A slow trundle back from Penge West

After yesterday's efforts I decide that a little recovery run is probably in order.  I go to Canada Water and get the train to Penge West.  I jog slowly down the hill to Beckenham and then slowly up to my house.

I could feel yesterday but no way was I going to bail.  Slow steady progress.  I feel the pounds are starting to come back on though.  Perhaps I need to watch my diet a little more.

5km 31:00

Big Bonk

I was away at the weekend so had to get my long run in today.  I decide to take a long route home from work.  I decide to run from Canary Wharf, down to London Bridge and then one of my old cycling routes home.

At first I am fine running really well and then suddenly at Tower Bridge, I bonk.  Really badly.  I soldier on to London Bridge as I have no ready cash.  I wander round the station currently under reconstruction.  I find a WH Smiths, buy some Lucozade, a Picnic and some jelly sweets for later.  I chug the Lucozade back and wolf the Picnic.  I then resume absolutely fine.  I stop further down Tooley street to get some more money in case I need further pick-ups. don't need to flog myself too hard.

The rest of the run is fine.  The schedule said 15 miles, but this is a tough route with lots of hills and I am running with a backpack.  A few aches and pains but

Feel like I am starting to make traction on the Marathon training.

14 miles 2:18:14

3 commons circular walk run, backwards

I'm still a bit drained from a hard weekends camping.  One or two (cough) beers and shifting kids and stuff around.  I still decide to go for a run tonight once the kids are tucked up earlier than usual.

I decide to run the three commons route backwards.  I know it well enough not to get lost.  I set off and it's not to bad.  As the run goes on my form feels stronger.  This then makes the running more fun.  When I thought about the run, I couldn't really think where the climbs would be.  As I hit them they seem so obvious.  Though before long I am at the top of Keston.  I turn and zip back loving every minute with good form.

Running it backward makes me realise that I have gone wrong in a few places (The reverse route is also signed)  Towards the end I go completely wrong but I do know where I am.

A beautiful evening, at the start the last few rays of sun.  It rained last night and has been hot today.  This makes it all the more beautifu.

6 miles 53:00

Kent Run

We are going camping down in Kent.  I  am at work so I will get the train down there and meet them.  Goudhurst where we are going does not have a station.  The nearest is 6 miles away in Marden.  I can feel a run coming on.

And it is a beautiful run.  All the best that Kent has to offer.   Oast houses, Orchards, Beautiful Pubs.  There's also hills but they don't trouble me too much.  In fact the hardest thing is the lack of pavement and having to watch the traffic.

Sooner than I expected I am at the camp site.  I run to where my wife, children and friends have just arrived.  I'm in a good mood, I love camping and what a great run.

6 miles 60:00.

Good track session

A few nights good sleep and a bonus rest day.  I have a strong cup of coffee, some sweeties and head to the track.  Mike is back tonight and so the session has more focus.

I run diligently.  And importantly have a consistent 90 second rest.   We do 1 mile and I run even laps.  We then do 4x800 m with 90 second rest.  I run remarkably consistent.

The 4x400m are a bit more ragged but I feel the burn  and I know it is making me faster.

A good session.

Intervals, 1mile, 4x800, 4x400 with 90s second rest.

Tired recovery run

I decided a nice recovery run today.  The plan was to get away from work at 5 at then maybe take the kids to the park.  Instead I leave work late.  I decide to run still.  Though on the train, I start to feel tired and I am standing for most of the journey.  As I disembark the train it starts to rain.  The big heavy drops that can proceed a cloud burst.  The bus is tempting.  But I resist.

It is hard.  I am struggling to put one foot in front of another.  As I approach Beckenham I decide to go and get the bus.  However I have missed the bus.  So I have to run.

A few times I stop and walk.  It is hot and I am tired and grumpy.  Early night tonight.  Maybe another restd day tomorrow.

4km 31:08:

A key moment

I've felt tired.  It has been extremely hot.  I couldn't do my long run yesterday.  I have a terrible nights sleep, woken up many times in the night.by the baby.  I have a bad day at work.  Somewhere during a boring meeting overlooking the Thames I decide to run home.  Then work gets worse and I am stuck there.

At home the kids go to bed surprisingly easily So I head out to do my 14 miles.  It is still very, very hot.  I decide to run to Hayes and back, and then Hayes and back.  I can stop for a drink at home half way.

I start of and it is hard.  I complete the first lap, stop have a drink.  The minute or so rest I have perks me up and I head off again.  And then suddenly perhaps with 4 miles to go it happens.  I realise that I have done the run.  I've still 4 miles to run but I'm not going to bail out.  The hard part was getting here and I'm not going to bail out now.  Then I fly.  I really run smoothly but hard, flowing and fast.  It's hot and I can feel the salt building up on my lips.  Eventually I yield.  The last half a mile is a bit slower, perhaps the miles or the heat.  But the fast bit?  That felt gooooooood.

I had to do this run to get my Marathon training on track.  Job done.

14 miles 2:14:00