I had a nice recovery run back from Lewisham planned for today having got into work early. But once again busyness at work put pay to that. Instead I find the strength from somewhere to go for a quick 5km tonight.
I decide to keep the pace easy and run down to Beckenham and back. It's reasonably hilly but nothing to taxing. In the High Street the bars and restaurants are open but only a couple of patrons each.
It's a good motivator this Marathon thing, but still proud of myself for going.
5km 30:00
Monday, 19 March 2012
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Victory Snatched from the Jaws of Defeat
Didn't want to run. I have been tired and achy all day. I look at the rain radar and it is going to rain, heavily. But I have to get the long run in. I asked my wife if I could do the run in the morning but she reminded me it was Mother's Days.
If I do make the sub 3:30 marathon, it will be nights like tonight that won it.
I set off, and the rain has not set in yet. It's not great. I think about quitting but I keep on plodding and not particularly fast. I run down the A21 towards Sevenoaks. Eventually I reach the petrol station I had run to on a previous long run last year. I keep on going. The plan was to run for 3 hours. After 1"25, I decide to turn and head for home. I worry how hard it is going to be to make it home. I know it is more uphill on the way out, but there are significant downhills that I hadn't flown down.
Then suddenly things pick up. Not sure if it was the gel taken half an hour ago kicking in or the thought of going home, but suddenly I start to feel good and the pace quickens. I am running well and it feels good.
Then the heavens open and the rain really gains traction. I start to get wetter and wetter. However I keep pushing on.
With an hour or so to go I take another gel and it boosts me further. The last 6km are run at 5:16/km which is only 16 seconds per km slower than marathon pace.
I even manage to power up the hill back to my house at the 5:16/km pace.
I learned two key things from this run.
1. I can run in rain, something I usually avoid like the plague. So if it does rain race day, I will survive
2. I can pick the pace up when I am tired.
25.3km 2"38:58
If I do make the sub 3:30 marathon, it will be nights like tonight that won it.
I set off, and the rain has not set in yet. It's not great. I think about quitting but I keep on plodding and not particularly fast. I run down the A21 towards Sevenoaks. Eventually I reach the petrol station I had run to on a previous long run last year. I keep on going. The plan was to run for 3 hours. After 1"25, I decide to turn and head for home. I worry how hard it is going to be to make it home. I know it is more uphill on the way out, but there are significant downhills that I hadn't flown down.
Then suddenly things pick up. Not sure if it was the gel taken half an hour ago kicking in or the thought of going home, but suddenly I start to feel good and the pace quickens. I am running well and it feels good.
Then the heavens open and the rain really gains traction. I start to get wetter and wetter. However I keep pushing on.
With an hour or so to go I take another gel and it boosts me further. The last 6km are run at 5:16/km which is only 16 seconds per km slower than marathon pace.
I even manage to power up the hill back to my house at the 5:16/km pace.
I learned two key things from this run.
1. I can run in rain, something I usually avoid like the plague. So if it does rain race day, I will survive
2. I can pick the pace up when I am tired.
25.3km 2"38:58
Friday, 16 March 2012
Back from Grove Park
I was going to run at lunch time but work intervened. I was going to run back from Lewisham through Beckenham Place Park but work intervened. So in the end I decide to run back from Grove Park. With a 3 hour run planned for sometime this weekend it's probably a good thing.
I am little bid jaded probably from work but also yesterdays double bubble. I reach the high point and pick up some speed but never really feel like I get going.
At home I jab the watch and the time is not too bad.
4.5km 25:11
I am little bid jaded probably from work but also yesterdays double bubble. I reach the high point and pick up some speed but never really feel like I get going.
At home I jab the watch and the time is not too bad.
4.5km 25:11
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Spring is here!
I decided pretty early on today that I was going to run home from Lewisham. Even after the lunchtime run I was still on for it. The question was, would I be able to run across Beckenham Place park or would the darkness win. The sunset time according to the Weather App on my phone would suggest too dark.
As I depart Lewisham I feel tired but the recent long runs have built up so rhythmic determination. So I keep plodding along. I start to bonk but keep at it. The darkness starts to creep in.
Up in the sky I can see Jupiter and Venus, unusually close together at the moment and the only two bright items in the sky.
I get to the point where I have to decide whether to turn and head or the park or to take the longer route round. I decide to go for it.
I get to the park and the gate is open. In the end it is reasonably light. I had observed the path through the woods from the train the other day and had mentally placed myself there. Actually being there is so much better.
I run up the big hill that compromises a large part of Railway Fields. Fortunately the gate at the other side of the park is also still open despite it being quite dark now.
Then it is another slog uphill before the final cruise back home. I am eager to show Jupiter and Venus to my little girl and it pushes me on.
Once the clocks have gone back then it will be back to running the park way every time. Hoorah!
8km 46:24
As I depart Lewisham I feel tired but the recent long runs have built up so rhythmic determination. So I keep plodding along. I start to bonk but keep at it. The darkness starts to creep in.
Up in the sky I can see Jupiter and Venus, unusually close together at the moment and the only two bright items in the sky.
I get to the point where I have to decide whether to turn and head or the park or to take the longer route round. I decide to go for it.
I get to the park and the gate is open. In the end it is reasonably light. I had observed the path through the woods from the train the other day and had mentally placed myself there. Actually being there is so much better.
I run up the big hill that compromises a large part of Railway Fields. Fortunately the gate at the other side of the park is also still open despite it being quite dark now.
Then it is another slog uphill before the final cruise back home. I am eager to show Jupiter and Venus to my little girl and it pushes me on.
Once the clocks have gone back then it will be back to running the park way every time. Hoorah!
8km 46:24
A lull in the work schedue
It's slowed down at work today so I take the opportunity for a lunchtime run. A Leadenhall loop, no less.
The weather's picking up (possibly 18c today) but it's still a bit misty and chilly..
Down by the river it is beautiful. As I run towards Tower Bridge but past the rubbish barges, I bang my arm on the metal railing. I feel sick with pain and it is bleeding. I keep running but know it is going to bruise pretty badly.
I feel a little sluggish but good to be out
5km 29:10
The weather's picking up (possibly 18c today) but it's still a bit misty and chilly..
Down by the river it is beautiful. As I run towards Tower Bridge but past the rubbish barges, I bang my arm on the metal railing. I feel sick with pain and it is bleeding. I keep running but know it is going to bruise pretty badly.
I feel a little sluggish but good to be out
5km 29:10
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Chilly early spring
I've been tired after Sunday's run, very busy at work and have had a sore neck. Despite working late (from home) I need to get out tonight.
I put on some small socks, shorts and a cycling shirt and head out towards Hayes. I soon realise that I am not wearing enough and I am cold. Still my running form feels good.
A couple of times my mind drifts to work and the pace slows as my mood sags. Then I think about flying along at Brighton and pick up the pace again.
I get to Hayes and stop outside the fish and chip shop. Inside they are showing the Chelsea game. I watch Drogba fluff a free kick and then head back.
I'm glad to have got out.
46:57 8.9km
I put on some small socks, shorts and a cycling shirt and head out towards Hayes. I soon realise that I am not wearing enough and I am cold. Still my running form feels good.
A couple of times my mind drifts to work and the pace slows as my mood sags. Then I think about flying along at Brighton and pick up the pace again.
I get to Hayes and stop outside the fish and chip shop. Inside they are showing the Chelsea game. I watch Drogba fluff a free kick and then head back.
I'm glad to have got out.
46:57 8.9km
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Fly in the eye long run
I've been tired this week but I need to get the long runs in the bag. I pack my kit the night before. I wake up and feel awful. My lovely wife says:
"Come on you can do it"
And I do. I get out and set of slowly for the park to run lots of flat laps. I eventually get going and after an hour I settle into a rhythm.
In one of the corners a swarm of flies appears. As I run through them I get a fly in the eye and all the discomfort that entails. |I then have to battle with the flies for the remaining laps.
2 hours in I am starting to struggle. I have the gel I have brought but then there is another issue. I need the toilet to empty my guts. I try to push on, but I realise the game is up. I am worn out and the toilet is a nice out.
I head back and complete a shorter than the the 3 hour intended run. The rest of the day I am absolutely worn out. I definitely was a good work out, just not as long as I need. I am hoping that this was a hangover from last weeks 20mile run and the tough week at work. When the big day comes I should be nicely rested and ready to go.
Last week was good, this week I was tired before I started.
When I get back my wife asks what is that on your head? I look in the mirror and there are a large number of squashed flies stuck to my sweaty forehead.
2"20:00 23.8km
"Come on you can do it"
And I do. I get out and set of slowly for the park to run lots of flat laps. I eventually get going and after an hour I settle into a rhythm.
In one of the corners a swarm of flies appears. As I run through them I get a fly in the eye and all the discomfort that entails. |I then have to battle with the flies for the remaining laps.
2 hours in I am starting to struggle. I have the gel I have brought but then there is another issue. I need the toilet to empty my guts. I try to push on, but I realise the game is up. I am worn out and the toilet is a nice out.
I head back and complete a shorter than the the 3 hour intended run. The rest of the day I am absolutely worn out. I definitely was a good work out, just not as long as I need. I am hoping that this was a hangover from last weeks 20mile run and the tough week at work. When the big day comes I should be nicely rested and ready to go.
Last week was good, this week I was tired before I started.
When I get back my wife asks what is that on your head? I look in the mirror and there are a large number of squashed flies stuck to my sweaty forehead.
2"20:00 23.8km
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