LONG AND SLOW

on the advice from an elite marathon runner I took my weekend run nice and slowly but I did go further and i managed a 4 and a half miles relatively pain free. i set off from my flat walking quickly until i reached the frozen entrance to Carey Park, i did some very quick stretches of my calves and off i went. i had recently bought a winter running jacket, on my first run wearing it lst wednesday I was extremely warm, probably too warm for running but this time i was glad i was wearing it, overnight had been a frosty one, we dont suffer too badly with extreme weather, no floods, no major snowfalls and no lovely picturesque scenic views to look at either. 
as i passed a few walkers with their dogs i kept in my mind to not go off too quickly, i tend to think im steve cram and go as fast as i can without dying but with the knowledge of doing longer but slower being better for me in the long run(no pun intended) i took my time for once. i did a route i have often walked, heading off to the river weaver and then turning right and heading toward the flashes, no this is not an instruction to scare the birds away by flashing it is the name of the area which is attributed to the Neumann and Ashton salt workings, subsidence caused by the salt extraction cause the pool or flashes to form. click here for history 
my run was uneventful but i must admit i found it more enjoyble doing it slightly slower, maybe im getting used to running a bit now, the time i took wasnt that much slower than i have been running but it all bodes well for this Sunday...."whats happening Sunday?" i hear you cry, well, this Sunday i am taking part in the Manchester Christmas pudding race at Wythenshaw Park, 1030am for all those who want to cheer me on, its a 5 mile run, 2 laps of a course with various terrain on and off road, i have targetted to finish in under 55 minutes, thats not very fast but its my first proper run for a while so im not being too ambitious, considering ive had quite a bad calf injury i think im being sensible for once.

i will again attempt this 4.5 mile course on tuesday or wednesday and then stretch and rest before sundays race, hopefully picking up a free christmas pud and with a bit of luck a mulled wine to warm my cockles.