How far is your marathon?

I am a quiet kind of guy, I am not loud, I do not usually volunteer information about myself easily and this is true for my running.

I don't tell people I run regularly or I try to train every day or that I often run a long distance event at the weekend.

At work I have tried to keep my running exploits under my hat and have largely succeeded. I did however recently share my marathon running with a fellow running colleague which has now led to word spreading. Another colleague now seeks me out for advice on her own fledgling running aspirations which is nice, I like it, but it has led to my running being discussed in group situations which inevitabley has led to more of my work colleagues knowing and subsequently taking an interest in my running.

This has culminated in a colleague shouting his best wishes for this weekends marathon across the office. I know there is nothing wrong with this and its a really nice sentiment but as a shy introverted person it just doesn't sit well with me.

I guess that kind of personality fits in well with being a runner as running is a solidarity and private past time with no reliance on team mates or achievements being widely acknowledged by others. 

To a certain extent I can't hide things from those I work with, its always been fairly obvious that I have been into fitness lifestyle as I don't drink lots of coffeeand don't usually partake in birthday cake when its someones birthday. These behaviours although sometimes admired are usually seen as rather odd as they differ from the office norm.

 

I suppose the problem is mine as I am private and just don't really want to share my running with everyone. 

Thats what makes my blog somewhat weird as here I am sharing my running with the Internet and the potential audience of millions of people! 

I enjoy writing my blog though, I enjoy interacting with other runners and sharing each others experiences, I just don't want to share my running with the people I share an office with every day!

I think it might be because I know people generally don't understand running andI don't want to have to explain myself and my running to people. I am sure all runners suffer with this, I just hope I don't get to many versions of the dreaded 'How far is your marathon?' question! 

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! 

Are you a secret runner?

Just wanting to check something....

Does anyone else hide their running away from colleagues or maybe friends? Or am I alone in my attempt to keep my running life a secret?

Today I was asked by two different colleagues did I have a race coming up and was I training for anything at the moment, and to both I quite bluntly replied no! This is despite the fact I have a marathon in about 3 weeks which is the start of my 3 marathons in 3 months.

I am not ashamed or shy of my running achievements or ambitions just I find it easier to keep things to myself, I don't like the fuss and attention you see.

I wondered though is this normal or is this quite unusual? 

I have a reputation at work for being a health freak as its known that I seem to have super human powers (well people seem to find it unbelievable that I can go to the gym before work, that I run for fun, that I can get through my day without drinking coffee every thirty minutes and that I have the restraint to not gorge myself on chocolate cake whenever there is a birthday in the office, pretty average things in my book), so the fact I run in events from time to time is common knowledge.

I guess I just don't want the pressure of everyone knowing and could do without the inane interest of people who don't understand my running lifestyle.

There is a fellow runner at work and I don't mind disclosing my plans to him as I suppose he gets where I am coming from and can appreciate my aims and objectives more fully. Even he seems reluctant to let on about his events and does what he can to keep a low profile when running at lunch or home from work.

So how do you play it with your non runner friends or colleagues? Would be great to hear your experiences and stories and whether you are a secret runner or not! 

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!