Long run round historic Hartlepool

Another hard days drink the day before but I have an urge to run.  I decide to run to the lifeboat station I can see on the map.  I run there which involves going on a different beach.

I'm fascinated by the headland and the part of town over on the other side of the docks.  I don't know how far it is but I decide to run there.  There's lots of industrial heritage which I stop and look at.  In the old town I see a road that interests me, so I run up it.  At the top is a beautiful beach and a way to run round the headland.

It's lovely running by the sea.  There's also a heritage trail on my route through the town which I stop and examine.  I run for a bit and then stop to look at stuff.  It is this that probably allows me to easily run for that long.  Another truly wonderful run

1:19:55 8 miles

On the Beach in Hartlepool

I'm in Hartlepool on my brothers stag party.  For some reason I brought my running shoes.  After a very heavy days drinking, I get up and go for a run.  Round the marina and then down the beach.  I'm probably still a bit tipsy from the night before.

I stop on the beach to skim some stones but it is a beautiful run.  And I feel great for doing it (even if not great in other ways)  A good way to explore the town.

7km 45:00

Back from Lewisham

Still with a certain amount of lethargy I run home from Lewisham.  I decide not to go through the park as it will probably be muddy from the rain we had enjoyed while camping at the weekend.

As I run through the high street in Catford, a large gentleman steps out in front of me.  I'm travelling at a fair lick, somehow I skip past him.  I hurdle the road works by Catford Theatre.  Perhaps a little bit of the sluggishness is starting to go away.  My legs still don't feel 100%.

Soon I am in Shortlands and on the final stretch home.  I'll get round the Marathon in Bournemouth, probably under 4 hours.  Maybe try and pull something out the bag for Brighton in the spring.

8km 45:10

Back from camping run to keep ticking over

After a couple of days onerous camping, I get back home.  Everything has been unpacked and sorted.  However I need to keep the miles ticking over to even get round the marathon(I have long since given up on a time).

I get out with the kids in bed, just as dark starts to settle in.  Up the steep hill to Bromley North, down the high street and round Westmoreland road.  Not until the notoriously speedy bit between Westmoreland Road and Shortlands Road did I pick up speed (I have run fast down here after 20+ miles before....)

Good to get out, still worried about the lack of miles ahead of the marathon.....

5.5k m 31:16

19 miles long run up a big hill in the heat and with a slight hangover

I need to get some long runs in if I am to do this marathon.  But my life is hectic.  I was out last night and probably had 9 pints and a curry.  Tomorrow is going to be rainy and I never very good in the morning.  I had a few pints after work.  I think about abandoning the marathon.  Then from somewhere I find the motivation.

A couple of running podcasts and I set out just before 9 O'clock pm.  It's hot and humid and dark.  I crawl up towards the top of Westerham Hill.  To be honest I am done before the start of Biggin Hill airport but I keep on going, pushing myself.  I stop and get a drink and some wine gums from the petrol station.  I save half the drink for the route back when the petrol station will be closed.  I hide the bottle.

Towards the top of Westerham Hill it is dark with no street lighting in places.  Cars put their headlights on beam and dazzle me.  Eventually I reach the high point, turn round and head back.  Even though it is mainly downhill from here it is going to be a struggle.  There's not an easy quit option though.  I deliberately left my oyster card behind.  I have money but the bus will be hassle.  So I keep plodding.

Eventually I am home and it is almost half-past midnight.  I have a few drinks, shower and bed.

When I did this route as my final long training run for the London Marathon, I went a little bit further.  I did this half an hour quicker.  I guess it was not as hot, I was better trained and probably not slightly hungover.  I did enough tonight to prove that I'll get round the marathon.

19 miles  3:27:28

Opposite the O2

I am out partying later but decide to squeeze in a quick lunchtime blast.  It's raining but I decide to man-up and get on with it.

Over to the other side of the dock down the Thames opposite the O2.  I reach the turn around point quicker than when I usually run this route which is a bit of a surprise.

Wet but glad to get the run in.  Beer now.

5km 25:30

A sharpener

Down the park for 8 x 1:30 and then back.  In the twighlight, later in the dark.  I was feeling sluggish, but at the end I am running strong.

The perfect session to sharpen me up.  The running equivalent of a stiff drink.

8x1:30 with 1:30 recovery