Having not run for a week, and having been to a wedding the weekend before, I really felt this run in my legs. I did the usual Monday evening seven-miler along the South Bank, around Battersea Park and back again. It had been a cold, clear afternoon and the evening was dry, with lots of people out and about along the South Bank and in the park. I ran by myself this evening, taking the chance to get back into my running rhythm. It was very pleasant running through the park, although now that it is fully dark in the evening it makes some of the unlit paths quite difficult to traverse safely. The number of people running without any reflective gear on was quite concerning - with lots of people running in all directions, nobody wants to collide with anyone else.
Although this felt like a difficult run, I felt better in myself as time went on (though today my legs ache more than they usually would do after such a run). I want to get a pacing watch of some kind so that I can check my splits for miles/kms and get a better idea of keeping my own pace than I currently have. All of this will help me to improve going forward, especially if I decide to run a marathon later this year.
Monday, 26 October 2015
Monday, 19 October 2015
Training Run 59 - 7 miles / 11.27 km, 58'49''
This was my first run since the Royal Parks half, having given myself a week off while Chris and I were on holiday in Cornwall. After a week of bright sunshine, today was grey and wet, reminding me of how autumnal Britain can feel.
I enjoyed tonight's run, along the South Bank and once around Battersea Park before returning again. I ran with Rich and we talked about politics (as we always do) and I didn't try to push myself too hard. It was a good evening, despite the rain. I am thinking now about doing a marathon at some point in the future, although I am a bit scared about the amount of training that I will need to do. I know I should be brave though and make the commitment - the marathon is the ultimate distance, and I would really love to do it, to prove to myself that I can. So watch this space for further updates!
I enjoyed tonight's run, along the South Bank and once around Battersea Park before returning again. I ran with Rich and we talked about politics (as we always do) and I didn't try to push myself too hard. It was a good evening, despite the rain. I am thinking now about doing a marathon at some point in the future, although I am a bit scared about the amount of training that I will need to do. I know I should be brave though and make the commitment - the marathon is the ultimate distance, and I would really love to do it, to prove to myself that I can. So watch this space for further updates!
Sunday, 11 October 2015
Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon - 13.1 miles / 21.08 km, 1 hr 46'43''
My first ever Royal Parks Half Marathon could not have been better. A beautiful sunny but cool day, lots of enthusiastic supporters along the route and a new personal best combined to make it a hugely enjoyable experience.
Chris and I arrived at Hyde Park bright and early, along with a chunk of the other 15,000 runners. I headed off to the start area and he went to Buckingham Palace to find a good place to watch out for me. The start area had a large marquee for the charities, and I dropped my bag off at the Amnesty International area and said hello to Ben and Daisy from Team Amnesty, who have been the principal organisers of my place in the run. After that I headed for the blue starting funnel, which was the specific area for my predicted time.
As the race began, I was just behind the 1.55 pace runner. I was aiming to do below 1.55 so I overtook him fairly rapidly. The first few miles were crowded, with lots of overtaking and (polite) jostling. The early morning sunshine was bright and there was a light breeze to keep me cool. I saw a few well-dressed charity runners in these early stages - a man dressed as a bottle of London Pride beer, a woman in a tiger onesie and even a man in a squirrel outfit, complete with bushy tail, running to raise money for the Royal Parks Foundation.
The first half of the race felt very good. I knew I was going at a faster pace than in my previous half marathons and my legs felt strong with no aches or pains. There were so many friendly people cheering at the sidelines - as I had my name on my vest, lots of people kept calling out my name which really helped to keep me motivated.
I realised as time progressed that I was tiring, but I wanted to keep the pace going. The latter half of the race was harder than the first, and my splits were slower too. However, as I neared the end I knew that I would be setting a new personal best and was hoping that I would be able to get home in under 1 hour 50. I need not have worried, as I crossed the finish line in 1.46:43, well below my target time, 9 minutes faster than my previous personal best and a full 15 minutes faster than the time I ran in Porto only a month ago. I got my lovely oak leaf medal and had a wander around the stalls at the food and fitness fair, enjoying the late autumn sunshine in one of London's loveliest parks. The perfect end to a perfect run!
Chris and I arrived at Hyde Park bright and early, along with a chunk of the other 15,000 runners. I headed off to the start area and he went to Buckingham Palace to find a good place to watch out for me. The start area had a large marquee for the charities, and I dropped my bag off at the Amnesty International area and said hello to Ben and Daisy from Team Amnesty, who have been the principal organisers of my place in the run. After that I headed for the blue starting funnel, which was the specific area for my predicted time.
As the race began, I was just behind the 1.55 pace runner. I was aiming to do below 1.55 so I overtook him fairly rapidly. The first few miles were crowded, with lots of overtaking and (polite) jostling. The early morning sunshine was bright and there was a light breeze to keep me cool. I saw a few well-dressed charity runners in these early stages - a man dressed as a bottle of London Pride beer, a woman in a tiger onesie and even a man in a squirrel outfit, complete with bushy tail, running to raise money for the Royal Parks Foundation.
The first half of the race felt very good. I knew I was going at a faster pace than in my previous half marathons and my legs felt strong with no aches or pains. There were so many friendly people cheering at the sidelines - as I had my name on my vest, lots of people kept calling out my name which really helped to keep me motivated.
I realised as time progressed that I was tiring, but I wanted to keep the pace going. The latter half of the race was harder than the first, and my splits were slower too. However, as I neared the end I knew that I would be setting a new personal best and was hoping that I would be able to get home in under 1 hour 50. I need not have worried, as I crossed the finish line in 1.46:43, well below my target time, 9 minutes faster than my previous personal best and a full 15 minutes faster than the time I ran in Porto only a month ago. I got my lovely oak leaf medal and had a wander around the stalls at the food and fitness fair, enjoying the late autumn sunshine in one of London's loveliest parks. The perfect end to a perfect run!
Monday, 5 October 2015
Training Run 58 - 7 miles / 11.27 km, 56'18''
I had not intended to run all the way around the park tonight, but I was enjoying the company and the running so I thought I would go all the way. It was a dark, cool evening, with the feeling of autumn hanging in the air. It was dry albeit overcast, so good conditions for running in. The Royal Parks is taking place this Sunday and I am looking forward to it, as well as the holiday in Cornwall that Chris and I will be having afterwards. I ran with Tom before breaking away by myself, pushing myself quite hard to record my fastest time at this distance so far. I hope that this is a good omen for the race on Sunday!
Saturday, 3 October 2015
Training Run 57 - 4.26 miles / 6.85 km, 33'15''
This was a good run for a number of reasons. I ran with Tom for some of it and we talked about a number of different things, before I ran on ahead and started chatting with James, who gave me lots of hints and tips for running marathons. This has made me feel a bit more confident about the idea of running one at some point in the future (having not got into the ballot for the London Marathon this year).
During the run I got that feeling I get sometimes, of all my cares and concerns falling away, of feeling well and truly alive, the energy flowing through my body. Sometimes when I run I feel as though I can just keep going forever, and today was one of those days. I only did one lap of the park in the end, but I felt energised and refreshed afterwards. I enjoyed talking to three newbies (Nick, Nick and possibly another James) along with José and Blake at brunch, before heading for coffee afterwards.
The Royal Parks is next Sunday, I will need to check what I need to do and where I need to be. I have almost reached my fundraising target too. Very exciting!
During the run I got that feeling I get sometimes, of all my cares and concerns falling away, of feeling well and truly alive, the energy flowing through my body. Sometimes when I run I feel as though I can just keep going forever, and today was one of those days. I only did one lap of the park in the end, but I felt energised and refreshed afterwards. I enjoyed talking to three newbies (Nick, Nick and possibly another James) along with José and Blake at brunch, before heading for coffee afterwards.
The Royal Parks is next Sunday, I will need to check what I need to do and where I need to be. I have almost reached my fundraising target too. Very exciting!
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