Magical night beach run

I was down on the beach with the kids this afternoon. Tonight after getting them in bed I run back there in the dark.

I cruise up the hills and then reach the espIanade. It is high tide and there is not much beach. The sea splashes on to the promenade. I see some night sea-fisherman. I run as far as the zoo, stop and turn round. During the day we had not gone west of the pier. Tonight I decide to go and explore. After a while the road stops. The lights along the coast stretch away before coming to a conclusion. I decide to run to the end and back come what may. There is no one around just me, the sea, the cliffs and lots of beach huts.

I run and run and the beach keeps on coming. I'm happy with this but I am risking a serious telling off by Mrs Squirrel who is awaiting my return at the caravan so she can lock the door.

Down the far end I can see car headlights. This means it must not come to a dead end. Eventually it dawns on me. I have looped round to the beach I ran to the other night.

I power up the large hill with ease. The final part back to the caravan is downhill. I pickup speed.

I am back and exhilarated by a beautiful night run by the sea.

1:00 10km

Unexpected hill training

I'm on holiday on the Isle of White. We arrive and go for dinner. We go for a walk on the cliff tops. I can see the esplanade below. I think I will be running there later.

I get the kids in bed and do the shopping. I head out in the dark. I run through the town and down the steep hill to the esplanade. It is lovely running by the sea. I reach the end of the esplanade and head back. The run back up the steep hill is not too bad. I am back at the holiday camp before I know it.

I was worried about the Achilles on the hill but it was fine. I am wearing my Vivo Barefoots. I am wondering if the New asics have caused the problems.

35:00 6km

Intervals by the River

I slip out at lunchtime to meet with the intervals group.  We meet Cynthia who expressed an interest in coming along.  She struggles on the gentle jog there.

We do laps of the park.  A fast 400m, a jog and then a rest for a minute.  I run the first one to fast and after 200m I'm done.  Cynthia is gone by now.  The other three reps I struggle.  I feel done.

The leader announces one more lap as we have time.  Somewhere in me I decide to go for it.  This rep I run really well, I concentrate on holding my core and the form is good.  This rep I finish a lot closer to everyone else.

Everyone else stops to stretch but I jog back.  A good days work

5x400m with 400m Jog and 1 minute rest

Back from Grove Park

I think the DLR will get me to Lewisham in time to make the Grove Park train but it is touch and go.  The DLR does its stupid terminating at Greenwich thing.  However I make it there in good time on the next DLR.

The run back if fairly straight forward.  The first half I run with good form.  The second half I have to dig deep.  By then end I am proper cream-crackered.

I'll see how I am in the morning but maybe a rest day.

4.5km 26:10

Down the Canals with Samuel

I'm going for a gentle run at lunchtime.  Samuel from work joins me he.  He is a slow, steady locomotive of a running that powers along gradually picking up speed.  He likes to run a regular route but I drag him off down the canals where I ran with a hangover after Tomasz's leaving drinks the other day.

We agree to run for half an hour.  After 15 minutes we reach the identical point that I reached the other day. We turn and head back.  We take a short cut missing out Reuters Plaza.

Samuel starts to pickup speed towards the finish.  I struggle to keep up and have to really push myself to keep with him.  Maybe it is fatigue.  I know how these things can come and go

4.5km 26:40

Unplanned run back from Lewisham

I think I can make the Hayes train at Lewisham and then consider getting off to run across the footpath marked on openstreetmap.org across Beckenham Place Park.  However when the DLR shows it is for Greenwich.  Lewisham is 4 mins later, and I am destined to miss the train.

I decide to man up and run back from Lewisham (given the limited alternatives for a powered commute home)  Soon I am feeling hungry and tired.  Quitting isn't an option so I keep going.  I get to Beckenham Place Park.  Using the map on my phone, I navigate the paths.  In the end the map isn't useful but I follow the Green Chain walk.  It's nice running in the woods.

I battle on and eventually the last km or so I feel fine and pickup speed.  Once I have stopped back at home I don't feel too bad at all.  Good to get two 5 mile runs in during the day.  This evening was a lot slower though....

8km 52:00

I am Mo Farah (on the way to work)

I go to bed early with the intention of getting up early to do some jobs.  Instead I lay in bed.  When I do get I up I decide to run to Lewisham.  I pop on my new Team GB running vest.  I also put on my long socks to see the effect on my Achilles.  I am worried that wearing a vest and rucksack my chaff but this is unfounded.

It's still hot and humid, like being in the Far East but I potter along at a decent enough pace.  I make it to Lewisham.  The DLR is fine today; I am very sweaty

8km 45:38

Struggle to work

Bit of a struggle this morning.  I still have the sore throat.  It was a hot and humid night.  The achillies and ankle has also been playing up.

I pack my stuff up and head for Lewisham.  The initial run up my road is incredibly hard.  I start to feel better as I skip through the woods of Beckenham Place Park.  By the time I reach Lewisham high street I am relaxed and enjoying the run.  The programme of sit-ups I have been doing seem to be starting to pay dividends in terms of my form.

Eventually I make the DLR station but am pretty hot and sweaty.   I look forward to the shower at work.  But first I have to deal with the DLR delays caused by a broken set of points and broken down train.  I start to think I should have ran the whole way.

Glad I made the effort to run.  It feels like the run has helped with the ankle and achillies.  It would be interesting to know if it is running or cycling related.

8km 50:00

I am most certainly not Mo Farah at the Cat and Canary

The work's 5mile time trial down the canals.  It's pretty hot.  As always with Martin organising he turns up late and it is a bit chaotic.  Eventually I get off.

I'm doing okay, but then the sweat starts to drip into my eyes and sting.  I loop the pond and then get overtaken by someone.  They fly past.  This saps my morale.

Further down I get overtaken by some faster guys.  I hold them for a while, but even they slip away.  In the final run in, I see some people hunting me down so I push on.

I get to the finish utterly exhausted and sweaty.  The time is not great.  Larry also beat me.  I think it was a combination of tiredness and a slightly sore achilles 

8km 39:43

Recovery run in cycling shorts

I want to go for a run at work at lunchtime.  I know Matt  and Steve are going.  It will be a nice easy 4km.  The only trouble is that I have no shorts with me.  I go to the gym at work which sells sports clothes.  All the shorts are expensive and size XXXXL.

In the end I decide to wear my cycling shorts (I have cycled to work)  I'm tired from yesterday's runs and the bike.  I run at Matt's pace.  It's a really nice run round the docks.  Running in my cycling kit probably looked funny but it was good to be running.  It's the work's 5 mile time trial tomorrow, so good to take it easy.

4km 20:30

Humid Lewisham Run

It's humid, I'm still hungover, I went running at lunch time but I still summon up the grit to run back from Lewisham.

I decide to go via the park. Not sure if it is the situps and press-ups but my form is more solid.  The only slight cloud on the horizon is the sore achilles.  I'll need to keep an eye on it.

As the run drags on, I have to start digging deep to keep going.  Finally I am home but sweaty.

8km 50:00

Hung-over lunch time run

I did party last night and am a little delicate today.  I have a very greasy burger and chips for lunch.  Perhaps the guilt gets to me and I decide to go for a run.

It is a delicate and steady pace.  I decide to run down the other canal (not the Hare and Hounds one)  It is long straight and quiet.  After a while I am running smoothly but not particularly quickly.

After 13 or 14 minutes I stop.  The canal stretches on straight as far as the eye can see.  Maybe further explorer for a new, fresher day.

4km 24:00

Down the river from Blackfriars

I'm out partying later so decide to get a good run in early.  I plan to run from Catford to work but get the wrong train and decide to run down the river from Blackfriars.

I know the river path well from my time in the City.  I now know the Canary Wharf end of the path.  It's hot and I am soon pretty sweaty.

I notice the Olympic rings are still on Tower Bridge before turning to run down the canals and to the docks.

8km 42:30

I am Mo Farrah

I've just watched Mo Farrah win the Olympic 5km and I am inspired to run.

I head out down the promenade. I'm feeling good so I keep on past where I ran the other day.

I run through a posh housing estate looking for a route back to the sea front. I find a footpath and it leads to the beach but it is all stones. I turn back and continue through the housing estate.

Eventually I decide to turn and head back. As I hit the promenade again I spot a runner. I try and catch him up but don't. Then I spot two other runners, I reel them in and power past.

I know the Beachy Head Marathon is coming, I need to get the run lengths up. It was only an hour but it was a good step in the right direction.

11km 59:51

Sea Mist

Took the kids to the beach today and there was a sea mist. The mist is still there for tonight's run along the promenade. I head along the lit, lively end. There are some youths and courting couples hanging around but nothing to worry about.

Despite being on holiday with 3 kids being very tiring I'm glad I got out, even if it was only for a 5km.

5km 26:17

Headwind on the way back

After a crazy-busy holiday packed day with the kids, I eventually get out for a run at 10pm. Just as I about to leave my son is sick everywhere and I have to stop and help tidy up.

I run through the holiday park and on to the promenade. This time I turn left and run in to the wind. It Is dark but I can make out the sea.

Progress is good but I remember the wind is at my back. Down a dark section I lose my bottle. I can see some people coming towards me. I turn inland through some posh houses.

I reach the main road, turn and head back. I zig zag through the strong wind. fortunately I had left plenty in the tank.

The final part back through the holiday camp I feel strong. I power up a ramp.

Now for some holiday beer...

5km 27:15

First day of the holiday run

I've been caning it a bit since my July detox came to an end. It is the first day of my holiday. The kids are excited and are into everything at the holiday camp.

Eventually, after dark I slip out. I run to the beach and down the promenade. I'm struggling in the wind.

A much older runner cruises by me. I say to him that I hope it is a headwind rather than a crosswind. He confirms it is and says it will be easier on the way back. I say that I know it will be as I have beer waiting for me.

After 20 minutes I run out of promenade and stuff. So I turn back and with the wind behind my sails I fly. The smell of the sea, the illuminations, the fishing boats. Lovely.

I've been doing some core work and I think it is starting to pay dividends.

Really enjoyable. I zip past the security guard into the camp.

With the kids, it was a struggle to get out but I'm so gladI did.

39:25 7km

All a bit fluro

My new Asics, unlike the beautifully understated last model, are fluro green.  I have some fluro blue shorts recently bought.  Couple with a red t-shirt the whole ensemble is quite err visible?

Train to Catford and through the Greenwich foot tunnel to work.

The run is still pretty good, and Greenwich has the Olympic buzz.

8km 48:52

Still Good

The same run as yesterday, Catford to Work.  A similar result, feeling great and running well.  This time the good feeling started earlier.  I didn't stop to look at any historical noticeboards so was probably a bit quicker.

8km 45:42