RUN 204 - Commute at your leasure

One of the greatest things about running, is that you can actually stop whenever you like! there's so much to see around us, running takes you places you might never have gone otherwise, taking the time to stop and look around is the easiest thing to do, but so often the mental pressure to keep on going can be so strong we miss opportunities to see the world in a new way, or talk to different people.  All runners stop, and all runners walk at some point, its ok, so long as you keep moving forward.  [6.68m - 56:51 – 08:30/mi]

[War memorial at Hyde Park corner]

RUN 203 - 13.1 for FUN

There are times, as I've said before, I really just have to run... I feel compelled, physically or emotionally... usually I have an idea of how far I might go, other times no idea, those are the absolute best, like tonight... that release of energy, where it comes from exactly i don't know, but maybe just knowing its there is enough. [13.1m – 01:39:45 – 07:37/mi]

[Running can often put you in the perfect place at the perfect time]

RUN 202 - 'Something' really is better than nothing

A short run, but totally worth it, you don't have to commit hours or multiple miles every time you step outside the door, so long as you keep getting out there, rain or shine, happy or sad. [1.02m – 10:48 – 10:34/mi]

[Fulham Bank of the Thames]

RUN 201 - I Run to eat!

The truth is i run to eat! (and drink) how fat and unhealthy might i be if i didn't run!!?? i often wonder that, and very often when running in the city, I'm confronted with sights like this!  I didn't stop to eat a Full Fryup, but i definitely cook one that night! [6.99m – 01:00:27 – 08:39/mi]

RUN 200 - Athens, birthplace of the Marathon

A pretty amazing run and view to mark my 200th blog post today! Not the longest of runs, but challenging nonetheless given the 270m climb up Lycabettus Hill to a beautiful little church, and a perfect view of the Acropolis and the Olympic Stadium.  To be in the birthplace of the Marathon is awe-inspiring, running races, training and meeting other runners on the road has exposed me to an untold number of amazing people, places and stories; who inspire each other.  The challenging of running is for us each to make of it what we choose; there will always be someone faster and stronger who i strive to be more like, motivating me to push myself, which in turn i hope can inspire others into discovering their potential too.

[Athens, Greece, the birthplace of the Marathon!]

RUN 199 - I really don't like treadmills, even if they're in Athens

When i started running again almost three years ago, during the Chicago winter, it was in a basement gym with my friends Nici & Melissa, on a treadmill... i really enjoyed it at first, and trained up to 13/14 miles on that machine! ... that's a long time to spend staring at a wall, that's when we started running outside, and i've not been on a treadmill since.  My running has become so much more that a get fit routine, so much more than the treadmill can give me... even if the view through the window is of the Athens city and mountains beyond.

[Treadmills, not for me anymore]

RUN 198 - Tube Strike #2

Second 24hr tube strike today, with a couple more to come in the next couple of months. Not that I'd notice other than the heavier pedestrian traffic on the streets. Not everyone can run ur cycle to work, either physically or geographically, but I do wonder what my limits are, I'm not the first, others have wondered much more than I ever will and achieved it too... If we don't ask ourselves these questions and challenge our own preconceptions of who we are, well never know what were capable of.

[Old Street]

RUN 197 - Running makes me richer

Running takes you places, obvious; yes... but what i mean is that take a typical day without a run and theres no comparison it to the variety of places and people I'm exposed to while running.  That's why i don't listen to music while running and i don't run in a gym, i want to see things, go places i wouldn't have otherwise... share them with a running partner, or share your stories with friends and family... it might be a small effort by comparison to others, but i know I'm richer for it.

[Stop and look, theres so much to see which we let pass by]