Alas, I am a runner, restricted by the Thames path, and a one way route home, theres no other choice but to run into the headwind.
Head on.
For a good part of the 15 miler today, going upstream.
But that is how it is, with long distance running, the unpredictability of the weather, the faster you run, the warmer you feel, the faster you can get to your destination.
Its easier to be a fairweather runner and just throw in the towel when it doesnt look great, but when you have a race to prepare with a tight schedule (and of course, a marathon talk Febulous commitment too), its better to be out than to stay home feeling sorry for oneself. As it will pay, on the 17th April, if I didnt, and I will have a long time to feel sorry for myself after that.
Glad to report, Week 1 of Feb, next to my name with the Australian Flag, 4 runs commited, 4 runs completed, Target long run 15 miles, Actual long run 15 miles.
100%! Febulous! :)
Its been another busy week with early morning commitments and late finishes which leaves only lunchtimes, and running part of my way home, as well as a morning run to the lock (which left me quite tired for the long run today). I've learnt to travel very light when I have to run on the commute, and am starting to like Hyde Park.
and another Royal Park - the Bushy park!
A little bit tired of my normal training route, I decided to give it a twist by taking the bus to Hampton court palace (which is a 2 hour run along the thames) and running the route back. My hubby trained for Paris in 2009 using Hampton court as a turnback route for the 18 miler long run, so knowing that (9 miles) isnt enough, i tagged onto a few by running around a 'quasi-parkrun' loop in Bushy Park. The 35 minute bus ride was ok on a sunday morning although it did feel slightly cold, but once I got out and about, I was able to warm up.
Its been a while since I have visited the Bushy Park/Hampton Court palace, my first visit to bushy park was on the bike in summer this year! and I loved the possibilities of doing loops in Bushy Park and today wouldve been a good day to do it. We've had a very windy weekend in the UK and at least the first 3 miles of the run in the park was sheltered from the wind. I was even tempted to stay there for the entire run! But I kept to my original plan and took the route home.
No choice, but to keep running, made a few diversions (eg across the meadow) when the straight route ahead wouldve slowed me down a lot. tried to do a negative split but didnt quite work as I did go out too fast (Runkeeper is making me realise my pacing, just dont know how to slow it dramatically as my new way of running (heel to toe, and arms at right angle) allows me only to be pain free at a certain speed. If I am too slow, it wont work.
Still heaps to fine tune, but slowly getting there I think. Next sunday marks the start of my double half-marathon fortnight, so long run mileage will come down, but it will be the real test. Will my occasional niggles pull me into a walk-run? or will I be able to pull through in style due to the adrenalin of race day?
All the Chinese New Year celebratory food well justified with the efforts this week..from next week, I'm watching my diet.
A rest day tomorrow, and my 2nd visit to the sports masseur. Hope I'm less twisted this time! (doubting it).
Some pictures
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| First group of deers seen at Bushy Park this morning |
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| One way route - I liked how its mapped out! |
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