Lost in the City

I decided to run my Leadenhall Loop Backwards.  But I always go the wrong way when running it backwards and I do again today.  Instead I run towards the Thames Path.  But I go wrong again and run into a car park before being shouted at by the security card.

The pace is not electric but it's very enjoyable.  Still not too cold.  The St. Pauls Protest Camp is getting to dense to run through of a lunchtime.

4.5km 28:34

5 and O, baby

I've been thinking about my 50th park run for a while.  Should I use at a spur for a PB, should I do it barefoot, should I do it with a hangover (like so many have been)

I wake up at 8:48.  Oops, missed it.  Somehow I pull it out the bag and make it there for the start.  I am barefoot and hungover.

The dew on my feet makes it a little cold.  Up by the pavilion I lose my footing and go over.  No damage done.  I joke to the person next to me
"that's cost me at least 5 seconds"

3/4 of the way round I realise I badly need a #2.  I cross the line with a little bit of a sprint.  23:24.  And that sums it up.  For me now-days, a cruisy park run is best described as 23:24.



I have a quick drink afterwards, but I am anxious to get back to a bathroom with some toilet paper.

23:24 5km  50th Parkrun!

Bit of a slog really

I'm feeling tired, but work's a bit slack so I take the opportunity for a lunchtime run. A quick 4km and a bit down to Waterloo Bridge and back. To be honest the pace is languid but I get on with it.

4.5km 28mins

In the rain?

I am trying to get used to run in the rain.  I am fairly certain is going to rain later, so I pack my wet weather gear  for the half way run home.

I get to Lewisham and it is only a mild drizzle.  At Downham it picks up.  It's a bit of a struggle after the Luchtime intervals but I keep at.

I wrap the IPhone up in a plastic bag so I can keep listening to my podcast.

In the end not to bad, but it didn't really hammer it down.

8km 45minutes

Lunchtime Intervals for the Math challenged

I'm struggling with running to working in the morning, so I squeeze in a lunchtime speed session on Speed Highwalk in the city.

After last time, I did some Math and caclulated that I had to run for 22minutes to get 10 intervals in.

I start to struggle.  I do some Math and look at my watch.  I see 17 minutes.  For some reason I think this is 15 minutes (I think some kind of confusion with the 24hr clock) and still a long way to go

Soon I realise I am further than I thought and my spirit lifts.

10 intervals of one minute, with one minute rest.

Cheeky Grove Park Return Run

I had to go and pick up my wet running kit from this morning.  So I decided I may as well run some of the way back.  The plan?  Train from Cannon Street to Grove Park and run back from there.

No rain this evening, and on the brief run to Cannon Street I am flying.  And when I get to Grove Park I keep it up.  No aches, pains or tiredness.  Just good form and a good pace.

The hardest part was running down the hill in Bromley Park.

I get home and feel great.  The kids are kicking off...

4.5km 25mins

Run to Canary Wharf

I had arranged to met Rob and Baldwin at 6:45 by Rob's house in Chislehurst for a run to Canary Wharf.  I was interested in Rob's route for whenwork moves there.  While Rob lives in Chislehurst and me in Shortlands it was easier to meet at his.   I packed my bag the night before and was already to go.

I wake up and can hear heavy rain.  I repack using my rucksack liner to ensure everything stays dry.  I then realise I can't find my wallet.  I eventually find it cosily tucked up in bed.  By now I am running late.

I have to push on quickly to get there on time (I hate being late).  In the end I make it there with a minute to spare.  Rob and Baldwin coming running along.  They are without backpacks having had the sense to take their stuff the day before.

The pace is fast and I am still recovering from the high speed run to the start.  Still the route is autum beauty with lots of off-road through Elmstead Woods.   Then the rain picks up.  We power on. 

It's great running in company and we have some fascinating conversations.

Soon we come to the foot tunnel and go down the stairs.  It's good to be out the rain.  On the otherside we work our way through the docks.  This is the most useful bit for me.  Eventually near the goal, I duck out to jump on the DLR.  I now have a feel for the route.

Greate fun running with others and a lovely run despite the rain.  I feel great the whole day

18km 1hr46