Emergency stop

I wasn't supposed to be running today, but a combination of heavy rain, lack of sleep and a funny twinge in my right foot (which has since gone away entirely) had kept me from going out on Thursday, so out I went this morning, just for 3k. A fine morning, and quite a reasonable run, until I got about half way round when a pressing problem came to my attention. I'd eaten an excellent dinner the previous evening, and, well, nature had taken its course. Jeanne describes the problem with her customary eloquence. Although today was my 40th outing since I started running, I haven't encountered this particular challenge before. Perhaps my gradually increasing pace is having a more, um, unsettling effect.

Things grew increasingly desperate as I approached Gilbert Road. I stopped running entirely, hoping that if I walked slowly home I might have some chance of making it. For a while it looked like I might be OK, but a little way up Gilbert Road the problem reasserted itself with increasing urgency. I began to think of people I knew who lived nearby, and while there were a couple of possibilities, I couldn't really imagine either of them welcoming an unannounced sweaty apparition on their doorstep at 7am demanding an immediate favour. Then, in what I can only describe as a flash of genius, I remembered the nearby Chesterton Sports Centre, which by happy coincidence opens at 7am. I shuffled uncomfortably along their ludicrously long approach road, finally making it with only moments to spare.

Phew.

I ran the rest of the way home in a subdued frame of mind.

The training schedule lists a 5k run for tomorrow. I shall be taking steps to prevent a recurrence.