Beckenham Assembly League at a jog

It's the Beckenham assembly league.  I talk my wife and our friend Emma into coming.  I go only and jog.  It's funny as I have battered myself around this course previously, but today I cruise.  A couple of times I am tempted to push on, but I hold back.

It's rather fun running well within my limits.   Nearly marathon day.  Interestingly at 7:25 per mile, well ahead of marathon pace on a hilly course.

3 miles 22:15

In 3rd Gear

I've been to the marathon expo and got my number.  I need a run.  I had the sports massage yesterday but the legs feel fine.  I left my training shoes at work so I put on the race day shoes.  I go out and run towards Beckenham High Street.

I am fit, trained and rested.  I feel like I am driving in 3rd gear.  At any moment I can floor it and accelerate away.  I manage to reign it in.

I touch the cinema and head back.  Little or no energy is expended.  I do a quick burst of pace for the buzz alone.  Hope the marathon hurries up and gets here.

5km 30:00

An hours long run

A week to go, and I'm twitchy.  I decide to get out for an hour.  I leave the Garmin behind.  No point pushing as no training effect to be had.  It's about keeping the legs ticking over.

I head out to Beckenham Place Park.  I run about with the dog walkers and then turn back.  On the way back my toe nail starts hurting.  I stop and sort it out there and then.

It's to early to go home as I want to run an hour.  I go and run gentle laps of Shortlands Park.  No pace pushing at any time.

6.5 miles 59:09

Oh so Easy run

It's been rainy all afternoon.  I didn't run yesterday and I'm determined to keep my legs ticking over.  I head out for an easy 4km towards Pickhurst Park.  I start of and it is "oh so easy".  The biggest problem is the mud blocking my way.

I run up to Pickhurst Park.  To be honest it would be nice to continue, but I stop and head back.  A weird pain in the back of the ankle but I don't care.

An easy 6 or 7 tomorrow I think.  A few gentle runs in the week and then, and THEN the big day.

4km 24:15

Last interval session before the marathon

I'm not feeling the love tonight.  Too close to the marathon.  We are doing 5x1000.  I struggle to do the first few reps.  Then I drop off and chat with some slower runners.  All the other sessions I have run with maximum diligence.  But not today.

I'm dawdling on the reovery before the final lap and in front the group I was running with set off without me.  They are probably 100m ahead.  I sat to the guys next to me, lets catch them.  I power off with new vigour before catching them up after 400m.  I then hold on to the end.  The burst of speed reminds me I am in shape.  Nothing to prove tonight; saving it for the marathon.

5x1000 with 400m jog recovery

Short and gentle

Sums up my run back from Lower Sydenham.

4km 22:00

Penge West Easy Run

Taking it easy, I get the train to Penge West, roll down the hill to Beckenham.  It's a bit of a work up the hill from Beckenham to my house but it keeps the legs ticking over.

As I run through Penge there is a busy road to cross.  Most roads you can always find shelter halfway from the traffic.  This road is different.  I suddenly realise I am about to get squished by a car.  I pull out a full-force sprint to get out the way.   A bit further down in Penge a similar things happen and I explode into a sprint.  Afterwards I am able to keep running.  It feels good being fit and nimble.  One of the best bits about marathon training.

3.1 miles 25:30