Sunday 22 February 2015

Run Until You Drop - Week 4


February 22nd - 22 miles

Eight laps of Victoria Park - 22.4 miles / 3:06:44

In the words of the great Larry David, I'm feeling "pretty.. pretty.. pretty good". It's the final week, and after today's run we have just six days to get through. Six teeny tiny marathon distance runs to get through...after a day at work. Physically I am in quite remarkable shape and it has been of great surprise to me just how well my body has coped with the mileage I've thrown at it. I'm running strong, at a decent pace and yes I'm tired but I'm not aching or tight at all. Every run thus far has been a continuous effort with no need to pull over to gather myself. Fingers crossed I can hang on for Saturday's (28 mile) victory lap.

Craig was not feeling it this morning I can tell you. I had a proper grump on. Looking out over an overcast London skyline, knowing it would take a good three hours to tick off the day's requirement, I lingered until the heavens opened and it was then that I headed out! The weather was simply atrocious. It was reminiscent of last May when I arrived in Richmond at silly o'clock to run the 100km to Brighton. Then, at least I had a finish line awaiting my efforts. Today, having to be out in it for what exactly, was tough. I didn't want to venture far so set the task of running around Vicky Park eight times to achieve the mileage. The intermittent hail stones were a delight and when they weren't falling, it was lashing rain. Three hours with my head down, grimacing. 

Closing time at the park

It goes to show just how important having a goal or cause is to running, and I guess life in general. I would NEVER have gone out for a run today if it weren't for this challenge. But guess what, you go out, the rain is invigorating, you feel alive and your whole spirit is lifted. That's why I run. The weather and the mundanity of running loops was a great mental test. As I carried out the usual mind-trickery and calculations, it was clear that it was only a battle mentally, not physically. I'm beginning to see how these lunatics run marathons day after day. Slow the pace, zone out and it all becomes rather automatic. 

I've learnt a hell of a lot about myself as a runner, my capabilities and just what I can do if I push myself harder, during this one month. I'll expand on that after February is out, as there's still far to go and a lot of steps upon which to stumble.

Hairy stuff

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 4

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 23rd - 23 miles

Twice around Hyde Park then home via Chelsea and Greenwich - 23.5 miles / 3:06:44

In the words of the great Larry David, “Oh Jeez!” What a difference a day makes - and a backpack, and a day at work, and having not eaten much beforehand. I was right in saying that this would be ‘the day’ it all started and there was reasoning behind that. It takes some to run past 20 miles with little to no nutrition, and that’s the brilliance of marathon distance, asking a little more from your body than it is naturally obliged to give. Running five post-work marathons this week without let-up was always going to be tough, and tonight the niggles and strains unravelled. Less grimacing, more a worry, that they will exponentiate and bring me down. This explained the iceberg-pace I kept, as I now turn my attention more to just getting through the miles. There is further energy there but I’m saving it for a rainy day (be that literally or metaphorically!)

The Serpentine - Amazing what a filter can do for you

The route tonight saw me spend an hour with Hyde Park, before heading South through a soiree of boroughs, keeping the river close. Unused since Friday, culinary delights were had in the form of Snickers bars (soft from the bodyheat of my back) and before heading down into the Greenwich Tunnel, I took time out to get romantic with a sandwich bag of sultanas. I’m still finding the one bottle of water is sufficient for my endeavours.

Heading East - St. Pauls yonder

Arriving home at 10pm, I bumped into a neighbour (always love doing that when I’m a sweaty mess), who was understandably puzzled albeit genuinely interested by my story. The first weekday of ‘Terror Week’ complete, tonight was just the dress rehearsal for four days of the same show, ahead of the grand finale on Saturday. I’m no longer thinking of miles to go rather having to go for five more runs.

…There are 130 miles to go. Damn it!

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 5

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 24th - 24 miles

Lost in South London - 24.1 miles / 3:38:48

One word: Facilities. Never take them for granted. If there’s one thing long distance runners have in common with parents of small children, it is the asking of the question ‘have you gone’ before leaving the house. Enough said.

To mix things up I made the executive decision to go check out Crystal Palace for my 24 mile run route. This way I could run out, do a little turn-a-round and then head home with a loop here and there for extra measure. It wasn’t the best idea. My new-to-running work colleague joined me for the start of tonight’s run, as we meandered down to Brixton neatly tessellating my route. After four and something miles we shook hands gentlemanly, wished each other a fond farewell and with a sprint I headed off (to a Sainsburys…but with no luck) for 20 miles of solitude and orienteering. Foolishly it didn’t strike me that South London is rather hilly around those parts, nor that I have not a f***ing clue about the road geography. Constant checking of a tiny phone map (with gloves on and a bottle in one hand) was a distraction I didn’t need and unnecessary time was being added to what was a glorified commute home. The overriding thought was “you know what Craig, you don’t need to be so particular with everything in life, just run, run anywhere, it is not important where” but sadly I am particular and eventually I got to Crystal Palace and the fruits were obvious. That transmitter tower, like little Paris (Crystal Paris?).

Follow the lights

The views are actually quite insane at certain points South of the river. Over this month I have seen the Shard from every blinkin’ angle imaginable, and from afar, knowing I’m heading back to its base later in the evening is kind of cool. Heading North I looped Rotherhithe, crossed Tower Bridge and followed the backwaters to the canal home. It was late.

Percy Pigs and a couple of Snickers bars got me through, still on just the one bottle of water. Strangely I’m not ravenous after each run where usually I would clear a cupboard. What’s that about? Anyway, legs are feeling good but I could do with some sleep (I’m doing that granddad in his armchair thing come 4 o’clock - minus the dribble). 

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 5

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 2

February 25th - 25 miles

Frice round Hyde Park then straight home - 25.0 miles / 3:37:09

If one were looking to sensationalise, here would be the point where tales of struggle and woe would be written about. Of how terribly difficult the challenge has become, the disruption to life and the likelihood of failing to finish. Come the final day, you would have overcome the adversity and at mile 28 collapse into a pool of your own blood and urine. Your final blog post sent from the sterilized comfort of a hospital bed.

Dead, so was I

Hopefully that won’t happen to me, but tonight’s run was a pigeon step toward that scenario at least. I am in pieces. My shin muscle thing on my right leg is on fire. From early on I adopted a forefoot strike with my right foot to ease the pain, though there was no respite on the inclines. I was searching out the park trails to get off the hard tarmac surfaces, but ultimately it was rather painful. On paper (or Strava rather) it was a good 25 miles tonight, at a fair tempo at this late stage. I was hoping to run sub-4 hours for the remaining three days but now it looks as though I’ll be walking parts on each run to ease the stress. If it weren’t for this challenge, I wouldn’t even run a 5k from here to the weekend. But we’re so close now that I best ‘man-up’.

Oxford Street shopper dodging

Ice and compression for now, but there’s little that can be done with only eighteen hours before I go again. Annoyingly, shin aside, I feel superb. Will it hold up for 81 miles and 12 hours of running, who knows. For now, let’s hope this shin-dig doesn’t ruin my shindig.

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 6

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 3

February 26th - 26 miles

Frice round Hyde Park then home along the Thames - 26.0 miles / 4:09:42

When I say “two”, you say “day’s left”, “two”…. …., “two” …. …., when I say “fifty-five”, you say “mile’s left”, “fifty-fi…” oh crumbs.

The wheels have well and truly fallen off this cart. My shins are plotting to kill me. Yesterday was painful yet I managed to get my speed on, tonight was just horrible. I came through the door at 11:15 and could hardly move. I really needed a cuddle and to be told “it’s all going to be alright”. With the girlfriend away I found solace in a pizza and not forgetting my household duties put a dark wash on. Keeping s*** together. Nothing to do with needing fresh running garb for Saturday. If I’m honest the flat is under disarray, I have done nothing but go to work and run this past week. March will most definitely be the month of ‘Iron Until You Drop’ and ‘Clean Until You Drop’.

Officer, can I eat my sandwich in peace?

It was four full loops of Hyde Park again during which I viewed my growing social media support (thank you all), took a call from the girlfriend in Australia and had two sandwich, Jaffa cake and banana combo dinners. It was home via the river, where another stop was necessary at Tower Bridge to eat and compose myself. Again, only the one bottle of water, maybe that’s proving a detrimental factor. It is an experience in itself to be out running for four plus hours after work, and the solitude and effort is starting to get me down. I’m in a bad way and every mile seems a mission in itself. Stopping at a road crossing requires a gallop to get the legs back moving and I’m tripping up a lot from being unable to lift my feet far off the ground.

I am quite seriously thinking of ‘dropping’ as to walk is to torture oneself. Can I get through 27 miles tomorrow on these abused legs? Let’s see what the morning brings. Oh, it is the morning…

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 8

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 5

February 27th - 27 miles

Around Victoria Park and up and down this and that street - 27.0 miles / 5:30:47

When I awoke in the morning, I was pretty much set on 'dropping'. Last night's run left me a cripple and my legs had only worsened overnight. Such a decision was not to be taken lightly, for however unknown the event and unattached was I to it, it meant a great deal to me to finish something of such stature. But getting ready for work was akin to a retirement home without carers, and the walk to the tube station was a mission in itself. On my way in to work (begrudgingly deciding not to ask for a 'baby on board' badge) I had leveled with myself that I was indeed injured and it was in no way a failing to drop at this late stage.

But with time (and a few rallying messages) I came to the thinking that I should at least attempt the mileage and tomorrow I'd have all day to complete the 28 miles, so really it was just one big effort that evening left to suffer. Once home I got my gear on and headed out to run laps around Victoria Park where I managed to sustain a jog of sorts before nature called me home prematurely. Lighter, I carried on in much the same vein until ten miles to go where I just lost it mentally and physically. I was forced to walk and even that was painful so I moved off the tarmac onto the grass of nearby Well St. Common and repeated loop after loop of crazed monotony. It was getting rather late, with folk returning home from their Friday night out, and this added to my stress knowing that I had to 'run' if I were to make the miles before the day was out. Cue a zombified run/walk technique in the later stages that saw me finish up at a ten to midnight! 

As I was hobbling around the trendy streets of East London, more than once I thought to myself just what the f*** are you doing? It is quite incredible just how far one can push themselves when given a goal to achieve, however arbitrary that goal should be. What makes me laugh is that here is a boy who would not frequent even a Post Office without the application of face cream, fixing of the hair and styling up of an outfit but when heading out for a run views brushing his teeth and changing his pants as a big effort! 

It was not a fun evening, and the last thought on my mind was to take a photo.


Possibly the most uncomfortable period of running I've ever experienced. But it was over and there was just one day left.

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 9

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 9

February 28th - 28 miles

East along the Thames Path to a Tesco petrol garage in Beckton - 28.0 miles / 5:44:12

So I made it. Hurrah! A month of utterly pointless and rewardless running was over and thankfully I kept it together to prevail victorious. I rarely give myself credit for what I achieve, as my endeavours grow and grow, together with the fact that I'm always looking ahead at those doing much bigger things, I view it as simply another step up the ladder (to what exactly I'm not quite certain). But fifteen and a half marathons over four weeks on top of a full-time job, is some effort and I'm rather proud of what I've accomplished here. The challenge was exaggerated from being injured over the past four days and covering the last 100 plus miles was at times excruciating. I am well and truly crocked and hope that a return to full fitness is not too far off. Oh well at least I've got the t-shirt...due in four weeks.

Dang, that right ankle knows

So, Day 28 - la tour de la victoire! If it had been a weekday, there just wouldn't have been the time to prepare and run 28 miles. Fortunately the date Gods were on our side as Saturday was the host. Waking at near to midday, I didn't want to hang about and risk having to drag the run into the evening, so got the porridge and coffee into the beast and set out to run East for 14 miles. This way I could relax and just focus on plodding along to the turn-a-round point before simply retracing my tracks home. Being the last day and all, and given the state of my run-ragged RUYD trainers I opted for a fresh pair to lift the spirits and my heels.

Simple on paper

From the outset I managed to keep a constant forward motion not too dissimilar to what one might call jogging. I would hold this throughout my outbound journey, following the (somewhat difficult to follow) Thames Path around the Isle Of Dogs, past Excel, past London City Airport, through North Woolwich to discover a conveniently placed retail park in Beckton where I refueled and stocked up for the return leg. In good spirits I headed for home all whilst building social media fanfare among friends on how I was closing in on the virtual finishing line. 


Refueling

The return started uncomfortably and turned devilishly sour. I find that regardless the length of a race, when that point comes when it is just 'x' miles left, the mental game begins. I've ran ultras where you pass the marathon mark without acknowledging but on a half marathon your stressing out at ten miles. I guess it's all relative, and it was upon hitting the 20 mile mark, that I just crashed and burned. My body broke down, now struggling to even walk in a straight line, the cold, the fading light, the lack of nutrition all contributed to my mental spiral. With the exception of a short burst here and there, it was pretty much power-walking for the last eight miles. When you are taking fifteen minutes to cover a mile when a fit you would normally take sub-seven, it doesn't half get frustrating.


Homeward bound at the Excel Centre with Canary Wharf up ahead

Three miles out I welled up a bit thinking of what I was soon to achieve and what I'd overcome to be in this position. It had certainly been a trying past few days, but tears (not full tears mind) turned to a wry smile when I thought about what lay ahead of me in three miles. With the girlfriend away and this not being an official race, the only thing to greet me at the 'finish' would be the pressing of a 'stop' button and hopefully a stranger to take my photo. I would then drag my ass up to my flat where emptiness and silence would greet me, left to clean and cook for myself alone. Tragic. But rather fitting actually, having spent 60 hours (or two and a half days!) on my tod running the streets of London, maybe it was the perfect ending.


Ruined

This month has really brought me on as a runner, and I've learned a great deal. It has also changed the way I plan on 'going for a run' from hereon. Whilst some days will need to be prescriptive for necessity I'm certainly going to start planning less and just head out for a run, seeing where it takes me. Whilst there have been some monstrously dark times, there have been moments of sheer escapism late into the night, running through unknown areas and discovering parts of the city I never knew existed. 

On a more practical note, I've learnt that there is a scarcity of public convenience in the Capital. This has proven to be a real 'pain in the ass' at times, and I'll keep the following in mind: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

I'd like to say thanks to James Adams and Paul Ali for coming up with the idea and organizing the whole event, and to all the fellow runners who took part and made this month such a pleasure - even though I've met not a single one in person. Thanks to everyone who messaged me, commented on the blog, checked-in, it was welcomed and really spurred me on the last couple of days. A big thank you to my girlfriend (at least before she left me) for supporting my selfish desires and ensuring that I always came home to hot water, hot food and hot stuff! Last but by no means least, I thank the reception guy at Travelodge, London Excel who didn't bat an eyelid when a sweaty mess of a man came into the foyer pleading to use the facilities. You saved me, more than you know.


Not so swell

I'll end on this quote from the final moments of a favourite movie of mine, Burn After Reading. It's rather fitting:

CIA Superior: What did we learn, Palmer?
CIA Officer: I don't know, sir.
CIA Superior: I don't f***ing know either. I guess we learned not to do it again.
CIA Officer: Yes, sir.
CIA Superior: I'm f***ed if I know what we did.
CIA Officer: Yes, sir, it's, uh, hard to say.
CIA Superior: Jesus F***ing Christ.

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 9.5

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 9.5

Till next year...a leap year! Make that 435 miles.

Sunday 15 February 2015

Run Until You Drop - Week 3


February 15th - 15 miles

Around the waterways of East London - 15.1 miles / 1:52:29

It took two cups of coffee to light my fire this morning. Once I'm out on a run, I'm totally switched on but it can take time for me to gather my mojo and get my ass out the door. That's also the case with work, shopping, actually everything. Even picking up a parcel from the concierge. I must learn to seize the day!

Alas, I did venture out to tick off my miles. What I love about RUYD is its prescriptive nature. Each day, run 'x' miles. Blogging about my progress also adds a layer of accountability, should I fail, then I'll have to broadcast my reasons for bowing out. Whilst no cause for embarrassment, it is not something I want to have to explain. Those that know me, know me as someone 'who runs a bit' and therefore I think the expectation is that Craig'll do it. It's really not that simple. The last six days of the challenge require the same amount of mileage as the Marathon Des Sables. Fortunately it won't cost the same though - £3,650 - to run the 'Corporate Ultra'.

Today I ran my usual 'couple o' loops' down at Limehouse Basin to get some miles in the bag, before following the canal round to the Olympic Park and further along past Hackney Marshes before the turn-a-round for home. I kept a good pace, and the legs start week 3 in tip-top condition. Praise the Lord (or the Atheist equivalent).

Sticking with it

The miles creep up to a 'remember to pack a Snickers' level this week. This means carrying fluids and you guessed it, a Snickers. Yet more logistics to my working day. 

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 2

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 16th - 16 miles

West to Hyde Park before a meander home - 16.3 miles / 2:01:11

Wasn't it just the most delightful evening? Any other month, faced with such a downpour, I'd opt for a date with the pool but there are no points for swimming in this game. It was on with the waterproof and out into the dreary drizzle for a rather convoluted commute.

To build the mileage I decided to start with a loop of Hyde Park - 'oh that'll be nice'. So pleasant in the day, a maze of paths around picnicking lovers but at night its periphery is a death-zone of cyclists zooming in all directions. To escape with my life I moved to an inner path that looked quiet, and quiet for a reason. Leaping into its waterlogged sandy surface was not a great start to the run, filling my trainers with wet grit. Brilliant. I limped out to the roadside and pathetically tapped out my trainers before soldiering on. Worse things have happened at sea.


Wellington Arch - Plenty of headroom

There is certainly a tiredness in my legs (raising the 'Fatigue Factor' to 3) and I'm yawning like a child, the morning after a friend's sleepover but the run home tonight (sand or no sand) just felt strong and automatic. Things change after 20 miles, the body asks for more help, I know this, but I really could have kept on running tonight with little thought. I'll save that bravado for next week. 

This week should be quite pleasant, after having fears that the wheels might fall off at this stage, I now see next Monday (23rd - aka February 23 miles) as the target to get to before it all gets a little head-down (ooh matron!).

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 3

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 17th - 17 miles

Same as the day before with an extra loop of parkland - 17.4 miles / 2:16:45

We are approaching what I like to call 'bring a pack-lunch' territory. That distance marker when the body says "come on I need a little fuel in the fire if you want me to keep plodding along". From hereon I will need to carry a bar or two about my person, and keep the fluids topped up. I had a lovely Snickers and High-5 gel pit-stop tonight in the surrounds of St. Katherine's Dock whilst the bourgeoisie dined in the warmth of the waterfront restaurants. I know how to spoil myself.

The route deserves no particular mention, I ran the same path as yesterday with an extra loop of St. James' thrown in to account for the additional mile. I'm thinking I could keep this up for the rest of the working week, each day adding yet another loop. Exciting.


Lights and London sights

I had initially thought that the nature of the challenge was cruel, what with its incremental mileage day after day, but I'm kind of thinking that the opposite is true. Albeit the distance is not yet astronomic, the gradual increase calls for a familiar effort from the day prior whilst upping the ante. It's all rather enjoyable. Shame February isn't a 31 day month!

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 3

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 18th - 18 miles

Around Hyde Park then east to Greenwich - 18.1 miles / 2:25:13

She's leaving me. Can you blame her?

It's ok, RUYD has not caused a rift amongst us, rather work (in Sydney - lucky thing) beckons for the girlfriend and as from tomorrow it'll be just me and my trainers for the remainder of February. Obviously, it goes without saying that I'll miss her soooo much, but this might not be all tears and tantrums. Over the next ten days I've 235 miles left to run, so I actually feel better knowing that she'll have engaging (and awake) folk around her to conversate with.

As for tonight's running, well it can be seen that the pace has dropped. This is partly due to me taking the executive decision to run clever and conserve the legs, with the other part (a much larger part) due to an abscondence of spring in one's step. I'm starting to do that 'ultra-marathoner shuffle' in places, but the effort requirements are still pretty low. Such is the distance left to run that even the most minute of niggles will sink the ship. I'm more than happy to keep shuffling!


Heading home across the river

Greenwich Foot Tunnel - Nobody but me 

It was a pleasant run in placid conditions, and I got to run through the tunnel again. I love that tunnel. Though at this stage, I'm not a huge fan of the spiral staircases leading down and out of it.

Onwards...

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 3

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 19th - 19 miles

A Greenwich 'mean time' - 19.7 miles / 2:42:46

There was no let up with the rain today. Having a two and a half hour run ahead of you when it is so dismal outside hardly floods the heart with song. But knowing what a small task today's mileage would be relative to this time next week (running a marathon after work) I just accepted it and headed out. From the outset I was aware and concerned of the languishing condition of my legs and my laboured stride. I guess it's to be expected, but I couldn't help but frown from the sight of my ragged shadow alongside me under the street lights. It's starting to look ugly.

I can't get it out of my head that even though we're approaching the end of February, it won't be until tomorrow (Friday 20th) that I'll hit mile 203 and hence pass the half-way mark. Crumbs. From hereon, it's 9 days of 20+ miles. No respite.

Fortunately I came home in one piece and in good shape, after a hard day's night on the London streets, where I lost count of the number of buses that puddle-drenched me and moron/pedestrian brolly attacks! Rotherhithe (that curvy bit between mile 9 and 11 of the VLM) was tonight's 'add-on' and completely void of life. It never ceases to amaze me just how quickly one can find oneself alone in a town of 8 million. I welcomed the solitude this offered and the lack of bus traffic. 


Searching for light at the end of the tunnel

It's all rather solitary for me now. Not only will I be out running 1 in every 7 hours for the remainder of this (godforsaken) month, I'll also be arriving home to a lack of fanfare. I'll say this though, she did remember to put on the hot water before heading to the airport. That's warmth I'll hold on to!

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 4

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 20th - 20 miles

Round Victoria Park then off to Westminster - 20.1 miles / 2:44:46

Being Friday, I took public transport (and my jackets) home for the first time this week. It's funny, two weeks back, dragging myself out for what was then a six mile ask was a real chore. Tonight though with 20 miles on the agenda, I was quite pumped to get out and didn't mince around for too long after I came through the front door. 

The plan was to run around Victoria Park and head out to ten miles before simply following the route back, but Hackney is rather sketchy on any night, particularly a Friday and as I passed through I thought it safer to not return and instead run further along the river West. For all its organic bakeries, pop-up shops and attractive young things on bicycles, the streets are littered with homeless folk and junkies on crutches, staggering around. Escape the risk.

I ran on just a few sips of H2O tonight, no food intake, and didn't struggle what-so-ever. Regardless of the speed I'm running, knowing I have the fitness to knock out 20 miles au naturel is a rather cool accomplishment. Now for the weekend where I can rest up a little, ahead of the final week, and what a week indeed!


Home sweet home

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 4

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 21st - 21 miles

Round Victoria Park then off to Westminster - 21.6 miles / 2:51:53

On a Saturday I wake up late, not to be confused with 'get up late'. After a week of training plus the fact I never hit the sack before midnight, I am zonked come the weekend. This morning was no exception, especially after the week I've had! After coffee, toast, porridge and one more...ok, two more coffees it was early afternoon before I headed out for Day 21 of RUYD. 

The route was simple, head out along the canal for ten and a half miles then turn back and retrace my footsteps. Setting off I felt a little ragged and could feel the stiffness in my legs but I managed to shake it off, and I actually had a really great run. My pace was back under an eight minute mile and again I didn't touch any food in my backpack, just water was sufficient. It was a nice change to run on the flat and softer surface of the towpath out of Central London. What wasn't a nice change was the amount of rats scurrying across it!

Reflective at half way

So now there's only the one week remaining, just 175 little miles left to run. Even if I were to average 8 minute miles, that would take me 24 hours. Holy Smokes. I'm feeling much better than I had envisaged I would at this stage. The real challenge is mental (I mean that's what ultra running is right?) knowing that I have to run three to four hours each day. Though I don't really have much on to be fair...

Join me tomorrow for the start of Week 4 (on a new blog post).

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 4

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

Sunday 8 February 2015

Run Until You Drop - Week 2


February 8th - 8 miles

Down the canal to Canary Wharf with Limehouse Basin loops - 8.2 miles / 57:19

Week 2 kicked off in sunshine splendour, perfect weather for a run. I'm still maintaining my usual pace and my legs feel fresh, which should really be the expectation at this early stage. The coming week will be quite comfortable, I'll tick off my runs from the office as per usual, commuting home. So, with a slower trot the aim is to get through the week without any niggles. And obviously, just enjoy running. I'm looking forward to the longer runs and route planning the distance to come.


Across the Thames to the city

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 2

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 9th - 9 miles

Over the bridges of the Thames - 10.1 miles / 1:20:51

Ruddy Monday. Running be the perfect antidote to this groan of a day. The pace certainly dropped tonight, but fret not, this is no sign of a struggle. Rather, my choosing to cross over the river at every bridge. Such was the level of my mind-wandering that I found I racked up quite a distance before turning for home, adding another mile needlessly. 

The beauty of South London - Views of the North

So many miles left to run. Knowing what a write-off a post-marathon day is, I sure will be productive at work when we get to the 20+ days! Does Pro Plus dissolve in coffee I wonder?

The neck is offering full motion once again, so I'm back to full strength. I have a renewed respect for bathroom dangers. Towel slow people, towel slow.

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 1

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 10th - 10 miles

Through St. Katherine's and Wapping - 10.1 miles / 1:17:ish

We're in double digits now. Put you're hands up in the air and count those fingers! Unless you've had a workplace accident. 

I probably hadn't ran a 10 miler my whole life up until my mid-twenties. It is indeed quite a distance, and I harbour great joy in being able to run it so freely. I never take that fortune for granted. Here we are on day 10 barely scratching the surface of this challenge, and barely concerned about such a measly distance.

On the run home this evening I passed through St. Katherine's Dock and along the 'cloak and dagger' backwaters of the Ornamental Canal. It really is an eerie part of London at night and one is on continual guard from Highwayman.


Ornamental Canal - Your money or your life
Shadwell Basin - View back to the city

To gather the distance I ran through to Docklands before an about-turn for home. Where I ate...lots. 

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 1

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 11th - 11 miles

South to Stockwell - 11.4 miles / 1:27:03

I'm tired. I felt rather sleepy at work today - despite the excitement and energy my job provides on the daily (*coughs*) - though five coffees got me through and off I ran once again. A work buddy whom I run with a little each week, joined me out on the road as we headed south for a few miles before bidding one another a fond adieu. From Stockwell (lovely this time of year) I headed for home passing Elephant & Castle and Borough before crossing the river at Tower Bridge. Say what you like about the Shard and its dominance of the London skyline, but you cannot deny its brilliance as an aid to that age-old navigational question "where the f*** am I?". 

Looking up on Tower Bridge

The legs are aching for the first time this month. Pushing off around a corner or running stairs requires a little more effort. Whilst it is permissible to break the distance into separate runs throughout the day, I'm keen to complete all mileage in one stint whilst I have the capabilities to do so.

When I first heard of this challenge, my first thought was "well yeah, I could run 28 miles in an evening" but off the back of ...19, 20...27, 28...well that's just unknown to me.

I'm really intrigued in where I'll be physically and mentally in the days to come, and I look forward to each day, striking off more mileage.

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 2

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 12th - 12 miles

Through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel - 12.2 miles / 1:28:51

I'd wanted to go for a run through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel for some time now - oh, the Bucket List I keep - and measuring out the distance to take it in, I found it fit well with day 12's mileage. 

One thing I've learnt thus far is that London is far smaller than you would care to imagine. It doesn't take many miles to slide through a number of different boroughs and pass numerous landmarks. This evening I took in Soho, Westminster, Waterloo, Borough, London Bridge, Bermondsey, Deptford, Greenwich, Millwall, Canary Wharf, Limehouse before home, all in under 90 minutes. Don't you get bored doing all that running, they say. Certainly not.

Tomorrow I'll run a half marathon distance, before Saturday's mid-mark 14 miles. While I'll be halfway through the challenge in terms of days, I'll only have run a quarter of the miles. 

Can you tell that I love the maths this challenge also calls for?


Tunnelling from Greenwich to Millwall

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 2

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 13th - 13 miles

Round and round an empty Olympic Park - 13.1 miles / 1:41:03

Being Friday, I schlepped home with the week's jackets, shoes and...I think Monday's socks (by the smell of things). The weather was delightful and I arrived home full of the joys of spring. But there was no time for fiffing and faffing (or even catching up with the girlfriend), having sworn allegiance to RUYD. Run I must. 

Pi**ing rain and puddles were on the menu tonight. Not wanting to venture too far I incorporated loops of the local streets before heading to the deserted Olympic Park to mince around. At night there's hardly a soul over there, and to think of the thousands that visited in 2012. There are so many interactive spaces and structures within the park, and the play area particularly is magnificent. I'd be lying if I said I'd never had a cheeky slide under the cover of darkness!


What were they thinking?

The legs feel good, no pains or aggravations of note. Long may that continue, as the mileage on the horizon will be too much for injured limbs.

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 2

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1

February 14th - 14 miles

Down to the Thames Path - 14.1 miles / 1:44:17

"What are we doing Valentine's Day?" asked the girlfriend. I replied, "Well, I don't know about you but I'll be running. 14 miles".

I jest of course. She would never ask this. Taking part in this challenge has certainly simplified my life. I get up, go to work if it's a week day, if it's not, I don't, and then I go for a run. After I have run I write this little blog update. Other than that, my day is filled with some eating and some sleeping. It has also made small talk a far more entertaining affair, when collared at the coffee machine at work. When asked how my weekend was, or what exactly I will be getting up to that evening, my response is simple, running. If the small talk grows legs (or a substantial period of painful silence has elapsed) resulting into full blown conversation, it will generally end in one of two ways; "oh you'll do it, no problem" or that age-old runner bug bear "are you training for THE marathon then". I tend to leave both unanswered, as I walk away, kissing my teeth.

I digress. Today's run was fairly uneventful (have any been eventful?) with a few 'get the miles in' loops of Limehouse Basin before following the Thames Path around the Isle Of Dogs, taking in the sights of Greenwich o'er the river. I ran past some beautiful beaches (who'd have thought) wondering why we ever holiday abroad.

Spot the sofa

Halfway through, 105 (is that all?) of 406 miles now complete. Feeling good as I head in to week 3 where the after work routes will resemble the fruits of a child's half hour spend on an Etch-a-Sketch®.

Join me tomorrow for the start of Week 3 (on a new blog post).

FATIGUE FACTOR (1 'A walk in the park' - 10 'Send help') = 2

DAILY DISRUPTION (1 'All in my stride' - 10 'Skipping sleep') = 1