The first 4 mile run

Sunday's weekly run started from Chestnut Avenue and down the woods towards Bearwood Road. The initial stretch goes past some playgrounds and tennis courts, but as I progressed further the trail became narrow and surrounded by dense foliage. Scary if there were animals around so I quickened my pace to reach Bearwood road. But reaching it made me realise I was on to a state road with 50 mph restriction and no pathway. with cars wheezing past, evening time, with no reflector vest, I realised my mistake immediately. Being a single carriageway some of the cars had to stop to let cars coming from opposite to cross.
Relief now that I was on Sandy lane and again that seemed to end abruptly in another trail, but a family coming back from a playground directed me ahead to Barkham road. By now I had done 1.5 miles. Went slight downhill and back to tar road and onto Barkham road.
Barkham road had lot of traffic and due to repair work, even dusty. By the time I took left onto Woosehill lane, I had completed 2.5 miles and was going on a song. the first 1-2 miles are always the difficult.
But the next part up Meadow and Murray Road was a climb and slowed me down. My aim to complete in 36 min at 9 min pace was looking to be difficult. Reached Oxford road and now it was a smooth run onto Reading road, I was overtaking 15-20 cars standstill all waiting to get onto Reading road.
Once on Reading road, I looked at my watch and I had already crossed 30 min and legs were hurting due to running on the uneven pavement, kept pushing as I had to reach Morrisons on Woosehill. Met an old man on the way, who smiled in an appreciating manner and gave way on the narrow footpath. Made me rush to complete my first breaking the 4-mile barrier, time 37.18. Phew.. the sense of achievement is nothing compared to the loneliness of the long-distance runner.
My coach from Reading Roadrunners just finished two races, the Portland Bill coastal path half marathon in 2:56 and Bramley 20 mile in 3:18, all at the age of 70 plus.. it put my effort in perspective though.