The end is in sight!
11 miles in 1:31:44
Route: Hyde Park circuit 1
Two weeks to go! How exciting!! I’m not sure if I’m more excited about marathon day or the prospect of having my life back again.
This was another fairly brisk run – just over 8 minute miles, which is still quite a bit faster than I expect to run on the day. I’m having a bit of trouble deciding what pace to set myself for the marathon, but I think I’m just about settled on something around 9 minute miles. That’s about what’s I’ve been doing my really long runs at and if I set off as fast as I did today, it will be all over by mile 16 or so.
A bit miffed this wasn’t a PB (was all ready for another fist pumping) but it seems I ran a rather quick version of this back in September 06 warming up for the Windsor Half – damn my former self!
Still, it was another lovely day, even if the run itself did feel a little routine. The best running is always early morning or late evening, just as the sun is going down (see picture of Hyde Park below). There were people everywhere again, enjoying another bank holiday weekend sun fest. The smells of summer filled the air – BBQs, freshly cut grass, newly opened flowers and something distinctly herbal in Regents Park. I’m sure it’s just a kick back from the Lebanese restaurants on Edgware Road.
Route: Hyde Park circuit 1
Two weeks to go! How exciting!! I’m not sure if I’m more excited about marathon day or the prospect of having my life back again.
This was another fairly brisk run – just over 8 minute miles, which is still quite a bit faster than I expect to run on the day. I’m having a bit of trouble deciding what pace to set myself for the marathon, but I think I’m just about settled on something around 9 minute miles. That’s about what’s I’ve been doing my really long runs at and if I set off as fast as I did today, it will be all over by mile 16 or so.
A bit miffed this wasn’t a PB (was all ready for another fist pumping) but it seems I ran a rather quick version of this back in September 06 warming up for the Windsor Half – damn my former self!
Still, it was another lovely day, even if the run itself did feel a little routine. The best running is always early morning or late evening, just as the sun is going down (see picture of Hyde Park below). There were people everywhere again, enjoying another bank holiday weekend sun fest. The smells of summer filled the air – BBQs, freshly cut grass, newly opened flowers and something distinctly herbal in Regents Park. I’m sure it’s just a kick back from the Lebanese restaurants on Edgware Road.
Also, another successful outing for the Shelter vest. Once again, I nearly took out someone on the pavement who insisted on walking 5 abreast with her mates. I hope no one complains to Shelter (snigger).Body seems in fairly decent shape. Knee was a little sore as I headed out, but wasn’t too bad once it had warmed up. I’d say it’s at about 65-70%, which is much, much better than it was a fortnight ago! I hope it holds out just a little longer.
Wow – I hadn’t realised it had got so late! It’s almost 9pm! That is insane. My whole day seems to revolve around running at the moment. I’ve become almost obsessive about it. I just can’t focus on anything else until I have done my training. It’s very tiresome actually – thankfully, I have a day off tomorrow after a busy week this week, which will be heaven. I can mooch around London, read the papers and drink some coffee. Heaven! It may sound simple, but I’ve given up just about everything else that’s fun, so I have to hold on to the little things…
Off to Lowestoft next week for my parents’ birthdays, so will complete my last real training in good old Suffolk. Then it’s back to London for the final countdown.
My friends, we have come this far. Just 14 days to go. Are you as relieved as I am?
Messing about on the river: boats on the Serpentine
posted by Jonathan @ 9:23 PM
2 Comments:
At 8:40 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hi mate, we will join you in Lowestoft on Friday. Can you also give some thought to where you would like your cheer leaders around the course? My thoughts were places where it is less crowded to boast your motivation, and possibly somewhere where you think having someone shouting "my nan can run faster than you" would be good? Andrew
At 1:14 AM,
Jonathan said…
Now then Saunders me ole mate. Excellent point - I need to think 'race strategy' over the next few days. I have a map of the course that I am bringing back to the Toft this weekend, so perhaps we can work out some good places then.
There are loads of good places to cheer from that are relatively close together, so shouldn't be a probloem. I'm going to be on my last legs by 20 miles, so the bit about people's nans running faster than me will probably apply from there onwards...
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