Guilt gets the better of me

I was going to get up early and do a quick hour round the common.  A few beers the night before stops the early outing.  So instead I go mid-morning.  I set off on the 3 commons circular walk. 

Then I feel guilty.  It is beautiful on the common, but I should be spending time with the kids.  I decide to cut it short and head back.  I only run just over 20 minutes. 

I head home and get my 2 daughters.  We go back to the common and go hunting for cool mushrooms to take photos off.

No amount of running now will improve my marathon for the better  Good to get a little run in.

22:00 4km

Round Millwall Dock

It's Matt's leaving drinks tonight.  I decide a quick 4 or 5k at lunch.  I somehow fall into running round the Millwall Docks.  It's hard, but I've been there, done that with hard before.  Then I remember the last time I probably run this route was with Matt.  A freudian slip perhaps?

Still good to get the run in   And so to beer...

4km 25:00

Back from Elmstead Woods

A new route that I don't think I have run before. One stop past Grove Park.  I was thinking about running back from Crystal Palace.  That starts as a big downhill.  This run start as a little downhill and into a big uphill.

I try to avoid crossing the road and end up running on the verge.  Eventually I get across the road.  The pace is pretty slow, but it is interesting running through Bromley North. 

Then it is down through Shortlands Park (as I shall call it) and a big puff up the hill.

4.5km 26:33

Eltham and back via Petts Wood

Didn't want to run tonight.  Had to run tonight.  My last longish run before the marathon.  Last week was the long, long run.  Tonight about 15 miles, enough to work me but not too far to tire me out.

The original plan is to run out to Woolwich common and back.  I head out through Grove Park.  It is a little on the lively side.  I run through Mottingham and on towards Eltham.  At Eltham I stop and get a drink.  I decide to do a big loop through Chislehurst instead.  At Chislehurst I decide to extend it on to Petts Wood.

At Petts Wood I realise that the run back should get me back right on about 15miles and 2 1/2 hours (The goal time/distance)

All night the pace was not electric but my form is good.  I can definitely run a marathon in this shape though not a PB.  Still feel a bit tubby and out of shape from too much partying.

I can't really taper as I have not be training hard enough to taper.  Just a few regular quick blasts I think.

15 miles 2:32:00.

Beckenham Cinema and Back

Was not feeling it again today.  Probably the weekend-beer disease.  After the kids are in bed I get some things on E-bay I have been meaning to do for months, nay years.  This inspires me so I decide to get out there just to get *some* running in.

Out to Beckenham Cinema and back.  It doesn't feel too bad and I trundle along.  I never really get moving properly though.  The time is pretty slow.  In the week or so before London, I did the same route 8 minutes quicker (and wasn't really trying)

Still got out there and did it.  Trying to get back into the habit of consistent running.  Which is good, given that I am running a marathon in 2 weeks.

5km 32:11

A drink in the Last Chance Saloon

The marathon training has not gone well.  I'd like to say it was due to the summer heat but in reality it has been more a victim of too much boozing.  The long run and the weekend was skipped due to a hangover.  I still felt rotten on Monday.  My final hope of getting a decent long run in before the Marathon was tonight.

During the day I toy with various 20 mile routes.  In the end I settle on Pollhill Garden Centre and back.  I am tired when I get back from work.  I put the kids in bed and head out.  My body is grumbly and I don't fancy it.  Yet the further from home I get the more resigned I become to my fate and the less likely I am to turn back early.  About 7 miles in I stop at a petrol station and refuel.  I run the last 3 miles up to Pollhill.

I stop and turn back.  My spirits are picking up.  I stop at another petrol station on the way back for another drink and some sweets.  And then it happens.   I start to pick up speed.  I get faster and faster.  The final 6 miles I absolutely hammer.  I am running as fast as I can move my legs and yet I do not tire.  My technique feels smooth and graceful.  It feels like I could not run a standard mile as fast as this.

Through Bromley there are various drunks and tourists milling about.  I fly through them like an express train, onwards.  I push all the way back home.

I don't know where it came from but I quite enjoyed it.

20 miles 3:15:00

Greenwich Loop and then Feel Good

I am planning the final big long run tomorrow.  After a couple of days off I need to keep running though.  I can't face a run after work today so I decide to go at lunchtime.  The Greenwich Loop is the aim.

I put on a good podcast about the internet, (metaphorically) sit back and run.  My form feels good but I'm just not running as fast as I was when I was London Marathon fit.  Still it's a lovely run and Greenwich Park is as beautiful as ever.

I didn't push too hard, but I noticed that at the start of the year I did it 7 minutes quicker...

When I've finished I feel great though...

8km 48:56