Down to the river on a sunny spring day

Out at lunch I gently jog down to the river.  I cut a little bit through Mudchute Park.  I stop and look at the river for a minute or so and then head back without the cut through Mudchute Park.

Beautiful to be in the sun.

5km 30:00

5:30am Sunday run

Up at 5:30am.  Kit prepared the night before.  I run all the way over London Bridge and to the monument.
Gradually as the hot sunny day unfolds it gives a clue as to how marathon day will be.

The last 4 or 5 miles are hard but I do it.  Just one more long, long run to go and then the big day.

20 miles 3:15

Despite cold a good hack through the city

I've a cold.  I toy with not running, I want to get home back to Pancake night.  I summon up the strength.  Mainly by going on an interesting route that I know will end in fun.  I head down Cable Street towards The City and then City Thameslink.

The first bit is dull, but at a decent lick.  Then I hit the crowded city with suits everywhere.  I weave in and out, varying my pace, zipping in and out, blasting and cruising.  Heaven.  Extreme running through a crowded street.

6km 30:00

Turning it round

The weekend long run did not happen.  It was meant to be 20 miles but no running happened.  Today was a just to turn it around to try and do that last push.  So I run two hours on the way home from work.  It doesn't take two hours to run home so I tack on an extra bit around Bromley.

The pace is not fast and it is a struggle but I keep chipping away.  Almost there.

1:55 12 Miles

4 minute rest? Luxury!

Tonight it is 6x1200m with alternating 2 and 4 minute rests.  Some people grumble about the 4 minute rest making them stiff on a cold night but it improves the quality.  There's a good group buzz as well with 5 of us pushing each other on.

Another solid step on the route to the final marathon

6x1200 with alternating 2 and 4 minute test

Out with the club

After last night's two hours I decide to take it easy at the running club tonight.  My wife usually does Tuesday but she has a cough.

As usual I am a bit grumbly at first and I move around the group.  A couple of people at the front keep push, pushing the pace.  This disrupts the group.

At the end James says that for the last bit people can run at their own pace.  So I open up and absolutely smash it.  I am a lazy runner.  I am a totally different runner when motivated.  I fly back over the last half a mile.

10km 54:00

Back from work and round the park for a bit

I wanted to do a couple of hours over the weekend but it didn't happen.  I was in work early today so I leave on the dot.  I run home through Greenwich park and then via a slightly new route.

The thing is, it doesn't take me two hours to run back from work.  So at the end I pad it out with some laps of the park  This is hard.  Part of the joy of running home is that sometimes I run quicker to get home sooner.  But tonight I know this will just lead to more laps of the park.

I get it done.  Another few steps nearer the final marathon.

12 miles 1:58:00