A view inside a runner’s head:
11pm: I will get up at 6.30am, drive to Harewood and run twice around the loop. Definitely. Yes, I’ll definitely do that.
Midnight: Shit, I’m still not asleep.
06:30 No. No. No. I cannot get up yet and run 10 miles around Harewood.
06:40 No. No. No. I still can’t get up.
06:50 Shut up, James Naughtie and no, I won’t run 10 miles around Harewood. Maybe I’ll run to Roundhay instead so I don’t have to drive. But not yet.
07:00 Oh hello, cat. Now I’m really not getting up now that I’ve a furball cuddling me. I’m so warm and cosy, and the last thing I want to do is get up and run. I’m tired. I’m so tired. I won’t do 10 miles. I may do 9.
07:10 I suppose I’ll get up in a bit. But not yet. Maybe 8 miles will be enough.
07:20 OK. I’m getting up.
07:30 I’m up. Where is my kit?
07:40 I’m up. Where is my smoothie?
07:45 I’m actually leaving the house in running kit. I may as well run.
07:50 I’m running.
08:15 I’m running. There aren’t many people, but I’m going to say good morning to all of them. Positive thinking. This lake is so beautiful. This park is so beautiful. I’m very lucky.
08:50 I’m still running. God, I’m slow today. 35 minutes to do 3.4 miles? That’s pathetic. Never mind. Keep going. Can I be bothered to do another loop of the woods? No. But I will.
09:00 I haven’t done enough. I’ll have to loop around these woods too. God, everything hurts. My calf muscle hurts. My tendon has started to niggle. And what the hell is that? My ITB? No bloody way. Keep going. Keep going.
09:15 Eight miles. I’m exhausted. I’ll make oat pancakes and scoff them.
10:00 I’m more exhausted. I think I need a lie-down. Who’s going to know?
