3/4 of the way to Hayes and back

After a busy day dragging the kids around London I decide that a run would be good.  Usually I wait until they are in a bed, but I slip out in the hour after their dinner but before bed.  They are all slumped in front of the telly.

I head out towards Hayes.  This route can be hard.  Not sure why, but I manage to bat away some of the darker thoughts.  I need to get back to get the kids in bed so I set a limit of 20 minutes out and then back.  I reach half way down Bourne Vale before turning back.  I've been unfitter but there's definitely some tuning to be done.  It could partially be down to the cold I seem to have.  I'm also still digging for the same level of motivation I had for London last year.  The run was not fast but it was equally not "horrible".  A good in-between goal, ticking-over kind of affair.

As I get back I notice that I have run a pretty almost even split.

4 miles 39:28

Boxing Day Run

After a bit of an excessive Christmas, I was designated driver on Boxing day.  When I get back home, put the kids to bed I do a Beckenham Cinema and Back.  Most places are closed with only the odd reveler out in the couple of open bars and pubs.

I'm not in any sort of form. I'm just easting back into the running habit.  The pace feels slow but I'm not to fussed.  Just running is the victory.

5km 32:30

Lovely 3 common circular walk-run

I had plans for something grander but a bit of a lie in and Christmas preparations to do, left me with less time.  So I jump in the car for some Hayes Common action.  I start off running and it feels fine.  I don't poke the pace to much but I'm not dawdling.  While I'm not fast at the moment I feel technically good.   Each foot steps seems to land in the right place.

Before long I am at the top of Keston and swinging back towards Coney Hall.  I love being on the common.  I was here with my daughters on a Wildlife walk last weekend.  I didn't even bring the phone to listen to music.  I just relax and engage with the surroundings.  I love this kind of running, but towards the business end of road marathon training this isn't necessarily the grinding-mileage that you need.  Still get the marathon out the way and then spend the next few years focussed on this kind of thing,

5miles 48:38

Christmas Greenwich Loop

I need a Christmas run.  Canary Wharf is a bit grim (could put together a cracking one in the city but I digress)  I decide to go over to Greenwich.  I've not been running so my expectations are low.  It's slow at work so I don't need to rush.  I see Martin in the changing rooms.  Then I remember it is Cat and Canary 5 mile time-trial day but I forgot to enter.

I start off easy and settle into an easy, steady pace.  Then hold it.  Even the hill in Greenwich park up to the observatory is not too bad.  The weather is good and it's a joy to be running.

It's not particularly fast but not dispiritingly slow either.  Hopefully I can get some miles in over Christmas before the Marathon assault.

5 miles 49:50

East Side of the Isle of Dogs

I'm out tonight but I decide to fit in a run down the east side of the Isle of Dogs.  It's quite a pleasant one as well.  Round the docks and then down the Thames.  I usually reach the halfway point and turn back.  I'm way ahead of schedule based on previous times I have done this run.

On the way back I pick up the pace further.  A few nights out now which may impact my running...

4km 23:51

Just to get back on it

After the race and the intervals, I have dawdled and drifted.  Tonight I decide to get out and run.  I head down to do the Beckenham Cinema and back route.  I like this route but it's not relaxing as I know the timing and what is fast and what is not.

Nothing spectacular.  I'm 3/4 of the way through when I think about trying to run with my left foot.  Nice to be running.  Nothing special about the performance.  It feels too early to be doing much for the marathon but I want to get fit like I was back in January.

5km 29:46