Run De Torres Run

Today’s session with my local running club (Crystal Palace Fun Runners) has taken my running mileage for 2011 to more than 300 miles. I am stoked to have passed another milestone and look forward to achieving more.

300 miles! I never dreamt I could do this distance running lark. And certainly never thought I’d enjoy it. I do enjoy it now although I still find it hard. Its a different hard now though. I’ve found some confidence and know more training/work will give me more. I’ll get there :)

Oh, and, 3 months of not smoking. That’s an even bigger achievement for me. Best thing I’ve ever done :)

All today I’ve been thinking about running. Got home just as it was getting dark 7.45pm ish and almost didn’t go. In the end I did.

Did my club’s winter time route along the main roads and high street through Crystal Palace and Beckenham. Only done this route once before and didn’t really know the way so brought  a map with me.

My sense of direction is famously poor and tonight was no exception. Took a wrong turn halfway through and managed to get lost. A whole mile later decided to head back the way I came and finally found the right road. So added 2 miles to a 5.5 mile route.

Managed to get home in one piece. And, I’ll try the route again on Thursday. I’ll get it right then :)

Planned on running 12 miles yesterday but had to cut it short. Left the house in sunshine so dressed for that. Big dark grey clouds loomed by the time I got to the top of the park, then the heaven opened.

10 minutes of waiting under a tree for the rain to stop, I decided to run the 1.5 miles back home to get changed and get my jacket.

Was totally soaked by the time I got home.

But thought I’d do my long run today instead (given its a bank hols here).

Woke up with a blocked nose and sore throat. Great, early signs of a cold. So, I’ve decided to rest, chill and not run today. Hopefully the cold will not take hold. Really don’t need a cold with my first 1/2 marathon looming a month or so away.

33 days till my 1st 1/2 marathon - Windsor, 25th September. I know I can  make it round the distance but am really not sure if I have a sub-2 hour in me. From my training pace I think I could get within 10 mins of  sub-2hr but I know I tend to do much better in race conditions.

I do know that I will continue to train and push myself. I do have a month to go so just need to stay healthy and continue on with my training schedule. I will not give up the sub-2 hr yet :)

I’m 5’1

Decided to be brave and go to the wednesday session with my running club (Crystal Palace Fun Runners). London was calm last night and you could feel some level of normality returning today coupled with some amazing community spirit in areas which have been hit hard by the recent riots.

So I went running.

Was relieved to see the normal turn out as I approached the meeting point. Was also comforted by seeing an increased police presence on foot including the park. We ran through Sydenham Woods and Dulwich Park. I have never been to either before and am pleased to learn some new local routes to train on.

Session went fine. I was able to keep up with the fast pacers. At some points the pace was not far off 7 min miles. Can’t keep that pace up for long but will keep trying (I can only get stronger and quicker). Total distance was about 8 miles.

Left everyone for the last mile or so back home just as it was getting dark. Picked up the pace to get out of the park (didnt fancy being in there at dusk by myself). Then took the residential route home.

A little ashamed of being wary of every single young person I came across en route home. I think that’s one of the saddest things from these riots - all young people being tarnished by the same brush as the genuine rioters.

Got home safe and sound so very pleased with that :)

Just going to get on my soap box for a bit - can’t go running tonight as I’ve decided its too risky with the London bracing itself for another night of rioting by idiots with no brain cells.

I was considering running but seeing all my local shops on the High Street closed & boarded up when I got home (7pm) tipped the balance for me. As well as rumours that riots last night in Catford, Lewisham, Croydon, East Dulwich (already a little too close to home) are going to spread to neighbouring areas tonight ie maybe where I live.

These rioters should be ashamed of themselves. Its an absolute disgrace.  They are not hitting out at ‘them’ - the police, the government, rich people. It is not a stand against the establishment. 

Their actions are damaging normal people’s lives.Not just the big name high street shops but family run businesses are being attacked. How are these businesses the enemy? How are families now homeless because their houses have been torched, the enemy?!

There is no excuse for such behaviour. I don’t care how tough you think your life is, there is no excuse. This is criminal behaviour.

Instead of being able to run tonight, I’m staying home to stay safe. I’ll be watching the news and Twitter etc to keep up to date with what’s going on. Hope the police are able to squash the rioting better than they did last night…