Day 87 - Tuesday 7th September: Steventon Hill

Run: 4.43 miles
Time: 36 minutes 52 seconds



A brisk run today, including a steep hill climb in less than half a mile. Average over the distance still 8m19s.

I could have done the 5 miles loop again today, albeit not at last week's super speedy 7½-minute pace, but I chose the hilly route today instead. I haven't practised my hill runs enough in training for Loch Ness. It's all too easy to get into a routine of doing the same routes. I only have a few chances left to get some gradients in.

I set off quite steady, speeding up all the way, covering nearly two miles before I hit the muddy path alongside the railway. Even playing dodge the puddle, I made it to Steventon still under 8½ minutes a mile. Then it's the steep hill. According to my Garmin it was a 90ft gain in about 700 yards, which would make the gradient a mere 1 in 22. If feels steeper than that. Still, I made it to the top in good time, clocking up an 8m34s mile with the hill.

Then it's back downhill to the A34 roundabout, where I was lucky with the lights and the traffic, and got back onto Milton Park without too much delay, making an 8-minute-mile to finish.