Training Run 21 - 58'32''

This was, in all likelihood, my last training run of 2014.  I'm going to re-start the counter from 1 in 2015.  I'm still aiming to run the Surrey half-marathon in March, and this run was very encouraging preparation for that. I ran with Andy, one of the Frontrunners, who ran slower than he usually would but who also coached me along the route (hence doing it almost two minutes faster than my previous PB).  Having someone run with me always encourages me and helps me to keep going, and also pushes me to run faster.  Although I started to lose him a bit towards the end, he always waited for me, and really encouraged me at the end when I felt tired.  I know that I can nail 13.1 miles next year!

Distance: 7ish miles, not sure exactly
Time: 58 minutes 32 seconds
Description: along the South Bank, 1 lap of Battersea Park and back again

I'm also hoping to start using this blog to write about Booker winners again.  I've finally finished Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea, which was challenging (more about that next year though!).

Training Run 20 - 31'26''

Distance: 4ish miles, not sure exactly
Time: 31 minutes 26 seconds
Description: 1 lap of Hyde Park with an additional loop around the Serpentine.

Training Run 19 - 60'46''

Distance: 7ish miles, not sure exactly
Time: 1 hour 0 minutes 46 seconds
Description: along the South Bank, 1 lap of Battersea Park and back again

Training Run 18 - 36'50''

Distance: 4ish miles, not sure exactly
Time: 36 minutes 50 seconds
Description: 1 lap of Hyde Park with an additional loop around the Serpentine.

Training Run 17 - 23'57''

Distance: 2ish miles, not sure exactly
Time: 23 minutes 57 seconds
Description: 1 lap of Hyde Park

Training Run 16 - 61'28''

This is the first long run I've done for ages!  Like the last few, it was with the London Frontrunners.

Distance: 7ish miles, not sure exactly
Time: 1 hour 1 minute 28 seconds
Description: along the South Bank, 1 lap of Battersea Park and back again

Training Run 15 - 21'42''

Distance: 2ish miles, not sure exactly
Time: 21 minutes 42 seconds
Description: 1 lap of Hyde Park

Training Run 14 - 25'07''

This is the first run I've done with the London Frontrunners for quite some time, I'm hoping to make it a regular thing from now on.  It was nice to meet up with people and socialise afterwards too.

Distance: 2ish miles, not sure exactly
Time: 25 minutes 7 seconds
Description: 1 lap of Hyde Park

Training Run 13 - 4.72 miles / 7.57km, 42'32''

Distance: 4.72 miles / 7.57 km
Time: 42 minutes 32 seconds
Description: 5 laps of Highbury Fields (plus there and back)
Conditions: Dark. Damp surface but not raining. Difficult initally and did not feel at peak of fitness (hence the relatively poor time).  Also not used to running in the morning before work, this probably will not continue.

Training Run 12 - 4.89 miles / 7.87 km, 42'09''

Today was the first time I'd done this run in a long time - a combination of a weekend with Arsenal playing away (thus fewer pedestrians to get in the way!) and bright sunshine meant that a run around Finsbury and Clissold Parks seemed like a perfect idea. In future I'll add Highbury Fields into the mix and possibly do multiple laps of one or all of the parks.

Distance: 4.89 miles / 7.87 km
Time: 42 minutes 9 seconds
Description: 1 lap of Finsbury Park and 1 lap of Clissold Park (plus getting to and from each and the distance between)
Conditions: Bright but slightly cloudly. Dry surface, mostly tarmac although some of Clissold Park has woodchip tracks which are nicer to run on. Finsbury Park is hillier than I remember!  Cool temperature. Feet hurt a bit - I attribute this to not having run much lately.

Training Run 11 - 4.72 miles / 7.57 km, 38'54''

This is my first run in quite a while - I've been away and also undergone some difficult personal circumstances.  I'm hoping to get back in the swing of things now!

Distance: 4.72 miles / 7.57 km
Time: 38 minutes 54 seconds
Description: 5 laps of Highbury Fields (plus there and back)
Conditions: Overcast. Dry surface. Difficult initally but got better as time went on.  Not too hot.  Legs felt very tired afterwards.

Highbury Fields Parkrun - 3.11 miles / 5 km, 24'45''

I have had a few training runs in between this and my last post but I neglected to post them, so September looks rather sparse from a practice point of view. I am intending to train regularly now going through the autumn and winter months, and am still planning to run the Surrey half-marathon in March.

My time on this occasion was exactly the same as the previous occasion that I ran it, to the second. One day I will make up those three seconds and achieve a new personal best! The weather was sunny, although it clouded over after I completed the race. The ground was slightly damp from rain the previous night. I was preoccupied by thoughts of my first lectures on Monday (how will I cope with the reading etc) but I really enjoyed the run, as I always do.

Training Run 10 - 6.02 miles / 9.69 km, 51'33''

I haven't had time this week to attend training with the Frontrunners, so tonight was seven laps of Highbury Fields and a there and back. I'd taken a break from running, as I'd gone home for my Grandma's funeral and the Bank Holiday weekend. I think about my Gran a lot when I'm running, and I've resolved to run a half marathon in spring next year, in part as a personal goal for training but also to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. Gran had Alzheimer's for fourteen years and any research that can be undertaken to find a cure for this condition can only be a good thing.

Conditions for tonight's run were dry but overcast and quite warm. I fell into my usual pattern of feeling tired and a bit achey initially, but by the time I'd reached lap 4 I had warmed up sufficiently and felt able to carry on all the way through. There was a football match on at the Emirates so I had to dodge lots of people but in general it was fine.

Training Run 9 - 7.2 miles / 11.59 km, 59'14''

After an aborted run last Thursday (when I turned up to training having forgotten my shorts!), I joined my running club again and ran with them along the South Bank and round Battersea Park. I love this run because it takes in some of the most beautiful sights of London - you get to see the Houses of Parliament, Lambeth Palace, Bankside Power Station, Battersea Bridge and Battersea Park as well as the illuminated Albert Bridge from a distance. Tonight the weather was overcast and stormy - the sky was an angry orange colour and indeed as I was almost back to the changing rooms the heavens opened and the rain poured down! I love running in the rain though so this was no hardship for me.

I ran alone this time, and this is reflected in the time I did the run in, able as I was to knock almost five minutes off the time I ran this same distance in the previous week. I did find it tough nearer the beginning, as I often do, and felt tempted to quit early, but by the time I reached the beautiful pagoda in Battersea Park I felt as though I wanted to run the whole distance. It often takes me a little while to get into my stride, but once I'm there I never want to quit.

I didn't stop at the pub afterwards this time but I am really enjoying running with my club colleagues again and will definitely be making this a regular thing from now on. 

Highbury Fields Park Run - 3.11 miles / 5 km, 24'45''

I haven't done the Highbury Fields Park Run for a while (not since January according to my Park Run profile) so thought today would be as good a day as any to do a shorter, faster run than I have been used to doing lately. 

The weather was bright and sunny this morning, the ground was a bit damp from previous rain but as we were mostly running on tarmac this didn't matter. 5 laps of Highbury Fields from the start. I half jogged and half walked the way there, and then did some stretches to prepare myself. I well remember how the first time I ran this in March 2013 I injured myself from not preparing and running too hard, so I have made sure to avoid this since.

Today's run was a little frustrating in that I picked up a stitch mid way through lap 4. I worried about whether or not I should carry on, but as the run was fairly short and it didn't seem to be getting any worse I carried on through to the finish. The stitch did not last long afterwards, but I'd not eaten anything beforehand and only drank some water while stretching so I don't know where it could have come from.

As it happened my time of 24'45'' was just three seconds off my personal best. Who knows what I could have achieved without the stitch!

Training Run 8 - 7.2 miles / 11.59 km, 1.04'00''

After how much I enjoyed the Pride Run, I decided to start running regularly with my running club, The London Frontrunners, again. I hadn't run with them for a while because I wanted to get back up to the distance where I felt comfortable running with them, and also because if I run with them I'll usually go to the pub afterwards, which is always enjoyable but is not so good when I'm trying to save money! However now that I feel able to run for longer distances again I realised that I missed the companionshop and camaraderie of running with a group of friends, and also the psychological boost this gives when I'm finding training a bit difficult.

Today I ran with Connor and we chatted all the way round, so it wasn't exactly a strenuous pace. I wanted to complete the longer distance and wasn't really aiming to do it in a particular time (I only realised afterwards that this run was actually longer than the 10k I did on Saturday!).  The weather was dry, if a little overcast, and although it had rained a lot during the day it stayed dry during our run.  Although it was a longer distance than I had run in a long time, I felt good for doing it - my stretching and preparation before and after helped me to feel agile and supple and I didn't ache too much afterwards.  All in all a good training session - and the pub afterwards was very enjoyable too!

The Pride 10k Run - 6.21 miles / 10 km, 51'13''

What a day! I completed the Pride 10k run in Victoria Park this morning. The weather was perfect - sunny but not too warm. I met up with my friends who were also running beforehand, as well as my parents who had come along to watch. My grandmother sadly passed away on Thursday and although I am very sad I wanted to keep running for her, as I think about her and about my other relatives and friends a lot when I'm running (it gives me time to think about lots of things). I think it also did my Mum good to have a day away from home and the upset that she's having at the moment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the race. The course is three laps of Victoria Park, is very flat and on tarmac paths, so is a good fast race. Consequently, I managed to knock 59 seconds off my previous PB! My final time was 51 minutes 13 seconds and I am so pleased with that.

I really enjoyed the run, it was very well organised and had a really proud atmosphere. Being able to take part in sport and also be proud of my identity means a lot to me. These last few weeks have reminded me of how much I enjoy running and I will definitely be re-joining my running club's training runs from now on. I'm also aiming to do a half-marathon soon, either in Autumn or Spring this year. Watch this space!

Training Run 7 - 4.06 miles / 6.52 km, 34'11''

Last run (realistically) before the Pride 10k, I deliberately ran a shorter distance than usual.  11 seconds quicker than the last time I ran this distance!

Distance: 4.06 miles / 6.52 km
Time: 34 minutes 11 seconds
Description: 4 laps of Highbury Fields (plus there and back)
Conditions: Warm and sunny. Dry surface. Breathing controlled, legs not tired, good warm up and down session. Everything feels tip-top and A-OK for Saturday!

Training Run 6 - 5.14 miles / 8.28 km, 43'11''

A new personal best at this distance!  I shaved 40 seconds off the last time, very pleased with that.

Date: Thursday 31st July (yesterday)
Distance: 5.14 miles / 8.28 km
Time: 43 minutes 11 seconds
Description: 5 and a half laps of Highbury Fields (plus there and back)
Conditions: overcast but very warm. Dry pavements. I feel as though my breathing is now much better controlled, feel very comfortable at this distance. Wore rainbow socks for first time - these seemed fine, slight blister on left foot but nothing like as bad as has been previously.  Good warm up and warm down - seem to have found a good pattern for these.

I cannot convey how pleased I am at the progress I'm making.  When I started writing this in May I hadn't run for ages and I felt really unfit. Only a few weeks of committed training later and I feel as though I am making my way back. There is still work to do but I'm enjoying it again and I feel great.

(For those of you who like reading the Booker reviews, this project is sort of on hold at the moment. I will update again when I get a chance to read the next one.)

Training Run 5 - 6.44 miles / 10.36 km, 56'07''

I ran over 10km tonight for the first time in ages.  I feel prepared now for the Pride 10k run which is coming up in less than two weeks.

Date: Monday 28th July

Distance: 6.44 miles / 10.36 km

Time: 56 minutes 7 seconds

Description: 7 and a half laps of Highbury Fields (plus there and back)

Conditions: Warm but not hot. Overcast. Mostly flat paths, dry. Controlling breathing fairly well now. Although it feels slow it feels controlled. Still very tired afterwards but feel like I'm putting in maximum effort. Good warm up and warm down sessions (though I think I will ache tomorrow).

On the basis of my time today, I think I might just beat my 2012 time for the Pride 10k.  I ran slightly further today and there will also be a crowd cheering me on the day, which will help me to go faster.

Training Run 4 - 5.14 miles / 8.28 km, 43'51''

A great training run last night, longest I've run in ages, very pleased :-)

Date: Tuesday 22nd July (yesterday)
Distance: 5.14 miles / 8.28 km
Time: 43 minutes 51 seconds
Description: 5 and a half laps of Highbury Fields (plus there and back)
Conditions: very very warm.  Sunny.  Mostly flat paths, dry.  Breathing much easier than before - did not feel as laboured.  Good warm up and warm down sessions.

The Pride 10k is two and a bit weeks away.  When I last ran it in 2012 I did it in 52 minutes 12 seconds, so I'm aiming to beat that this time.  I'm hoping the weather will be a bit cooler by then (though hopefully not raining, even though I love the rain, as it spoils the day somewhat).

Training Run 3 - 4.06 miles / 6.52 km, 34'22''

Two runs in a week!  (And two blog posts in a week - v unusual).

Distance: 4.06 miles / 6.52 km
Time: 34 minutes 22 seconds
Description: 4 laps of Highbury Fields (plus there and back)
Conditions: Very warm.  Overcast.  Running on tarmac, dry with no puddles.  Felt much easier than Monday - able to run 4 instead of 3 laps, hope to be up to 5 next time.  Good warm up and warm down - muscles don't feel too tired after Monday.

Training Run 2 - 3.41 miles / 5.48 km, 28'30"

Yikes, no run since 12 May, that is bad.  Never mind, back on the wagon now.

Distance: 3.41 miles / 5.48 km
Time: 28 minutes 30 seconds
Description: 3 laps of Highbury Fields (plus there and back)
Conditions: Stuffy, close, very warm. Running on tarmac, dry with no puddles. Sometimes full sun with some shade. Very very tired - wanted to run 5 laps but had to stop, it felt very slow. Good warm up and warm down though, muscles feel flexible and supple.

Paul Scott Staying On (1977)

I feel as though I’ve written a lot of reviews of novels that discuss the legacy of colonialism on this blog, and quite a few reviews of novels about India.  Paul Scott’s Staying On combines the two, taking as its subject the elderly Smalleys, Tusker and Lucy, and describing their lives as the last British settlers who have ‘stayed on’ in Pankot, a fictional small town in India, post-independence. 

Staying On is full of dark humour, laughing at the ridiculousness of the Smalleys while also painting a poignant picture of a couple growing old, each fearing being left alone.  The story is mostly seen from Lucy’s point of view as she looks back on episodes in her life with Tusker, but we also briefly see the feelings of Tusker himself and of Mr Bhoolaboy, husband of the hotel’s domineering owner Lila Bhoolaboy.  Paul Scott wrote four books prior to Staying On which are collectively known as ‘The Raj Quartet’; these feature the Smalleys very briefly but focus mainly on other characters from the Pankot universe, many years prior to the events of Staying On.  While reading these is not necessary to understand this novel (I haven’t read them), the references to other characters pique the reader’s interest and certainly made me want to read the other books.

The poignancy of Lucy and Tusker’s relationship, their long life together without really truly knowing one another, coupled with flashbacks to Lucy’s sad childhood, make this an outstanding study of regret.  The reader feels for Lucy as she faces the imminent probability that Tusker will not be around for much longer, and evaluate with her the down-at-heel existence of these last remnants of the British Empire in India.  Their old-fashioned prejudicial attitudes towards the Indian people remain, yet Scott writes with such emotional prowess that we feel empathy towards the couple, ridiculous and prejudiced though they are.   

Staying On describes an India in transition, with its citizens throwing off the shackles of British colonial rule and moving towards a prosperous future, represented by the rival Shiraz hotel in Pankot.  Tusker and Lucy are the last tie to a bygone age – which Scott does not exactly idealise, but which he still seems to look back on wistfully nonetheless.  The emotional story of these two characters makes Staying On worth the read, and made me very aware of how transient all our relationships really are.

Training Run 1 - 4.77 miles / 7.68 km, 38'01"

As I suffer from problems of motivation with my running training, I've decided to note on here from now on the details of runs I undertake.  This is to help me to reflect on how well/badly my training is going and also to help motivate me at times when I'm feeling down.  Hopefully seeing the number of times I run will make me feel that I do it more often than I actually think I do!  So here goes:

Distance: 4.77 miles / 7.68 km 

Time: 38 minutes 1 second

Description: 5 laps of Highbury fields (plus there and back)

Conditions: Very wet!  Heavy rain for first half, eased off and ceased completely by end.  Running on tarmac but lots of puddles.  Not particularly cold or windy.

Feeling:  Generally good.  No blisters!  Exhausted at end, definitely gave 100%.  Legs ache a bit, slight stitch on right hand side towards end of run..

David Storey Saville (1976)

This review has been hard to write, because this book has been extremely difficult to read.  This is a personal thing on my part, because I have always found novels that describe childhood in school to be difficult, mainly because my latter years in school were not always pleasant.  Saville talks about school life in spades, and a difficult school life at that.  It tells the tale of Colin Saville, son of a coal miner in a 1930s Northern British mining village, who wins a scholarship to the prestigious local grammar school, and his subsequent struggle to build a life for himself in spite of his family’s grinding poverty.  Colin tries to fit in with the other boys at the grammar school but his humble origins are constantly shown up and his inability to fit in alienates him from his peers and his family, leaving him with nowhere to go.

Saville is unremittingly grim.  The oppressive landscape of the coal mines looms large over everything and acts as a metaphor for the hard life and poverty that Colin and his family have to live through.  Here the reader witnesses people having to pay for their medical treatment prior to the creation of the NHS, the struggle to stay warm in sub-standard housing and the exhaustion suffered from constant physically demanding hard work.  The coal dust settles on everything and everywhere is grimy and dark, even when Colin’s mother tries to keep the house clean.

Education is seen as Colin’s escape from all this, and his passing of the eleven-plus grammar school entrance examination seems to be his ticket out, but as the novel progresses his tale does not pan out that way.  We see the changes in Colin’s peers, their successes and failures, as Colin himself grows up.  He becomes alienated from those around him, his family and his friends, and as a character he is hard to warm to because he barely speaks at all.  Storey has created a protagonist who is an everyman character, a figurehead for the class struggle, and his complicated friendship with the upper-middle class boy Stafford reflects the differences between their two worlds but tells us little about Colin’s own feelings, wants or desires.   

I did not enjoy reading Saville.  I found it grim, depressing and unrelenting in its misery.  The school passages made me feel deeply uncomfortable and the story only got interesting very near the end when it was abruptly terminted.  I could write more for this review but don’t feel the need.  If, like me, you read for escapism, this really is not going to be the book for you.