Syntax 10k
17th April 2007
Training Run
Conditions: Mild, Dry
Notes: With the light nights here I decided the try the six mile run home that I have dubbed the ‘Syntax 10k’. I have run this route once before but as stated in my previous log entry (5th February 2007) the run was very dangerous as it leads down country lanes with no street lights. Apart from the danger of the run I really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to the run home.
I did the one mile warm up to the scrap metal merchants near the Odeon Cinema and once I had stretched I was off. I had learnt a valuable lesson on Sunday when running my fifteen mile long run. That lesson was not to run above my lactate threshold pace for long runs. I have found that no matter how hard I try I always run too fast too soon. I was determined to get it right tonight so I set off up the hill towards Oakwood at a very steady pace. Running at a mid eight minute mile pace (my lactate threshold pace) made the hill very easy and with hard concentration on my breathing I was not out of breath or tired in the slightest once at the top. The only pain I had was an aching in my calf’s but if this was like my last few runs that would soon go away.
I ran through the next mile with the aching still there and down towards Broomfield I was still suffering. I remember think I would have to stop to stretch but I pushed through it mentally and soon enough it was gone. I saw a runner coming towards me down the hill, and just seeing someone else gave me a burst of energy.
Once around the corner and into mile four I was feeling pretty good and then suddenly it happened. The ‘Superman’ theme tune came on my Ipod and I felt the most amazing and surreal amount of energy fill my body. Now I did not panic and start running too fast I simply kept the pace I was going at, and I was running along with shivers going up and down my spine and with a huge smile on my face. This was probably the best I have felt at any one moment since running, apart from crossing the finish line for my first half marathon in Worksop.
The course then turned a corner for the long straight past Morley Hayes. Normally when it was dark I run along the very uneven and dangerous path, but it was light and I was flying high so I ran down the side of the road. This did not seem to bother the drivers as each pulled out next to me and passed safely by me. I remember telling myself to keep this steady pace going, as after the decline down towards Smalley Cross comes the subsequent incline up to Smalley Village.
I took it steady down towards Smalley Cross and remember thinking shortly after that my legs felt a little tight. One thing that was fine however was my fitness, no stitch, no shortage for breath, just a gut full of determination to run the upcoming hill without slowing, tiring or stopping. I ran the hill at the same steady pace I had ran the previous five miles and once at the top I felt fine. Without doubt it was the best I have felt at the top of that hill. I breezed the final straight through Smalley Village and on approaching the final corner I was feeling that good that I had got myself into the mindset that I was approaching the finish line in Edinburgh with all my friends cheering me on. I kicked it and sprinted the final hundred yards and crossed the line feeling fantastic and very proud of how I had approached and completed this training run. I had finished a run wanting to continue which is always a good sign.
In closing I have finally completed a run, running at my lactate threshold pace and boy did it male a difference. I didn’t tire at the top of the hills, apart from the aching early on in the run I never contemplated stopping. This is my marathon pace. Eight and a half minute miles and even with the time I lost in Cancun and the resultant lost fitness I still strongly believe that I can run a sub four hour marathon in Edinburgh. The main thing however is finishing, and running at this speed I know I will finish and finish well.
Time: 51.12
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 39
"Sport is not about being wrapped up in cotton wool. Sport as about adapting to the unexpected and being able to modify plans at the last minute. Sport, like all life, is about taking risks."
New York City
"Running 26 miles around this place.....I can think of nothing better"
Thursday, 19 April 2007
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
15th April 2007
15 Mile Run = Home – Heanor – Langley – Eastwood – Ilkeston
Date: 15th April 2007
Conditions: Hot, Sunny
Notes: Today was tough, very tough. The weather for a sunbather was magnificent, for a long distance runner however it was the complete opposite. The sky was perfect blue and the sun was shining down in full force. It was like a hot summer’s day and I had chosen to do my long run at 2pm which basically was the hottest part of the day. What I did realise however, is that if I train in the heat of the day then running in the morning for my races will seem far easier.
I set out armed with my water bottle and felt aches in my legs for about the first three miles. I looked at my watch and I was running fast miles, far too fast for a run as long as this. I tried to run slower but every time I looked at my watch I was still running sub eight minute miles. This is something I will be paying great attention to on my next long run.
By the time I got to Eastwood and mile five the sun was really starting to take its toll and the water I was carrying was starting to warm up. The hill up into Eastwood was long but once at the top I found my form again and began to run well and comfortable. The heat was still a factor but I was getting conditioned the constant heat of the sun.
The next four miles were pretty flat and the run along the A6096 was very tough and I nearly stopped but I told myself that I’m not a quitter and I pushed through it. At the end of mile nine I stopped at a shop to get a drink and whilst stretching outside I dropped my phone and lost my times for the run. This was soul destroying as I use my times as a way of guestimating my overall marathon time.
I set off again and in front of me was nearly one mile of steep hills up towards Ilkeston Town centre. This took a lot out of me and from here on in I really suffered and struggled to the end of the run. I knew that I had ran too fast too soon. Although at the time the pace felt slow, I have learned a valuable lesson and will not make the same mistake again.
The final five miles were a mix of flats then slight inclines. These were tough and my legs were crying out for a rest. Eventually I had to stop and this was a fatal error. Once going again it was not long before my legs were crying for another rest and so I was stopping over and over again. Basically I had beaten myself mentally by stopping and although the pain was intense I feel that if I was still running on the clock and had not stopped that first time that I would not have stopped at all (or at minimum once or twice, much later on in the run).
The final two miles were a mix of running then walking and my legs really were crying out for me to stop, sit down and rest. This was never going to happen but what was very clear from this run was that I was running above my lactate threshold and subsequently the lactic acid build up came early and affected the entire run.
I want to put those final few miles out of my mind forever, however I will never forget how I felt at that time and the lessons I learned from running the speed I did. Tomorrow I will go for a recovery run of three to four miles at mid eight minute pace.
“I learned two very valuable lessons today…….”
1. If you go out too quickly at the start of a run you WILL suffer later. I went out at late seven minute miles. I must add at least one minute onto these early miles if I have any chance of completing the Edinburgh Marathon in one piece.
2. Although this run was hard and I had to stop many times I realised that, no matter how tired you are if you want to finish a run or a marathon, with the correct mental approach you will. However if you stop once you WILL stop again, and again. Only stop if you absolutely have to!
Positive: See lesson #1
Negative: See lesson #2
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 41
Fast Mile: N/T
Slow Mile: N/T
Run Time: N/T
"Good things come slow - especially in distance running."
Date: 15th April 2007
Conditions: Hot, Sunny
Notes: Today was tough, very tough. The weather for a sunbather was magnificent, for a long distance runner however it was the complete opposite. The sky was perfect blue and the sun was shining down in full force. It was like a hot summer’s day and I had chosen to do my long run at 2pm which basically was the hottest part of the day. What I did realise however, is that if I train in the heat of the day then running in the morning for my races will seem far easier.
I set out armed with my water bottle and felt aches in my legs for about the first three miles. I looked at my watch and I was running fast miles, far too fast for a run as long as this. I tried to run slower but every time I looked at my watch I was still running sub eight minute miles. This is something I will be paying great attention to on my next long run.
By the time I got to Eastwood and mile five the sun was really starting to take its toll and the water I was carrying was starting to warm up. The hill up into Eastwood was long but once at the top I found my form again and began to run well and comfortable. The heat was still a factor but I was getting conditioned the constant heat of the sun.
The next four miles were pretty flat and the run along the A6096 was very tough and I nearly stopped but I told myself that I’m not a quitter and I pushed through it. At the end of mile nine I stopped at a shop to get a drink and whilst stretching outside I dropped my phone and lost my times for the run. This was soul destroying as I use my times as a way of guestimating my overall marathon time.
I set off again and in front of me was nearly one mile of steep hills up towards Ilkeston Town centre. This took a lot out of me and from here on in I really suffered and struggled to the end of the run. I knew that I had ran too fast too soon. Although at the time the pace felt slow, I have learned a valuable lesson and will not make the same mistake again.
The final five miles were a mix of flats then slight inclines. These were tough and my legs were crying out for a rest. Eventually I had to stop and this was a fatal error. Once going again it was not long before my legs were crying for another rest and so I was stopping over and over again. Basically I had beaten myself mentally by stopping and although the pain was intense I feel that if I was still running on the clock and had not stopped that first time that I would not have stopped at all (or at minimum once or twice, much later on in the run).
The final two miles were a mix of running then walking and my legs really were crying out for me to stop, sit down and rest. This was never going to happen but what was very clear from this run was that I was running above my lactate threshold and subsequently the lactic acid build up came early and affected the entire run.
I want to put those final few miles out of my mind forever, however I will never forget how I felt at that time and the lessons I learned from running the speed I did. Tomorrow I will go for a recovery run of three to four miles at mid eight minute pace.
“I learned two very valuable lessons today…….”
1. If you go out too quickly at the start of a run you WILL suffer later. I went out at late seven minute miles. I must add at least one minute onto these early miles if I have any chance of completing the Edinburgh Marathon in one piece.
2. Although this run was hard and I had to stop many times I realised that, no matter how tired you are if you want to finish a run or a marathon, with the correct mental approach you will. However if you stop once you WILL stop again, and again. Only stop if you absolutely have to!
Positive: See lesson #1
Negative: See lesson #2
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 41
Fast Mile: N/T
Slow Mile: N/T
Run Time: N/T
"Good things come slow - especially in distance running."
13th April 2007
2 Mile Recovery Run = Home - Wood/Dobholes Lane - Home
Date: 13th April 2007
Conditions: Warm, Dry
Notes: Having had a grueling session yesterday with the running club I decided to do a gentle two mile recovery run, to drain all the toxins from my legs. I set out at a really steady pace but still ran my first mile in under eight minutes.
Once at the one mile marker I did some stretching and then headed back for the second mile. Yet again I ran too fast and crossed the return mile marker in under eight minutes yet again.
It is clear from my times that I need to condition myself to run mid eight minute miles early in my training sessions so come race day I do not head out too fast. My next run is my weekly long run so early next week I will set a training session aside to establish the speed I should be running at in the early parts of my runs.
Positive: I am running fast again without realizing it.
Negative: Running fast early miles could well be my eventual downfall.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 43
Fast Mile: 7.38
Slow Mile: 7.48
Marathon time: 15.26
"If the furnace is hot enough, it will burn anything."
Date: 13th April 2007
Conditions: Warm, Dry
Notes: Having had a grueling session yesterday with the running club I decided to do a gentle two mile recovery run, to drain all the toxins from my legs. I set out at a really steady pace but still ran my first mile in under eight minutes.
Once at the one mile marker I did some stretching and then headed back for the second mile. Yet again I ran too fast and crossed the return mile marker in under eight minutes yet again.
It is clear from my times that I need to condition myself to run mid eight minute miles early in my training sessions so come race day I do not head out too fast. My next run is my weekly long run so early next week I will set a training session aside to establish the speed I should be running at in the early parts of my runs.
Positive: I am running fast again without realizing it.
Negative: Running fast early miles could well be my eventual downfall.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 43
Fast Mile: 7.38
Slow Mile: 7.48
Marathon time: 15.26
"If the furnace is hot enough, it will burn anything."
12th April 2007
Heanor Running Club
Speed Work – ‘Hills’
4 x 1200m ‘Repeats’
Date: 12th April 2007
Conditions: Cool, Dry
Notes: We met at Shipley Park (SP) for my second training session at the new meet and I was really looking forward to it. Although the last session was hard I really enjoyed running in the beautiful surroundings.
I could feel my right hamstring was tight so I asked Rob what we would be doing and made him aware of my niggling injury. He informed me we would be doing six intense hills of around twelve hundred meters each. Rob told me just to do four if my leg was playing up.
We set off along the trim track and down by Ozzie’s Pond and across a field towards the Cricket ground. Once there I saw the hill that we would be running up. It was nothing like the short hill runs we were doing at the American Adventure in the winter. This was a huge hill that just went on and on. You run up around four hundred meters then it flattens off for around one hundred meters. Then it gets tough as the hill sweeps around for the toughest two hundred meters before you reach the summit and start the 500 meter recovery jog down the other side of the hill.
I remember thinking at the top of the first loop that there was no way I would finish four of these, never mind the six I would be doing if not injured. I clearly recall a chronic stitch on the recovery jog down and this never left me throughout, no matter how many techniques I used to shift it.
The second loop was tough again and at the end of the third I had to stop to stretch and catch my breath. I then began the fourth and completed it feeling happy that I had finished what I had set out to do but very tired and my legs like jelly.
The warm down jog was gentle but damn, this was a hard workout!
Positive: I completed the most grueling workout I have ever done
Negative: I am still suffering with my damn right hamstring.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 44
"No pain, no gain."
Speed Work – ‘Hills’
4 x 1200m ‘Repeats’
Date: 12th April 2007
Conditions: Cool, Dry
Notes: We met at Shipley Park (SP) for my second training session at the new meet and I was really looking forward to it. Although the last session was hard I really enjoyed running in the beautiful surroundings.
I could feel my right hamstring was tight so I asked Rob what we would be doing and made him aware of my niggling injury. He informed me we would be doing six intense hills of around twelve hundred meters each. Rob told me just to do four if my leg was playing up.
We set off along the trim track and down by Ozzie’s Pond and across a field towards the Cricket ground. Once there I saw the hill that we would be running up. It was nothing like the short hill runs we were doing at the American Adventure in the winter. This was a huge hill that just went on and on. You run up around four hundred meters then it flattens off for around one hundred meters. Then it gets tough as the hill sweeps around for the toughest two hundred meters before you reach the summit and start the 500 meter recovery jog down the other side of the hill.
I remember thinking at the top of the first loop that there was no way I would finish four of these, never mind the six I would be doing if not injured. I clearly recall a chronic stitch on the recovery jog down and this never left me throughout, no matter how many techniques I used to shift it.
The second loop was tough again and at the end of the third I had to stop to stretch and catch my breath. I then began the fourth and completed it feeling happy that I had finished what I had set out to do but very tired and my legs like jelly.
The warm down jog was gentle but damn, this was a hard workout!
Positive: I completed the most grueling workout I have ever done
Negative: I am still suffering with my damn right hamstring.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 44
"No pain, no gain."
Friday, 13 April 2007
10th April 2007
Heanor Running Club
6 Mile Training Run
Date: 10th April 2007
Conditions: Mild, Dry
Notes: Having been back from Cancun for over three weeks and well on the way to regaining my fitness I decided it was time to re-joining my fellow runners at the Running Club. With the light nights now upon us we have switched the meet to Shipley Park.
This was going to be my first intense training session since back in full training so I was very apprehensive as to how much or little I would be able to do. On arrival Rob informed me that we would be doing an hour of constant running with seven, seventy second ‘effort’ runs.
We headed towards the Cricket club for our warm up and once nearly there Rob instructed me that it was time for the first effort run. I put the effort and probably too much too son as when I looked ahead I saw that after this first ‘effort’ there was a huge hill ahead of me. I used the hill as a recovery run but I never really recovered at all. Once at the top of the hill I saw the elite runners disappearing into the distance and behind me the slower runners were falling behind. This left me completely alone and unsure exactly as to where I was going.
Once over the hill the course swept down towards Ozbourne’s Pond and then a sharp turn right led us down towards the old American Adventure. By this time I was really feeling the run and doing the seventy second ‘effort’ runs was no longer the challenge. I had now stopped these and was putting all my effort into carrying on running and trying to relieve the chronic stitch that had come out of nowhere.
Once at the American Adventure I really was completely alone and I had no idea of where exactly I was supposed to be going, more just the general direction that led back to the meeting point. I followed a path round and then came to a junction in the path. One path led up a steep hill and the other swept around to the side. Surprisingly I took the hill option as it seemed a more direct route to where I was trying to get to. The hill was tough and once at the top the fatigue was really starting to kick in but I powered through and soon I was at the old ‘Nottingham Lodge’ and knew where I was again.
Once past the lodge I joined Bell Lane and was en route for the meeting point. I left Bell Lane and joined the ‘Trim Track’ for the final push and when I got back to the meeting point I was tired but glad to be back. I soon figured out that everybody had done the same as me and people started arriving back from all directions. We all had a good laugh about the route and how no two people did the same route.
In closing my first session back with the club was tough but rewarding. I know that summer training in Shipley Park will be tough but it sure beats the cold nights down the Industrial Estate.
Positive: My fitness is quickly getting back to what it was.
Negative: I got lost and ended up returning on my own, a different way.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 46
"Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’”
6 Mile Training Run
Date: 10th April 2007
Conditions: Mild, Dry
Notes: Having been back from Cancun for over three weeks and well on the way to regaining my fitness I decided it was time to re-joining my fellow runners at the Running Club. With the light nights now upon us we have switched the meet to Shipley Park.
This was going to be my first intense training session since back in full training so I was very apprehensive as to how much or little I would be able to do. On arrival Rob informed me that we would be doing an hour of constant running with seven, seventy second ‘effort’ runs.
We headed towards the Cricket club for our warm up and once nearly there Rob instructed me that it was time for the first effort run. I put the effort and probably too much too son as when I looked ahead I saw that after this first ‘effort’ there was a huge hill ahead of me. I used the hill as a recovery run but I never really recovered at all. Once at the top of the hill I saw the elite runners disappearing into the distance and behind me the slower runners were falling behind. This left me completely alone and unsure exactly as to where I was going.
Once over the hill the course swept down towards Ozbourne’s Pond and then a sharp turn right led us down towards the old American Adventure. By this time I was really feeling the run and doing the seventy second ‘effort’ runs was no longer the challenge. I had now stopped these and was putting all my effort into carrying on running and trying to relieve the chronic stitch that had come out of nowhere.
Once at the American Adventure I really was completely alone and I had no idea of where exactly I was supposed to be going, more just the general direction that led back to the meeting point. I followed a path round and then came to a junction in the path. One path led up a steep hill and the other swept around to the side. Surprisingly I took the hill option as it seemed a more direct route to where I was trying to get to. The hill was tough and once at the top the fatigue was really starting to kick in but I powered through and soon I was at the old ‘Nottingham Lodge’ and knew where I was again.
Once past the lodge I joined Bell Lane and was en route for the meeting point. I left Bell Lane and joined the ‘Trim Track’ for the final push and when I got back to the meeting point I was tired but glad to be back. I soon figured out that everybody had done the same as me and people started arriving back from all directions. We all had a good laugh about the route and how no two people did the same route.
In closing my first session back with the club was tough but rewarding. I know that summer training in Shipley Park will be tough but it sure beats the cold nights down the Industrial Estate.
Positive: My fitness is quickly getting back to what it was.
Negative: I got lost and ended up returning on my own, a different way.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 46
"Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’”
Thursday, 12 April 2007
8th April 2007
6 Mile Run = Home – Morley Hayes - Doctors - Home
ate: 8th April 2007
Conditions: Warm, Sunny
Notes: Having returned home from London it was back to the ‘hilly’ countryside of Derbyshire to continue with my training. My fitness level is rapidly coming back but there is still a long way to go.
For my Sunday run I decided to run the Heanor 10k course, but start and finish at my parents. I set out and before I knew it I was on Bell Lane and tackling the tough gravel that led down to Ozbourne’s pond in Marlpool. This was a hard part of the run and with the warmth of the sun this made this a very hard mile of the course. I remember stopping also due to my legs aching and I believe this to be partly down to the surface but it also seconds my first opinion that I need to do some strength work in the gym.
With the gravel behind me and having entered Shipley Park I was feeling good again (although tired) and seeing the many families out with their children really gave me inspiration to carry on without stopping.
I did have to stop once more just before HGIS but with that out the way I tackled Smalley Hill and pushed through the final mile to make it home pleased but tired.
Each run is getting a little easier and more enjoyable and I am now ready to resume training with my Running Club.
Positive: It was a beautiful day and I really enjoyed parts of the run.
Negative: I still had to stop occasionally.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 48
Fast Mile: N/T
Slow Mile: N/T
Run Time: 52.45
"It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys."
ate: 8th April 2007
Conditions: Warm, Sunny
Notes: Having returned home from London it was back to the ‘hilly’ countryside of Derbyshire to continue with my training. My fitness level is rapidly coming back but there is still a long way to go.
For my Sunday run I decided to run the Heanor 10k course, but start and finish at my parents. I set out and before I knew it I was on Bell Lane and tackling the tough gravel that led down to Ozbourne’s pond in Marlpool. This was a hard part of the run and with the warmth of the sun this made this a very hard mile of the course. I remember stopping also due to my legs aching and I believe this to be partly down to the surface but it also seconds my first opinion that I need to do some strength work in the gym.
With the gravel behind me and having entered Shipley Park I was feeling good again (although tired) and seeing the many families out with their children really gave me inspiration to carry on without stopping.
I did have to stop once more just before HGIS but with that out the way I tackled Smalley Hill and pushed through the final mile to make it home pleased but tired.
Each run is getting a little easier and more enjoyable and I am now ready to resume training with my Running Club.
Positive: It was a beautiful day and I really enjoyed parts of the run.
Negative: I still had to stop occasionally.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 48
Fast Mile: N/T
Slow Mile: N/T
Run Time: 52.45
"It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys."
3rd April 2007
London Training Log
Date: 3rd April 2007
Conditions: Mild, Dry
Notes: Having really enjoyed my first ever run in our nations capital I was really looking forward to my second run. It was just so fresh to have new surroundings and with that thought alone I know that regardless of fitness levels, once in Edinburgh the surroundings alone will get me round the course.
So, for my second run I ran the opposite way down the side of the river towards the Millenium Eye. The run there was steady and with still battling with fitness I didn’t push myself too hard. As I turned a corner I could see the Eye in the distance and what an amazing sight it was. I stopped to take a few photos and was amazed that when I asked a gentleman to take my picture next to the Eye and he looked at my ‘Heanor Running Club’ top and asked if it was Heanor in Derbyshire. This was amazing and it turned out he was from Ripley, mere minutes from where I live.
Having taken in the sights of the Eye and the Houses of Parliament I crossed back over the Millenium Bridge and ran back through Victoria Gardens which were again the most beautiful and amazing surroundings. This was a hot spot for runners as I passed many. I did feel myself tiring at this point but the shear beauty of the surroundings kept me going. I chose another footbridge to cross back over the river and soon enough I was back at my hotel.
In closing I enjoyed these runs that much that I know, providing I get in that I will definitely run the London Marathon 2008.
Positive: Running in London is just simply amazing.
Negative: I stopped occasionally, but only to take photos.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 53
Run Time: N/T
"Once you're beat mentally, you might as well not even go to the starting line."
Date: 3rd April 2007
Conditions: Mild, Dry
Notes: Having really enjoyed my first ever run in our nations capital I was really looking forward to my second run. It was just so fresh to have new surroundings and with that thought alone I know that regardless of fitness levels, once in Edinburgh the surroundings alone will get me round the course.
So, for my second run I ran the opposite way down the side of the river towards the Millenium Eye. The run there was steady and with still battling with fitness I didn’t push myself too hard. As I turned a corner I could see the Eye in the distance and what an amazing sight it was. I stopped to take a few photos and was amazed that when I asked a gentleman to take my picture next to the Eye and he looked at my ‘Heanor Running Club’ top and asked if it was Heanor in Derbyshire. This was amazing and it turned out he was from Ripley, mere minutes from where I live.
Having taken in the sights of the Eye and the Houses of Parliament I crossed back over the Millenium Bridge and ran back through Victoria Gardens which were again the most beautiful and amazing surroundings. This was a hot spot for runners as I passed many. I did feel myself tiring at this point but the shear beauty of the surroundings kept me going. I chose another footbridge to cross back over the river and soon enough I was back at my hotel.
In closing I enjoyed these runs that much that I know, providing I get in that I will definitely run the London Marathon 2008.
Positive: Running in London is just simply amazing.
Negative: I stopped occasionally, but only to take photos.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 53
Run Time: N/T
"Once you're beat mentally, you might as well not even go to the starting line."
2nd April 2007
London Training Log
Date: 2nd April 2007
Conditions: Warm, Dry
Notes: Having been sent to London on a training course with work I was really looking forward to doing some running in the Capital.
We were staying right on the river in between the Tower Bridge and the Millenium Eye. To get to where I was training each morning we walked across the London Bridge and the sights were amazing.
On the first night I decided to head towards the Tower Bridge and run across it and then back down the river on the opposite side. The run there was amazing and running across the Bridge was fantastic.
Once across I ran down the South side of the river and eventually crossed back over the London Bridge to where I started. The run took me around twenty minutes so I decided to do the loop again as I enjoyed it that much.
In all I ran for around forty minutes and probably ran around four to five miles, however include the many flights of stairs I had to climb at the start and finish of each bridge and coupled with the constant dodging of people it was probably getting on five and a half miles in all.
Having finished I felt fantastic and jubilant and could not wait for the next night, when I would be heading in the opposite direction, towards the Millenium Eye.
Positive: Running in London felt fantastic.
Negative: I was constantly dodging people throughout.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 54
Run Time: N/T
"The will to win means nothing if you haven't the will to prepare."
Date: 2nd April 2007
Conditions: Warm, Dry
Notes: Having been sent to London on a training course with work I was really looking forward to doing some running in the Capital.
We were staying right on the river in between the Tower Bridge and the Millenium Eye. To get to where I was training each morning we walked across the London Bridge and the sights were amazing.
On the first night I decided to head towards the Tower Bridge and run across it and then back down the river on the opposite side. The run there was amazing and running across the Bridge was fantastic.
Once across I ran down the South side of the river and eventually crossed back over the London Bridge to where I started. The run took me around twenty minutes so I decided to do the loop again as I enjoyed it that much.
In all I ran for around forty minutes and probably ran around four to five miles, however include the many flights of stairs I had to climb at the start and finish of each bridge and coupled with the constant dodging of people it was probably getting on five and a half miles in all.
Having finished I felt fantastic and jubilant and could not wait for the next night, when I would be heading in the opposite direction, towards the Millenium Eye.
Positive: Running in London felt fantastic.
Negative: I was constantly dodging people throughout.
Days to Edinburgh Marathon: 54
Run Time: N/T
"The will to win means nothing if you haven't the will to prepare."
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The Five Boroughs
"There's more to this place than Manhattan"
Staten Island
"Only the first half mile is spent on Staten Island as you immediately leave across the Varrazano-Narrows bridge into Brooklyn"
Brooklyn
"Almost half the race is spent in Brooklyn, where many different neighbourhoods and cultural changes are passed through"
Queens
"The race enters Queens at exactly the half way point by crossing the Pulalski Bridge, over Newton creek, where you get your first amazing view of the City. The next 3 miles are spent here until crossing the challenging Queensboro Bridge over the East river."
Manhattan
"The first of two visits into Manhattan comes at mile 16 as you leave the Queensboro Bridge. Greeted by thousands of screaming spectators makes this one of the most memorable moments of the race, before the 4 mile stretch up First Avenue towards the Bronx"
Bronx
"At mile 20 you cross the Willis Avenue Bridge into the Bronx where little over a mile is run before returning to Manhattan across the Madison Avenue Bridge, where you see the Yankee Stadium, which has to be the highlight of the short trip across the Harlem river"
Manhattan 2
"As you arrive back in Manhattan the course proceeds down Fifth Avenue for 3 miles before entering Central Park for the final push and that moment that will last forever."
Varrazano-Narrows (Staten Island-Brooklyn)
Pulalski Bridge (Brooklyn-Queens)
Queensboro Bridge (Queens-Manhattan)
Willis Avenue Bridge (Manhattan-Bronx)
Madison Avenue Bridge (Bronx-Manhattan)
