Reinvigorating my running

You know when you put something off a few times and then before you know it you have been putting it for ages, then all of a sudden it's been so long since you did the thing it's hard to go back to it? 

When you keep procrastinating, become perhaps a bit lazy and start making up excuses and all of a sudden it's been months since you did the thing you were meant to do? 

Well this happened to me...

For almost the last year I have been in the lucky position to work literally opposite Regents Park, I can actually see the park from my desk. A runners dream right?! (I am open to discussing job swap opportunities!)

Then early last year I started running in Regents Park in the morning before work most often accompanied by at least one running buddy and the run usually consisted of a track session using the running track on the north side of the park. 

The track is a better setting for an early morning session than any gym

Back in the autumn for one reason and another I stopped going, it's so easy to fall out of a good routine and life can throw so many things to get in the way.

Last week I finally got back to running an early morning session. I loved it, it felt amazing, I loved being in London so early, I loved exercising before work and feeling great throughout the day.

A pre dawn shot of London overlooking Regents Park

I was annoyed with myself for having missed out on so many of these sessions over the last six months. 

Then on Saturday I took part in a run with UK fitness bloggers which departed from near Liverpool Street and explored a little area nestled in between Wanstead, the river and the City. 

I really enjoyed the experience of exploring, running somewhere new and taking in some sights.

I realised I had gone a bit stale with my running. I remembered how fun running can be when you use it as an opportunity to explore and for adventure.

So last night after work I embarked on a partial run commute home, leaving my work near Great Portland Street I ran through the City and along the river back to Liverpool Street to catch the train home.

It felt great! I ticked up sub 5 minute KMs despite a back pack and a heavy laptop.

London looked epic lit up in the winter night.  

I hadn't run in London for over a year and not even spent that much time walking around either. So many regular places I used to pas have changed, larger buildings disappeared, new modern structures cropping up all over the place. 

I suppose the point of my story is the idea that usually you won't regret doing things but you do regret not doing things.  

It's a notion based on a quote from a wiser man than me.

Regents Park to Olympic Park run commute

On Thursday I completed one of the runs that has been on my to do list for a couple of years.

My plan this week was to try and get a long midweek run in as I am running Bacchus Half Marathon on Sunday, so without too much planning I stumbled upon the idea of running part of the way home along the Regents Canal.

I make out that it's a kind of run commute but that's a bit misleading as it is far from getting me home and it's a route that is far from direct in heading towards home. 

In reality it's almost two hours of running that replaces a 20 minute tube journey and one stop on the train so hardly a practical run commute.

My run started with leaving work and heading through a leafy and sunny Regents Park. Emerging on the north side of the park by Primrose Hill I joined the canal towpath for the first time.

The initial route of the canal heads to the vibrant Camden lock area before passing through some less than salubrious backstreet areas of Kentish Town and Kings Cross.

I was some what taken aback at the large volume of traffic on the towpath through this section, walkers making their way home, many runners and speed demon cyclists all vying for a place on an often narrow pathway.

The kings cross area took my route along several wooden pathway structures sitting directly over the water, these were so rickety and noises to run on and not very pleasant.

In the Angel area the canal disappears under a long tunnel which doesn't contain a foot path which left me to navigate through the back streets of angel for around a mile before reconvening with the waterway again.  Most of the path was well signed with small brass plaques dope ting the way but I soon lost this trail and managed to find my own route withal it'll help from google maps.

On this next section the canal dissects through the back streets of East London and Hackney before emerging some where near Mile End and Victoria Park. Here I decided to follow the canal into the Limehouse basin as opposed to taking a direct route homewards through the park towards West Ham and Stratford. 

The experience of running along the canal was a very pleasant one, I felt a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Central London. Tubes, trains, buses and cars were no where to be seen, it was indeed a more tranquil way to get through London. The word I kept reflecting on was 'mellow' as that seemed to be the mood along the canal, a more relaxed pace of life, being alongside water certainly seems to calm and relax people while also providing a pleasant open space for recreation activities. 

So although not an efficient run that provided a time saving commute but an incredibly enjoyable run and a great way to see London from a different angle. 

Here is a link of the route I took as well as some links to more information on the Regents canal towpath:

https://www.strava.com/activities/388619511

http://lndn.blogspot.co.uk/2005_05_01_lndn_archive.html?m=1

http://www.runnersguidetolondon.co.uk/regents-canal.html

Day 29 - Finishing my runstreak with a running commute

Today's run - Run commute - Busy London streets - 5K - 27 minutes

I realise updates on the last week or so have been non existent on my blog but I have been posting regular updates of my run on twitter, if you would like to come and join in on the twittersphere I am @beoutrunning. 

Since the Parkrun on day 20 and Santarun on day 21 of last weekend I have still managed to run everyday but it has been such a busy week I just haven't ha the time or energy to write up blogs for my runs.

In summary I have done a few interval sessions, a 7.5K course PB on Friday Evening(day 26), an early morning Saturday run (day 27) before a boozy day on a pubcrawl which was then followed up by a recovery run on Sunday (day 28). A long with all that there has been the usual busyness of everyday life along with the extra demands of the festive season. Throw into that mix excitedly following the conclusion of the asics 26.2 competition; (massive congratulations to the final 5!) and being offered a new job it has been a busy week!

So with today being day 29 and the last official day of my runstreak challenge I wanted to mark the occasion with a suitable run. 

Since quitting my gym last month my running routine has had to change up, instead of travelling into London heading to the gym then popping out for a run before returning to the gym for some training and/or a cool down before showering and departing for work I am now needing to run straight to work if I want to run in London in the morning.

Significantly impressed by the running commute of one of the asics 26.2 final 5 Tony McNeill I decided to go for it! I took the train to Tower Hill then took the scenic route through to my work near Chancery Lane which rounded the route up to the required 5K as well as taking in some famous London sights.

All in all it was a very enjoyable run, I enjoyed the quietness of being both that bit earlier than I usually am and the fact it was cold and dark in comparison to the more attractive summer months. London still looked as amazing as ever there and provided a captivating backdrop for my run.

Having kind of decided on this run commute on the spare of the moment I hadn't done any preparation so therefore I had to carry everything in my rucksack (runsack?!) work clothes, towel, lunch, toiletries etc.

I didn't find this a problem at all though, I think for running 5K in a steady pace, (I covered the route in under 27 minutes which taking into consideration the hour and the London traffic I was very impressed!) it's fine, any faster or longer though and it would have been troublesome.

I decided my runstreak doesn't end here though, with some Christmas socialising and associated drinking and eating planned for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday it made sense to me to extend to Tuesday so I could have Wednesday to Friday off as a well deserved rest while also rounding up my runstreak to 30 days. 

So one more day to go! I have really enjoyed this runstreak and the idea of 'when shall I run today as opposed to am I going to run today?'. I feel I have got so much stronger and faster, not to mention leaner as well. The runstreak has provided an ideal way to lay down some base miles before training for Half Marathons and Marathons in the New Year.

My run commute all the way home

So I did it! I finally managed to complete one my main running ambitions, to run all the way home from work! Which is no mean feat as I work in Central London and live out in Essex approximately 13 miles as the crow flies or around 18miles to run.

I have ran part of the way home several times, often running the 11K back to West Ham station to then jump on the tube for the remainder of my journey.  In the summer I did plan to run the full route but dropped out after around 13 miles as I wasn't quite fit enough to run longer and didn't have the mental strength to push myself to run through the mean streets of Dagenham.

I have planned to run the full route a few times as well but have either been waylaid by other commitments or had to focus on my marathon training rather than pursuing this goal.

But my hand was forced somewhat as I might be moving soon so my chances to run this particular route have become limited. I thought Id better do it before the dark nights and the cold winter really sets in but I was surprised at how dark and cold it got relatively quickly.

So how did it go?

It took me just under 3 hours and the route was almost 18miles! My mapmyrun didn't seem to function properly either so the real distance will be even further! 

It was long and it was draining!

The first few miles are quite fun as the route takes me along the Thames, to the Tower of London past all the various sights of London.

Then its a straight run down Commercial Road to Limehouse before heading towards Canning Town an out onto the A13 for real out through Beckton and onto Barking.

The pathway is good and wide with a dedicated walkway and cycle path but you are running along the side of a busy motor way which isn't everyones idea of fun! 

Then after about 12 miles the junction to finally turn off the motorway and into residential territory comes and I head towards Becontree and Dagenham.

The route then takes me past these respective tube stations before continuing my journey out towards Dagenham East in the direction of Rainham.

The most direct route is the tube route of the district line but I cant imagine TFL or thousands of commuters taking kindly to me running along the tracks! 

I did try to plan my route to be as direct a possible although that's not all together direct as the road system doesn't always head where you want it to.

Soon enough I was in Elm Park and heading towards Hornchurch which gave me a much needed spring in my step as I was on home turf and running on roads I had often ran on before.

A few more roads and a few more turns and I was back in Upminster  within a stones throw of my flat. The last few hundred metres gave me time to reflect on my journey and the realisation of completing my commute without the aid of a car, a taxi, a bus, a train or the tube. A pretty special feeling especially when its something I have wanted to achieve for so long! 

The only down side was that my evening was pretty much over as it was now 8.20 an I was definitely too tired to do much else! 

A pizza and a much deserved pint provided my refuel and after some stretching and foam rolling and a bit of a chillax in front of the TV it was time for bed! 

One of my best ever running experiences

This morning I headed out for a little run before work, I just wanted a gentle few kms as this is my first run post marathon. 

I toyed with the idea of getting involved with run2work and running part of my commute but decided against it as I just wanted something short and gentle. 

I headed out from my gym in central London and decided against my usual kind of route along the river.

Instead I headed towards Trafalgar Square, it was nice to experience one of London busiest tourist attractions in the stillness and quietness of 7.30 in the morning.

I then struck upon the idea of heading towards Buckingham Palace as I often forget to realise how close and accessible to Central London it is.

Running along the mall with the queens residence in my sights I realised I was of course running along the world famous finishing straight of the London Marathon, poignant as only yesterday I received my London Marathon rejection magazine.

The highlight of my run and one of my best running experiences occurred on the return journey. 

After a quick pic of her majesty's pad, with the fear of trying not to look suspicious like I might be a terror crazed jihadist in these security conscious times, I headed back along the Mall adjacent to St James Park.

All of a sudden the chimes of Big Ben rang out, it was one of those movie moments where the traffic seemed to quieten and time stood still for a few seconds. It just gave me a moment to reflect on how lucky I am to be a runner and how lucky I am to experience these kind of moments in World famous areas that I am fortunate enough to have on my doorstep.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this little snippet of my running experiences. 

Half year evaluation

So with 6 months of the year now done and dusted its time to see what I have done in the first half of 2014.

So to date this year I have completed 754Km or 468 miles. Not bad considering I had almost a month of injured so I am pretty happy with that and like the idea of trying to pass 1000 miles for the year which I think I am on course for.

Overall I have ran on 78 occasions this year including indoor and outdoor training runs as well as events.

In terms of events I have completed 4 parkruns as well as one half marathon and one 15 mile race.

The 15 mile race was the Benfleet 15 in January which was a rather muddy affair that my trainers ended up looking a little worse for wear after.

In March I spectacularly smashed my Half Marathon Personal Best with a great run of 1.39 knocking 7 minutes off my record at the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon.

My other highlights include my two international runs I completed while on holiday in Greece and my advancements in running longer distances home from work spurred on by the run2work campaign. 

Currently my furthest run home stands at 22K and I hope to continue to increase this distance and be able to run the whole way home by completing the extra 5 or 6K soon.

My focuses are all on the second half of the year now with my main objectives being the following:

•My 3 marathons

•Running the entire distance home from work

•My continuing search for a parkrun PB

•More streaks and being more confident at running consecutive days

I hope you have been happy with your achievements over the first half of 2014 and wish you well with your endeavors over the second half of the year.

Running home from work for the football

I fell a little short of my destination as I called my run off two tube stops early.

But overall I had achieved my goals of running a minimum of 20Km and getting home with time to spare for the football.

I had covered my desired distance of 20Km, I had bad cramp in my rught foot, the heat had taken its toll and time was getting on.

My total distance of 20.55Km was achieved in just under 2 hours which I was really pleased with when you take into account I was running with a backpack and all the stoppages at traffice lights and waiting to cross roads as well as two stops for water.

I was also impressed with how good I felt, at a steady pace 20Km was a comfortable distance easily achieved.

Running my commute is increasingly becoming a viable option as I was struck by how easy it felt to just pop on my trainers and run as part of my journey.

When taking a train or the tube gor the first time the experience is some what daunting. Am I getting the right train? Have I got my ticket? And all the other things you worry about but over time as you make the journey numerous times it just becomes routine and you conplete the journey without thinking too much.

The same is nkw true for me with running my commute, I used to feel I couldnt achieve it, running with a back pack would be too hard or I didnt feel comfortable with the route and running alongside roads. Now its a breeze and lacing up my trainers and running off is as second nature too me a lacing up my ticket and junping on a train. 

The run its self was easier than I thought and I was pleasntly suprised with how better my stamina levels are than what I expected. Also the weather conditions were more pleasant than I anticipated as there was a nice cooling breeze for the majority of my journey. 

Sure running alongside major A roads isn't the most pleasant of experiences but I did enjoy the variety it provided and the mental challenege of having to overcome the monotony of dull surroundings. 

When I got home I was rewarded with bring able to sit and enjoy the football and what a spectacle Spain v Holland provided?! I was so glad to have not missed out and really enjoy a great game and some great goals! I am looking forward to more occasions of running home for the football. 

So my quest to run all the way home from work continues although I am now only about 6Km off my target. I have pencilled in the 3rd July, the next run2work day as the day to give it ago. 

 

Running home for the football

Faced with the prospect of knowing I am not going to have any time over the weekend to get out for a good long run I decided the only way to get out for a long run this week was to run home. 

From my work in central London to my home in Essex it’s quite a stretch of around 15 miles.  

Following the success of my run2work on run2work day last Thursday I have renewed motivation in my desire to run the whole commute home, not today though! Today I plan to run most of the journey and take the tube for the last 3 stops and to cut out the last few miles.

The total distance I estimate to be around 28Km and although this isn't the most direct way it is the easiest and most logical way to navigate.

Today I plan to run around 22Km of this journey with the view of making it home with time to spare to do a few jobs around the house and then be ready to watch Spain v Holland at 8pm.

If I finish work at 5pm and can get changed and out running by 5.15 I should be able to do the journey in just over 2 hours.

I have ran home when we lived at a different slightly closer to London address, that was a run of around 24Km but involved getting lost and going maybe 3 or 4 Km out of my way, I am hoping to avoid any such diversions tonight!

The temperature is also going to be a factor tonight as it’s currently around 25c at the moment and when I have out and about this afternoon I have easily broke into a sweat just leisurely walking around.

I plan to continue my experimentation with cold baths as well post run so I will be getting straight in and jumping into a cold water bath which I think I will need after running in the heat! 

Run2work day - My commute

So run2work day is here! As a run2work virgin this is my first time at running part of my commute to work although I have ran part or all the way home form work quite a few times. 

I am writing this on my journey, no no no I am not clever enough to run and type at the same time I am on a train. Why a train on run2work day you ask? Let me explain...

Leg 1

Deciding its too long and I am not fit enough at the moment to run the 15 miles from my home to work I then decided to split my journey up.

My first leg was a 1.6Km run from home to Upminster train station. I set off on a glorious morning with the sun in the sky, a great morning for running I thought? Oh yes it is! Apart from the fact I am now stood on the train sweaty away despite the air conditioned carriage.

Having completed and thoroughly enjoyed by run2work experience I can now look back and reflect on the rest of my journey. 

Leg 2 

This is then the non running part as I let the train take the strain on a 20 minute train ride from Upminster to Limehouse.



Although I was only on the train for a relatively short period it was long enough for me to wish I had ran the entire journey as I was stood squashed up with other commuters in a cramped train carriage. 

Leg 3

So the third part of my journey and the main running component, its the first time I have run it from Limehouse to London but I have ran it the other way on my way home several times so I am familiar with the route and what to expect. 

After standing around on the train for 20 minutes I did feel a little cramped up especially as my legs were feeling somewhat tender from a squat session I did yesterday. 

I soon hit my stride and starting bounding along down Commercial Road and into the City, I have always found this area fascinating as it seems so run down and derelict but is yet so close to the City and in particular the thriving tourist area around the Tower of London and the business districts of Liverpool Street. 

It was at around this time I was really starting to enjoy myself and starting to thing how often I could do this in addition to the suggested first Thursday of every month that run2work are trying to promote. However all was not plain sailing as I started to get one of the worse feelings known to runners, the dreaded stomach cramps that signal the onset of runners belly. 

Unfortunately I am not a stranger to this issue especially when running in the morning and slightly out of my usual eating and toilet routine. 

I will try and spare you the details but needless to say I came very close to doing a Gary Lineker (If you are unsure of this reference type Gary Lineker into Google and its about the third search suggestion that comes up) and subsequently had to take a diversion to accommodate a toilet stop near Fenchurch Street. 



After this rather unpleasant pit stop things were plain sailing especially as I now joined up with a familiar running and walking route through the city along the North Bank of the river Thames. 

I managed to find a decent bit of pace along these few kilometers and got to my finish line on the river opposite Temple Tube Station at around 8.10AM. I had aimed to get here for around 8.00AM so I wasn't too unhappy with my time baring in mind my diversion and unintended pit stop. 

Here is where I have to come clean, I wasn't exactly running to work! Although we have shower facilities at my work I decided to instead run to my gym and take advantage of having a quick cool down and stretch before using their slightly nice shower facilities.

I feel a bit of a fraud firstly I haven't ran all the way to work and have taken a train for part of the journey and secondly my running destination was not even my work place! Sorry if anyone feels I have cheated them out of a true running2work experience. 

So how did i find run2work? 

I was quite lucky as today I was only at work for a half day due to a dentist appointment this afternoon. So I therefore didn't need to bring with me my packed lunch and I knew I didn't have such a long grueling day ahead of me.

Also although this is my first time running2work I am not a stranger to running in the morning either at home before my commute into London or in London after I have got the train in.

So I am quite used to being organised and leaving things like my work shoes at work.

However I did find it strange wearing my running kit and packing up my work clothes as opposed to what I usually fo which is the opposite.

I also did have that nagging sensation in the back of my mind that I had forgot something. I had my oyster card in my shorts pocket safely zipped away and I made conscious decisions to check, double check and triple check my bag to make sure I had the essentials of wallet, keys, deodorant and hair wax. 

I must say I found it incredibly rewarding and pleasing though, just the feeling of getting into London under mostly my own steam and not having relied on public transport too much. 

The usual buzz I get throughout the morning following a pre work run was heightened by a greater sense of achievement and satisfaction and my renewed plans to attempt running the full journey to work soon! 

To ensure I stayed full and felt refueled after my run I had prepared myself a post run snack which I hungrily devoured at my desk when I got to work.  

Running to work – in support of run2work day Thursday 5th June

Have you ever considered running to work? As in not taking the train or the bus or the car but slipping on your trainers and using your feet as your mode of transport?

Maybe you have? Maybe you do it regularly? Maybe you think it’s a crazy idea or maybe you’re very eager to give it ago but just need a push to get you started?

Well did you know national run2work day is almost upon is? 

Run2work describe themselves as a movement to encourage people not only to get healthier and fitter through running but to get people to incorporate running into part of their regular commute.

So whatever your thoughts here’s a few pointers on running to work, if you’re a regular runner to work I am sure you will be familiar with many of these issues but if you’re not I hope this article provides food for thought, answers any lingering doubts and maybe gives you the inspiration you need to give it a go....

The same with running generally there are so many positives you can apply to running to work.

Think about it, if there weren't so many positives people wouldn't do in such numbers, so regularly and with such passion.

Fresh air

Working and possibly living in a major town or city and spending your day at a desk or in an office how much time to you get to spend outside in the great outdoors in the fresh air? Running to work can add some much needed outdoor time to your schedule. OK so I know running along busy roads and through cities isn't actually crystal clear clean air but it’s better than being stuck in a car or train and if you plan your route you might be able to incorporate a park, riverside walkway or canal path?

A time saving Exercise

Everyone has busy schedules and fitting exercise into your busy routine can be a challenge. So by combining your morning or evening run with your commute might free up some time that you might not otherwise have?

Secondly starting your day with a run to leave you feeling all pumped and positive buzzing with endorphin's is a pretty fine way to start your day and will set you up to start you day feeling happy no matter how dull your job may seem.

And an evening run home is a great way to unwind after a stressful day either as a way to take your frustrations out or to relax and think over the day’s events.

Exploring & sight seeing

Sick of seeing the same bus stop or same parking space every day? Think of all the new sights you can discover through running, places you wouldn't normally go and things you might not otherwise have seen.

If your city of town has famous landmarks or tourist spots think of what sights you could pass on your way to work instead of a sweaty strangers arm pit while you are cramped up on the tube.

My running commute in London can often pass Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St Pauls or Westminster with lively views along the Thames.

Less smelly

Fed up of smelly, grimey and stinky public transport? Well running to work is a less smelly alternative unless of course your trainers really stink!

Less congested

Although your morning wrestle with a stranger for the last remaining seat on the train or your last gasp sprint for the bus before it pulls away are both great forms of exercise think of the extra calories you could burn taking a slow jog into work every day?

Less expensive

Buying some decent running trainers and kit instead of daily bus tickets is potentially going to save you some decent cash over a sustained period of time, extra cash you could put towards entering a running event perhaps?

The thrill of achievement and accomplishment from running is a great feeling I am sure we all enjoy but when you add to that the sense achievement of travelling under your own steam as well as the realistic prospect of racing and realistically beating buses and taxis stuck in traffic as you race by is a whole new amazing feeling well worth trying out!

There are a fee negatives though to be aware of, but lets call them challenges to be considered and overcome.

Traffic

Running in an urban environment can be more challenging than what a lot of people may be used to from running in more residential areas.

Increased traffic levels and a faster pace of life can take a certain level of adjustment and requires a higher state of awareness to make sure you can react to the dangers around you.

Lack of spatial awareness

It’s not just traffic levels that are increased, pedestrian levels are usually much higher in towns and cities. My experiences with running in London have taught me that pedestrians can often treat runners with disdain and have very little awareness or tolerance of your presence. Don't expect too many to move out of your path or provide you with an easy route along a crowded pathway.

Tripping over

A nightmare for everyone who has to travel anywhere by foot. Poorly maintained pavements are a particular hazard for runners and something to be cautious of especially when taking a new route. From my experiences though I soon became aware of routes with dodgy pavements and quickly learned to treat them with increased awareness or develop routes that avoided them completely.

There are many other negatives to be considered as well, such as arriving at work all covered in sweat, running in the cold when it’s icy and snow falling, or what about when it’s tipping down throughout the typical British summer time?

Whatever your thoughts and however your view the positives and challenges you encounter wen running2work I personally think it’s well worth ago and would recommend you giving it a go!