Through gritted teeth I run thee

19.8 miles in 3:37:27
Route: The Three Peaks

It was my birthday on Friday. I am 29. After several potent cocktails and some ill advised shots of something that I asked not to contain tequila but clearly did, Jenny Astley (former housemate and graduate of the London Marathon) said to me:

“Make sure you get out on your feet for at least three and a half hours. You need to know what it feels like”

After seeing off a well deserved hangover, and with Jen’s advice still ringing in my ears, I set out running on Sunday for the first time in a week. My bruised foot has kept me out of training again this week – so frustrating – but it had recovered sufficiently to allow me to run again.

Unusually for me, I didn’t plan a route. I decided to head out along my favorite north London trail and keep on adding the miles until I had been out for at least three hours. My training plan said I had to do 18 miles.

I started off along my usual route up around Highbury and Finsbury Park. It was very windy and at times I felt like I was running, but standing still. It started to hail as I ran past the Arsenal stadium. Kept my head down and hid under my hat. Wished I’d picked up my gloves – whatever happened to spring?!

Did a circuit of Finsbury Park and headed onto the Parkland Walk up to Highgate and climbed to the first peak of the day, Highgate Hill. Ok, so not an official hill, but certainly a long climb!

Across onto Hampstead Heath, and by now the weather was much improved – still cold and windy, but bright sunshine as I ran past Kenwood House and the woods. Knee very painful again I’m afraid, but am used to it by now.

From Kenwood, I ran down through the Heath and up onto my second peak, Parliament Hill (above) – a popular setting TV and films, most recently Notes On A Scandal. It was very windy at the top and people were flying kites. I didn’t stay long as it was too cold to stop!

Down into Hampstead and Swiss Cottage. As I passed the tube at Swiss Cottage, my knee gave out and I had to stop for 4 or 5 minutes to stretch it out. It was very painful and I considered calling it a day. The weather was cold again and I was tempted by a 274 bus ride home… thought of my sponsors and jogged on.

Into Primrose Hill, and decided to challenge myself to run to the top, my third peak of the day. Lovely view as always (below) and more kites being flown.

Crossed the Regent’s Canal next to London Zoo and off around the perimeter of Regent’s Park. I was getting tired by this point, but figured that I had probably only gone 10 miles and I needed to do a lot more before heading home.

Decided to go down into Hyde Park, so ran through Marylebone and Mayfair and crossed into the park on the east side. At the edge of the Serpentine, the view was spectacular. The light was fading and the wind was making the waters choppy. I took a quick photo and headed up to Lancaster Gate.

Into Paddington, past the station and into Maida Vale… felt exhausted by this stage. Passed Raouls cafe and wished I was inside with scrambled eggs and sausages and not still 3 miles from home. Stopped at the corner and wondered how I was going to make it.

Runners have an unusual relationship with distance. I am forever underestimating them. Places which seem to be close together, are actually quite far apart. Conversely, when you are tired and cold and have been running for 3 hours, a simple run from Maida Vale to Islington can seem like an eternity.

This was my first experience of hitting The Wall. I’ve never really pushed myself this hard before and the tanks were empty. Biologically, “The Wall” is when your carbohydrate stores are depleted and your body starts to burn fat to fuel your muscles. The problem is that fat is a much less efficient fuel for your body than carbohydrate, so you have far less energy to draw upon and you get tired quickly. Psychologically, The Wall is far more than that. It’s knowing that you need to keep going when you have nothing to draw upon. It’s a battle against yourself. It’s not a pleasant feeling, but one all marathon runners have to get used to. As uncomfortable as it was, it’s better to find out what it’s like in training than on the big day.

I pushed on, past Lords and into Regents Park for the second time. I attempted to cut the distance slightly by weaving through the football pitches but I got disorientated and probably saved nothing at all. It was cold and getting dark. Finally made it out the other side and headed down into Camden. Just the dreaded final climb up Camden Square to go…

It took me 3 or 4 attempts – I had to keep stopping! It was like I was a beginner again!! Quite humbling. I reached the top and staggered home to the finish line at the end of my road. I couldn’t have gone another 100 metres.

I limped to the local shop and bought a banana, a snickers, water and chocolate milk. My legs were already failing me. There was a girl in the queue ahead of me, clearly under the influence of something stronger than coffee, arguing with the cashier about whether she could get a large bottle of brandy on credit. I was about ready to use my last ounce of strength to beat her over the head with said bottle when the cashier, unbelievably, gave her the credit and we had to wait while she wrote down her name and phone number.

Back home, I ran a cold bath, ate the banana and downed a bottle of water. I sipped the milk while the bath filled. 15 minutes in the cold tub was agony, but I think it helped.

It’s been a tough, tough run. Am disappointed with the time – at this rate, I’ll be lucky to get around in 5 hours – but I have to remain positive and remember that i) this is my first attempt at 20 miles and I hadn’t planned it, ii) I am running with at least two injuries, iii) running the paths of north London is much harder than running a planned marathon route with other runners and tons of support. I am confident that my next attempt (next weekend) will be much better.

There is one thing that I will take from today’s run above everything else: experience. I have learnt a lot about running distance today – in fact, this is possibly the first time I have felt like a genuine marathon runner. I know that I must prepare properly for a run this big – no drinking, proper food, ideally do some more training during the week (injuries allowing). I know that I must stay focused and see the run as a whole, not just a series of other runs tagged together. I also know that I can do it now and can draw a lot of confidence from the fact I have done one full 20 mile run.

So here’s to you Ms Astley. I’ve followed your advice and I’m a better runner for it. I still can’t stand tequila though.

A view worth running 20 miles for: sunset over the Serpentine