RUN 136 - Running with Chickens, Bocas Del Torro

Each run reminds me of the infinite possibility of life, in our hands to decide to do with as we wish, our choices shape the details of our lives and their potential for happiness & contentment. The boundaries of choice may often be defined by others, but choice remains ours, and i choose to run. My boundaries are wide today, running with chickens and dogs through the streets of Bocas; a small Panamanian town, as dugout boats deliver bananas and pineapples, fishermen ready their gear and cafes open their doors & sweep their streets. Sharing these moments with them is my choice, another day i might rather sleep longer, making sacrifices opens you up to the worlds otherwise undiscovered opportunity.

[The streets of Bocas Del

Torro as locals and

chickens arise]

RUN 135 - Colon Island Star Beach, Bocas Del Toro

Expectations and preconceptions are a curse, while it fuels excitement it builds anticipation, which if left unmet will quickly shatter the dream and unjustly undervalue the significance of what now lies before you. Opportunity is the key, to grasp it with an open mind to capitalise on what does come your way, not to pass it up on the easily made and broken promise of something more. Today it took me a few miles along a beautiful shoreline between Caribbean ocean and dense jungle, to a river delta where starfish bask in the jungle cooled water as it meets the ocean.

[Starfish Beach, between

Caribbean and Jungle]

RUN 134 - Revisiting much loved routes

I always feel running connects me more deeply with a place than i could otherwise engage with it. Partly because of the amount of time spent outside, exploring; partly because its (usually) time spent alone, so its just me and the place i'm at. But also because the places I run are often revisited, routes are rarely run only once... returning to a route is like visiting an old friend; catching up with each other is so nice. This place I ran today, of any place in the last 20+ years of my life was 'home' for the longest time. That makes it very special to me, and i loved every mile we shared today. [5.84m - 49:06 - 08:34/m]

[Ice shelf on a frozen beach shore]

RUN 133 - Thames Path; runners heaven

A near perfect run today, I could have kept going all day if i had the time... this pathway is going to become a great friend, at low tide there are river banks where i can vary the terrain too. Stretching in 20+ miles in both directions, into the countryside and into the city of London, the potential is great, and its right outside my door too... I'm very happy about that! [12.19m - 1:37:15 - 07:58/m]

[Rowers to race along the Thames path too]

RUN 132 - Thames River path, Kew

Still not getting much love from my fellow runners on my new beautiful run route, despite my ever cheerful "hello" or a little wave. Maybe there not happy another runners on their route, they've not all shunned me, some have been friendly, maybe they're just too focused, i can understand that, maybe they say hello to every other runner only; it can be busy out there sometimes, so that's understandable too. I'm going to keep saying hi and see what happens. Toady's route got diverted, planning routes is fun, sticking to them is often tricky, sometimes i try harder than other, other days I embrace the diversion and see where it takes me... like today, you just never know where you're feet are going to take you each time you step out for a run. [6.12m - 49:02 - 08:00/m]

[one of many beautiful and forgotten bridges over The Thames river]

RUN 131 - Purdown, Bristol

Sometimes runs are squeezed into a busy day, sacrificing sleep or some other part of life to dedicate the time to training. Other days work out much more simply, and the run can literally take you somewhere, A-B runs are always more satisfying for me that A-A, so i was excited by today's outing, 6/7 miles to my Nan's house to watch the 6 Nations cup opening game, Ireland v Italy! [5.96m - 51:19 - 08:36/m]

[Monument to Duchess Elizabeth Somerset, struck by lightning 1860]

RUN 130 - Wandsworth Bridge, London

Starting to ramp up my schedule again, feeling out my condition. Did some speed work across the bridge today and got a thumbs up and a "keep going!" from a bloke on the bridge... the general public and runners in London have been quite disappointing in their silence, unwilling to speak up words of encouragement as freely as the people of Chicago. Nice to get the support today as i pushed a little harder over a short run today. [3.24m - 22:36 - 06:58/m]

[Wandsworth bridge, i think?]

RUN 129 - Battersea Park & Power Station

Its been 10 days since the Portland marathon, feeling fully recovered and strong, im going to keep running on instinct and listen to my body for the next few days or week before figuring out my training program to the next marathon in Cornwall in April. Each of these 4 races of the Endurancelife Coastal series are the most difficult races ive ever run... im looking forward to planning a road marathon in September or October and see how my pace and performance have improved. [5m - 50:04 - 09:47/m]

[The infamous Battersea Power Station, due to become apartments]

RUN 128 - Streatham Hill & Hillside Gardens Park

Legs are feeling much more flexible and stronger today, went out for another short steady run including a slight hill up to this small park and then back again, the weather is starting to get a little milder, 35/40+ degrees, which I'm looking forward to, although this winter has been much better than recent ones living in Chicago. My next trail coastal marathon is in Cornwall in April so i have a couple of months to prepare. Having done two already since December i have a much better idea of what to expect, my difficulty is going to be hill work in London. I might have to plan some train journeys outside the city for my long runs. [1.8m - 16:00 - 08:53/m]

[Hillside Gardens Park]

RUN 127 - Happy speed signs & a ultra fit Santa look-a-like

Cleaned off my trail shoes from Saturday's marathon and ventured out for a short jog today to loosen up a little, the muscles felt strong but still a little tight so just a quick loop around the common today. You never know what you're going to see when you step outside the door, i made this speed sign happy as it clocked me at 6mph as i approached it, its smile back encouraged me on to wish an ultra fit santa look-a-like good morning as he changed past me at a steady pace. Getting out into the world whether walking, hiking, cycling or running exposes you to the infinite potential this world has to offer; and the more you get out there the more potentially enriched your will be. [1.5m - 14:20 - 13:00/m]

[not that i stood a chance of breaking the 30mph speed limit,

this speed sign was happy with my run today]