RUN 249 - Hello humidity!

How fitting to return to the place of my first blog post, 248 posts ago... its comforting to know these places, to know they have always been here, and continue on without me, each place feels like an old friend i haven't seen in a while, or a best friend that i always hang out with.  Catching up with them again is a beautiful thing.

[Oak Brook, IL, USA]

RUN 248 - Post Stag

From 32 mile to just one... like i said, every run has its purpose, sometimes its simply to make it a mile, sweat our a hangover and to try and kick a hangover... im certain it helps... especially in the beautiful New Forest of England.



[New Forest, England]

RUN 247 - 32m for Japan

Every run is for a reason, they're usually selfish if were honest.  Occasionally we get the opportunity to do what we love and help other people out too.  www.justgiving.com/hike-for-japan was one of those occasions.  Setting a challenge tougher than you honestly think you can achieve is really the only challenge worth setting, and must be the definition of a challenge.  If you have no doubt you cannot enjoy your success.  I ran and hiked 16m + 16m along Beachy Head in England today, and my friends and i raised over $2000 for relief efforts in Japan, you can still give at the link above, many thanks!



[The undulating chalky south coast of England]

RUN 246 - Perfect Putney

One last time along the river, a suspiciously perfect day to run, almost like London is stating its case, i'm trading these tidal river banks and tow paths for a shoreline of another sort on another continent.  The only comfort is that they've been here for hundreds or years and will be there for me anytime i need them.



[Putney Bridge on the River Thames]

RUN 245 - Must stretch more!

Sometime i wonder if there's a natural universe conspiring against me, giving me shin splints at the most perfect moment to encounter the beautiful world around me, hobbling along stubbornly i catch this most beautiful view, how else would i ever have found myself here; what better reason to run?



[Battersea Power station, London]

RUN 244 - Look

Running through the city, you spend a good proportion of that time looking at the ground; watching your footing; the closest i've come to rolling an ankle has been on kerbs rather than cross country... im an observant person, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded to truly look at the world around you, especially while running, there is so much more to see if you look past the obvious.

RUN 243 - Run 'till you catch the sun

Chasing the sunset home from work, seems so simple, run till you catch the sun.  Like the Thames or Lake Michigan, its a powerful larger than life running companion which inspires greatness and mocks petty complaints of fatigue.

RUN 242 - The Banks of the Thames

This spot on the banks of the Thames near Kew Gardens is fast becoming my regular turn around spot on my weekend longer runs, about 8 miles from home its a good hours run which feels even better as each step i take is one i know i'll have to take home making a 16+ mile run.  Im not precious about training or timing anymore, ill happily sit and enjoy the view and its infinite detail before heading home, there is so much more to running that the physical fitness it brings, i don't ever want to forget that.

[Low tide, but coming in fast!]

RUN 241 - The perfect run

A run doesn't get any better than this... 10+ miles through unexplored countryside from my parents house to visit my nan, going off my usual route to explore a little more, getting 'lost' and picking a new direction to run somewhere familiar again, discovering a small stream and following it, across varied terrain grass mud and hills through forests... and waiting at the end a happy face pleased to see me and a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea.

[no idea how i found this stream, but it took me home]

RUN 240 - No Swimming

After 10 miles along the beautiful south bank of the Thames in 75 degree sun heading towards Richmond from the city, the only thing i want to do is jump in that water and swim... not ever going to happen though, killer currents and bacteria...