RUN 187 - A New Commute

We’ve moved again, closer to the city, and a quarter mile from the river, my run routes just got a new lease of life, and now work is under 10 miles from home across the city, close enough for me to consider running to work a few days a week as part of my schedule. Ran the route home for the first time, got a little lost, felt a little slow but ran steady, there are options for me to shorten the run route too, throw in a bus, train or river boat, even one of Boris’ bikes and I should be able to at least run home each day, or at least move my long runs into the work week, shorter runs to the weekend and free up some more time to spend with my wife. Although im missing my coastal runs now, must sign up for the Endurancelife 2010 series, also looking at Loch Ness, Normandie, Norway ‘midnight sun run’ and a few others too for the 2010/2011 season, ill update my schedule in the next week or so. [8.72m - 01:14:01 - 08:29/m]

[Londons new cycle network goes live]

RUN 186 - Me and my Garmin

Just like every other run I turned my Garmin on before changing, then walked out the door and forgot it.  My instant reaction was fear, that i wouldn't know how well i was running, and that i might get les out of the time i was about to spend.  That was of course untrue, just as it has been each of the other times i've forgotten my watch, or if the battery has run out on a long run.  For me, the assessment of each run adds to my enjoyment and evaluation of each runs worth, the danger is that i come up short; maybe not enough distance, or not quick enough.  Its definitely an extra layer of the high i get, validation that i have done a good job! but do i need it? o think i do.  That's not to say i didn't enjoy running without the Garmin, and perhaps theres value in the occasional watch free run, but maybe thats because i know my body well enough now to know if im feeling strong, running hard, pushing myself or taking it too easy.  I know i can run at a 7, 8 or 9 minute mile without the watch, but maybe thats not it.  I look for interesting places to run, its a chance to experience more of the world around me, but thats only at most half of whats happening.  What im doing is more about me, my body and my abilities, which is why i dont listen to music, i want to connect with my body and listen to its needs, my garmin helps me understand more about how im performing, and thats why im going to charge her up right now, ready for tomorrow!

    

    [Sun setting over the River Thames]

RUN 185 - You're stronger than you'll likely ever know

If theres one thing running has taught me its that I have much more potential than i'll probably ever know how to release.  When i don't run i get anxious, i'm afraid of loosing momentum, i don't ever want to hear myself say "oh yeah, i used to be a runner, i ran a bunch of marathons" i suppose i'm afraid of failure.  That fear motivates me, experience shows that i grow stronger and stronger, while a week off running gives a physical break, my mind seems to continue training, often when i doubt myself most is the time i prove to have made the most progress.  Today, a strong run out through Fulham Palace Gardens, across Putney Bridge past the University rowing clubs, and a fast strong return leg.[3.69m - 26:22 - 07:08/m]

[River Thames & the University Rowing Clubs at Putney]

RUN 184 - Sometimes you just have to MAKE time

There are days when it seems there is just too much to do, no time for everything, something has to give; sometimes it just is the morning run.  There are days when thats ok, and others when the opportunity exists for something special, something out of the ordinary, and you simply have to make time.  Like today, i'm in a wedding, in a city with miles of near perfect lakeside running track; and the chance to run with a good friend and catch up for a few miles together.  Throw in a movie set (Transformers 3) and it makes the effort thoroughly worth while.  So why not everyday?

[Helicopter filming Transformers 3 on Michigan Avenue!]

RUN 183 - Run, Swim, Run with an old 'friend'

Running to the Lakefront  mid afternoon on a scorching hot Chicago afternoon, excited like i'm heading to visit an old friend.  The lake draws ever closer, my pace is great considering the heat, then i hit the beach, full of families and singles enjoying the sun, sand and, lake...  the heat is stifling and oppressive, not great for running, but i'm doing much better than i expect to, and feel strong over the sand across the beach.  I found a quieter spot and took of my shoes and watch and waded into the beautifully cold water, soaking my shorts and running vest before continuing back home.  The lakefront is the perfect running environment, wide open space free of traffic and distractions, flat, with a variety of running surfaces, beaches and water to cool off in.  Running here is easy, every step is a joy and a gift which i will never take for granted.  I don't get the chance to run here as much as i used to, so now appreciate its running perfection even more... if you have the chance to run here, make the most of it... i know i will. [4.51m - 32:25 - 07:11/m]

      [Hollywood Beach, Chicago North Side]

RUN 182 - Back to the Lake

The draw of this beautiful lakefront is so immense to me as a runner, having to wait 3/4 days to get here is heart wrenching.  Running demands so much mental strength and motivation, theres something comforting about running with such a massively powerful natural body.  Much like the coastal marathons I've run the last few months, being in the presence of such beauty, power and tranquility seems like the perfect accompaniment to the act of running itself.  I've never run in an environment more consistently motivating and emotive as the Lake Michigan... each step along its ever changing shoreline is a gift to be cherished. [4.01m - 35:14 - 08:48/m]

[The far north shore with the city beyond]

RUN 181 - Gunnersbury Park 10k

About a mile from home, the perfect substitute for a sunday morning training run in the park. A little too close to midday for my liking, the weather was hot, but breezy in the exposed open field course, but shaded during a good portion through the trees as we weaved through the figure 8 2 lap course. After 15 minutes of casual confusion finding the subtly marked start line, a group of about 140 runners lined up to hear our marching orders. The lady addressed the crowd saying, “if anyone expects to run sub 40 minutes, then please step forward” … the crowd laughed in unison and all took a step back! … my 10k PB was about 46 minutes, which was a year ago, and I hadn't raced anything less than a marathon or half since then... I had no idea how speedy I might be today, but I held my ground and hung with a couple other guys who did the same. The start was called and were off up a slight hill to the first turn in the open field, i'm shooting for about 7:30/m but, like always, I started out too fast and ran the first 2 miles about a minute quicker than that! … settling down, I can see the field in front of me, first place is obviously way out of all our league and had a big lead, but counting back, im in 12th place running with one other guy, and one a few hundred yards behind. I make it into the shade and through the first lap and im feeling pretty good, forgot to fill my water bottle, but took one at half way drank half and poured the other over my head. My pace felt good around 7:00/m and I started thinking about pulling ahead of the guy in front, whos pace seemed a little less steady... then my iphone and drivers licence fall out of my belt and I loose a load of time going back for the phone, and then the id also! (should have worn the cheapo iphone armband!) the marshall directing the course says “you have to make up that time now!” like I didnt know already. I pushed on, id lost 2 places, and had about ¾ of a lap to go... I pushed on, steady in the sun and faster in the shade, passing one more guy as I approached the final turn towards the incline up to the finish, I cheered on the fun runners as I lapped them, encouraging their efforts, which relatively are often as great as mine... with the finish area in sight I opened up to see what I had left in reserve, the great thing about these races is that you can make them as challenging as you like while having some fun, testing out your fuel tanks, I sprinted up through the finish and it felt awesome to know that I had more left in me... next time i'll use it on the track. A new PB and 11th place out of maybe 140, 3 minutes faster than my previous 10k PB, and only a minute off of third place, what could I have done had I worn the armband and pushed a little more!? … a real fun run, well organised, if a little casual, no complaints except for one sport where the course turned 90 degrees, could have used a marshal, otherwise, great race and another medal for the collection!

[Lining up with fellow +40m 10k runners]

RUN 180 - Run, Drink, Run

Being a runner requires dedication yes, but it also requires an ability to mold life around this pastime which I love so much, being open to ways it can become part of everything you do already, rather than it being an effort to include; at odds with the other aspects of life. Giving it that same priority is the only way to embrace the highs it offers and avoid it becoming a little practiced hobby, a fuel for self imposed guilt.

[Brook Green, London]