Embankment

Was feeling tired after my efforts yesterday. But I fancied a nice run down the river.

I run down through Paternoster Square and towards the Embankment. I start off pretty fast and then slow down. I reach Hungerford Bridge, stop for 30 seconds and head back.

There are lots of people out running enjoying the weather. I can feel yesterday, but I keep the pace going. I reflect that I have been enjoying my running recently. A good sign I'm getting back into shape. Just in time, it's the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge next week. My running pack arrived in the internal mail today. And rather excitingly, I'm in with the elites....

5km 28:40

3 Bridge Relay Part 2

I have had a rest and some water after the first leg. I cheer Joe back and I am off. I feel a little tired and have some trepidation about the rest of the run. Then I settle and I am fine. I think about running in a more barefoot style and it becomes a little easier.

Over Vauxhall Bridge someone stops, I encourage them as I run past. Down Millbank I take a couple of runners. In front of us a very attractive young lady is running towards us. Another guy that I am overtaking swerves in front of me and promptly apologises.
"Can't think what distracted you", I say and he laughs
Once I get over Lambeth Bridge I realise it will be easier from here.

On the final run in, I sense someone start to pick up speed to overtake me. So I pick up the pace, I don't think I can hold it but the person behind is broken by this and slows down. It really surprises me how often people give up when you put up a fight.

I hammer home. Russell is waiting for me but I am to exhausted to say much. I gradually recover and we congratulate each other.

I had ran to the start from the city (around 3km) I then ran to Victoria afterwards to get my train home. I got a train (around 2km) I then ran from Bromley South to home (around 2.1km)

A really nice evenings running. And I was pleased with my performance, particularly the first leg.

3.75km 16:56

3 Bridges Relay Part 1

The 3 bridges relay is a 4 leg relay over a 3.75km course. You start of at Westminster Bridge over a couple and back.

I am place in a team with 3 other people. Russell turns up first and is a nice guy who has let his running slip. Joe is next to turn up, a recent convert to running. Mel never shows so I offer to run two legs, the second and last.

The first leg, I start off fast and settle. Russ has done a decent job and come back mid pack. I gradually catch a couple of people in front of me. I make up a lot of distance by flowing through some of the corners.

The final run in I manage a sprint but I am a bit mindful of the second leg and maybe hold back.

I jab the Garmin and I am delighted to see that I am well under 17 minutes.

3.75km 16:16

Summer Evening Trail Running

The last few days I have felt wiped out. Saturday's night Running Club Ball probably hasn't helped. I did a decent bike ride on Sunday night. I probably couldn't have run yesterday I was so tired.

But tonight at the club I flew along. James took us on a fantastic, mostly offroad route through Petts Wood, Chislehurst and around. At one point we came whizzing down the trails and I was in flow heaven. There I had a glimmer of the path back to fitness and top form.

Three quarters of the way round and after chatting to some people, I decide to retreat into some music. When I put the player on I realise it has no music on it!

As we exit Petts Wood, I realise it is just over a short sprint back to the start. I start pushing at the front. I then remember that I am racing in the Three Bridges Relay tomorrow and slow down, people stream past me and eventually I finish at the back.

Beautiful evening, with a muggy dampness in the air. Some of the trail running was terrific.

10km 57"00

Barefoot Park Run PB

After yesterday's run home, I wanted to take it easy. A little bit of rain and the grass thriving meant that it was likely to be a prime day for a bit of barefoot action.

The numbers seem to have swelled since I have been here last. I start of nice and steadily and everyone zooms past. I gradually reel them in. Running barefoot is lovely and I feel engaged with the world.

I notice that I am running at the same pace as Helen from the club. This continues all the way to the last km. I try and drop her a couple of times, but she remains. In the final straight she drops me and I can't go with her. A couple of other people pass.

I then see someone behind me start sprinting so, I decide to hold my place. I hold them off. Then at the finish I realise it is a girl around the age of 11.

In the end the time was pretty decent given the run yesterday and the barefoot. It is the fastest I have ever done it barefoot. Richard and Jenny from the club say they are going to do it barefoot next week...

5km 22:42

Run home

Ran home, not much to say really. Very humid and one point it starts to rain, so I move my music player inside my bag. At no point did I really push it.

1"42:50 16.5km

Mid-summer nights run

The club does a special run for mid-summer night. We run in two groups, 1 and 2 together and 3,4,5 and 6 together.

This means the second one should be run at group 3 pace. But it's not the pace is set way to fast by the leader and the group fragments. At one point we are running 4:20/km which is faster than my 5km race pace. I start off well but then start to struggle. I'm in a bad mood, and the stupid way the run is being conducted is only making me more annoyed.

We stop on Chislehurst Common for drinks. I have some beer which probably will not improve the running. I have a good chat with Rob.

We head off again before some big hills which I drag myself up. We then stop once more, this time for coke only. We do the final push back to Willets. I start off near the front but gradually slide backwards. I feel jaded but it was nice to be out and running in the countryside.

Afterwards we go to Mike's for a really nice awards ceremony for the winners of the club 5km and 10km race.

11km 1:10, couple of stops for drinks.