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