I was out running at the ungodly hour of 7:50 today , -2 deg C and cold mist over the river and fields. Two of us did 7 miles on the road before a large group went out on a 10 miles loop down a country road , across a footbridge over the River Spey and back up the Speyside Way trail which was hard and frosted so a bit tough going . Being near the back meant I enjoyed a good chat with two young ladies I’d never seen before as we were all going at the same pace. I threw in an extra road mile at the end despite achy legs , taking me up to 18 miles total so a nice marker as I build up to my marathon 9 weeks today.