Parliament Hill

An evening run makes everything better. Even if you are growled at by a small dog. I don't think he liked my orange shorts.

4.4 miles; 48.59 minutes; 11.05 minute/mile.

Pic: Deciding whether to rain.

Exhale. Exhale. Exhale

I’ve said it before (in my head) so I’ll say it again: running in London is like training at altitude.

Except in London, it's the pollution that makes it harder.

I remember this every time I'm in the countryside.

Yesterday I did a slow, gentle loop of Rushden lakes (which is in Northamptonshire or, quite possibly, Bedfordshire, signage was confusing). The run felt easy compared to normal - with relatively little snotting and wheezing. Admittedly, it was very flat versus hilly Hampstead so that could be a contributory factor. But I might get myself a little pollution mask anyway because, if nothing else, it’ll protect others from all the snotting and wheezing.

Stats: 4.6 miles; 48.26 minutes; 10.31 minute/mile.

Pic: Getting a noseful.

Interstitial running

No formal runs to speak of but I have been random running on the way home from work.

Formal attire and bags are not conducive to speed; my Converse, however, are brilliant. They may not be great for distance but for a mile or less they're perfect.

The hope is by squeezing in some random runs I might get fit by accident. Another brilliant plan.

National Theatre to Waterloo Station - 0.7 miles - approx 7 minutes of running while trying not to drop bag or get strangled by scarf.

Hampstead tube station to home - another 0.7 miles - approx 6 minutes due to the downhill course.

Pic: Amadeus at the National Theatre is amazing. See it if you can.

Let's hear it for the buoy

Today was my favourite kind of running weather. Warm and damp. It was damper but less warm in the ladies' pond. That said, after a winter of swimming from ladder to ladder (about 10 yards), today I managed to get as far as the nearest buoy. I reckon I swam at least 15 yards, extending my water time to a good 50 seconds. I'm feeling very Wim Hof.



Stats: 3.6 miles; 43 minutes; 11.58 minute/mile. Pond: 8 degrees. Pic: The glorious ladies' pond.