First NZ Slow Run

I'm in NZ on holiday. I tried to run (on a treadmill) in Los Angeles but the kids precluded it. 


Since I have been in NZ I have had cough remnants and a sore, sore throat. I have drugged it away a couple of times. Today I finally decide a short gentle run may be in order. 


I decide to run round to see the extent of the earthquake damage on our old house. 


As I start running I never get past snail pace. A lady runner zooms past. I say:
"I'm on a easy one today"
"Nothing wrong with that she replies"


I had dreams of powering up hills and some serious trail running here this holiday but I feel a long way off that. 


I inspect the damage on the old house. The far end of the road is much, much worse. 


I turn and struggle back. Another lady runner zooms past. Having been in the last stages of an ultra-marathon and a marathon (x2) I know how to keep going and despite feeling horrible I keep shuffling along. 


As I near home, a new problem.  I need the toilet. Badly. I get home and the door is locked. I bang on the door and finally my wife comes down. 


I am hoping this abysmal form is part sickness, part rustiness and that normal service will be resumed. And then to this hills and trails.... 


5km 35 minutes. 

NZ Chocolate Run

We are out of Chocolate and it is a hag to get the car out the garage. I decide to use tonight's run to get some. 


I run round to Redcliffs but it is all shut. Still the good news is that yesterday's sluggishness is long gone. I run across the causeway but the petrol station I was expecting seems to have gone. In the end I find a bottle shop open. I secure the chocolate and head back. 


I then realise that I am now running into the wind. I slog back across the Windy Causeway. Soon I am back in Sumner. The return leg was run with more effort but due to the wind was about the same time. 


It was a good solid hour run to get in the bag. 


10km 1:05"53

Christmassy Leadenhall Loop Backwards

Title says it all really.  I have this route cracked backwards now and I do it without really thinking.   Down to The Tower I'm ticking along.

Then I turn the corner to head west down the river.  The wind almost blows me backwards.  The pace slips from there.

Next Christmas I will probably be in Canary Wharf so this may have been the last Christmas City run for a while.  Whilst the second half was hard, still good to be out.  Cough is still there

5km 30:15

Back from Grove Park

This morning I didn't think I'd be running today, but after lunchtime I'm feeling good.  I wanted to run from Lewisham but got caught up at work and so had to run from Grove Park instead.  Shorter, but a run I really enjoy.

I don't push it too hard because of the cough, but it is really enjoyable.  I am well into my Podcast when the rain starts to come down.  It gradually picks up, so that by Bromley North I have to pack my phone away to stop the rain getting in it.

The rain gets heavy and then eases up.  I am going away on holiday soon and then onto the January detox.  I'll get shot of this cough.  Then I'll start to pick up the miles and the pace.  I can't wait.

4.5km 29:03

Christmas Leadenhall

It's coming up to Christmas in the City and I feel like soaking up the atmosphere.  I decide maybe a quick run through Leadenhall.

The cold has re-emerged, and has been irritated by a couple of bouts of heavy drinking.  I'm not expecting anything great, and I worry about collapsing in a wheezing, coughing mess.

But I don't.  I flow along.  I'm really happy with my running technique these days.  In reality I need to lose some excess baggage to improve the speed.

Leadenhall Market is Christmassy and there is even a brass band playing Christmas Carols.

A lovely run.

5km 29:50

Gentle Park Run

I still have a chesty cough.  I had a few beers last night (probably the last Friday night before the detox in January)  So I decide to cruise today at Park Run.

I gently run.  And remarkably I don't try and run too hard.  I potter round.  It's a bit chilly down the back straight.  But it is quite pleasant focussing a little on form and not worrying about pushing.  I think if I had tried to push it, I would have been reduced to a coughing, spluttering mess.

I suspect the time is going to be bad.  In the last 200 metres I conjure up a sprint for a laugh and pick up 7 or 8 places.

At the finish, the time is truly terrible.  Which is fine, but even though I know I wasn't pushing, pains me.

Need to get to the end of the year and then shape up

5km 25:14

Back on the legs

It's been a little light on runs recently.  The 2.5 day hangover after the Christmas Party and the chesty cough coming back for more have not been conducive to running.  I was going to run at lunch time, but was way too busy as work.

This morning I manfully packed my running kit.  I didn't think I would run home because I thought it would rain.  It would appear that I was wrong as it is a cold, clear night.

I have my laptop bag(minus laptop) to run home with.  Not as comfortable or as tight as my favoured ruck sack but I'm not planning to go too hard.

I amble down to Cannon Street and get the train to Lewisham.   There I get back on it.  And it feels great. Not too fast mind you, but a nice solid pace.  At Downham I need a wee.  I make it to the park by the Millwall training ground and empty.  Phew!!!

My wife asked that I pick up some chocolate (probably to get over the kids)  so I stop in Shortlands.  I then complete the final push up to my house.

The lungs still feel a bit scarred from the cold and there was some cracking green and yellow phlegm but I   think I am finally on the mend.

8km 53:00 with a couple of stops

Park Run

Typical hungover parkrun.  Thought it would be muddier and so I had my cross-country shoes on.

I start off fast, but gradually Jenny overtakes me, then the 23 minute pacer.  Ron then catches me up.  He is in his cool new cross country spikes.  We chat for a bit.

I then get overtaken by Karen the 24 minutes pacer in the final straight.  This is all a bit too much, so I pick up the pace and hammer home in a sprint.

Looking at the results, there were hardly any pbs.  I think it was slow conditions.

5km 23:41

Leadenhall Loop Backwards Again

The cold seems to have had a resurgence.  I struggle to run on the way to work, and I know I need to bring the laptop home with me tonight, so no run home.  So I need a run at lunchtime.  Intervals are what I should be doing, but I am still coughing phlegm and decide to be running is better than flaking.

I decide to do the Leadenhall Loop Backwards.  I can sense Christmas coming, and Leadenhall is always Christmassy.  I start off and am instantly in playful mood.  I hammer it. and flow through the crowds.  About 3km in I need a breather.  Then I pick it up again.

Despite previously struggling with this reverse route, I know have it cracked.  After the run I go to grab a sandwich and I feel so good.

5km 27"53

Stubbed toe

I get the train to Lewisham to run back from there.  Not planning anything too fast as I am still recovering from my cold.  About 1km I stub my toe.  Not sure why it happened, but it hurts.  After stubbing it a few times recently I need to be careful not to end up with a weakness.

I did not push the pace, but I feel my fitness and form are good.   The lungs still feel a little scarred from the recent cold.  Plenty of phlegm to dispose of on route.

When I reach Shortlands high street I start to open up a little more.  I power up the hill back to my house.  I feel good, and glad I made the run.

8.3km 50 minutes

Protesters

With today's strikes, I remembered I had not gone and looked at the protesters in Finsbury Square yet.  So I head up that way.  It looks like a big dirty campy site in the middle of the city.  On the other side there is Old Bill all over the shop.  I decide to run slightly nearer on my way back.

I continue up Shoreditch High Street looking at the oh-so trendy shops.  After 15 minutes I turn and head back.

It looks like the Police are staking out the Old UBS building that has been occupied hence why so many.

Nothing to flash at the start but by then end I wish I had more time for a longer run.

4km 27:06

Gentle back on it

It looks like almost a week since I last run.  After the cross country two things have conspired against me, sickness and work.  Thursday I was recovery from the cross country.  Friday I was so busy at work.  Saturday I woke up too sick to go to Park Run.  Sunday, still sick.  Monday, very busy at work.

So today I am determined to try and get back in to the habit.  I'm still coughing like a heavy smoker, so I take it easy.   A gentle jog down to Waterloo Bridge and back.   Recently, on the way back, rather than running back through St. Pauls, I have been running down to the Wobbly bridge and back past New Change.  That way you get a little more river action.  Nice.

The cough is not too bad but anything to intense would probably leave me a spluttering mess.

 I was tempted to try and work something into the journey home but the rain was very, very heavy.

28:30 4.5km

Inter-Financial Cross Country Championships

I did this a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it.  It's a 5.6 miles cross country run in Richmond Park with lots of sharp hills.  The title gives you a clue that I am running for my work team.

I am also wearing my new inov-8 trail shoes.  I'm not used to running in something so bulky.  Someone comments that they look heavy. I had them to them and then they realise, that despite their appearance they are pretty light.

Once the ladies race is finished we set off.  I am initially holding on to Paul but gradually he slips away.  I then follow Charlie for the two laps of the top of the hill.  I get past him a couple of times on the uphill and he takes me on the downhill.  The first lap is hard and I start to wonder how I will get round the second lap.

At the top of one hill, I power through some sticks. One gets kicked up and almost takes Charlie out.  I start to count my steps.  Counting each left stride 1..2..3..4 up to 100 and then again.  At the top of the hill there is a marshal shouting out places.  I am around 67th, this freaks me out as by chance I happen to be at step 67 in my step count.

I crack on with second lap and I edge past Charlie again (he later tells me that he could feel his hamstring going) and then suddenly it all come together.  The shoes are great.  It's not too muddy but anywhere slightly muddy I can power through.  My form is really powering me forward.

I complete the final hill and then it is a long run downhill and then across the flat back home.  As I near the finish   I hear someone closing in on me.  I fight back but they still seem to be closing.  It descends into an all out sprint.  I don't like to get beaten in the last 200m of a race and I put in all out effort.  The person continues to close.  The crowd and the other runners cheer.  I manage to hold him off.  Sometimes in these situation you need to be a bully and show some mental strength to deter the other runner.

At the finish we shake hands.  The rest of my team said that I was starting to get away again at the end.

I ran hard as was delighted with my performance


9km 44:00

Most welcome runners high

Because of the cross-country race tomorrow I need to take it easy.  I decide to get the train to Grove Park and take it easy back from there.

It is a nice easy run back and thoroughly enjoyable.  The only hard bit is running down the hill in Shortlands(Bromley) Park.  I look at the hill and ear-mark some hill repeats someday soon.

At home a runners-high of sublime sweetness kicks in, don't know why but nice all the same.

30 minutes 4km

Whoops, Intervals

It's important to get quality in as well as quantity.  So today I decide to go back to Speed Highwalk for some intervals.  10 sessions of effort with one minute rest in between.

After two intervals I remember I am running in the inter-financial services cross-country championship tomorrow and should be taking it easy.  I am committed to the intervals and so I diligently finish them.  To be honest it was quite enjoyable.  In places it is a little slippy as they were cleaning the tiles with one of those site on machines, but I work round it.

I finish and gently job bag.

10 1minute intervals with 1 minute recovery.

Waterloo Slowly

A weekend of excessive consumption.  Feel a bit jaded.  Unlikely that I will be running at lunchtime.  But I can't resist.

I run gently down to Waterloo Bridge.  On the way back I run along the river to the Wobbly Bridge and then back along past St. Pauls.  I was overtaken by most people today, but that's okay.  I'm proud of myself for dragging my frazzled body out.

4.5km 27:49

Park Run in silly footware

Was maybe targeting a PB today.  I wake up Saturday morning with an air of beery-ness.  Oh well best soldier round Park Run.  The difference today is that I have my evoskins.  These are a fluro-blue silicon layer over my feet.  I'm not worried about glass, thorns, nails, hypodermic needles with aids, razor blades, more the freezing cold.

To be fair they feel good.  Better than the Vibrams  5 Fingers which I am still not sure about.   I cruise round.  Towards the end I here Chris from the club catch up with me with some comment about crazy footwear.  We have a chat, and then I let him go as he is pacing someone to a PB.

Running on the tarmac is easier, though still not perfect.  I try and run down the gravel path on the far side.  I slow down and people stream past me.  Halfway down I give up and revert to the grass.  Running on gravel is easier when your feet are warmer.  Even with the evoskins my feet are still a little chilly.

The footwear is better than shoes, not as good as barefoot.  I am also a little bit aware of slipping over.  My new cross-country shoes would not have this problem.

At the finish I am strangely alone. Maybe no one wants to run near me with such crazy footwear.  I do a mini sprint.




To be fair, the time was pretty good given the fact that I am beery and the amount of time I lost down the back-straight trying to run across gravel.

5km 23:40

Hare and Hounds Winner Again...

The works 5mile time trial down the river Thames.  I am feeling fit.  I have won the previous two (on a handicap basis) that I entered.  Last month I was preparing for Beachy Head Marathon.

I am fully race-kitted up.  I am focussed and run hard.  At the further point I recognise one of the other runners catching me up.  I keep thinking he is going to catch me.  But he never does, a quick glance behind me as I cross Blackfriars Bridge confirms this.

In the finish straight I am still not sure if I have passed everyone.  I see one guy in an orange shirt that I am convinced is in the race. I hammer past him, glancing to check that he was not sprinting.  At the finish I realise he was not in the race after all, and he is left slightly bemused.

At the finish I know I have given it my all.  I was first, and yet according to the spreadsheet it was not a PB.  A quick check of this blog, confirms to me that it was a PB by 3 seconds.  Given how deep I had dug, it makes me feel all the better.

5miles 8km 37:30 (PB) Winner, handicapped

Westminster Loop Backwards

I bought my lunch on the way to work so I had the full 40 minutes to play with at Work.   I think about running the Westminster loop.  I am doing the Hare and Hounds tomorrow and running on the same route can get a bit much.  In the end I decide to do it "backwards" to the usual Hare and Hounds was.

 I run down across Blackfriars Bridge, along the Embankment.  On the South Bank there is a Christmas Market.  I recognise a number of the stalls from the one we went to in Hyde Park.  I then run across Westminster and head back.

It's a bit of a struggle, but I get on with it and get it done.  Heading back along the North Side of the river I spot attractive (obviously not as a attractive as my lovely wife) running behind.  She also looks pretty fast.  Then she disappears and never overtakes.  Then out of nowhere she overtakes me.  Then she turns round and heads back the other way.   Then at the next set of lights she overtakes me again.  I can't imagine what kind of session she was running

I didn't squeeze in a second run half way home tonight as I left my trainers in the wrong building, and well I feel tired so any excuse would do.

7km 40mins

Lewisham and mugging Gary Coleman

I had a late meeting in one of our other buildings so I cunningly stashed my running gear in the gym there.  I'm a little late, but I think the run home from Lewisham is on.

The blast-run to Cannon Street is done as fast as ever.  The train is delayed, but eventually I zoom away from Lewisham.  And it feel good.  I feel like I am properly running not shuffling as is sometimes the case.

As I run through Downham, I see two youths in front of me.  One quite short.  In my minds-eye he looks like Gary Coleman; in reality he was probably just short.  I can see his mobile phone glowing.  As I skip past him, he panics, assuming someone is coming to attack him.  I guess you are more on edge growing up in Downham.  I panic thinking he is going to stab me in self defence.  I zip off.

The rest of the run is done at a good lick.  I keep the pace up and work, but its not unpleasant.

I didn't really time the run but it was fairly quick.

8km 45:00

Leadenhall Loop Backwards

I've lost count of the number of times I have run this route, and it is my favourite.  The funny thing is that I never run it backwards.  All the time I have tried, I have gone wrong which seem crazy.

Today I am pretty sure I will have it cracked.  The interesting thing is, that you notice so much more.  I didn't realise how close to The Gherkin it takes you.  I didn't realise the fantastic Stonework on Leadenhall Market and so much more.

In the end the execution was perfect.  Maybe now I can do it a few more times "backwards"

The pace and form felt good.

5km 27"39

Unexepected Run

The plan was to get the train from Cannon St -> Lewisham.   I am sure I boarded the Hayes Train.  The announcement said Hayes, but the dot-matrix display says Sevenoaks.  After a while I establish that it is a Sevenoaks train.  No disaster, as I can get off at Grove Park and run back from there, a shorter run but I had a longer lunch time run to make up for it.

The run back is nice and quick but pretty uneventful.  The best bit is the lovely autumn leaves.

25mins 4.5km

Long Lunch

I brought my lunch in today so I had 40 minute for my run today.  I decide to run down to Wapping High Street.  There are two classic pubs that I like to go and look at.  I start off fast and then settle into a more realistic pace.

I run past the "Town of Ramsgate" and on to the "Captain Kidd".  It would be nice to stop for a pint, but not really practical.  I stop for a minute and turn back.

8km 38:19

Post Shopping Trip

I now had to return to the shop with my wallet.  I had my running kit and wanted run tonight.  So I run to the shop.  Still at a fair lick.  I pick up my new shoes and run with the bag in hand to Victoria

4.5 km 28mins (broken in two to collect my new shoes)

Shopping Trip

Not enough running and to much eating and drinking at the weekend.  So today I was going to run.  Too busy in the household this morning to think about a run half way to work.  At lunchtime, I slip out.  I have been thinking about getting some proper cross country shoes mindful of a cross country race coming up and the moonlight challenge in January.

I decide to run to the shop near Covent Garden and have a look around.  I don't have my wallet with me so no danger right?  

The helpful shop staff put my new cross country running shoes and Evoskins to one side for me to collect later.

The run there was done in medium pace.  I absolutely hammered it on the way back in a fartlek style.

5km 30mins (broken in two)

Race the train

This morning both me and the baby have stinking colds.  I am also feeling tired.  I skip the lunchtime run.    Rather bravely I had still packed my running kit.  I think from now on I will always pack my running kit.

It's good at work because the dress standards have slipped so far that I can run with my trousers in my back-pack.  Sure they get a little screwed up but I have a smart pair in my locker for those oh-so-important meetings.  This allows me to be more flexible with squeezing in runs here and there without worrying that I will not have clothes for work.

By mid-afternoon I am feeling good again.  I'm not even tired.  As you crank up the mileage and your fitness builds, so it appears your recovery time reduces.  I remember running the corporate challenge when I was 21 and just got back from 6 months in America.  I couldn't walk properly for 3 days and that was only 5km.

For a change I decide to run from the office to Nunhead and then catch the train for the last bit of the journey home.  The risk with this is that if I run slowly I miss my train and then have to wait for 1/2 an hour for the next one.  This would be a disaster in terms of seeing the kids before bed time.  So I make sure the time is definitely do-able and I keep my mind focussed on keeping the pace up.

The run is pretty enjoyable.  I stop a couple of times for traffic but the pace seems okay.  As I near Nunhead I risk a glimpse at the watch.  Then I am confused the time is way faster than I expect.  I end up having to wait ages for the train.  Still, after a good run, I am happy to sit their and enjoy the feeling.

7km 37mins

Autumn Leaves

While I have been running consistently, I have let the length of the runs slip with a few too many easy 4kms.  So today I resolve to do the run back from Lewisham.  I force my way out of work on time.  The run to Cannon Street is not as fast and free flowing as recently, but still fun.

I train to Lewisham and as I am about to launch I see an old friend and stop for a quick chat.  Then I go.  The first half is not too bad but then I start to chug.  Still I keep on.  Outside the Millwall Training ground I can't resist kicking a pile of leaves.  Despite eating lots of food today, I mainly feel hungry!

I manage to power up the hill to myself.  I then mentally pat myself on the back for completing the run.

8.3km 50 minutes

Student Protest Day

The students will be protesting in The City later.  So I go for my lunchtime run at 11.  A lot of the city may be blocked of by the Police so I head South East without aim.  Eventually I decide to go and run around where I used to work near Bishopsgate.  I used to have a favourite Sandwich Shop.  They had two branches, both located near to two of the offices I worked in.  The other one I know had become a Subway a long time a go.

I get to the Sandwich shop (for a look, not a Sandwich) but alas it is now a Beauty Parlour.  I run on a bit further and then head back.  There are some Life Science protesters outside one of the Banks  on Throgmorton Street making a racket.

In the end a fairly short, simple run but I'm proud I made the effort to get out.

4km 25mins

City to London Victoria

For a change I decide to run from work to London Victoria and get the train back from there.  Google maps tell me it is 3 miles on the dot.  I think I should be able to run 10 minute miles (factoring in the Street Running Effect, where you always run slower through the streets)  I am a little delayed getting aways and realise to meet my train I am going to have to push on.  So I do.

I power along, and then dart in and out of the crowds along Charing Cross.  I feel like I am flowing along. Along the mall I see another runner  also running home, and he drops me like a stone.  There's always someone faster than yourself.  I catch him up at the end of the mall as he gets stuck crossing the road at Buckingham Palace.  Makes you realise that it is easy to lose time running through the streets.

In the end I make it to Victoria with a couple of minutes to spare.  The train is busy and the heating on full blast, so I am careful not to drip sweat on anyone else.

3miles 4.8km 28 minutes

Tower Bridge Tourists

At lunch time I run down to London Bridge along the Southbank to Tower Bridge.  Over Tower Bridge, through the tourists and back to the office.  I feel good and run smoothly.

4km 24:26

Blast back from Grove Park

I didn't get into work until late and I want to get back to see the kids.  So I decide a cheeky 4.5km from Grove Park on the way home.  Recently I have bought myself a new pair of Asics Piranha racing flats.  The spring in them makes me realise how worn out the old pair were (I did do the Brighton Marathon in the old pair)

And they are lovely.  Even on the run to Cannon Street I am bouncing along.  The run from Grove Park I really feel that I am running (Rather than shuffling along, as sometimes I feel)

There is the suggestion of drizzle in the air but it never starts raining.  I run down through Bromley Park and even the steep downhill is not too bad.

A really enjoyable little blast both sides of the train journey.

4.5km 26 mins

Lost in the City

I decided to run my Leadenhall Loop Backwards.  But I always go the wrong way when running it backwards and I do again today.  Instead I run towards the Thames Path.  But I go wrong again and run into a car park before being shouted at by the security card.

The pace is not electric but it's very enjoyable.  Still not too cold.  The St. Pauls Protest Camp is getting to dense to run through of a lunchtime.

4.5km 28:34

5 and O, baby

I've been thinking about my 50th park run for a while.  Should I use at a spur for a PB, should I do it barefoot, should I do it with a hangover (like so many have been)

I wake up at 8:48.  Oops, missed it.  Somehow I pull it out the bag and make it there for the start.  I am barefoot and hungover.

The dew on my feet makes it a little cold.  Up by the pavilion I lose my footing and go over.  No damage done.  I joke to the person next to me
"that's cost me at least 5 seconds"

3/4 of the way round I realise I badly need a #2.  I cross the line with a little bit of a sprint.  23:24.  And that sums it up.  For me now-days, a cruisy park run is best described as 23:24.



I have a quick drink afterwards, but I am anxious to get back to a bathroom with some toilet paper.

23:24 5km  50th Parkrun!

Bit of a slog really

I'm feeling tired, but work's a bit slack so I take the opportunity for a lunchtime run. A quick 4km and a bit down to Waterloo Bridge and back. To be honest the pace is languid but I get on with it.

4.5km 28mins

In the rain?

I am trying to get used to run in the rain.  I am fairly certain is going to rain later, so I pack my wet weather gear  for the half way run home.

I get to Lewisham and it is only a mild drizzle.  At Downham it picks up.  It's a bit of a struggle after the Luchtime intervals but I keep at.

I wrap the IPhone up in a plastic bag so I can keep listening to my podcast.

In the end not to bad, but it didn't really hammer it down.

8km 45minutes

Lunchtime Intervals for the Math challenged

I'm struggling with running to working in the morning, so I squeeze in a lunchtime speed session on Speed Highwalk in the city.

After last time, I did some Math and caclulated that I had to run for 22minutes to get 10 intervals in.

I start to struggle.  I do some Math and look at my watch.  I see 17 minutes.  For some reason I think this is 15 minutes (I think some kind of confusion with the 24hr clock) and still a long way to go

Soon I realise I am further than I thought and my spirit lifts.

10 intervals of one minute, with one minute rest.

Cheeky Grove Park Return Run

I had to go and pick up my wet running kit from this morning.  So I decided I may as well run some of the way back.  The plan?  Train from Cannon Street to Grove Park and run back from there.

No rain this evening, and on the brief run to Cannon Street I am flying.  And when I get to Grove Park I keep it up.  No aches, pains or tiredness.  Just good form and a good pace.

The hardest part was running down the hill in Bromley Park.

I get home and feel great.  The kids are kicking off...

4.5km 25mins

Run to Canary Wharf

I had arranged to met Rob and Baldwin at 6:45 by Rob's house in Chislehurst for a run to Canary Wharf.  I was interested in Rob's route for whenwork moves there.  While Rob lives in Chislehurst and me in Shortlands it was easier to meet at his.   I packed my bag the night before and was already to go.

I wake up and can hear heavy rain.  I repack using my rucksack liner to ensure everything stays dry.  I then realise I can't find my wallet.  I eventually find it cosily tucked up in bed.  By now I am running late.

I have to push on quickly to get there on time (I hate being late).  In the end I make it there with a minute to spare.  Rob and Baldwin coming running along.  They are without backpacks having had the sense to take their stuff the day before.

The pace is fast and I am still recovering from the high speed run to the start.  Still the route is autum beauty with lots of off-road through Elmstead Woods.   Then the rain picks up.  We power on. 

It's great running in company and we have some fascinating conversations.

Soon we come to the foot tunnel and go down the stairs.  It's good to be out the rain.  On the otherside we work our way through the docks.  This is the most useful bit for me.  Eventually near the goal, I duck out to jump on the DLR.  I now have a feel for the route.

Greate fun running with others and a lovely run despite the rain.  I feel great the whole day

18km 1hr46

Rising Sun

Saturday night, and Jerry has organised one of his super night runs.  We always end up in fantastic Kent pubs.  But as I usually drive there, I have to decline the beer.  Tonight we are starting in Shoreham and so I can get the train there with the plan of a couple of "Kentish Ales"

I arrive in Shoreham and the station is a little way out of town.  It is pitch black a apparent the residents decided against street lights some time a go.  I use the IPhone to navigate my way into town.

We meet up and are soon off.  A number of fellow nutters have done the Beachy Head Marathon.  It's a good friendly bunch, refreshingly free of whingers.  I haven't run since Beachy Head but this is a great run to get back into it.  The pace is easy, plenty of stops and you don't have to worry about dropping off the back as people will wait.  It tales a while to loosen the legs but then I am fine.  

There are various comedy moments involving the threat of bulls in fields.  Jerry announces half a mile  to the half-way house.  I zoom to the front in anticipation.  Jerry had warned us, that it may be a little rough and ready.

The pub looks like a quaint cottage from outside.  Inside it is pure genius.  The only way I can describe it, is something like Withnail and I.  Most of the drink options looked off.  On every surface was some kind of memorabilia, with most of it appearing to come from the second world war.  Feral-like cats,  a bizarre parrot.   The landlady after serving us, returns to her side of the bar and an old portable television propped up on a chair.  Despite needing the toilet, I decide to pass on the toilets with its "LOOS" sign.  There are no other people in there, and it doesn't look like they are expecting many other patrons.  The odour is unique and vigorous.

I quip:

"Is this a Wetherspoons?"

After the beer, I am revived and we are off again.  We are utterly alive from the experience we have just had and the conversation, quips and reflections keep on for the rest of the night.

The return 5 miles is soon dispatched and we head to a pub a little nearer civilization to reflect on the night.

Even if you were a billionaire, there would not be a better night, out running in the beautiful countryside with a great bunch of people and experiencing the, frankly, utterly bizarre.

An amazing night, enjoyable running and experiencing something, that in reality can't possible exist.

16km (time not really relevant)

Beachy Head Marathon

I'm not racing.  With the new baby, the training has been consistent just not long.  So the plan is to go out and run gently and enjoy the marathon.  No heroics, relax and enjoy the scenery.

But this is the brutal Beachy Head Marathon.  The first half is a bit up and down, but enjoyable especially in the Vivo Barefoots.  The fast half is in around 2:10, but that's cool, I'm chilling and enjoying.  There's been hills, but I've dug in and crawled up them.

I've a little pain in the left foot.  The stony rocky paths are taking their toll on my left foot with the Vivo Barefoots.  But in terms of a relaxed movement, the super flat footwear experiencing the surface is working well.

Then the second half kicks in.  I had planned to run the whole lot, but suddenly sometime after mile 13, I have to walk, you can't run up this kind of hill.  And that is how it continues for the next 13 miles.  These hills are like nothing I have ever experienced.  As a one of challenge, I'd struggle to run up a single one of them.  As a series of about 10 at the end of a marathon????

It's all right though.  Everyone around me is walking.  And to be honest walking is a real struggle.  We all battle on, encouraging each other on.  We walk up the hills, and shuffle down the other side.

Eventually after much slogging there is a big downhill into the finish (we ran up it on the way out).  I look and see the clock is a couple of minutes short of 5 hours.  A nice round mark, but there's no way I can make it there.  I say to the woman next to me
"Hope you weren't looking for under 5"
The marshall says, if you sprint you''ll make it.
Suddenly it dawns on me that it may be possible.  I look at the crowd, count 3-2-1 and then open up full speed.  As I cross the line I markedly point at the clock to show I made it under 5 hours.

I see the woman the other side of the finish and apologise for my idiotic comments.

I love running, but somehow this was different especially the second half.  I'm proud of the way, I dug in and made it home.  But it wasn't through running excellence, more by walking/hiking.  Which is good, but I'm exploring the athletic envelope at the moment.

42km 4"59:50

Leadenhall Loop

Still taking it easy ahead of Saturday and 26.2 miles over Beachy head and the Seven Sisters.  However think previously I have over tapered.  I go stale if I don't run.  So I think a few km just to keep things ticking over is good.

So at lunch, I fit in a quick Leadenhall Loop as I shall call it from now on(to save on typing).  I do this run pretty often and it is one of my favourites.   Down to Paternoster Square, on to Blackfriars, along the river to the Tower, back through Leadenhall and then hammer it down London Wall.

The run down London Wall is the best bit.  It must be downhill, and the fact that it is so close to the finish means I can really pick up the pace.  But it is crowded so I have to dance and skip through the crowds.

Today the sun was out like a lovely Spring day with optimism of a long summer ahead.  Except it's not.  It is autumn, and more like the dieing embers of a year before the onset of a cruel winter.  Nice and pleasant, all the same.

I'm not racing on Saturday and I aim to take it easy, but good to be in shape

5km 29:34

Silly Ouchy

Runners area usually in three states, about to have an injury, injured or coming back from an injury.  The funny thing is that since ditching the padded running shoes, I have had few running injuries.

What I have had is stupidity injuries.  Stubbing my toe.  Embedding bicycle pedals in my leg and so on.

So at lunchtime today, I am running down the embankment, when I trip and land right-arm first on some Iron railings.  At first I am embarrassed and jog on a bit.  Then I feel physically sick with pain and think I have broken my arm. 

I stop and regain some composure.  After 5 mins, I am sore but I don't think the Marathon is in danger.  So I turn and run back. 

Funnily enough, the stop means that I glide along.  I'm not pushing because of the marathon, but it feels good.

The arm appears only to be heavily bruised.

3.5km 25mins

Run home in the autumn

I was in work early so I left at 5pm.  I get to Cannon Street and get the train to Lewisham.  No heroics required with the Marathon on Saturday, just a nice steady jog.

I forget and take the path to Beckenham Place Park.  Then I realise it is still light enough to run through the woods, and so I do.  It is a lot more autumnal in the woods then last time, and I almost lose the path a couple of times.

It started of hard, but by the end I am cruising along, nothing spectacular mind.

I love Autumn.

8km 50:00

Round Park Run

A fairly straight forward Park Run today.  Didn't really push or strain an air of beeriness and the Marathon next week put pay to that.

The park had an icy mist hanging over it which gradually burnt off during the run.  Beautiful.

My next run is the 50th.  It would be good to PB but with the marathon and the onset of winter, it may be a challenge.

5km 23:26

Stubbed Toe

A quick 5km down the embankment at lunch.  Was planning to run home so I go in the aquas.  I'm also mindful of taking it easy ahead of the Beachy Head Marathon.

Then I stub my toe which really hurts.  It is the problem with the aquas I have at work which are a little bit to big.  I have done this before, which shouldn't stop me running after a couple of days, just annoying.

5km 28:30

Petts Wood Runners 10km as the Sweeper

I've toyed whether to add this as a run, as most of it was done at a fast walk but...

I was the last runner marshal the Petts Wood 10km along with Paul, a fantastically bright and funny character.

We followed the same last runner the whole we round.  She was experienced and determined, just slow.  We had a good chat all the way round.  After about 1km, I got bored and took my shoes and socks off.  I ran the next 5km barefoot.  Though as the pace was so slow it was hard to run barefoot(you need the high cadence to help with the running gently.  Hard to run a high cadence at walking point)  At one point it got a bit to rough and I started to drop off the back of even walking pace.  Apparently a lot of the paths were made with debris from the blitz.  I decide to put my shoes on and catch up.   Given that I was on official duty I put my socks and shoes back on and left them on the rest of the run.

While there was occasional pain, it surprises me  how tough your feet really are.  So despite having to wimp out, the rest of the day my feet are fine (no worse then the pain I felt running in shoes on last nights long, late show)

It was great to have experienced the Petts Wood 10km from a runners perspective.  Being on my feet for so long in the humid conditions surprisingly hard.

Enjoyable though,

9km 1"25:00

Last Long Run Before Beachy Head Marathon

Despite having a 3month old baby, thought it may be a laugh to train for a marathon.  I've been doing plenty of running just none of it long.  This weekend I must do a long run and then taper as the Beachy Head Marathon is in 3 weeks.

After running my 5km PB today and various sicknesses I am not feeling great.  I plan to get up early next day, do a 3hour run and then go and marshal at the Petts Wood 10km.  Not great but I resign myself to it.  Then I get a phone call.  They want me to be the sweeper (or last runner marshall) the next day.  Even though the last runner will be a snail, best not do it on top of a long run.

So I have to go out Saturday night and do it despite having run a fast, fast 5km this morning.  I am just justifying the flake-out to myself when my wife says:
"It's a amazing the way you can go out running like this tonight"
So now, I have to do it, and so I do.

I run 1.5 hours out down the A21.  After 45 minutes I am struggling.   But I keep going.   I get to the petrol station by Green St. Greet at around 1"27.  I buy a sports drink and some wine gums and turn back.  The last 45minutes is hard (though mainly downhill)  I allow myself a wine gum every 5 minutes.

The thighs are a little sore and my feet hurt but on I go.

I get home about 11:15pm.  I wake the wife up on the sofa, send her to bed and have a shower.  I collapse into bed exhausted.   That's the best thing about running late; being able to go to bed afterwards.

Today was about time on feet rather than distance.  It's a hilly route out down the A21.  I wanted to do this last long run before the Beachy Head Marathon and today I achieved that.

27km 2:53":00

Park Run PB

Given the current good running form, I decide a good crack at park run is in order.  Even though England are playing, I limit the beer the night before.  On the day, I have my racing shoes, racing socks, racing shorts and club vest.

There is history here.  When park run stated I comfortably beat David.  Then we were rivals then he destroyed me.  He has been injured for a year(or more).  I have got within a second of his time on my PB but no better.  Today is the day,  and I tell everyone including David himself.

The other thing is that this is my 48th run.  It would be nice to run a PB on my 50th run.  So I could hold off until then.  But then I decide to do the brave thing.  Run a PB today, and then try another one on the 50th run.  That way I could notch it up two steps....

I warm up by getting there half an hour early and running about.  Then we are off.  In summary, I follow Jenny and Rob all the way round.   I know they run mid 21 times or better so staying with them I should be fine.  It hurts and I gurn my way round.

With a km to go, I get past Jenny, but in in the finishing straight she takes me again.  I will not catch her, but I am inspired by her sprint.

 Across the line, I stab the watch, it must be a PB, probably by a massive amount.  It is a PB but by 3 seconds.  I feel it should have been much better.  But it was Windy and I struggled.

Still, job done.

5km 21:46 PB

Good

Last night's run home from Lewisham was fantastic.  Tonight I feel more tired.  To be honest I was going to get the Hayes train to Catford and run home from there, especially after being caught up by my boss.  This would get me home a little earlier for an extra 10 minutes with the kids.

When I get to Cannon Street there is only a train to Lewisham, so I get this, resigned to the slightly longer run.  I don't want to cheat the kids, so accept that I can't totally cruise.

I have an altercation with a cyclist who seems to think that he owns the pavement.  It delays me slightly along with a number of traffic lights.  I couple of death looks and barbed comments ensure that he is suitably offended.  W*nker.

As I reach Downham, suddenly I am aware of the magic appearing.  This is nice, I am fast elegant and flowing.  I keep this up all the way home.  This is really, really good.

Probably two of the most enjoyable runs of my life the last two nights.   And when I get home, it was even quicker than last night.

8km 43 minutes

Lunchtime Canal

The long term plan is run half way to work.  With three kids, average age 2.5, it isn't always happening.  Still I bought my lunch on the way to work giving me 40 minutes of pure run time at lunch.

I head down towards the Wapping Canals via St Katharine's docs .  It feels hard.  Last night's magic has evaporated.  I get to Tobacco dock and turn back.  It's into the wind an I struggle.  As I turn into the tunnel by Tower Bridge the Wind is channelled behind me.  I realise the wind is playing games.

Finally down London Wall I start to pick up some speed.  A fat banker in a pin stripe suit wobbles all over the pavement.  I flow past him, and admonish him for his girth.

Not magic like last night, but still nice.

7k 37:02

Quickly home

Haven't managed to do the run back from Lewisham due to work. Today things have calmed down, so today I head for Lewisham.

I am not expecting anything spectacular but it is nice to be back in flat shoes.

Strangely I am flying along and I keep going and going. It's now too dark for Beckenham Place Park so I have to go the long way round past the Millwall Training Ground.

Feeling on form and flowing feels fantastic. Don't know where it is coming from but I keep drinking it in.

The time is 45 minutes. The usual rime is the wrong side of 50, and I got caught at lots of traffic lights. Even had to take a slight diversion to avoid a gang.

If only I could bottle this form....

8km 45minutes

Leadenhall Lunchtime

My favourite lunchtime loop, Blackfriars, Thames Path, The Tower, leadenhall, London Wall and back.

I am wearing, shock horror, running shoes for a change. They feel spongey and I worry about injury.

Initially it is hard but it gets easier. A couple of times I stop to twiddle with the IPod and I am surprised how easy it is to get going again.

Through Leadenhall and down London Wall I skip in and out of people; great fun.

5pm 28 mins

Getting better at lunchtime

I run at lunchtime down across Waterloo Bridge and back. I decided to wear the aquas. It feels fantastic. The pace is kept gentle with the plan to run home from Lewisham. 

I can't remember ever running across Waterloo Bridge but I really enjoyed it. 

In the end work intervened and I missed the run home.  Good job I got this run in. 

5km 30 mins

Long Airport Run

The alarm goes off at 5:15am and I am so tempted to roll over and go back to sleep.  I have prepared my kit the night before, and I know the Beachy Head Marathon is coming up.  I have done plenty of running but none of it over an hour.

I head of into the dark.  I summon up the courage to run across the common in the dark, all alone.   After a while I settle into a good pace.  Just before the sun comes up the light starts playing up.  It is switching itself off.  The battery seems to be charged, I wonder if it is overheating (it is strapped to my head and  I am hardly travelling at a speed to produce much cooling)

Down just past the Wilberforce Oak, as the sun gets higher in the sky there is a beautiful sun-rise.  I stop and take a photo, but the IPhone camera does not do it any kind of justice.  The lights of houses in the distance twinkling, the oranges and yellows.  Amazing.

I struggle to find the path I am looking for and have to run a couple of times up and down the road.  In the end I dig out the OS map on my phone and find it.

I run across a wide open field and feel great.  I am running for 3 hours and plan to turn around 1.5 hours into the run.  Knowing it has been a big slog up to Biggin HILL, and I wasted some time trying to find the path, I decide to tack on an extra 5 minutes on to the outward journey.  After 3 minutes, I come to a steep downhill.  Knowing I will have to run backup it, I decide to head back there and then.

After 2 hours I start to struggle.  I have deliberately not brought any food or drink to help my body to learn-to-burn.  I knuckle down, the pace slips but I keep going.

Back home I have a coffee and bacon sarnie made with homemade bread.  That and the sun-rise made it all worthwhile.

2"49:15 24km (Today was all about time on the feet though)

Gravel Park Run

I regularly do park run barefoot but today I decide to try and do it all barefoot including the tarmac and gravelly bits.   I'm pretty beery from the night before so the time is irrelevant today.

Which is good I start of slowly and struggle.  The tarmac grates the feet but is manageable.  The gravelly bit is too painful, possible because my feet are a little chilly.

At the finish people stream past me because I have no sprint on the rough tarmac.  I was previously convinced that running on gravel was possible today, I am not so sure.

5km 24:26

Run home from Lewisham

Tired, but cracked on and did it.  Got faster towards the end.  Starting to get a bit dark across Beckenham Place Park.

8km 48mins

Tired Run Home from Lewisham

Though I had only done 10 intervals they must have been quality as I felt exhausted on the run home.  Still I kept going.  A slight pain in the hip reminiscent of the end of the Brighton Marathon, and then, much as most pains in my body recently it vanished.

Very humid for the end of September so I was a sweaty mess once more.

8km 46 minutes

Intervals

Back to Speed High Walk in the Barbican for some intervals.  10 intervals of one minute fast, one minute recovery.  Was definitely faster than last time

It''s humid, and even after the shower I am still sweating.  The guy in the sandwich shop says
"Gym?"
"Running" I say

Not sure if it was the intervals, the humid day or the shower needed to be a cold one, but the sweaty look at work is not so good.

Measured run home from Lewisham

Measured in pace and measured in the fact I remembered the Garmin.  Once again the leg was sore but I don't think the running was making it worse.

Despite sun down at 6:50pm, as I run across Beckenham Place Park and through the woods at 7:00pm  it is still easily light enough.

At home the distance is....7.88km.  I can add in the short jog to Cannon Street for a nice 8km run.

Need to decide how to refine the route when the darkness comes...

8km 46:13

Lunchtime Blackfriars

My wife is lending her bike to a friend.  So I gave it a service. And it was while taking it for a test drive and trying to bunny-hop it my foot slipped of the pedal and the steel pedal embedded itself in my leg.

So I haven't been running the last couple of days.  I was going to run home from Lewisham but the heavens really opened up with rain.  Today, however I decide to man-up and go for a run at lunch.

I run down across Blackfriars Bridge and on through South London.  After 15 minutes I turn and head back.  With a couple of days rest it feels pretty easy.  The leg is sore but I don't think running is irritating it.

5km 27:17

Almost Run Home PB

Friday at work and you can always slope off a bit early.  I start of at 5:30pm hoping to run the whole way home and get back for 7:00pm.  But I'm struggling.  The body is all grumbly.   But, after listening to the Marathon Talk Podcast by Prof. Ian Noakes about how we don't push ourselves hard enough, I push, and push.

I get caught at a couple of road junctions but keep going.  My body is screaming pain and suffering.  But I don't believe it.  So I push on, and on, and on.

At Catford Station, I see a woman start to cross the road.  She goes all wobbly and crashes to the floor.  Everyone around rushes to help.  So I look to see what I can do.  A car is about to turn right and run everyone over.  So I stop the traffic with an out stretched palm.  The twat driving the bus toots his horn.  But I ignore him.   The patient is moved to the pavement.  I look at the situation and it is in hand, so I resume the push.

Towards the end I get faster.  I believe I am built for distance.  Some may say Bloody Mindiness.

As I get home I look at the watch: 27:44.  I think it is a PB, despite stopping to marshal traffic.  As I sit down to write this blog, I realise I have run 27:14, but it was a fantastic effort.  The desire to wimp out and ease off, firmly rejected.

Now all that is needed is a couple of long slow runs and the Beachy Head Marathon could be quite tidy.

1:27:44 18km

Pushing the pace on the way back

Usual fayre.  Train to Lewisham, run back from there across Beckenham Place Park.

It starts to get dark, mainly because of black rain clouds and partly because of the evenings starting to close in.  Fortunately the rain never got going.  Unlike me.  I feel like give it a good bit of welly and zoom along.  At Beckenham Place Park I am tempted to take my shoes off for a bit of barefoot-action, but I resist.

Map-my-run on the IPhone let me down again and still no accurate distance measure.  Maybe I need to take the Garmin.

7km 42mins

Proper Barefoot

I've been reading a book about barefoot running by Barefoot Ken-Bob.  He is on the more extreme end of the Barefoot running spectrum (as opposed to Barefoot Ted who seems to be more into minimal shoes)

BKB doesn't believe in any shoes, ever.  He even thinks Vibram Five Fingers are spawn of the devil.  He recommends going to find some gravel to run on first as running on concrete is too easy and you learn bad technique.   I understand what he is saying, but to go running on gravel, barefoot?  Even my barefoot park runs are mainly done on grass.

I get the train from Cannon Street to Lewisham.  I run to Beckenham Place park in my Barefoot Evo shoes (which I am starting to really like)   Then I remove them.  There is a gravel path that leads through to the woods.  I get some funny looks from some youths on their BMXs.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained so I head onto the path.  I can feel the gravel, and I start of gingerly.  I try to remember all the techniques I have been reading about in KFB's book.  I'm a bit slow but I'm making progress.  Next I work my way through the trail in the wood.  Carefully, moving more than running.  A couple of times my feet detects trouble in the shape of something sharp, but tuned-in I am able to move my foot away.

The other side of the woods there is more gravel.  So I work my way across it.  I feel almost like I am walking, I am so upright but I am moving at more of a jog pace.  And I'm learning.  I'm piecing it all together.

I was planning to replace the shoes on the other side of the park but decided to run barefoot the rest of the way.  The first bit was on pavement road which was not as bad as I though (not as abrasive as I was expecting)  Then the unmade road with lots of big stones and lots of small stones.  I flow across it.

On the other side was a shingle path.  I get on with it and run across it.  A couple of students come the other way, and I r heaone say:
"Someone's Buzzing"
Not sure if this is a reference to the fact that only someone on drugs would be crazy enough to run barefoot across a shingle path.  Or maybe it was the paranoia and they weren't even talking about me(see below)

It was great running barefoot.  I was careful to avoid "Barefoot Exuberance Syndrome" where you over do it and end up hurting yourself.

Running in the aquas and the evos (despite BKBs objections and doubts) I believe has given me a half decent barefoot style that I was able to refine.  The worst part was the paranoia.  You do feel a bit of a freak with everyone looking at you.

I didn't think it was possible, but I know believe it is possible to run barefoot in supposedly inhospitable  environments like forest trails and gravel paths.  And to give BKB credit, he was right, it felt fantastic.

I can't wait to see where this adventure is going to take me...

8km 50:00

Time for a run

Have been really busy with work and family.  Meant to run half way to work but one of the worst sleep nights of my life prevented it.  On the way back I was determined.

Run to Cannon Street, Train to Lewisham and the run back.  And I was quick.  I ran through Beckenham Place Park realising that within a week it will probably be too dark.

Towards the finish I pick up the pace, even faster.  Maybe it was the stress being drained from me, but I flew and it felt good.

8km 43:26

Acorns at Park Run

After yesterday's H and H I decide to take it easy at  park run today.  I ditch the shoes and go barefoot.  Soon this will not be an option as it will be too cold.  And it is cold on the feet today.

After a  couple of km I seem to be flowing along.  So I keep pushing.  A couple of place I have to skip and dance through the twigs.  The last km I really push on.  At the finish I open up.  Then in the finishing funnel I realise it is covered in crushed acorns.  I have come in at full tilt and can''t easily dance round them.  The finishing marshals laugh.

I look at the time, 22:00, 10 seconds outside my PB.  Delightful running.

5km 22:00

Hare and Hounds

I'm enjoy the long mileage of twice a day runs.  But with today's Hare and Hounds 5 mile time trial in mind I had taken yesterday off.  To be honest the thighs were a little sore, even today.

I chat with the fellow timed runners at the start.  I'm off and start to struggle.  But I keep going, and gradually reel the other runners in.  By half way, there are only a couple of the slower runners in front.  And in time I dispatch them.

The thing with the handicap run is that you never know when one of the superfast runners will come storming up behind you.  It's one thing to reel in a slower runner, another thing to hold of a 31 minute-5 mile runner.  As I cross Blackfriars bridge I push, but I am not aware of anyone lurking.  As I come off the bridge I see a blue shirt lurking.  I panic and somehow drag a killer sprint.  I'm rarely beaten in the last 200m of a race.

In the last 100m I glance behind, and I am clear.  For the second month in a row I win the handicap.  At the finish I can't remember the time from last time and whether it is a PB but once again I am bent over double.  It shouldn't be a PB.  This month I had run hard, but off the back of a couple of hard weeks of running I should be tired.

The result email confirms it, a PB.  And even better, beating someone who's sporting ethos isn't always my cup of tea (I'd really love to say more but...)

5.2 miles 37:33 (PB)

Half way home from Lewisham

The weather was nice and so I run home from Lewisham.  The best bit was running through the Woods in Beckenham Place Park.  Flowing through the trails was fantastic.

It's the Hare and Hounds 5 mile time trial on Friday.  I'll need to decide whether I take a rest or easier day tomorrow.  To be honest, I'm revelling in the mileage.

8km 50 minutes

Hungerford Loop

A quick lunch time blast across Hungerford Bridge.  When run fast this loop down across Blackfriars bridge, along the Embankment and back across Paternoster Square is done in under half an hour.

Despite the recent mileage this is done quite comfortably. 

6km 29:22

Run halfway home from Catford not Lewisham

Tonight I decide to run from Catford.  It is a shorter route than from Lewisham, but a longer train journey.  When I move to Canary Wharf I will run to Lewisham and back every day and get the DLR (15 minutes).  But until then I can play with my route.  The run from Lewisham has been taking my 50 minutes which is a little long.

I had a route planned which would be pretty direct.  I have added unnecessary minutes to my journey by avoiding the direct route. I had planned to enter Beckenham Place Park by a "Dark friendly route" i.e. one I could run in Winter (It's still light in the evenings, but I'm planning ahead)   The problem is that I need a wee-wee.  So I head directly into the park and find a bush.  Ahhhhh.   I then run directly across the park (probably a bit dodgy if it was dark)   The slog up the hill in Railway Fields isn't so tough today.

I get back home a quicker than from Lewisham.  Running direct has helped.  There are lots of trains go to Lewisham, only the Hayes ones go to Catford.  The Hayes trains are not particularly regular.  I'm not sure what my strategy is going to be ongoing,

6km 35 minutes

Intervals

I had to be in early at work, so I couldn't run half way to work.  However I was on for a lunch time run.  My lunch was delayed and I could see the rain was coming.  Thinking about my lack of recent speed, I decide to do some intervals.  I had previously ear-marked the Barbican Highwalks for some intervals as it is was away from the road fumes.   I had also identified it as a possible route for rainy days as it is under cover and as I leave it is raining.

I find the fantastically named "Speed HighWalk".  I decide to do one minute on, with one minute recovery.  There is not enough "walk" to run in a straight line, so I have to run round the corner.

I do 10 intervals, and whilst hard work it is strangely satisfying.  A contrast to the miles I have been grinding out recently.  At the end I feel like I have a good work out.

I can't really measure the distance run or pace.  I need to do more of these training sessions, and realise at the end of the year I can't have a magical golden figure of miles run totted up from this blog.

30mins 10 intervals, 1 minute on - 1 minute recovery.

In the ghetto (drive-by)

I hadn't planned to run half way home, but a little lateral thinking had inspired me.  I put on my smelly lunchtime running kit, well due a wash.  I run to Cannon Street and get the train to Lewisham.  This time I am convinced I need to run through the middle of Beckenham Place Park to save some time and so I head that way.

As I run through Bellingham I hear a moped revving. I spot a group of people standing on a corner.  Suddenly two masked motorbike riders appear.  One on a trail bike and one on a moped.  There is tension in the air.  I think there is going to be a drive-by shooting.  This is not good.  So I sprint out of there.

I run across Beckenham Place Park and get lost in the woods.  I see someone coming towards me with a white dog.  I realise it is Matt from the running club whom I did the Brighton Marathon with.  We stop and have a good running chat.  It's nice to have a recovery period after my panic-sprint.

I end up way off course by trying to guess my way through the woods.  I almost end up in someone's back garden. A women in her garden stares at me, so I turn and go the long way round.

It feels good to pull a run out of the bag.

The rest of the run is uneventful but pretty enjoyable.

 8.5k 50 minutes (10 minute stop for an enjoyable chat with Matt)

Lunch time loop in the wind

I didn't manage to do the run half way to work because of general household chaos and I'm on earlies at work.

But lunchtime, I summon up the energy for an old favourite run.  I head down to Blackfriars, down the Thameside Path to the Tower.  Back through Leadenhall and down London Wall.

Nothing to spectacular, but very enjoyable.  The crowds were too dense in places to even skip through.  I also get caught at a number of traffic lights.  Still, it's good to be running.  It's windy, supposedly the remnants of Hurricane Katia.  It's Autumn on the way, but that's fine, I love Autumn.

When I get back to the changing rooms, I feel so good I have an idea.  I could run home in my dirty lunchtime running kit (which never gets washed enough)

5km 30 mins.

Park run with family

I dragged the family down to park run today, mainly so they could enjoy the cakes.  As is becoming a habit I decide to ditch the shoes before the run.

I'm not particular motivated to push and I trundle around in a pretty uneventful run.  Half way round I see a guy in some Vibram 5 fingers and we briefly chat barefoot.  He is new to this game but starting to appreciate the benefits.

No one to race at the finish, but I pick up the pace for a final burst.

At the finish I feel strangely disappointed with the time.  I need to remember than running mileage doesn't necessarily make you fast.

5km 23:34

Quick blast, half way run home from work

I'm feeling tired.  I notice that my usual train to Lewisham to run home from is cancelled.  I decide to get the train to Grove Park and run from there.  This is only 4km but I'm still building and it's good to mix it up.

The train is jam packed and extremely hot.  It is a relief to get out and start the running.  It's a hilly route but I just keep going and the hills do not bother me.  Far better than be cooped up on a train

In the end it is quite nice run, knowing it is less than a park-run.

4km 23mins

Different half way run to work

I was all set for the Nunhead -> City run, except my train did not stop at Nunhead.  Instead I get of Peckham and run from there.  It takes me a while to get my bearings, but I am soon back on the familiar route.

7km 42 minutes

Half way back from work

I run to Cannon Street.  Work had delayed me so I had to get a train 10 minutes later than I wanted.

As I get to Peter Pan's Pool  I can't decide which way to go. I decide to go through Beckenham Place Park woods, but then have a change of heart and run up Beckenham Hill through the golf club.  This though puts time on the run.  This part of the route definitely needs tuning.

I feel a a little tired but keep going.

8km 54 minutes

Half way to work

Did the run half way to work.   I am wearing the evo-barefoot IIs and they are quite comfy, something I had never noticed before.

At some point I realised I was really enjoying the run

44mins 8km

Half run from work

At the end of the work day I zip to Cannon Street.  I then get the train to Lewisham.  I was not planning to listen to music as I didn't fancy being mugged for my phone.  But I can see it is raining heavily.  I had left the waterproof rucksack liner at home so I tuck my phone well away in the bag.

Just by Lewisham Hospital the rain really comes down, but I keep going.  By the end the rain has gone.  Just round from my house there is a basketful of free Bramley Apples provided by a kindly gardener.  I grab a couple so my wife can make me an apple crumble another day.

I can't decide whether this route is a tad too long, and whether I would do better going City Thameslink -> Catford and running from there.  I do like the change of going from Cannon Street though.   Also the liquidity of trains to Lewisham is greater.

Should also Garmin this route to get the length.

8km 51 mins

Half run to work

After a couple of weeks holiday, it was the grim return to work.  But I am determined to fit as much running as possible into the journey to and from work without sacrificing any family time.

Despite being ill the previous day, I summon up the strength for the half-run in.  I get the train to Nunhead  and then run the 8km or so to work.  Nothing to grand, but still nice all the same.

I probably should Garmin the route to get the accurate distance

8km 45mins

Beckenham Assembly League

I have been off work the last couple of weeks.  I had been eating healthily and cutting back on the beer.  The last couple of weeks, due to holidays has been less healthy.  I weighed myself before the run and I was 81.5kg (I need to be much less than this, but based on the last 20 years, this is very light!)

At the start I see John, Richard and Hannah from the club.  I also see Deidre and Martin from work.

I start of well and power up Ravensbourne Hill.  Then at the Millwall FC training ground I start to struggle.  My legs feel stale. Interestingly my upper body feels strong from lugging kids around.  In reality I need to keep up the running and build up the upper body strength.

Eventually I enter Beckenham Place Park.  As I run up to the hill to the finish, all the other running clubs are standing around encouraging their runners home.
 
Someone looks at me and shouts at their runner,
"Come on you can take him"
Except he can't.  In the last 200m no-one beats me.  So I pick up the pace.  They try and battle but I stay ahead.  Then suddenly, someone flies round the outside even faster, so I step up again.  Of course, I finish ahead of them.  At the finish I am breathless, and yet I could I have sprinted faster.  Maybe I am the Mark Cavendish of the running world, but alas your team can't drag you to the finish for a glory spurt in running.

A great evening, good to catch up with people but then it's back to the baby!

4.5km 20:01

Holiday night run

I have been on holiday in Devon all week. There are some beautiful Coastal paths just waiting to be explored. But with three kids now, with one only one month old it's been a struggle.

The other night I bought a cheap led torch similar to the one that had served me so well on Jerry's night run.

Tonight, on the last night of the holiday, I took the chance.

I decide to run in the Vibram Five Fingers. It is pitch black and drizzling.

I head down the Coastal path. I can hear the sea, but other than a few distant lights in Tor Bay I cannot see more than a couple of feet in front of me.

But I feel alive. Not slipping over, avoiding rocks and sensing the environment is my focus. I am or aware of any effort with the running.

I come across another walker with a torch., he is nervous ut I greet him and he is calmed.

At one point Iose my footing and go over, but no damage done and not too muddy.

Eventually I reach the end of the coastal path and it splits into a Coastal reserve. I don't want to get lost so I turn back. The rain starts to pick up,

I come across someone walking their dog, and they tell me they are holding their big dog back. Thanks!

I run back through the holiday camp to my chalet, powering up the hill past some people coming back from the cabaret.

When I get back I am exhilarated. I love running in the vibrams though the elastic hurts the top of my feet. Tonight was more about movement than running.

5km 30"00

Post baby hare and hounds

I'm busy at work today, but I am determined to do the work running club's 5 mile handicap race.

I notice another runner is due to start 1 second behind me. He stalks me down the embankment until suddenly I have to tie my shoe lace. I overtake him again by barging through the crowds at Westminster bridge. He takes me again on the way To Vauxhall bridge. I make up ground using my secret stairs technique. I edge into the lead but disaster again on Lambeth bridge as my shoe lace comes undone again. I work and catch him again. I sense he his weakening and eventually dispatch him.

I zone in on the next runner. I shout "hey" at the tourists and they magically part. I joke to the other runner I am leaking all my secret techniques! He holds me for a while and then drops away.

Down past ITV I really can feel the heat. I spot the sole lady runner, reel her in and dispatch her. I think I am leading. I dig deep across Blackfriars bridge. I am terrified a runner(possibly my nemesis) is going to pass me.

I grimace and gurn my way to the finish. A quick glance behind me and I can't see anyone. I open up into a sprint looking for a few seconds to be shaved off my time As I cross the line I realise that I am first back and in record time.

Around a minute later the other runner comes back and we shake hands.

A really good run, 1:20 faster than my target time I wonder what it would have been on a cooler day and without two shoe lace stops!

It would seem cutting the booze and food is having a positive effect.

5.2 miles 37:48

The run home from work(again)

This time I am better prepared for the run home. My kit is nicely packed and I leave at 5:45pm on the dot. I absolutely fly to Cannon Street, zipping in and out of people. I find the 5:56 to Hayes (via Lewisham). I am all ready to get off the train and run. I plan to take a flatter, longer route around Ravensbourne station and miss out the hill and Railway fields.

Then I realise it is raining. I hadn't really factored in rain. I knew that if I am to run/train everyday then there will be rain. Just didn't expect it so soon. Fortunately I am prepared and I pack up my wallet and phone in the waterproof rucksack liner. This means no music or podcast to listen to on the way back.

I disembark the train and zip off. As I go through Lewisham it all feels a bit edgy. There are gangs of youths hanging around and lots of Old Bill. Still when I am running you tend to flow through them. Glad my phone is out of sight (rather than in a side pocket playing me tunes or podcasts) I wonder if there will be a resurgence of the rioting.

The rain is not too bad. The shoes get a little squelchy, but I can live with it.

The other side of Catford I start to really struggle. I can't quit as I have to be back for the kids. At Downham I go properly boom. I find a Newsagent and stop for an emergency Picnic (The chocolate bar, not an actual picnic with breadsticks, houmous and warm white wine duhhh!) and some Lucozade.

This gets me going again. But it has sapped some time so I push on. On the otherside of Beckenham Place park I had planned to run down to Shortlands station and round, but I decide against it, and take on the short sharp hill and Ravensbourne, thinking it will get me home quicker.

I battle on and make it back. In the end, door to door was 1hr15 which wasn't bad. I am ravenous when I get in. Fortunately some guests have left some Krispy Kreme donuts. I am also wet through rain but also sweat.

I wonder if I will be up to running tomorrow.

8km 50 minutes

The run to work (again!)

Much the same as yesterday. I feel more tired, but it is still pretty easy going. I have my kit better planned so the showery bit at work goes better.

I reach my desk ready to take on the world, which indeed I do.

7km 40 minutes

The run home from work

Having run half way to work, the next phase was to run half way back.

I run to Cannon Street (just over 5 mins) But when I get there the trains are a little chaotic. Eventually I jump on a service going to Hayes. I get of at Lewisham 15 minutes later.

Despite this morning's run I feel quite fresh. The only hard bit is running up the steep hill at railways fields in Beckenham Place Park.

The journey is slightly longer, with the run taking 45 minutes. Not sure how practical it will be running across Beckenham Place park in the dark

8km 45 minutes

The run to work

I haven't told Mrs Squirrel yet but I am doing the beachy head marathon. Now being the proud father of three children finding the time to train is hard.

I like running to work, but this takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. The times at the start of the day and the end of the day are my quality time with the kids.

The other thing is that my work is moving to Canary Wharf. The journey to Canary Wharf from South London is horrible. Is there any way I can use my running skills....hmmm.

Talking with Larry at work, he gets the Underground half way to work and then runs the rest. I have realised that some thing similar may be possible for me.

Being a geek helps. So studying Google maps and train time tables I have realised I may have an opportunity.

I run to the station (5 mins) I then get a train to Nunhead (15 minutes and run from there(40 minutes). A fairly straight forward uneventful run, for a total journey time of 1 hour. I shower at work and am at my desk 1:10 later. The normal journey is about 55 minutes.

This worked pretty well. When we move to Canary Wharf the option may be to run to Lewisham and get the DLR to the Wharf.

7km 40 minutes

Another Barefoot park run, faster than I realised

Saturday, park run. Suddenly in the car I have the urge to ditch the shoes. So I run barefoot.

I always run more relaxed without shoes. I exert but do not push. I have a brief chat with Karen and Johnny on the way round. Johnny was meant to be jogging, but I see him get bored and zoom off.

At the finish I hold my place, needing just a gentle sprint to deter the runner behind.

At the finish I feel my time is so-so. Certainly much, much better than last week. When I get home I realise it is my 3rd fastest time ever. Since running my 21:50 in January, I seem to think that it is my time, and it is what I should be running. The truth is it was probably a black swan, an outlier.

Afterwards there is a lot of interest from fellow runners as to why I am running barefoot. My answer? I like the way it feels.

5km 22:39