Run Until You Drop - Week 3

Explained here

Catch up on Week 1 here

Catch up on Week 2 here

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

Run Until You Drop - Week 2

Explained here

Catch up on Week 1 here

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

Run Until You Drop - Week 1

Explained here

February 1st - 1 mile

Walked across Vicky Park to buy a sofa - 1.2 miles / 21:28

Well, here we are, the beginning of 406 miles. 1 down. As I start the month, I'm feeling perfectly fine, no niggles, ready to take on the challenge. Whilst I chose to walk the one lone mile, the longer my legs remain fatigue-free the greater my chances, so there will be no junk miles being run at this early stage.

'Sofa' so good

This...will...get...more...interesting.

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

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

February 2nd - 2 miles

Met the girlfriend after work to 'walk' some errands - 2.0 miles / 40:03

Had to walk around in tiny circles like a mad man (to Strava-proof 2 miles) outside the entrance to my apartment block. Ironically I have yet to run a single mile this month.

I'd tune in next week if I were you.

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

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

February 3rd - 3 miles

I actually ran today! On a ruddy treadmill mind - 3.08 miles / 19:55

I'd forgotten just how ghastly a running experience those things offered. The boredom is no big whoop, it's just the copious sweating involved. Had to wring out my pants in the changing room.

Whilst it took me a while to work out the settings (and a bewildering minute to find 'stop') I found the 400m track graphic quite motivating and rather entertaining. What a life I lead.

Ok Computer

Today marked 6 miles in with 400 to go. 

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

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

February 4th - 4 miles

Up and running. Enough to get me home - 5 miles / 35:43

Such was my desire to go for a proper run, I chose to leg it home from work, knowing that I'd now increase my mileage to 407. Under a full moon - lost in part by the city lights - I tried to keep the pace slow, but excitement prevailed. Oh, how we laugh at such petty distance when we are eager to run further. The smirks will be wiped off in a week or two when the challenge becomes just that. A challenge.

Me and my shadow

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

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

February 5th - 5 miles

Same again. Direct dash home - 5 miles / 34:43

Jiminy Cricket, was it cold tonight! I left the office late and got my groove on toot sweet, braving the 1°C air (That's cold for London). I ran the same route as yesterday and another #FMFM (Full Moon Five Miler). 

I never really bargained for the bitter cold. The thought of post-work 20 milers in genitalia-sapping climes gives me the shivers. Man up Norris, or rather don't.

Spot the moon

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

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

February 6th - 6 miles

Tour de sud Hackney - 6.3 miles / 44:58

At the end of a working week, my office space resembles a teenagers bedroom (...well, not quite) what with the clothes I couldn't fit in my running backpack throughout the week and 4 jackets draped over the back of my chair. 'Tis Friday when I lug the bags home and with the weekend ahead I rarely then go out for a run. But this is RUYD, and run I must, 6 miles. 

Tonight, I ran aimlessly up and down the same streets, over bridges, round the park, anything to get the miles in. Get them in I did, and looking forward to the weekend for some daylight mileage.

Running mecca

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

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

February 7th - 7 miles

A couple of loops of Victoria Park - 7.1 miles / 49.04

It was up early for Day 7 being the weekend, and thus allow for a whole day to shake off any fatigue creeping in. A simple run around the park and turn-a-round to guarantee no additional wasted mileage. Even though it's early on, I'm trying to tell myself to slow down the pace, but I'm not complying. I guess I'm more interested in getting the miles in quick, over conserving my legs with a slower pace. It is freezing, and I'm not keen on staying out longer than needs be. 

Like clockwork - must have lost Strava on the turn-a-round?

Whilst week 1 is complete and represents 25% of the month gone, it only accounts for 7% of the mileage. So this really has yet to begin.

How am I feeling? Fine, thank you. Though, I have picked up a couple of aggravations this week, of a cosmetic nature. First was a 'new shoe heel issue' which probably will not 'heal' whilst I keep running each day on it. The second is much more macho. You know that thing that girls do when they wash their hair and wrap it in a towel? Well, I do that too. Problem was on Wednesday morning - running late - I vigorously towel dried my hair and crooked my neck. Schoolboy, Craig. Schoolboy.

Join me tomorrow for the start of Week 2 (on a new blog post). Pray for no further 'injuries'.

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

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

My Training - January

 230km  420km  24km  5 hours

It was straight out of the blocks for 2015 with no let up in my training regime. As is customary in western society, it was also straight out of the blocks for many 'new year, new you' types. In the gym, in the pool, on the streets it all got a little cosy. Of course I was not riled at all by the lack of lockers or the choice that some made to learn to swim in the fast lane. Not at all. Anyway, February is here so that'll be that for another 11 months. 

The run commute

With one eye on the following month's festivities I still clocked up some decent mileage - I mean what is one to do - on the roads, mostly commuting home of an evening and training with el nuevo running club. Training on a Tuesday involving threshold sessions is a real god send for me, not something I would put myself through alone. Whilst 2015 is ultimately about joining the 100 mile thigh club, I am also intent on running fast at shorter distances. On a Thursday, a 10 mile run leaves the clubhouse with the more pace-gifted guys pushing me to keep up after the 10k run just to get there. I worry that they've not yet ramped-up for marathon season, but keep-up I must.

Tuesday night VPHTHAC crew

Tower Bridge at the 10 mile turn-a-round

Daria has made her way back up into the living room - must be all the ironing I'm doing - and I've logged some decent static distance this month. To think I only bought her 3 months before last year's Ironman, I should annihilate my bike leg time this year. Especially with a new set of 'are you seriously choosing to spend your money like that' carbon wheels. I still must get out on the tarmac, there's no substitute for that. 

T'was the month of multi discipline (and uber proactive) training, where on occasion I have been running to the pool and running on home from there. On the horizon are run-bike-run sessions as I pass three accessible gyms on the commute home. This will inevitably lead to run-bike-run-swim-run sessions. Ultimately leading to 'Craig we need to talk' sessions with the poor girlfriend! The logistics of this have not been easy but I'm learning fast. Leaving the pool in a sodden t-shirt when it's 2 degrees outside sure does shiver thy timbers. A feeling of 'oh jeez I'm going to feint' has also introduced itself on these second leg runs. The answer is simple, wrap a Snickers in a vest.

Running and swimming and running

Aside from the aforementioned (constantly mentioned) lane traffic and hijinx, I had a lovely swimming month. I adore London Fields lido and feel so fortunate to have an Olympic size (heated) outdoor pool on my running doorstep. In January I frequented it for the first time since the floodlights have been installed, swimming in a pool of steam late into the evening is just the perfect antidote to any shizer workday. To think this was only reopened in 2006 after 18 years of closure. God love the bourgeois Hackney movement.

Late night swimming

In the gymnasium I continued to pump away (as a bishop said to a nun) and take in the behavioural spectacle of Muscle Marys. Whilst I'm working out to become stronger for triathlon, I won't lie that I'm also there for conditioning, sorry vanity. Those that are there 100% for vanity are an interesting bunch indeed. Push eight reps, stand back, glance at mirror, tense muscle group worked, high-5 the gym instructor. Different strokes...

I discovered Fetch Everyone this month, to add to my social network of Strava, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Primarily for the recording of my RUYD data, but also as I work for the company that owns it. How did I luck out? My user name is RunNorrisRun. 

For now it's bye bye to cycling and to a lesser extent swimming, for what will be a month of epic running mileage. After a month of filing tax returns of an evening between training and work, if not easier, it will certainly be less mundane an effort.

Run Until I Drop - Preview

To run throughout February an increasing number of miles each day. That is the challenge. On February 1st - 1 mile, February 2nd - 2 miles...through to February 28th - 28 miles. 

The event, created by 'proper' ultrarunners James Adams and Paul Ali, has a few hundred participants from all corners of the world (including me and possibly you?) through the medium of social media. Search 'RUYD' in Facebook, Twitter or Fetch Everyone for details.

Should you finish you will have covered 406 miles in 28 days. Divided into biblical weeks (Sunday to Saturday) the mileage builds up as follows:

Week 1 (February 1st-7th) = 28 miles.

This represents a very comfortable weeks' training for me. Given the mileage is spread over 7 days, I'll be chomping at the bit to run further but keen to finish the week with fresh legs. This will most definitely be the only week in February where I'll manage to get some swimming and light cycling in. I might also suggest an earlier celebration of romance with the girlfriend whilst I have my energy.

Week 2 (February 8th-14th) = 77 miles.

Oh how quickly the mileage doth rise. I'd never run such a distance in one week for training. Come the end of week 2 I'll be running back-to-back half marathon distance, though with a slower pace I should still feel relatively ok. Running home from work will allow me to fit this in each day with little disruption to my life. Note to self: Acquaint yourself with the foam-roller!

Week 3 (February 15th-21st) = 126 miles.

Hmm...yeah. Mileage aside, I'll need to fit in upwards of 17 hours of running. My social life (aka hanging out with my girlfriend) will be put on hold that's for certain. To tackle the third week, I'll be running twice a day to spread out the effort. Technically, this mileage is equivalent to 'that last long pre-marathon run', seven days in a row.

Week 4 (February 22nd-28th) = 175 miles.

My minimum goal is to still be here in week 4. The mileage and time requirements at this stage will get a tad ridiculous. I reckon 30 hours will be needed to cover this distance, given the state my legs will be in. It will also be important to remain (or rather to return to being) 'sensible', not wishing to risk future races in sustaining an injury. 

Whilst one really does hope to complete this event, running what is more-or-less a marathon a day is still foreign to me and possibly beyond my current abilities. Regardless, it will be a great test and tracking the progress and hearing the stories of fellow participants should prove fun. 

I'll be blogging my progress each and every day (as I lay in bed) so do check in to see how I'm fairing and be sure to leave a comment if you too are participating.

Image: pixgood.com