This evenings run was one where I had a lot on my mind and thus before I knew it I had ran 15k and was back home after racing the sunset and generally just enjoying running. I am not one for headphones or any exterior form of entertainment when I run. For me when I run, assuming it’s not pace dictated when the Garmin calls the shots, I drift away with my thoughts and have solved many a work related problems on my lunch time run. If you need to ‘unclutter’ just go for a run and you’ll normally figure things out.

This evening was one of those runs. I’d planned for 10k but just kept on running with the sunset on my shoulder and the glorious coast below me it seemed a shame to stop and turn around. Knowing I was meant to be tapering, of sorts , I had to make a big effort to stop and turn around when the time came. Truth be told I think it was probably hunger driving me home, two runs a day with no real additional calorie intake has made hunger a constant partner in my life but the end justifies the means I suppose.

The evening runs in Perth for me are always racing a sunset and because we don’t have daylight saving the length of the day is pretty constant, give or take a few hours. This has the added benefit of early mornings in summer when you have to run early as forty degree days are unforgiving. Overall Perth has a great running climate. Winter is certainly not what I would call winter, from where I come from in England a Perth Winter we would call a ‘heat wave’ ! Spring and Autumn are perfect and Summer is glorious in the early morning and you just need to get up early, really early ! It’s a win win running in Perth.  I often wonder what would happen if I ever went back to Europe. I’d miss the endless bike paths, Kings Park, the 10k bridges, running around South Perth and the wonderful beaches and the Swan River runs. All things we take for granted but certainly not the norm. On the plus side there are some seriously beautiful places to run, proper mountains, lakes, coast and beautiful cities full of history. I can always buy a new running wardrobe if needs be, always keen to spend money on running equipment. That’s for my retirement, for the moment Perth is the place to be and I’m loving it.

Right back to the next race on the BK PB train, Fremantle half. Last year I ran the Peninsula 10k pre-Fremantle and must admit it affected my performance. I was running 5th at the halfway mark which was good for a medal (medals to 5th at Fremantle) but couldn’t hold on and finished 7th, 30-40seconds from the medal. I wonder if this year I’ll be able to hang onto a podium finish. Hope so, if not, no worries, it’s not a ‘goal race’ so to speak, but when the racing bib is on there’s no holding back. Racing is life, the rest is details…..