I am very fortunate to have two informal coaches, my wife Vanessa and Paul Bateson. Vanessa provides day-to-day practical assistance, whereas Paul influenced my training strategy. I mentioned Vanessa in last week's post; she is still using the mantra "you know how to use the door-handle". Her approach to motivation however is not formulistic; she can employ some subtle psychology at times. Tuesday morning was very wet and windy and I had decided to wait until the weather improved before going for my run. I normally run first thing because, if I don't I tend not to get out as all sorts of things get in the way. Vanessa agreed it was sensible to avoid the bad weather. She then informed me that she was off to poo-pick the horse's field because if she didn't do it now it wouldn't get done. I understood the sub-text 'Edward you're a wimp' so I went out for my run.

Paul lives in Spain and is the organiser of the Al Andalus Ultimate Trail, a fantastic race, and also organises running and training 'holidays' in Andalucía. He is a good cyclist and runner and I have been following his advice to run less, rest more and focus on quality speed sessions. Tuesday was one of those sessions; two sets of 6 steep hills sprints. Despite being very wet, it was a great session which I thoroughly enjoyed. As I was jogging back I thought of a poem by Kathy Tytler which appears in her anthology 'Running (and other contact sports)'

 The Hill that is Better than Sex

Start off slowly, easy running
Keep the rhythm, do not stop
Mind and body, working in unison
Pace myself, I'll reach the top

The hill knows where its peak is
Work with it, don't rush, don't fight
Together we will reach our climax
Together we'll be there alright

Legs and arms working like pistons
Heart beating strongly, lungs gasping for air
Raise my eyes to the high horizon
My heart, my body will peak up there

Harder, harder, harder I push
Near to the top, I'm coming, I scream
I throw myself at the peak of the hill
Body bent double and fighting to breathe

Slowly I rise, survey my surroundings
I look around and the world stands still
Yes, yes, yes, I shout, yes I've run it
I love you for ever, Streatley Hill!

At the end of the poem Kathy has written this: Coach Instruction: Recovery jog down to the bottom and repeat until exhaustion.

Perhaps I should add Kathy to my list of coaches.