Are we nearly there yet?

Blimey!

It's been a right slog, this week.

I seem to be getting slacker and slacker at this blogging lark. I think it's symptomatic of my overall energy levels!

This week has been our highest mileage week thus far. A thumping 47 miles covered since Monday. Not surprisingly, I'm knackered.

Monday saw us belting up and down Bradford Road, doing 2K reps. I get the feeling that our mate, Jonny Turpin, is stalking us because he was there, right on cue, horn beeping, as we thrashed our way up and down. There wasn't much enjoyment to be had - it was dark, the road surface was uneven and the pace was brutally quick. We were both glad to jog the mile back up to the house.

Tuesday was a rest night, which was just as well because Wednesday brought with it our longest scheduled midweek run - 12 miles.

I literally had to drag myself round, still feeling the effects of Monday night in my ever tiring legs. Not one to re-live!

So, it was on to Thursday and, for the first time this week, we were off down Spen for what we thought was a steady five or six miles.

No chance - why do five or six when you can do eight! Yeah, god knows how, but we did it!

Thankfully, Friday and Saturday brought with them a bit of well earned rest. Which was just as well!

Sunday, A.K.A. penultimate long run day, was a belter. Wall to wall sunshine and temperatures climbing to the high teens. Ideal for dossing about in the garden or, better still, the beer garden, but not so clever for running a hilly 20 miler.

Anyway, we set off early, at which point it was still quite cool and misty but, by the time we'd got round to Lucy's (she wanted to run a lap with us), it was cracking the flags!

After belting down Bradford Road, we attacked the steep ascent up Halifax Road, which was a pleasure as ever, but it was a good feeling to be able to have a conversation whilst running up it at pace.

After a quick drink and energy gel, we were back round on lap two. Things got tough after we dropped Lucy off, partly because of the heat but also because my legs were totally knackered and were feeling really heavy. It was a case of digging in and getting round, knowing that it'd been our highest mileage week and it wouldn't get any tougher than this!

Needless to say, I wasn't so speedy or chatty going up Halifax Road for the second time. You know your legs are mashed when an ice bath is welcome relief...

Obviously, after such energy expenditure, it is vital to replace lost nutrients and a Snickers bar, a bag of crisps, two sausage and egg butties and a couple of brews just about did the trick. Followed by homemade steak pie and chips for tea. And a couple of beers.

Strength of the bear!