The Big One: 22 Miles

Thursday 1st May

And so to the last long run of the training. Setting off to Richmond alone on the train I felt scared. I was weighed down by lucozade, water and jelly babies and I had over three and a half hours of solid running to go.

On reaching Richmond I decided to run up the hill from the station to the park. It's steep. Luckily I had The Incredible Sounds of the Dreem Teem garage sound track to keep me going... The ipod ran out after the first hour which was a bit annoying but ok.

I ran across the park and back, round the park, doubled back on myself and then ran across the park and back again.

Weather was a bit of a challenge. It hailed around mile six. I got upset and almost stopped. Pushed on through. At the end stopping felt funnier than carrying on. I seemed to be fine apart from one massive blister on my left foot and an achey bunion. I felt a huge sense of achievement and really now believe I will be able to do the marathon.

What was surprising was the amount of water I was able to intake without needing the loo. I drank at least one litre before I started and then another litre on the way around. Could have taken more on board if I'd had it.

Rewarded myself with a holiday in France and no running for five straight days.

Ran: 22.04 miles

Time: 3 hours 39 minutes, 12 seconds

Time per mile: 9 minutes 56 seconds

Calories: 2317

Jelly Babies At Miles: 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19.5 (low point), 20.

18.2 Miles Down - 8 To Go

Saturday 26th April




Felt pretty scared ahead of this Saturday's run. I planned to run 18 miles and it was HOT.

To get an 18 mile route in Richmond I ran across the centre of the park from Richmond Gate to Roehampton Gate, turned and ran back and then ran around the edge of the park in one direction before turning around and running back again.

The first eleven miles were ok. Had two jelly babies at the start and then one at each mile after the eleventh. Miles 12-14 were also ok. Miles 15-18 were particularly tough and I ran out of Zade at just before mile 16. That was a mistake as it was very very hot.

Afterwards I felt alright. Very dehydrated, but ok. I had a sunburnt nose.

Legs were a bit stiff in the evening but muscles seemed to cope quite well. My left shin felt quite sore down the front and the bunion on my right foot is very painful but nothing a few days rest can't cure.

Topped off the day with a lovely picnic in Battersea Park watching the sun set. Rehyration using strawberry flavoured cava probably not the best option.

Felt: Encouraged by my progress, worried that I need to do more research on hydrating

Distance: 18.2 miles

Time: 2 hrs 48 mins
Average pace per mile: 9 mins 12 secs
Calories: 1916

Richmond Ten Miler

Saturday 12th April

A beautiful run this Saturday, around the perimeter of Richmond Park. Much nicer than any of the more urban runs I've done so far.

One lap of the lovely Richmond Park is about eight miles, we added on another two miles at the end. The 'zade came in handy around mile seven. All in all a great run - there's a few sneaky hills if you run around clockwise (which we did) but you can knock most of those out by running anti-clockwise.

Richmond Park is the largest open space in London and covers around 2,500 acres. It was created by King Charles I, who brought his court to Richmond Palace in 1625 to escape the plague in London. The park itself is walled, and quite rugged with lots of little woods and copses and a golf course on the east side. The highest hill in the park is called King Henry VIII's Mound - we ran up it - slowly.

After a few weeks of feeling fairly downbeat this run restored my enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. I loved the sense of feeling out of the city and the fresh air.

Saturday ended with afternoon tea at a friend's in Islington. Polished off lots of crustless sandwiches and scones sans-guilt after my ten miles in the morning.

Perfect.

www.royalparks.gov.uk/richmond

Ran: Ten miles

Realised: How close to Richmond Clapham Junction is

Resolved: To go to Richmond more often

Ate:

Shredded wheat

Crustless sandwiches

Scone, jam, cream

Little cakes

Pink fizzy wine

Lots of tea