I have the very good fortune to be using up the last annual leave of the year in a glorious week, thanks to the jet-stream. For the first time for ages, I had a run before lunch, an agreeably painful six 800m runs with short recoveries and a mile warm-up and cool-down; or I would have done if I could read the Garmin without my glasses. I got it into my head that it was eight fast sessions, so I found myself running a mile and a bit more than prescribed. No matter.

I miss running at this time of day. I don’t know if it’s when I’m at my fastest, but it is certainly one of the most enjoyable. I think back to the days of the BSMS running club, where one could always be sure of company for a lunchtime run.