Embankment

Was feeling tired after my efforts yesterday. But I fancied a nice run down the river.

I run down through Paternoster Square and towards the Embankment. I start off pretty fast and then slow down. I reach Hungerford Bridge, stop for 30 seconds and head back.

There are lots of people out running enjoying the weather. I can feel yesterday, but I keep the pace going. I reflect that I have been enjoying my running recently. A good sign I'm getting back into shape. Just in time, it's the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge next week. My running pack arrived in the internal mail today. And rather excitingly, I'm in with the elites....

5km 28:40

3 Bridge Relay Part 2

I have had a rest and some water after the first leg. I cheer Joe back and I am off. I feel a little tired and have some trepidation about the rest of the run. Then I settle and I am fine. I think about running in a more barefoot style and it becomes a little easier.

Over Vauxhall Bridge someone stops, I encourage them as I run past. Down Millbank I take a couple of runners. In front of us a very attractive young lady is running towards us. Another guy that I am overtaking swerves in front of me and promptly apologises.
"Can't think what distracted you", I say and he laughs
Once I get over Lambeth Bridge I realise it will be easier from here.

On the final run in, I sense someone start to pick up speed to overtake me. So I pick up the pace, I don't think I can hold it but the person behind is broken by this and slows down. It really surprises me how often people give up when you put up a fight.

I hammer home. Russell is waiting for me but I am to exhausted to say much. I gradually recover and we congratulate each other.

I had ran to the start from the city (around 3km) I then ran to Victoria afterwards to get my train home. I got a train (around 2km) I then ran from Bromley South to home (around 2.1km)

A really nice evenings running. And I was pleased with my performance, particularly the first leg.

3.75km 16:56

3 Bridges Relay Part 1

The 3 bridges relay is a 4 leg relay over a 3.75km course. You start of at Westminster Bridge over a couple and back.

I am place in a team with 3 other people. Russell turns up first and is a nice guy who has let his running slip. Joe is next to turn up, a recent convert to running. Mel never shows so I offer to run two legs, the second and last.

The first leg, I start off fast and settle. Russ has done a decent job and come back mid pack. I gradually catch a couple of people in front of me. I make up a lot of distance by flowing through some of the corners.

The final run in I manage a sprint but I am a bit mindful of the second leg and maybe hold back.

I jab the Garmin and I am delighted to see that I am well under 17 minutes.

3.75km 16:16

Summer Evening Trail Running

The last few days I have felt wiped out. Saturday's night Running Club Ball probably hasn't helped. I did a decent bike ride on Sunday night. I probably couldn't have run yesterday I was so tired.

But tonight at the club I flew along. James took us on a fantastic, mostly offroad route through Petts Wood, Chislehurst and around. At one point we came whizzing down the trails and I was in flow heaven. There I had a glimmer of the path back to fitness and top form.

Three quarters of the way round and after chatting to some people, I decide to retreat into some music. When I put the player on I realise it has no music on it!

As we exit Petts Wood, I realise it is just over a short sprint back to the start. I start pushing at the front. I then remember that I am racing in the Three Bridges Relay tomorrow and slow down, people stream past me and eventually I finish at the back.

Beautiful evening, with a muggy dampness in the air. Some of the trail running was terrific.

10km 57"00

Barefoot Park Run PB

After yesterday's run home, I wanted to take it easy. A little bit of rain and the grass thriving meant that it was likely to be a prime day for a bit of barefoot action.

The numbers seem to have swelled since I have been here last. I start of nice and steadily and everyone zooms past. I gradually reel them in. Running barefoot is lovely and I feel engaged with the world.

I notice that I am running at the same pace as Helen from the club. This continues all the way to the last km. I try and drop her a couple of times, but she remains. In the final straight she drops me and I can't go with her. A couple of other people pass.

I then see someone behind me start sprinting so, I decide to hold my place. I hold them off. Then at the finish I realise it is a girl around the age of 11.

In the end the time was pretty decent given the run yesterday and the barefoot. It is the fastest I have ever done it barefoot. Richard and Jenny from the club say they are going to do it barefoot next week...

5km 22:42

Run home

Ran home, not much to say really. Very humid and one point it starts to rain, so I move my music player inside my bag. At no point did I really push it.

1"42:50 16.5km

Mid-summer nights run

The club does a special run for mid-summer night. We run in two groups, 1 and 2 together and 3,4,5 and 6 together.

This means the second one should be run at group 3 pace. But it's not the pace is set way to fast by the leader and the group fragments. At one point we are running 4:20/km which is faster than my 5km race pace. I start off well but then start to struggle. I'm in a bad mood, and the stupid way the run is being conducted is only making me more annoyed.

We stop on Chislehurst Common for drinks. I have some beer which probably will not improve the running. I have a good chat with Rob.

We head off again before some big hills which I drag myself up. We then stop once more, this time for coke only. We do the final push back to Willets. I start off near the front but gradually slide backwards. I feel jaded but it was nice to be out and running in the countryside.

Afterwards we go to Mike's for a really nice awards ceremony for the winners of the club 5km and 10km race.

11km 1:10, couple of stops for drinks.

Fleet Street and High Holborn

A lunchtime blast down Fleet Street, and up Kingsway. I had planned to turned round and head back to ensure that I kept with in my half hour limit. Instead I turned it into a loop by heading back down High Holborn and Smithfields.

More historical London, taking in the "Print" district (Fleet Street), the legal London, High Court/Chancery Lane and the Meat Packing District (Smithfield)

The rain held off. I like the way I run now my form is good. Now I need to lose some weight and gain some fitness.

5km 24:43

Pram Run

When I did park run at Crystal Palace last week there were some people running with a pram. This week I decide to give it a go with our newly acquired 3 wheeler pram.

My son is just over two and big for his age. I suspect he is going to play front row for New Zealand when he grows up.

Fortunately I had run the course last week so I knew what to expect with the hills. I am wearing the Evo Barefoot's and I run an even pace. Not being able to use my arms affects my style.

Half way round at the cross over point, I see Claire Elms fly by. She is one of South London's strongest runners. Then a minute later I see the other lady runner, also pushing a pram. The fact she was only a minute behind Claire pushing a pram is unbelievable.

My son sits quiet contently observing the comings-and-goings of the park. On the final hill up to the finish, I am aware of someone starting to pick up the pace. So I respond. It then ends up in an all out sprint, which me and my son narrowly win.

Pushing the pram has definitely worked new muscles

5km 29:18

First Hare and Hounds for a while

It's the 5 miles handicap at work down the Thames Embankment. It's not raining at the start but I'm pretty sure it will be later in the run. Just the other side of Westminster bridge one of the runners flies past me. I suspect he is a first timer and his estimate of the run time was "generous"

Then it starts to rain on the run back down the South Bank. My feet slowly get wet and squelchy. I keep pushing the whole way, even managing a sprint finish. I'm not at my best but I am working my way back.

A good chat afterwards with a couple of people about the run.

8.14km 39:53

Shoreditch

The last time I ran this Shoreditch High Street route I had a stinking hangover. Today I am all good and in the aquashoes. I bought my lunch on the way to work and so have the full 40 minutes to play with. It was due to rain today, so I cunningly used the rain radar on http://www.raintoday.co.uk to pick my window.

Shoreditch is youth-trendy and there are interesting bars, shops and cafes with an underbelly of seediness.

I annoyingly stub my toe again, a problem with the aquas where your feet are less protected.

6.5km 38:43

Hot, hot day

I bought my lunch on the way to work so had the full 40 minutes to play with. I decided to try a Westminster loop.

But I forgot and crossed the river at Charing Cross bridge rather than Westminster. I decide to finish that loop at then stick an extra 10 minutes on the end of the run. The Charing Cross loop I have an informal target of 30 minutes for.

In the end I do 32 minutes but did seriously get caught up in traffic. I run ten minutes extra down London Wall at a slower pace.

Half way down the embankment someone with a "Zambia" bag (Presumably from there) shouted:
"Is there a Marathon on?", obviously confused by all the runners working their way along the embankment.
"No, It's always like this at lunch time I reply"
That's London for you, tourists and runners.

It was hot, and afterwards I feel dehydrated.

6.5km 38:12

London Tourist Run

I have to paint the deck in our Garden tonight. The weather the rest of the week involves rain. It has to be tonight, running club night. Best be a lunchtime run then instead.

My wife was taking the kids for a picnic so she made my lunch. This is good as means I can extend the lunch time run to 40 minutes (I usually have to budget 20 for getting changed and 10 for getting my lunch leaving 30 minutes for the run)

I set off down London Wall and through the insurance-land of Fenchurch Street. I then run down past the Tower and under Tower Bridge. Then through St. Kathryn's Dock. I toy with going down the canals but head down the river instead. And it is really, really beautiful. I eventually emerge onto Wapping High Street. I spot the famous pub "The Town Of Ramsgate". I then decide to run as far as the other famous pub "The Captain Kidd". It looks beautiful in there, but I turn and head back.

Then the heat of this sunny day hits me. I have flashbacks to the Brighton Marathon. I keep going, but it feels like I have slowed.

As I run through Leadenhall Market I realise how fortunate I am to be able to run through such a beautiful landscape. The tourists buzzing have probably paid a lot of money and travelled many miles to experience see these fantastic sights I get to absorb in my run for free.

Because of the heat I decide to try and take a more direct route back. Usually I run the return leg quicker, and with the short cut it should be, but it is 2 minute longer. The heat must have really had an impact.

I am hot and thirsty when I get back. A good solid run. Now to the bloody decking...

7km 43:13

Evening perk-up run

Lunchtime's short run left me wanting more, so after the kids are in bed I go for another run. I decide to take this easy, sit back and enjoy. Definitely a run for the aqua shoes.

I run up past Ravensbourne Station to Beckenham Place Park and a short way through the woods. It is a lovely evening and running in the aquas enlivens the senses.

Through the woods is a gravel path and I have to run a little gingerly to avoid upsetting my feet.

The last 10 minutes as I start to warm up and it is really enjoyable.

4.5km 27:37

Chicken Pox Run

My little girl has Chicken Pox and I promised to buy here a treat. I feel the need to run at lunchtime as well. I run to Spitalfields looks for something suitable. I stop off a couple of times stopping the watch each time.

The elapsed time was probably not much over 16 minutes, but in the end I found a suitable present

3km 16:00

Crystal Palace Park Run

I feel the need to Park Run. But Bromley Park run is cancelled due to the Bromley Pageant of Motoring. I decide to give Crystal Palace Park Run a go. When I turn up there are lots of Bromley Park Runners wandering around.

Eventually we find the start and off we go. The original Crystal Palace was built on the largest hill in South London. The park is hilly. But it is a Victorian Park and it is beautiful. Proper old trees.

I have my new Vivo EVO II barefoot shoes on. I had bought some Evo barefoot leather shoes that I could get away with at work and absolutely love them. I can't resist running to or from the station as they are soooo lovely. That is why I incurred the wrath of Mrs. Squirrel by ordering a pair of the running shoes.

But they aren't as lovely. They are made of recycled bottles which is all good but they don't feel wide enough and a little bit "tacky"?. Still they are better than any other "running" shoes.

I had a few relaxing drinks the night before so it was never going to be a staggering performance. It is 2.5 laps of a hilly course. A big slog up a never ending hill and then big flows downhill. I hate running downhill.

What amazed me was that there were 3 people running with Prams. 2 of which beat me. One by a particularly lean looking lady. The other guy ran neck and neck with me at the half way point. The baby was saying "Dad-Dad-Dad", so I jokingly interpreted this as "Come on dad-dad" for the benefit of the runner. As they overtake me I ask if the baby counts as a place. I jokingly sprint yo make up the "place" and then relent.

Later on I took my son to the shops. I ran back with the buggy. Running in a barefoot style where you run upright makes it definitely easier when running with a pram. I can see some walks with the new baby turning into gentle training runs.

I start of the run bold, but then it dawns on me how hilly the course is, and so I pace myself. In then end it is a lovely run.

At the finish I glance over my shoulder and then sprint a little to hold my position. I was expecting a slower time because of the hills and the residual beer-iness. But it's 24:30. Not too bad.

After checking in I decide to jog back to the car. In front of me the grass looks tempting. So I whip of the shoes. I then run truly, and heavenly so, barefoot back to the car. I try and continue it across the gravel car park, but end up gingerly picking my way across.

The Vivo EVO 2s were nice to run in. Not as nice as the shoes(I think) but better than the aquas and any other running shoes. Whether they are as FAST as the Piranhas, I doubt. As you can see from the photo, my form is looking good.

I loved Crystal Palace Park Run. Not as big as Bromley, but enthusiastic volunteers and a beautiful park.

5km 24:30

Midweek Slugishness

A lunchtime run down to Blackfriars, along the Thames Path. At Cannon Street a diversion up to Lower Thames Street because of Building Works.

My legs are in shape, but the lungs and spare tyre drag.

5km 32:00

Running on a sunny evening in Summer

The toe is sore, but I think it's on the mend. So out with PWR. My sluggishness tempts me to go with group 3, but I decide to push myself into group 4. It looks like there has been some reworking on the groups and the mythical group 6 will be running. This hopefully will even out the pace across the other groups. (People running in groups too slow for them disrupt the pace)

James leads us on a beautiful run on a still Sunny evening through the woods. I am comfortably able to hold the pace. It's not until the last 400 or so meters where a couple of people zip of the front that I can't hold the pace at the front.

I need to ditch the spare tyre and get back some form before the summer 5Ks. I've set myself a new target of running in group 6 at least once.

9.08km 52:05 (05:44/km)

On the recovery road

You will have noticed the gap in the blog. A funny thing happened...I was going to a talk by Barefoot Ted (Born to run fame) on Barefoot Running. I was wearing my normal work shoes when I stumbled outside and stubbed my toe. It was really painful for a week. I really was convinced that I had broken it. Just as I was recovering, I managed to stub it again and do the same thing! So for that reason the running has been non-existent the last couple of weeks.

Today it has healed a little. It's still sore, but it should be possible to run on it. I'm feeling a bit tubby and sluggish and realise I am once again back at the foot of the fitness mountain.

I decide a quick half an hour down to Waterloo Bridge and back at lunch time. It has been raining very heavily since yesterday morning. The rain radar suggests it may still be raining, but in reality there is no rain of significance. I wear the aquas, being very careful not to stub my toes.

It is enjoyable and my technique is good, but he spare tyre round my waste feels heavy. The toe is noticible but not agony. Don't think the running did any damage.

4.5km 26:13