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.)