Stamina, not speed

Our town centre garden is usually a tranquil space. That wasn’t the case yesterday as our writing group came together for tea and scones. We shared the jam with a solitary but persistent wasp.  A helicopter buzzed backwards and forwards overhead, rumbling road repairs provided background noise; neither drowned our chatter.

We’d met together to read through Rose’s memoir. She encourages us all to keep diaries and ask questions of previous generations whilst we can.  Appropriately, just a few days ago, the garden had provided the backdrop to our own family gathering. For the first time, our five grandchildren were all together, creating memories and chattering to their Great Gran, Gi-gi.

Meanwhile, I have to confess that I’ve not met my target on distances in training for the Great North Run, but I’ve built in plenty of hills to compensate. Running out of town and up past the RHS gardens at Harlow Carr, I’ve more than matched the elevation of the GNR. There’s not much time left, the last few miles of the half marathon will need to look after themselves. I’ll take it steady, more stamina than speed is always my running mantra.

Earlier this month, we stayed in the gatehouse at Lyme Park. Lyme Hall’s façade is well known as the backdrop to the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. I’d never watched it, so I’ve been catching up since we returned home. I’m loving it. A streamside path passing our front door made morning runs a real treat. It was on my return from one such run that I received exciting news about my entry in a short story competition… more on that after I’ve run my final half marathon (until the next one).