Out with the big boys and girls

Tuesday night and I cycled to and from work for the first time in a while. Crow-barring the kids into bed and I am running late. Last week I ran group 4 and just held on, so I think best take it easy in group 3 this week. I arrive late and towards the end of the announcements. Looks like group 3 and group 4 have merged so I go with that group. It's advertised as a 9 minute mile but a warning of hills. Emma is running and I was her pace last week so I should be fine.

Richard sets off at a fast pace. I look around the group, Martin, Johnny Gill, Sabina. It's more of a group 5 merged into group 4. I have to concentrate to hold on. I approach Summer Hill at the front of the pack but gradually slip, then regain some places and manage to sit in the middle to the top. At Chislehurst, Emma peels off and heads back on a different route. I look around the group and I am the weakest runner here.

Because of my cycling heritage I like to sit at the front of the group (The easiest place to ride in a cycling group. There is to much disruption from the riders in front in a large group) Richard and Sabina lead and push the pace. I run with them and start to enjoy. As we run down the side of the A20 I spot a cyclist up in front heading our way and we need to go to single file. I manage to pick up the pace off the front. The pace is fast but I am holding and enjoying.

We then swing round to St. Pauls Wood Hill. It starts of as a long slow drag and gets steeper, steeper towards the summit. I run towards the front and gradually slip down to the middle of the group. Great training.

At the top of the Hill I realise we are nearly back at Petts Wood. I love the run down Orpington Road and I go towards the front and pick up the pace. On Birchwood, I start really going for it. Johnny Gill goes as well. I am probably at 80% top speed. Johnny starts encouraging me on. We both push. I hear someone behind me and I hold him off. The last run up into the rec I run at a full sprint.

Not bad given I was meant to be taking easy.

7.2miles 61 minutes (around 8.5 minute miles)

Late Long Run

As I hurtle(!) towards my marathon attempt next year, I need to get back into the weekly long run. A busy day so I decide to do a late one.

I set off towards Eltham. As I get towards Mottingham I decide to loop back. I come across Chislehurst common and then over Chislehurst Hill (The easy way, towards Bromley)

Considering this was my first long run in a while it was not overly taxing and really quite enjoyable.

When I got back I measured it on gmaps pedometer (haven't managed to keep the Garmin consistently charged for a while) A totally random route that I had made up as I went along - 9.9988miles. Though this then made the time a little bit disappointing, which I calculated as 10.5 minute miles.

The route is here:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4000157

10miles (16.1km) 1"45

Park Run First Anniversary

Decided not to run this, and so had a couple of beers the night before. Woke up at 8:40am and decided, actually I will run it.

As it was the first anniversary they decided to run the course backwards. So they could finish in the same place, the start was moved to the far end of the park. There were people from the local papers and lots of balloons and general festivities.

I start off and straight away the course feels different. Starting at the far end means starting off downhill. In the end I don't think I am going to PB today because of the beers last night, but I don't intend to cruise.

I am tracking a couple of old nemesises. People I have had "ding-dong" battles with. I don't intend putting up a fight today but it shows I am not slouching. Suddenly disaster, the laces on my shiny new Asics Pirahnas have come undone. I stop and lose 10 seconds to tie them up. On the second lap the same thing happens and again. I guess I lose 40 - 60 seconds to shoe lace tieing.

The last quarter of the race, I run along side a girl who is panting heavily. I hate running along side noisy runners (Whether is smashing the feet into their spongey shoes or wheezing) In the end it annoys me so much I pick up the pace and drop her. Ahead I see my 2 nemesises pickup the pace and really sprint. There is no way I would have been at the races tpday even with out shoe laces. As I close in on the finish I still manage a tidy sprint.

Across the line I look at my time, 24:35 which allowing for Beer and Shoe Laces was not too bad.

Time for a few cup cakes with the other runners and a chat recalling the year that has been Bromley Park Run.

5km 24"35

Blackfriars and beyond

I was still remembering my great run on Saturday, barefoot. I'm tired from last nights efforts so want to take it easy. The best way I know to do this is to do a quick 5km in the aqua shoes (as close to barefoot you can get in the city)

I run out through Paternoster square, over Blackfriars bridge. I run outwards for 15 minutes and then back. I am tired from last night, but I love running in the aquas. The pace is so much steadier.

Towards the end the pace picks up, but this is about relaxing and enjoying. I don't run as fast "barefoot" (Though Saturday showed me faster than I thought!) but I just love the feeling, and don't get as tired.

Didn't really get anyway on the otherside of Blackfriars, but then I wasn't really trying to.

5km 30"00

Race the train

It's Tuesday night and Petts Wood Runners night. Except my Wife has the car. Not a problem as I jump on the train from Shortlands to Petts Wood. It's only 10 minutes and I'm one of the first there.

A number of our runners had done the Race the train. A 14 miles slog in Wales where you race against a train. Very few manage to beat it (maybe a 150 elite out of 1500) Chris Day and one of our lady runners had managed to do it.

I go out in group 4 with James Wong. He says the route and the pace. 7 miles at 8.5 - 9 minute miles. I joke when are we going over Chislehurst Hill? He looks at me without joking, and says towards the end.

I am excited. I have my new Asics Pirahnas. They are so light, you need to tie them down to stop them floating away. Minimal padding at flat. Right from the start I love running in them.

It's a smaller group than usual, and all the runners are strong. I hold near the front. As we come up Chislehurst Hill, I dig in. The last time with Group 4 I had dropped of the end. The last time with Group 3 I had run easily off the front. Tonight I hold on, towards the back, but holding on.

On the run back to Petts Wood, I am feeling good, and run to the front to set the pace. I glance at my watch. I need to be at Petts Wood Rail Station for 21:13 else the next train is 21:43. I try to pick up the pace. The rest of the runners peel of back towards the rec and the start point. Ihead straight for the station. Half way up Towncourt crescent, I don't have enough time. Suddenly I'm on the square where the station is. I sprint over the bridge. I glance down at the platform and there is no train. I slap down my Oyster Card and flow down the stairs. My train is still on the departure board. 20 seconds later my train arrives. I beat the train!

12km at group 4 pace (1"10)

Vanilla Run

A straight forward run, Blackfriars, Thameside Path, Leadenhall, London Wall. Around 5.5km, average pace

5.5.km 30"00

(Andrew) William Barefoot

I fancied running the weekly Bromley 5km Park Run. But with a difference. Barefoot.

I turn up at the start and see some friends.
"£80 these shoes. The guy at the shop said that they were so special, stupid people couldn't seem them"

As I start everyone zips off. Today I am not running for a time but to get round. The first half a lap I manage fine. I'm running with some different people, but that's because I must be way slower. Down the back straight, I have to skip gingerly through some twigs dropped from the tree. Also down their there is the "cinder path". Martin from the club calls it the "cinder path" and I always tease him. It is a gravel path. Some of the gravel is on the grass. I manage to tip-toe my way past it.

According to major running shoe manufacturers I should be an injured cripple doing this. I am more than comfortable.

I run past the husband and kids of a fellow PWR. They look at my feet. I say
"Sure I forgot something but, I can't think what.."

As I approach the finish, I sense someone closing in on me. I still don't like being overtaken so I pick up the pace. I cross the line and look at the watch. I am confused. The time if far too good. I check with the timer and it is the case.

Barefoot, I have just run 24"28. This used to be my regular time one year ago. I have just managed to do it barefoot!

At the finish lots of poeple are interested in why I have no shoes on. I explain that running shoes are evil. I don't know if people believe me. Maybe I have given people some food for thought.

5km 24"28 (Barefoot!)