I remembered the conversation I have with myself every time I run a long way.
I’m so slow, I hate this
Well, you don’t have to do it. You can always stop.
But then I’d have to walk home which would take longer! And the others will catch me even sooner
Up to you mate. I’m keeping on running for the next two songs, let me know what you decide
(*sings to self for a while*)
sustainable, sustainable, pick a sustainable pace. Think about your form, you’re ok, this is quite nice actually, look at the river and the wattle and the ducks.
I’m so slow, why do I do this? This sucks. I suck.
No-one says you have to do it. You can just stop. This is a want-to-do not a have-to-do.
My bum hurts. I'm tired.
Look. We haven’t got room for so much complaining here. Just stop it, or stop and walk. One or the other, make up your mind.
(sustainable, sustainable, pick a sustainable pace. Think about your form, you’re ok, this is so pleasant, look at the river and the wattle and the ducks).
I hate this, I’m so slow....

Repeat for as long as it takes. On this occasion it was 18km/2hrs 15 minutes. This was a bit discouraging in that it's not much faster than last year's woeful half marathon pace. Is that all I've managed in a year? We'll see what happens in Shepparton. Where I will not be (ahem) a bit dehydrated from a night catching up with sib 3 and friend L. Should have remembered that was a bad idea, shouldn't I?

I discovered some things too.
I can keep running, and concentrating, and managing my moods (see above), for more than 2 hours.
I stay much more focussed with music on than when I'm running with someone.
Powerade every 20 minute does make a difference Sparkdriver, but make sure you get the isotonic one with all the electrolytes.
Cold water recovery baths are for MAD people. It felt as though the water was burning me! And it took me ages to get warm afterward. The Spousal Unit just thinks it’s further confirmation of my lunacy! Today my legs feel better than I would have expected so it did do something.

All I could think about on the way home was proper coffee and lemon tart!