Barefoot Park Run

We have some guests who have been staying with us, leaving today.  I do have time to get a quick Park Run in before we say goodbye.  After yesterday I am a little sore (good, adapting!) so I decide to do it Barefoot.

I don't really push too hard.  It's going well until 3/4 of the way round I get overtaken by the 23 minute pacemaker.  I'm pretty sure I am running faster than 23 minute pace.  He drops away and then holds on.  I know he is a strong runner and suspect he is not running a good pace.  When strong runners pace they run an even pace across the whole course.  Someone struggling to break 23 minutes, will run the downhill bits faster and the uphill bits slower but average out at 23 minutes.

In the finishing straight I see Laura from my running club is about to pass me.  I decide to not let her beat me so push on.  She doesn't look interested in fighting it out but it's enough for me to push on a little at the end.

In the end an enjoyable run.  Considering the run yesterday the time was not too bad.

5km 22:35

Run back from Canary Wharf via Greenwich

I decided to treat myself and run home from work after a particular hard work week.  I decide to run via Greenwich Park.  I run across the Isle of Dogs, under the foot tunnel.  I navigate the one way system.  It's a big, steady hill up to the observatory.  I then run across Blackheath.  I stop and get the map out as this was the bit I was not sure about.  I find my way and past Blackheath Station.

I'm listening to a fascinating podcast about physiology.  Apparently it's good to hurt.  This is your body adapting and getting stronger.  Recovery things (Ice Baths, anti-inflammatory rtc.) , prevent this adaptation.  Interesting.

After lots of rolling hills, I am at Grove Park.  I know my way back from here.  I'm now in my groove and motor on.  I'm not sure of the exact timing but I probably ran it faster than I would usually.

A fantastic run.  I'd be interested know how quick it would be on the way to work which would be far more downhill.

14.5km 1:22

Lunchtime with a new group

I had got wind of an intervals group in Canary Wharf.  I turn up and getting chatting.  It turns out that today they are running a time trial of with 2.5km or 5k.  I would certainly be running 5km.   A bit later Paul, who I know from the work running club turns up.

The standard is mixed and we start of with a warm up.  Then the race starts.  I sit middle of the pack after a while I start to worry about the time.  I also feel tired.  I decide to wimp out and only do 2.5km.  This means that I can push on harder.

I narrowly avoid being lapped and make it back in 10 minutes on the dot.  To be honest I wasn't in the mood for a time trial and was more interested in some mindless intervals.  I'd be interested to see how long the interval takes.  It was a good bunch of people and if it fits into under the lunch hour then this could be a useful session.

2.5km 10:00

Getting wet with a Pink Umbrella

Have been too busy with work and life to run recently.  I now try and take my running kit always on the off chance of a run.  Despite raining all day, I look out the window and it looks good.  Also from dropping my little girl to school I have a small pink umbrella.

I decide to get a train to London Bridge and take a likely looking train and run from there.  At London Bridge I am soon winging my way to Grove Park.

I start running (holding pink umbrella) and it is truly wonderful to be running.  Then the sky darkens and it starts raining.  Then the rain gets heavier, and heavier until I am totally drenched.  All the time holding a little pink umbrella.  I seriously consider putting it up but decide it would be too hard to run with.



I really can't wait for this rainy monsoon season to end.  Hopefully work will settle down and I can get some steady miles in to and from work.

4.5km 24:49

Quick run back from New Beckenham

Was meant to be going out tonight but it was canned at the last minute.  I got caught up at work and left late.  I jump on the train to London Bridge.  The plan is to jump a convenient train and run back from where it takes me.  In the end a Hayes Train is the winner.

I jump off at New Beckenham.  I feel tired but it's nice to run off some of the days stress.  I briefly stop for a minute walk on the last hill.  Once again I am running on part of the course for the Beckenham Relays.  It's funny how things work out.

I see my mate James and give him a wave and I am soon home.  I'm quite sweaty for a 3km run!

3km 17:03

Back to the scene

Despite feeling a little tired from last night, I decide to do the run back from Lewisham.  I was going to run through the Beckenham Place Park woods but decided it would be too muddy.  Instead I decide to run back through the golf course and along part of the route that made up the Beckenham Relays last night.

I feel tired on the run but as you become more experienced you are able to flog a dead horse.  The hill up to the finish of the relays I feel like I run at least 3 times slower than last night when my team mates were cheering me home.

I pass the start with the word "START" still chalked on the ground.

The final bit I have to really push myself though in reality stopping isn't an option as I have to get home.

8km 50:40

Beckenham Relays

I'd got the wrong day for this.  I thought it was tomorrow.  If I knew that then I would have not run this morning.  Still it's good to meet up with the rest of the club.  I am put into a team with Peter and Michael.  I am given the glory (last) leg.

Michael complete his lap and passes over to Peter.  I go for 3 wees and a warm up.  Eventually Peter comes back, and I am off.  I keep everything in check and concentrate on running well.

One of our stronger female runners zips past me but then I hold on to her.  I make up some ground on the big hill up to Ravensbourne but on the down hill she edges away out of reach again.

I re-enter the park and John flies past and then gradually, slips away.  I am aware that I need to save something for the finish, so I try and keep the pace steady.  I finally turn into the final hill.  The rest of the club who have completed their legs have positioned themselves all along the finishing straight.  They all cheer as  I run past.  This encourages me to really push myself.  I squeeze out every last bit of effort for the final sprint.

I am bent over double for a couple of minutes trying to recover.  I noticed that Michael had run 17 something, so I would be pleased with something in the 17 range.  In the end it is 17:58.  I look up last years time and it was 18:05.  So I was 7 seconds faster, possibly a little bit disappointing.

A great night and good to spend some social time with the other club members.

4.16km 17:58