The Frequency of posts doesn't quite match the frequency of running lately, but closely enough to be really disturbing....
Mileage has been down (I've been getting out with the Kid quite frequently, but only for a couple of k's), so when I've had the chance, I've been enjoying testing the feet out on a wider variety of surfaces. I never thought I'd say it, but I am coming to enjoy the rougher stuff better - I'd even go so far as to seek it out a bit rather than the regularity of the old faithful river path run.

This's me, that couldn't tippytoe across a carpark 2 years ago. Ha!

The best thing is that, according to the (late) Caballo Blanco's mantra of "Smooth, Easy, Fast", it's getting fast again. Nice.

Today I dropped the Kid off and wandered through 10k on a range of surfaces. It took about an hours, since I stopped so much to take photos, but it was a real nice day out. The following panel is a montage of the key terrain changes during the 10k. It was predominantly flat, with only a slight lift on one of the deep-sand paths and a downhill on the tussocky grass.

Only the rough asphalt gives me trouble now - I still get a bit scared and lose form - leading to poor landings or a twist / toe-off, which hurts. The metal grids are included here as an experiment - I could only last a few steps on them. I don't reckon anybody could deal with them - the gaps are a little too wide and the top profile just a little sharp. Still, it's all out there to be travelled.
Happily, the gravel, small rocks and sticks all went by with no trouble. The lumpy grass and the deep sand, which used to be tough on my ankles is now a pleasant challenge. I'm still not sure that there's a half marathon in my soles, but for the general getting around, I reckon shoes might be history.

Unless it's real cold and wet................

On that, you'll have to keep watching.