Tempo on a different route back from Lewisham

Tempo tonight.  I don't want to run the same route back from Lewisham as I get bored of racing against myself.  I take a slightly more scenic route.

In some ways it is a shame I don't go the usual route as I am flying along.  My ankles flick and the scenery flies by.  I get caught at lots of crossings.

The run takes it out of me but it was a good workout

5.5miles 45:20

Monday night long run

I took a double-day rest.  Last night I had a few relaxing drinks which lead me to stay up watching a film.  I have to do it though, and so I head out after getting the kids to bed.

It is a slow crawl out to Chislehurst.  Not too unpleasant but I no longer have the passion for this.  I turn round and the pace gradually quickens all the way until the last mile I am zipping along.

This is shown by the 8 minute negative split.

10.4 miles 1:50:59

Good and bad back from work

I'm definitely getting faster and fitter.  My form on the run back from work is tight.  I run round the other-side of Greenwich park for a change.  I enjoy some of the run but at the same time that nagging thought that I am done with this.  Push, push, pushing.  Bending my will, making it happen.   Driving myself on.  Not quitting.  Stressing myself.  I can do this; I don't like this.

Hopefully I can finish the training off, execute the marathon day and then "Don't look back in anger".

Sometimes I am seduced with the good running, but then the hatred also sets in.

9.3 Miles 1:28:19

Wet and wonderful interval session

I took yesterday off because some wine needed drinking.  I've been at the British Museum on a School Trip today.  I have a strong cup of coffee and head out into the rain for tonight's track session.

Mike announces 6x800, my favourite session.  There is a river on the track at 150m that will have to be run through on each lap.  I'm okay, I have my waterproof socks on.

And it is a good session.  I knuckle down and bang out the laps.  At the turn of the year I was struggling to do 1:45 laps, tonight I even manage a 1:31/135 duo.  I feel strong.  Perhaps it was a no-stress day, perhaps it was having yesterday off.   Maybe it is a couple of weeks of training.  Feels good afterwards though

1 mile tempo, 6x800

Stop off for Beer

Fancy a beer tonight.  Tempo run back from Lewisham.  Stop off in Shortlands to get the beer.  A non-tempo (due to the beer in the backback) back up the hill to home.

Not massively feeling the love but job done.  Time would have probably been decent without the stop off.

5.2 miles 45:00

Long Run to Welling

I struggle out of bed on a Sunday morning.  I have a little breakfast and then go.  I run towards Welling.  It's not a fantastic pace but good to get the long run in.  There are some short sharp hills.  Even though I was targeting 16 miles the fact it was so hilly makes up for that.

On the way back I stop at a newsagent for some sports drink.  I joke that I must be the only person every to buy the sports drink who is actually doing sport at the time.

In the end it is not too bad.  The worst bit is that when I get back I feel pretty tired for the rest of the day.

15 miles 2:24:39

Beckenham Cinema

I've drunk half a bottle of wine and I am definitely hung-over from a few relaxing beers last night.  I'm probably due a hill session but instead I decide to run over the rolling hills to Beckenham cinema and back.
I stick on "Fat of the land" by the Prodigy in the hope that it will liven me up.

I feel like I am running not too bad.  I get caught on a few roads and then towards the end I gradually accelerate and at the end I am flying.  I try and remember my not to race in training mantra.

Back at home as I book the run, I look at the time.  All told a very satisfactory time.  Perhaps the training is starting to pay dividends...

5km 25:13