I'm almost a red aro, 6.8miles

So, more than 8 days after the marathon and I was ready for a proper run.

The legs aren't back to normal yet. Still feeling the fatigue but in need of a spin.

I've been threatening for months to join Speirsy at the Aro Sports tuesday evening session. Tonight was the night.

I arrived just after 7.30 to see a few familiar faces. Colin gave me a good welcome too which was great. Then it was decision time on the run, I'm off with Simon, Hannah, Ben and Ali on a 6-7 mile loop over to Sandridge.

I was delighted to be out on a beautiful evening with no pressure. I don't have a race coming up and I don't have a weekly mileage target, so lets just get back out and see how it goes.

I set off with Simon and Ali, as Hannah and Ben went off very quickly. We chatted about the marathon and generally caught up on the last few weeks.

We went over to Nomansland Common then headed up towards Sandridge, running on a path parallel to the road. Ali and I had taken a shortcut so we caught up with Hannah. I decided to see if I could run at her pace. That was fine until we turned onto the path back to Heartwood. That's a longer uphill than I remembered and as I felt the weight in my legs Hannah just skipped away! I eased off and Ali went passed in pursuit of Hannah.

From then I was on my own but enjoying being out again. I took the heart rate down and just eased back via East Common and Cross Lane. Awesome 6.8 miles. Average pace 7:36.

So there you go. My first run with the Aro Sports team and when I pay my £20 I'll be in the team! Speirsy pointed out that a year ago I would have been unable to talk during or after a run at that pace. That is very true but I managed both tonight. Happy days.