“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.” Patches O’Houlihan, Dodgeball

26 Jan – Days to go on 100 days dry: 76. Days until the Dartmoor Way: 109

The shape I’m in, running is hard, but essential if I’m going to build up the Dartmoor Way. First run with proper road-running shoes last night. The interval training has moved onto a 90 second run, 2 minute brisk recovery walk, repeated 6 times over 30 minutes with a 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down. The shoes were such a change from the pair that I normally run in. The insole has a camber on the outer edge to stop your ankle from turning (I guess) and they have a deep cushioned sole. With a deal of confidence I set out at 6:30 yesterday evening and started on a slightly longer route than week 1.

The first interval was bloody torture. I wiped myself out within the 90 seconds and was sucking a great lungful of air with every step as I hit my first recovery walk. Important lesson; it doesn’t matter how much confidence you have in your equipment, your ability is going to be the limiting factor. I could spend a million quid on climbing gear, but I am never going to get to the top of Everest without improving on my ability to climb.

Suitably self-chastised, when it was time for my second interval I took it at a much more manageable pace and was really surprised when it was time to stop and recover. So I did what I usually do and pushed myself for interval 3.

I am such a hopeful idiot. I3 was the same as the first and I was wishing for the voice in my ear to tell me the 90 seconds was up within seconds of starting. Slowing my pace slightly to accommodate I pushed through and whooped quietly to myself when I was told I could slow to a brisk walk.  Intervals 4 and 5 however, at a more moderate pace were great, and again I felt that I could have gone for longer than the plan called for, but stopped at the right time. I pushed the last one so that I was wondering to myself whether the app’s timer had stalled, so long did those 90 seconds feel. But, time waits for no man, and sure enough the voice in my ear congratulated me on finishing the second run of week 2. I have a little habit which is to high 5 myself, (hands over the head, in a congratulatory self five), and a little whoop. So exuberant was it I scared an old lady who was out walking her pooch.

The sports tracker is telling me that my resting heart rate has improved, even in the short three weeks I have been on this journey of no booze, regular exercise and good sleep habits. I had never seen myself as ‘a runner’ before, but the endorphin rush I get once I’m home, aching legs, out of breath, warm and tired is immense. I can see the appeal. As I look out of the window in my office I can see Stinchcombe Hill. If I keep this up, in the summer, I’m going to run 5k around it’s flat, ugly top.

“Don’t you dare settle for fine.” Roy Kent, Ted Lasso