The weekend saw two contrasting days of weather. Awaking on Saturday to a blue sky and the sun out (still cold!) I relished the opportunity to get out and go for a run. Saturdays run is only a short run at slow pace and I did a 5M loop up to my old school and back, used my new trainers again to try bed them in a little more as I’m not sure my other trainers will see me through to the big day.

The run was great, no issues and nice to be able to run with the sun in my eyes – makes a pleasant change to the previous runs I have done recently.

Sunday, on the other hand, was the opposite. Heading down to Southend to participate in a training run, I had to wake early and was greeted with rain hitting the windows and the hum of wind circling the building – perfect!

Leaving the house at 730 was a challenge, especially having had to rat and prepare for the 16 miler I was planning to do but eventually got out. My lovely girlfriend, perhaps foolishly, offered to get up early on her last day off and drive me down there so I got to ‘relax’ on the journey down.

As mentioned the plan was to do 16M, looking at the schedule this was to be done in 2hours 30 (a 9:20 pace) this was not going to be the case today it became clear fairly soon. Making the most of running with company I latched onto the shoulder of Neil D and another runner Ian, they had said they hoped to run at 8:30 also, after running about 4M I also found out they were going to do 18M rather than 16M.

11M into the run still maintaining a sub 8:30 pace I finally started to flag, clearly my body isn’t up for that quite yet- I dropped down and did a mile at 8:45 but then managed to get back to 8:30 for the final half marathon mile. Managed to run the 13.1M in 1:49:57 I think it was which considering I could still chat and wasn’t completely passed out I was pretty damn happy with. That said from 13 on things went downhill pretty badly, possibly because I was on my own my legs became lethargic and I slowed down.

I decided to call it a day at 16, my body didn’t need the extra few miles of which one of was all uphill. I wanted to be able to train again on Tuesday and didn’t want to risk injury. I had to get a lift back to the hospice but managed another rather slow mile to bring my total to 17M in 2:25 of which I’m thoroughly happy with 15ish – considering the final two miles were poor I still averaged an 8:37 run!

One of the things I’m going to have to work on is my pacing – there is no point running a 1hr50 half and then not being able to run the second half!

Cheers to all the chaps I ran with on Sunday, makes a change to get pushed which is brilliant!

Till next time.

N

Throwing the schedule out of the window today and to try make up for the slow Sunday run I decided to run much further than required, the plan recommends 6miles slow (sub 47mins).

Following the same routine as last Wednesday I set off a tiny bit earlier on route to a tube stop on the central line, at the time Ox Circus was the plan. The first mile as always seemed quite tough and having a quick glance at my heartrate clearly my body wasn’t quite ready for getting out! From that point on the run seemed fine. I kept to the suggested pace without too much of an issue. This was my first (marathon) run with my camelbak – I did a few summer short distances but always put too much liquid in the pouch! Found it quite nice being able to take on liquid with the gels as I ran…

Decided to carry on a couple of tube stops and goto Marble Arch instead adding on a mile or so. All in all a good run, no issues or niggles, hopefully all is on target!

Till next time.

N

Looking back through my schedule this is my first ‘reasonable’ distance midweek run as for various reasons I have missed others. Much like the Sunday runs this was to be a slow run to help put miles in the leg banks at 8Miles. In order to make the most of my evening and laze around the tv I decided this distance could be covered before work without impacting my day.

As I did a number of pre-work runs last year I know and am familiar with a number of routes into central London and also into work. The run from home to work, from memory, was at it’s shortest about 15M so obv this route was to far. However, armed with my oyster card and the knowledge I had a spare set of clothes in the office, I set off from Woodford at 730ish aiming to get to Ox Circus and do the remainder of the journey on the tube.

The battery on my watch died I believe about 1/2mile from the end hence I think the route was about 11ish miles. The schedule listed an 8M/80min timeline which I easily matched and continued to run at a fast enough pace after that point to ensure even at 11M I was still running my miles under 10min. The run actually went pretty well, I was happy at the end especially as when the alarm went off this morning I was close to not bothering as felt a bit tired as well having odd pains in my legs! It just goes to show sometimes it’s worth getting out and trying as after about 1/2M things seemed really good!

Tomorrow sees a fast run session in the gym, again only a short session but it’s about maintaining a speed for a longer period of time than typically found on interval training.

Till then…

N

I sit writing this on my phone overlooking a mountain and that may explain why w3 of training was can celled…much like last year I incorporated a week of skiing into my training schedule however unlike last year I haven’t even done one run…the promise of a treadmill at the hotel made me think I would at least get in an interval run but the day I tried (Tuesday) the treadmill proceeded to cut out and restart every minute. After about 10mins and 1km later I gave up and that was my training! I am hoping that the stresses and pressure on my legs whilst skiing can’t have done a disservice and perhaps I will be able to resume into w4 without issues!

Just before flying to Andorra on Sunday I did manage to fit in a Saturday morning long slow run. The snow had finally melted and it was the first opportunity in weeks to get out onto the roads. However, whilst the snow had gone the rain came down and I possibly was out in the wettest conditions I have experienced (including last years training!).

I opted to try a new route, which turned out to be a bad idea, the first 8 or so miles went pretty well albeit on a really dull set of roads. However at about the 8m point I managed to hit a forest trail. First instincts told me to turn round however I didn’t and 1m further I found myself on a muddy path leading onto a waterlogged park(snow had just melted). My trainers now weighed double and my socks were sopping. I took this as a sign to find the quickest and shortest route home as not sure I really wanted to get more blisters which seemed poss given how wet I was! » Continue reading “W3 Cancelled (Includes W2 D5 The Long Run)”

It’s been some while since I updates this blog in a consistent manner, my running as well as other exercise has taken a sideline whilst I sorted out my new flat. However, sadly I can’t hide behind that excuse any more and last week the Runners World training schedule hit my inbox and I decided this year I would try my best to follow this as closely as possible. Hence, with running kit in my work bag and once again declining unhealthy lunches with colleagues, I find myself being unsociable on a treadmill…

Today’s jog wasn’t my first run of the new year, last week on the two Sundays over the Xmas break I tested my body to see whether I still had miles in my legs. I run an identical 13.5mile course with a sub 2hr half mara time which is a bit of a reassurance. Sure I have a long way to go still and I know this based on last year but I’ll be the first to admit I have been lazy since finding out I had a place and was concerned I may struggle a lot more.

The 13miler I found is a fun and interesting route, from my flat I head towards Stratford and then head around the perimeter of the 2012 Olympic Park, it’s amazing to see how far it’s come along and I suspect this route may crop up over the next few months (and years!) as I’m sure each time there will be something new! One day in the daylight I’ll take my camera over there and get some good photos, can’t wait to see the Olympics there as I think it will be amazing.
» Continue reading “Wk1 Training ‘Schedule’ Begins…”

Much like last week, I decided it would be nice to run part of the course and having done the second half it seemed only sensible to attempt the first half.

I don’t know Greenwich at all or to be honest any of that part of the course, fortunately however Laura’s dad volunteered to get his bike out and ride alongside me. At 1030 on a dull and wet Good Friday we were all set to go, stood in Blackheath Common.

Perhaps much like the second half of the route there are long areas of dullish and scenery-less roads, it is also very flat which is nice! The only hill I really encountered was on a street aptly names “Hillreach” a few miles in but following that it descended again and remained flat.

After a few detours off the route, to avoid a busy Cutty Sark area and also a one-way road system that Martin could not go down on his bike we arrived at Surrey Quays, unfortunately having missed the earlier right and thus the extra 2mile loop. After 10 miles I decided it was fine to call it a day, my legs were fine I had energy in me and all was promising. Just another 25 mins and I would be at Tower Bridge and heading over for the second half I did last week…

See below the route I took. This will most likely be the last route I publish before the big day as baring a NikeTown Run which is already featured I wont be doing many more street runs.
» Continue reading “10 Mile – First half(ish) of Marathon route…”

A repeat of a route I have done before. Almost a whole month later, and over 90miles of running, it was time to repeat the run.

Having only just finished a 20miler a few days before I was a little cautious – my legs at the start felt a few twinges but with hindsight I believe that maybe more to do with not doing any proper stretches and it being a bit colder than I had, in my head, thought it would be!

Anyway as there was nothing new to my route there is not much to describe really – a couple of weeks ago I went past what I thought was a Banksy on Essex Road, I watched out for it again and was correct in my thinking – Sadly it doesnt quite look like that anymore as the owner of the shop has added perspex to the front, to provide vandalism I assume?!

The last few miles went pretty well – sun was out and all was grand! I was certainly not done (which i suppose is a good thing!) and had a few more miles in my legs… bring on the next run!
» Continue reading “Home – Dads Office…again!”

Its a Tuesday, that means run day…with a long run scheduled for Saturday I opted against the full distance to work and went for the halfway house – about 13/14 miles.

Beautiful day, albeit a little windy. Did opt for the sexy leggings and long sleeve top though as it was a little chilly out there. Also tried out a new waist water bottle holster:

It was a little awkward to begin with, and also its amazing how only a small amount of liquid weighs quite a lot, but after a bit I got used to it, and having a source of liquid with me appeared to be a great help!

Run went pretty well I thought – came in at half marathon in 1:56 and got back to the office feeling pretty good all things considered! Mile Marker: 14….Time Taken: 2:06:17

Bring on the hills of Southend on Saturday! » Continue reading “Home – Work the ’shorter’ route”

Its a Tuesday, I will be in work late so the decision was made to run to work and get in a little late as I will have to miss my standard NikeTown Run. With all I need left in work on the Monday morning I could set off with a small backpack and my running shoes and be able to get into town without any issues.

Leaving the house at 7:30 after a scrambled egg breakfast I was blessed with blue skies and sunshine – spring, a brilliant time to run in Leaving in autopilot I set off on completely the wrong route – heading towards Walthamstow instead of Leytonstone! After about 5mins I realised my mistake but decided that I may as well cut back past Whipps X and get back to where I wanted to be.

Onwards I ran, up past a busy Mile End and towards the Tower of London. Seeing the Tower is always pleasing, even moreso today with it basked in the sunshine. However, one negative was the fact that this marker was at 10miles – just under half way through, today was going to be tought!

Onwards I proceeded – not stopping until the Houses of Parliament at just short of 13miles, where I had to wait to cross the road plus I took on some water. Half Marathon completed in 1:57, much quicker than Paris! I’m not going to lie to you, the last 5miles of this run were tough – boredom crept in and morale had dropped massively – had to walk a couple more times which I think was predominantly down to my head telling me it was a good idea – not because I needed it!

18 miles, just under 3 hours later I stepped through the office door, yes it was tough – could I have done another 8 more miles, I think so – would the speed get slower and slower – definitely. Sub 4 hours is looking less and less likely every day now but must keep on pushing the miles! » Continue reading “Running to work – again…The longer way (18miles)”

This day has been coming for a long time, and rather unfortunately about 5 days before it I came down with a cold! Dreading the run from the moment we reached French soil things only got worse, with only 3 hours sleep I woke up on a damp Sunday morning and headed down to the Metro station.

After arriving and queing (sadly being british was a downful on this one – need to learn how to ‘queue’ like the rest of Europe!) for a long time for one of the 5 toilets the run was just about to begin and off I went. Looking at my garmin data it appears I started off at a reasonable pace and the first couple of miles went by quite smoothly. The run itself I dont think was that well organised and it was at the start and end this appeared most obvious. With cars parked at the side of the roads and people opting to run on the pavement instead of the road it all seemed a little odd. There were also a LOT of runners, more than I have ever run with before and this caused a fair amount of congestion!

Ignoring the first “drink station” at 5km meant I could assess how they would  be from now on – a bit of a nightmare! Water was on offer which was fine alongside pieces of orange and bananas – whoever thought that is a good idea for people to drop on the floor has never tried running on banana skins!

At about 6km I had planned to see my street team (Laura and Claire) who had accompanied me out on this wet morning, lo and behold they were there – with cameras at the ready, no pictures captured in time I must have been running that quickly!!! I’m sure at the next point in 4km the cameras would be set and ready to go…

I don’t think my body started flailing till about 12km – 7.5miles in. Energy levels fealt low and I just felt myself slowing down further and further. I didnt seem to be able to do anything to speed up.  It was a fighting battle for over 6miles – I didnt want to walk but came close a number of times to it.

2:01 since the start of the run and I was crossing the line – glad to have got round all things considered, slightly upset that it was just over 2 hours but nevermind, hopefully when am at full fitness I should be able to claw back a few minutes.

That’s my first official run of half marathon distance done – back to personal running now up to the big day!

Map and photos to follow shortly.