Back from Crystal Palace

After yesterday's efforts I have slightly sore thighs.  I still fancy a recovery run.  At Canada Water a Crystal Palace Train turns up after 3 mins.  I jump on it.

I run through the park, enjoying the last of the summer light.  The clocks will soon go back.  The run is fine but the thighs let me know they are there.

An enjoyable run and probably better to have run than not as part of the recovery.

6km 33:59

Battersea IAA 10k Event

 I can't remember what IAA stands for but it is basically a 10km championship for various financial institutions running clubs.  Last year I had set my 10k PB here and had absolutely flogged myself round.  Early in the season I had been running lightning fast 5ks but recently my form has dipped under an avalanche of holiday and beer.

My goal was to go faster than last year.  There is little ceremony at the start and we are off.  After about 200m my shoe lace comes undone.  So I stop to tie it up.  It means running through some back markers.  The first small lap round Battersea Park is not to bad.  Then the big lap, across the Thames and down the embankment.  The whole time I am reeling in people who have set off to faster.  My form feels good.

Before long I am on the final small lap.  It is always so much more enjoyable when you do not set off too fast.  I think a good time is on the cards.  I keep pushing all the way, running well.

I cross the line and poke the watch.  Now I am confused.  I can't remember exactly what my time was last year.  It was about this time.  Then it dawns on me that if I have beat last years time, then it is a 10k PB.  It is not until I am on the train home when I lookup my time I realise I beat last years time.  It's great to run a 10k PB.

I'm not in form.  I'd love to get in real shape (I should be now really given I am running a marathon...) and see what I could do.

10k 46:25 PB

All good again

England are playing in a big football match tonight so I will require beer.  I also want to do a little run.  Nothing too taxing as I have a 10km race tomorrow.  Though my current form and beer probably prevents the chance of a decent time.  Don't want to embarrass myself though.

I decide to do a quick blast back from Grove Park via the Off License.  I come out the station and bang! I am off, zipping in and out of the crowd.  I feel fantastic.  I try and slow down remembering that I am racing tomorrow.  But I feel great, I am running strong and it seems fast.

I do control myself but soon I turn off the usual route towards the beer.  It's hard to judge the time but it felt good.  I don't know how I can feel so bad one day and then next day top-of-the world.

With a heavy load of beer I run back up the hill to my house.  Even then this feels quite good.

4.5km 25:00.

Bright light of Croydon but then too tired

I've got four weeks before the Bournemouth Marathon.  Training has been woeful.  Too hard with the heat and holidays.  I start to wonder how I am going to get round.  I decide that if I pull off a 15 miler tonight, a long 20 miler at the weekend and then another 15 miles that should be enough.

So after the kids are in bed I summon up the motivation to get out.  I head out towards to Croydon.  The pace though drags.  I am struggling with 10 minute miles.  In the end I turn off the pace display and look at the distance.  I reach the far point and it is only 6.5 miles.  I loop back via Adiscombe.

It is not helped by the fact I know I have a 10k race on Wednesday.  I don't want to turn up and embarrass myself.  I feel hungry.  I consume the gel I had brought with me and this does perk me up.  Not enough to want to keep running.  I don't really fancy a late night either.

I run down the hill with about 11.5 miles done.  Ho-hum.  Pace is about 10 min/mile.  This years London Marathon training seems a long way away.

11.5 miles 1:53:57

Back from Lewisham

Tonights run varied as the day went on.  It swung between not at all, all the way home from work, just back from Penge and finally settled on back from Lewisham.

It still summer hot even though autumn can be heard coming up the path.  I settle in and run.  I listen to a new album on the IPod.  I pick the pace up a little towards the end.  Feel like I am cruising a few weeks after a marathon rather than building up to a few weeks before a marathon.  I'll get round but not sure why I feel so out-of-sorts at the moment

8km 46:47

Beckenham Assembly League at the end of Summer

I was going to jump in the car and do the run at 7:15.  Two problems.  1. My wife has the car 2. It seems to start at 7:00 and it is 6:36.  I get changed and run hard the mile or so to get there.  It looks like the run is not going to start on time.  I stand in the club house, sweating every where.

Eventually we line up.  I don't go off too fast.  As usual I pass plenty on the big hill, and get passed by many on the way down.  I get passed by man who appears to be wearing his pants.  I decide I do not want to be beaten by him.  Just past Mcdonald's I see Jenny.  It is like a repeat of the track as I follow her round for a while.  She seems to be struggling and I pass.

I'm running hard but it is not too bad.  On the final hill through the park I pass a number of people.  I sprint past a couple of more in the final straight.

I cross the line and then collapse in a pool of sweat.  Supposedly it is 28 celsius.  I look at the time, not bad for a 5km.  But it is not 5km, more like 3 miles.  Good to be back and racing.

I then have to run the mile or so back to get back to see the kids at bed time.

3miles 21:52

Back from Grove Park to regain some normality

I'm still not in a good-way after the stag weekend.  Just too much and haven't run at all this week.  I need something to perk me up.  So I decide on one of my favourite runs back from Grove Park.

It's meant to be 28 Celsius but it doesn't feel that hot.  I settle in and run.  I'm not running particular fast but then I wasn't really trying.  I want to get back in the saddle and running (If that is not a contradiction)

With some good house music I am soon home and feeling better having run.

4.5km 28:23