Eight Miles - Didn't See Eminem!

Discipline: Run
Distance: 8.2 miles
Time: 1:09:54
Av speed: 8:31 mins/mile

Up before 5am to do an early morning run. Partly because I'm going over to M's tonight, and partly because I didn't really want to leave a full half week between the long bike and the long run. The only real problem that stopped me running yesterday evening was a sore left quad/hip flexor, and although it wasn't completely better this morning, I decided to go for it. Here's the route.

After being up for a few moments, weighing myself (still not down at 101.1kgs - grrrr!), I felt quite energised, and stuck my kit on. I headed out of the door at around 5:15am. What a great time to run! The roads were quiet, all the houses were hushed, and it really made me feel at one with nature. Just a shame there wasn't any sunlight!

The trek along Mulgrave Road felt comfortable, and I reached the end in 7:33, feeling that I'd done that at a relaxed pace. I turned up Sandy Lane, and then down West Drive, again feeling easy, and with no twinge from the knee. It's been a lot better of late. Main problem has been the tight quads/ITBs/hip flexors. I reached my two mile turnaround point (from my four mile route) in 15:56, about 25 seconds slower than if I'm going full out on a four mile run, so not bad considering I had as far to go again before turning back. The climb up the hill didn't leave me as breathless - I think my lungs are getting fitter too :oD

All downhill then to Ewell bypass, and then across into Ewell Village. All was going well, maybe a slight tiredness in the quads. The hill over the railway was tough, but it was soon over with, and I headed into the final stage along Longmead Road. There's a big chunk of grass at the side of the road here, and I finished strongly, going slightly beyond my planned turnaround point. I stopped for sa stretch and then headed back.

This time the climb over the bridge felt toughter, and my quads were tiring. The climb up from Ewell Village to the bypass was tough, and then a long climb up Howell Hill. I took it piece by piece, which worked as a mental strategy, but my hip flexors were sore, and my pace slowed. After that the bulk of the route was flat or downhill, and was easier. My quads tightened a fair bit though, and although I finished at a fair sprint (rather than a limp), I was glad to get home. Still - that's two miles further than I've done for ages, and apart from the left quad problems, my legs feel very good. I'm hoping it won't stiffen up too much. I did also get a soreness on the inside of the right ankle, which I've had before - is it possible the two are related?

So - not a bad pace at all, and more distance than I've done for a while. I'm not sure quite what the next few days will hold, but I'm up to nearly six hours training since Sunday already, so this is going to be my biggest week yet unless I really slack off!

Nothing to do with training, but I love this cartoon!!