December 20th - 122 Days to Marathon - One long run, One wrong idea

BBBRRRRRrrrrrrrr....its dang cold, and foggy...!! full tights, 2 running tops and a wind proof jacket top with hat and gloves were definitely order of the day. Planned to have an hour at pace after a 20 min warm up however by the time I got to Hyde Park Corner I'd met and joined a group of runners (approx 20) from the Serpentine Running Club off out on their Weds night 12 mile London and Tower bridge run. Some crazy notion (Janeywife was out with friend so no rush to get home) influenced me that a 12 mile unplanned for run (albeit I'd lubed up to protect my sensitive areas!) would be a good idea.

Things started well. We clipped along at a pace I found comfortable in the middle of the group however still found myself noticeably going faster than I would normally, at comfort. The run took us up towards Westminster & Parliment Sq before hooking left in to Victoria to cross the Lambeth Bridge onto the south embankment next to Lameth Palace. From there we snaked east down the thames, crossing back over at Westminster Bridge, back again at Waterloo only to cross again at Blackfriars. So far so good.

Pace was definitely on the faster side but all was good apart from feeling super warm which when taking into account the weather was definitely a blessing. We continued unabated down to St Pauls where we crossed again via the Millenium Bridge to head on further east downt he river as far as Southwark Bridge back onto the northside of the river. Itt was as descending the stairs herer that i felt the first niggles from my knee - mainly the outside tweeked and gave pain whilst running downhill or down stairs. We continued towards mile 7 and under London Bridge towards Tower Bridge to cross back over again.

All felt good as we started back up the south side of the Thames, admitedly pace started to slacken and muscles definietly becoming leaden, however all went wel until we crossed the Millemium bridge again and the tweek became a contstant ache rapidly descending to constand pain. I've been here before and the short term remedy has always been to stop, walk and intermittently return to running once the pain has subsided. Not that this a solution, just that with it being bitterly cold and me being sweat soaked I was in no mood to catch hypothmia dur to walking rather than running. I toughed out the journey from Blackfriars Bridge back up to the mall then up to Hyde Park with alternating jog/walks but knew that the more I ran the worse it would become.

Finally made it home at 9.05 - 2 hours after setting out and 12 very weary miles later. Recovered in the shower and spent today sourcing some decent leg and knee exercises so this won't happen next time. Not injured just slightly achy. Knee recovered across today but will be very careful over xmas not to over stretch it, as well as regular strengthening!

December 17th - 128 Days to Marathon - Lap of Hyde Park 4.4miles 35 mins

The Xmas party season is taking its toll. I'm sweating pure alcohol after Dad's birthday party. He was 60, had 72 guests come in fancy dress (Back to School) and my god they let rip. I knew it was going to be a big night, and I also knew it was going to be a tough afternoon run as I'm starting to weather hangovers like seasick passengers in a storm.

Accordingly I was a mess all the way around the short 4.4mile run. i felt physically tired, my legs were achy after dancing even though they'd otherwise had 3 days rest, and all in all I didn't feel well. I needed a toilet break halfway round that I couldn't take and was cold from misjudging the outdoor temp. It was sunny but breezy and by the time I was out the sun was well down for the day. You can't win them all and this one I definitely lost. Again, the only improvement on the run was at the end when I could see home. Drinking I think will be curtainled for Jan.

Got home, showered and collapsed on the sofa to watch 3 episodes of 24. Not good. I'll be glad for Xmas week. Its 9..30 and I'm off to bed.

December 14th - 131 Days to Marathon - 80 mins embankment and parks run

Dads Birthday and his card is still sitting in my bag at work! DOH! Sorry Dad.

Climbed in at home after a long day and new job offer/internal move. Need some time to think about it so decided that a good long push would be perfect. Chose to run the 80min embankment and parks loop run and after the epiphany I've had (my running future consists of fewer sprints and more long runs growing in length all the time), I looked forwards to a good longish night run.

Not too cold, bundled in tights and two sweat wicking tops with a cap and gloves was sufficent for a trip over to the London eye, up to MI5 and across Vauxhall bridge before changing it up slightly and trekking up the North Side of the river towards Chelsea Bridge. The Batttersea Power station on the south side is all pavement and road and little river, so I've decided to run on the prettier side of the river.

Another comfotable run. Quite pleasing as my long distance knee ache is starting to fade away a little, or is less apparent which is comforting. Had plenty of opportunity to think about work decisons but don't think I have enough info yet to make an informed choice.

2 days off now - Friday night out with the Thomas running Oracle (Jnr) and then Saturday its dads birthday at home. Look forwards to runs in the country once home for xmas but too short a time frame this weekend, back on Sunday to sweat out some of the booze.

December 12th - 133 Days to Marathon - 40 mins fartlek

Trying to keep the fartlek running going although I'm now finding it just to debillitating. I understand the importance of speed work in order to increase overall speed if i want to meet my 3.30hrs target, however if it carries on setting me back overall I think its going to be removed from my program and replaced with more hill and stamina work.

The problem I'm finding is this. Long continual runs 80mins + start slow but by the time I get towards 35/40 mins I find a second wind and am suprisingly able to gradually pick up the pace. Its like I need 40 mins to iron out the aches and get everything warmed up really throughly before settling into a comfortable, yet respectable pace. By the time I'm at 80mins I'm feeling good and ready to keep on stretching away. So this is what I'm doing. Fewer runs, more miles, less impact speed work and more hill work.

Fartlek tonight felt wrong and probably was wrong. I'm tweeking and now is the time inmy training to be doing it. Next run Thurs.

December 9th - 136 Days to Marathon - 80 mins marathon pace

Had Thursday night out for birthday celebrations and spent friday shaking both hangover and digesting the entire thai menu I seemed to plough through. Still, 2 days off have helped and had really pleaseant run with minor niggles for good 80 mins.

Found pace increasing over distance and although I was trying to take it easy I started to push myself to a point where I was breathing hard and clippling along very nicely.

Run took me to the Mall via Hyde and Green Parks, before heading down Northumberland Ave to the river. Crossed over to the London Eye and weaved in and out of the tourons prior to pushing up the south side past Lambeth to Chelsea bridge. Back past the lister and the barracks up to Sloane Square and then towards Hyde Park again before settling back off the pace to recover as I cooled down towards home. All very civilised. Didn't time myself as i wanted to do this at my pace and just enjoy the distance, which worked - 9 miles.

Lifed knee weights once home to recover the right knee and then crashed on the floor with my feet up for a hour. Roast, on a saturday. Crazy nights in with Janey wife and series 1-3 of 24. I love it!

December 6th - 139 Days to Marathon - 30mins jog

Took gentle jog around the Hyde Park - Kensington Gardens now close at 5.00pm as its sun down at 4 and dark by 5pm! Spent 30 mins doing what it normally takes only 20. I think the idea of these runs are to keep my legs fresh without placing too much strain on them - this way I'm avoiding shin splints whilst gradually building the weekly mileage. Nice easy stretch and dinner - two days off then good long run on Saturday. Schedule suggests 75 mins. Looking forwards to this at 75-80% effort.

December 4th - 141 Days to Marathon - fartlek 3 parks session

Left work on 5.30 on the dot and cracked on home to stretch and change before an eagerly anticipated 3 parks fartlek session. The change in session planning into every other day, or 4 runs a week is really paying dividends already - I feel refreshed and strong each recovery day and by the time of the run I'm ready to go.

Fartlek session started only once I'd warmed up, about 15 mins into the run. By this time I was already down on the Mall which was relatively quiet however my fartlek session turned into a fast paced 25 min run with slight recovery sessions along the way to catch my breath. felt really good and I need to consult the Oracle Thomas about whether or not this qualifies as proper fartlek training. Queen still in at BP with her Royal Standard flying high. Temperature still relatively mild so stripped off gloves as pace increased. Lots of fast runners around, it was like ewveryone out last night was either fartlekig or full pace short distancing.

Received confirmation of no ballot place, fortunately I have my Children with Leukaemia place - have contacted work about fundraising .

December 2nd - 143 Days to Marathon - Hill Session

Our wedding presents arrived this morning so it was like Xmas come early...apart from the 13 empty boxes we then had to shift out of the flat. Quite were we're going to store everything I don't know but dang I can't see the skirting boards again for clutter!!

Spent most of the day unpacking but was promised time off by Janeywife to go and have a little run. 90 mins later I came back after a lovely mdeium paced run across Regents Park to Primrose Hill and 5 good strong reps up the long drag slope. Beautiful day, lots of people out. Regents Park has had lots of work done to it and their is now a sports facitility in the middle with football pitches and belssed relief taps with drinking water. I've tried carrying water on a hip slung bottle but regardfless of how ergonomically placed it is, it still feels awkward and unnatural.

Legs felt good, no niggles, especially around lower leg bones and was able to push using core ab muscles. I think the hill training is briging out new muscle groups that I wouldn't otherwise use to run with. Came back glowing to find Janeywife exercising the hoover. Good girl.

December 1st - 144 Days to Marathon - Another rest day

Took a rest day yesterday - I think I'm overcooking it at the moment - my training has increased quite dramaticallly over the last month and although I'm varying the type of training I'm finding that I'm aching more and feeling worse rather than better. Neal has advised me to cut back a bit and try alternating every other day for a fortnight to give my legs more recovery time. I'm a little hesitant to scale any further back than this but am willing to try if it means that I'm avoiding injury.

I took another rest day today and will do a gentler run but with increased distance on Saturday, including the next primrose hill session. I'm looking forwards to see if my Stamina has improved as a consequence of the last hill session.