November stats.....

Undulating 6 mile progression run profile (Click to enlarge)

I fell 10 miles short of a 100 mile target for November, but 90 miles still gives an average of 3 miles per day which is about par for the course nowadays. My average speed was 10:44 mins/mile which isn't very fast but looks slightly better when 7,657ft of ascent (around 85ft/mile) is added into the equation. This past week I've been experimenting with progression runs, i.e. starting off at a very comfortable pace (because the first 1½ miles is mainly uphill) and gradually getting faster each mile. Today, for example, my six miles were 11:49, 11:25, 10:15, 9:58, 10:14 and 8:44. A slight hiccup at the 5th mile was due to some nosey dog walkers interrupting my running to enquire what I was up to. They declined an invitation to join me, but their dog showed interest.

Castle car park in nasty fog....no wonder I've a sore throat

Until today the past week has been terrible with thick, cold, clammy fog restricting visibility to less than 25 metres. It was quite frightening running along the narrow road in early morning darkness with car and bus headlights materialising from the gloom too close for comfort. On Friday I almost collided with a girl runner coming from the opposite direction. On top of the hill was an eerie silence. Dog walkers were conspicuous by their absence so none of the usual shouting at recalcitrant pets. I'd the place to myself - which is how I like it. I'm a grumpy old so-and-so if truth be known, though if there were other octogenarians out running I'd maybe be more sociable. But I've yet to meet one. I guess many have thunk themselves into premature old age. They don't know what they're missing...