I had every intention of joining our regular early morning run today and after breakfast heading out for a longer bimble on my own. The idea was to make the most of a day off before travelling on business for a few days.

Since the VT I’ve found getting up in the mornings a little harder than normal and this morning when the alarm chimed 5:30 I decided that I’d skip the early run and read for a while. So when Guthrie headed out to join the gang, I made some tea and got comfortable. I’m reading Merle’s Door Lessons from a free thinking dog, and I must confess I’m fighting the urge to go and visit the adoption pound. I’ve had dogs before and enjoy having them around, but our life style at the moment wouldn’t be conducive for a dog but I’m sure that will change one day. Anyway, shortly after starting the next chapter of Merle’s life a White Tailed doe and 2 fawns wondered down our drive past the bedroom window. The youngsters still had their white spot markings and Mom was clearly cautious, stopping every few steps to look around to check her charges were following. After grazing briefly, they moved on and were soon swallowed up in the shade of trees, leaving me to ponder that had I stuck to my original plan, I’d have missed this moment.

Payback for my brief reward was swift in coming though. I discovered some overnight emails that needed prompt replies despite my ‘day off’ and after fitting in a few errands, it was mid-day when I headed out for my long run. The intention was to do my usual 50k route, but with the late start and humidity, I figured 4 hours would be long enough. In the end I was out 4.5 hours. I felt tired the entire way like I was running through treacle, maybe remnants of the VT were still in my legs, maybe it was simply the humidity, either way I was pooped at the end.

On returning home, I laid out on the deck with a couple of cold drinks (I figured getting two would save me the trip inside the collect the second!) after drenching myself with the garden hose. More reward followed in the form of a brief snooze and Guthrie returned from work, she asked if I wanted to go for a bike ride.

I opted to write my blog instead, sometimes it’s OK to take it easy!