Back to Park Run

It's been a while since I park-runned.  I suggested my wife did it, but she bottled it due to the mud.  And she was probably right.  I think about going barefoot but in the end I wear the Evo-Skins.

I see some familiar faces at the start.  And it is muddy.  Compared to Thursday night it is not too bad.  A number of people gingerly tip toe round the puddles.  I plough through them.  We come to a particularly muddy section, I pump my arms and plough through.

Down the back straight it is to hard to run on the stony path so I run on the grass.  I almost slip over, but pull it back.  I then run with a little more concentration.    There is no way the time is going to be decent, but in the finish I pull back a couple of places.

The final time was one of the worst I have run but given the muddy conditions and gusty winds it is no surprise.  I would be interested to know what my straight-up 5km time is though, just to make sure I am on track.

5km 24:57

Back to the Rising Sun

I didn't think the night run was going to happen but it fell into place.  I drive to Knockholt and meet up with 3 people I've never met before.  Jerry had pulled out earlier with a cold but it turns out he is coming.

We run up a steep hill and Jerry is wheezing.  We go off road and straight away start slip-sliding.  I soon learn to run on my toes where there is more grip.  It is pitch black and I have my super-bright torch strapped to my head.  Soon we settle into a rhythm.  As we get to Otford, Jerry calls it a night.  The rest of us push on.   The pace is a little bit fast; it doesn't bother me as I go at my pace.  If I fall back, then I fall back.

As this is the North Downs some of the hills are hard, very hard.  We descend into walking at a number of points, but always onwards

The mud is sucking my shoes off.  When I get a chance I tie the laces tight and life becomes a lot easier.  The seal skinz socks are excellent as usual.  A couple of times we go wrong.  This involves climbing over a barbed-wire fence but it's nothing that we can't sort out.

Eventually we make it to the craziest pub in the world.  There is a meowing parrot and they get around 8 customers a day.  We have a beautiful pint of Winter Warmer.  The first few miles after the pub are easy as we are fuelled by beer.  Then it becomes harder.  I gradually tick of the landmarks on the way back.  All I can think about is getting home and getting something to eat.

Finally we arrive back in Knockholt, I say a quick goodbye, pose for some photos and then back home to demolish the Christmas Leftovers.

The light was good, though some of the other head torches are better at defusing the light.  A couple of the other guys suffered with battery issues.  Not a problem for me.  The shoes were good once I had tightened the laces to stop them being sucked off by the mud.  The seal skinz were as usual excellent.  My feet were clean and bone dry at the end despite wading through puddles.  A fair bit of mental strength had got me round but clearly my fitness is not too bad.

25.6km 4 hours including pub stop

Lunchtime to Greenwich Observatory

It's slow at work so I can fit in a longer run at lunchtime.  It will be good to burn off some of the Christmas Excess.  A couple of people on the office want to go on a short run, but I want to take this opportunity to do a loop through Greenwich Prk.

I set of and maintain a solid but steady pace all the way to Greenwich Park, including running through the foot tunnel.  I power up the hill until I reach the observatory.  At the view point I stop and tick a picture.  I then work my way down the steep hill.

It's great feeling running and it's nice to be able to do that little bit futher.  I do seem a little lacking in sharpness.  Something I will need to work on with maybe some targeted intervals.

8.5km 51:25

Boxing Day Late Run

Christmas Eve and Christmas day disappear into an alcoholic haze. Boxing Day could have gone the same way but didn't.  So after getting back from the rellies and getting the worn-out kids to bed I head out for a run.  It's a struggle but I need to get back on it.

I run for 15 minutes towards Hayes.  My lungs feel a bit broken from too much boozing.  I'm listening to a good running pod-cast and the time drifts by.  Before I know it I am in the final straight back to home.  The pace has not been electric but that's not the important thing.

I've taken time to indulge over Christmas but now it's serious training time

5km

Back after the cold

It was all going so well until I caught the cold.  And that put an end to my 5 runs a week.  Finally, finally and with still a slight cough I a back.  I had been at my parent drinking beer wine and brandy but somehow, about 5 O'clock I get myself out.

I head towards Beckenham Cinema and it doesn't feel to bad.  I guess a week plus off has given me a break.  In Beckenham high street there are people out parting despite it being a Sunday night.  I guess a lot of people  have the next day off.

The most important thing is to get back and running.  Even better is that I'm a couple of minutes faster than the last time I ran this,

5km 29:52

Another run home from Lewisham

I had my new fluro cycling jacket on kindly bought for my birthday.  I get the DLR back from work to Lewisham and settle in for the 8km back to my house.

I keep the pace brisk and smooth, it feels fast but in the end its fast but not the fastest.

8km 44:34

Beckenham Cinema and Back

I feel like doing the bare minimum (20 minutes) but somehow push myself on to do a full 5km.  I run all the way to Beckenham Cinema and back enjoying everyones Christmas lights.

5km 32:00

Just had to get out

It's my birthday, I have had a busy day put as per my commitment contract I have to get 20mins of running in.  So I do.  The kids (apart from the baby) are tucked up in bed.  I run down to Shortlands Station and then down a quiet road.  After 10 mins I turn back.  I get home at an almost perfect split.  The pace was nothing special.  But I got out.

3.5km 20:30

Hungover but enjoyable

I have a commitment contract going to run 5 days out of 7 else there is no way I would be running today with a hangover.  I meant to go at lunchtime but it work got in the way.  So when I got back from work, after getting the kids in bed I ban out a quick 20 minutes.

I run to the top of my road, down the quiet streets of the posh houses and back.  Once I get going it feels really good.

3.5km 20:00

Back from Lewisham

I was meant to be busy at work but at the last minute it didn't happen.  I leave a bit earlier than usual.  I look like a burglar in my black running tights, jacket, gloves and hat as I travel on the DLR.

I concentrate leading with my knees.  I've also been stretching lots.  I go at a decent pace.  And it is quite enjoyable.  As I come down Highland road, I run to close to someone front wall and smack my arm.  It hurts.  I always manage to do this.

On the final run up to my house, I am able to pick up the pace despite the hill.  A good long run and I feel like I am making progress.

8km 43:38

Bromley North Station and Back

I wanted to run home from work but didn't do it.  I get the kids in bed and whilst dinner cooks I head out.  I have some how conspired to leave all my running shoes at work.  I go at my flat casual shoes.

I run up the steep hill to Bromley North.  I swing past all the restaurants empty on a Monday night.  I run over touch the stations.  It's mostly down hill from here though the last climb up to my house I pick up the pace.

4km 24:51