Long Runnin'

Here's Long Runnin' - a Spotify playlist I've put together - this one's designed for long runs, something I've been doing rather a lot of lately. Did 15 miles on Saturday and felt rough the whole way, not a good experience but it told me that I can carry on running even when I feel really bad. Think I was just exhausted after long working week. Been good since - went out today for a super quick 8 miler and felt on top of the world.
If you don't have Spotify let me know and I'll send you an invite.

Phew

Well another 20 miler done. Was OK up to about 15 miles then felt totally shattered, not helped by getting lost in Tottenham. But it was a great run, went down to the Lea Navigation canal, ran towards the North Circular and then down towards the Olympic site. It's no beauty spot along the canal but it's great to run somewhere without traffic or dog walkers and the amount of green space is amazing when you think we're in the middle such a massive city.
Running towards the Olympics site was wonderful - I am a bit of an Olympics nerd I must admit - and I continued on around the stadium where I came across The Greenway and the View Tube where you can look across the whole site. It really is incredible down there and the progress is right on track I'd say. Anyone who lives in London I'd recommend going down there just to take a look.
Hopefully doing the Sport Relief Mile with the whole family this afternoon. Feeling very achey though.

Worry List

Ok might as well exorcise this from my head. here's my current
TOP TEN THINGS I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE 2010 LONDON MARATHON
1. Getting injured before the race
2. Getting injured during the race
3. Doing "a Paula" or other toilet related mishap
4. Chaffing (a. nipples, b. the boys)
5. Not finishing/ Energy crisis
6. Picture of my face contorted with extreme agony on national TV as I am passed by a giant baby
7. Not getting to the race on time
8. Accidently tripping somebody up and causing huge bundle of flailing bodies
9. Shorts splitting/boys escaping from barracks - clothing based embarrassment
10. Losing number or some vital thing

I'm sure I'll think of some more. Another 20-miler tomorrow. Eek!

An Epic Adventure

Well, I didn't do 18… I did 20 miles. So proud of myself. Feels like some kind of milestone.
Got the whole energy gel thing cracked - need to take them early - so felt good all the way. Slight out of body experience at the end but all fine.
A great run. Felt like the first day of spring with the sun out and bulbs blooming and everyone out for walks. Took a couple of interesting detours - discovered excellent view from Dartmouth Park - a really shabby and very small park but amazing views to the east over North London. Took long route round Hampstead Heath and ended up in Hampstead Garden Suburb where I got drawn into taking a look at the extraordinary St Jude On The Hill church. A real architectural marvel. Hampstead Garden Suburb's a real idyll - a wonderful idea for the perfect surburbia "for all" that seems - from the outside at least - to be an oddly stilted paradise totally occupied by the upper middle classes and not very "for all" whatsoever. Very interesting to run through but much more life and fun to be had elsewhere.

Minding My Own Busy-ness

Boy oh boy busy times fitting in these training runs and full-time working. But all is going well so far. Did a 16 miler last week and ran the London Newham 10k on Sunday breaking my 10k best time by a full minute. Loved the race - super flat and got to run into the Olympic site and get quite close to the stadium which is looking good.

This week been doing subbing shifts. One day I ran back from Camden (the long way) and on another I ran round the Regent Park running track in my lunchbreak. Upcoming runs are quite hardcore starting with an 18 miler on Sunday. I've deliberately left a couple of rest days leading up to it but I'm a bit worried I'm getting beyond my limits. We'll see!

Mud, mud, glorious mud

I managed to avoid the stormy weather and stepped out in the aftermath for my Sunday 14 miler. Clissold Park was flooded, Parkland Walk was covered with fallen branches and the mud swamps of Hampstead Heath were practically impassable. There is something so satisfying about finishing a run like the one yesterday - caked in mud and soaked through. The scars of victory. Well, the scars of survival. And this is North London. What must it be like someone really wild? Like Croydon.
One of my sponsors who'd done the London Marathon called it The Surburban Everest. I like that. I'm never going to climb the world tallest mountain but I can attempt a flat concrete version. It still feels out of reach but in the coming weeks my long runs are 16 miles then two weeks of 20s. If I survive that I think I'll feel more confident.