Christmassy Leadenhall Loop Backwards

Title says it all really.  I have this route cracked backwards now and I do it without really thinking.   Down to The Tower I'm ticking along.

Then I turn the corner to head west down the river.  The wind almost blows me backwards.  The pace slips from there.

Next Christmas I will probably be in Canary Wharf so this may have been the last Christmas City run for a while.  Whilst the second half was hard, still good to be out.  Cough is still there

5km 30:15

Back from Grove Park

This morning I didn't think I'd be running today, but after lunchtime I'm feeling good.  I wanted to run from Lewisham but got caught up at work and so had to run from Grove Park instead.  Shorter, but a run I really enjoy.

I don't push it too hard because of the cough, but it is really enjoyable.  I am well into my Podcast when the rain starts to come down.  It gradually picks up, so that by Bromley North I have to pack my phone away to stop the rain getting in it.

The rain gets heavy and then eases up.  I am going away on holiday soon and then onto the January detox.  I'll get shot of this cough.  Then I'll start to pick up the miles and the pace.  I can't wait.

4.5km 29:03

Christmas Leadenhall

It's coming up to Christmas in the City and I feel like soaking up the atmosphere.  I decide maybe a quick run through Leadenhall.

The cold has re-emerged, and has been irritated by a couple of bouts of heavy drinking.  I'm not expecting anything great, and I worry about collapsing in a wheezing, coughing mess.

But I don't.  I flow along.  I'm really happy with my running technique these days.  In reality I need to lose some excess baggage to improve the speed.

Leadenhall Market is Christmassy and there is even a brass band playing Christmas Carols.

A lovely run.

5km 29:50

Gentle Park Run

I still have a chesty cough.  I had a few beers last night (probably the last Friday night before the detox in January)  So I decide to cruise today at Park Run.

I gently run.  And remarkably I don't try and run too hard.  I potter round.  It's a bit chilly down the back straight.  But it is quite pleasant focussing a little on form and not worrying about pushing.  I think if I had tried to push it, I would have been reduced to a coughing, spluttering mess.

I suspect the time is going to be bad.  In the last 200 metres I conjure up a sprint for a laugh and pick up 7 or 8 places.

At the finish, the time is truly terrible.  Which is fine, but even though I know I wasn't pushing, pains me.

Need to get to the end of the year and then shape up

5km 25:14

Back on the legs

It's been a little light on runs recently.  The 2.5 day hangover after the Christmas Party and the chesty cough coming back for more have not been conducive to running.  I was going to run at lunch time, but was way too busy as work.

This morning I manfully packed my running kit.  I didn't think I would run home because I thought it would rain.  It would appear that I was wrong as it is a cold, clear night.

I have my laptop bag(minus laptop) to run home with.  Not as comfortable or as tight as my favoured ruck sack but I'm not planning to go too hard.

I amble down to Cannon Street and get the train to Lewisham.   There I get back on it.  And it feels great. Not too fast mind you, but a nice solid pace.  At Downham I need a wee.  I make it to the park by the Millwall training ground and empty.  Phew!!!

My wife asked that I pick up some chocolate (probably to get over the kids)  so I stop in Shortlands.  I then complete the final push up to my house.

The lungs still feel a bit scarred from the cold and there was some cracking green and yellow phlegm but I   think I am finally on the mend.

8km 53:00 with a couple of stops

Park Run

Typical hungover parkrun.  Thought it would be muddier and so I had my cross-country shoes on.

I start off fast, but gradually Jenny overtakes me, then the 23 minute pacer.  Ron then catches me up.  He is in his cool new cross country spikes.  We chat for a bit.

I then get overtaken by Karen the 24 minutes pacer in the final straight.  This is all a bit too much, so I pick up the pace and hammer home in a sprint.

Looking at the results, there were hardly any pbs.  I think it was slow conditions.

5km 23:41

Leadenhall Loop Backwards Again

The cold seems to have had a resurgence.  I struggle to run on the way to work, and I know I need to bring the laptop home with me tonight, so no run home.  So I need a run at lunchtime.  Intervals are what I should be doing, but I am still coughing phlegm and decide to be running is better than flaking.

I decide to do the Leadenhall Loop Backwards.  I can sense Christmas coming, and Leadenhall is always Christmassy.  I start off and am instantly in playful mood.  I hammer it. and flow through the crowds.  About 3km in I need a breather.  Then I pick it up again.

Despite previously struggling with this reverse route, I know have it cracked.  After the run I go to grab a sandwich and I feel so good.

5km 27"53