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.

"Are you here by yourself?"

"Yes."
"Why aren't you sitting on the social table then?"
"Because I'm not feeling very social."

I've just returned from a week's activities holiday in Greece and it was brilliant.

Tennis. Running. Cycling. Swimming. Sleeping. I did all of these things with the addition of the spa.

Ah... the lovely spa: scrubbed, wrapped, moisturised and massaged, if not a new person, I'm certainly a much better version of the old one. I'm even ready to be sociable again. Time for a holiday!

(Pic: One of the many, many beautiful sunsets over Manos beach, Lemnos.)

Just passing through

On such a beautiful Saturday, it seemed a shame not to do the heath parkun. So I did. Very gently and with a pair of high-grip trainers to ensure, this time, only my feet would make contact with the ground.

After the run, I noticed the trees were dotted with lots of birds. I'm not sure whether they were on their way to a warmer climate (apparently many head to South Africa for the winter - very sensible) or we were the warmer climate: some fly to us from Russia for our slightly 'balmier' weather. Which just goes to show, in the end, everything's relative.

(Stats: 5km (3.1 miles); 29.54; 9.38 minute/mile.)

(Pic: Tree dotted with resting birds and one healthy-sized pigeon that's just taking flight.)

Feeling hot hot hot...

Too hot getting changed in the work's toilets. Too hot trying to force my swollen feet into my Vibrams. Too hot running home through Regent's Park. However, it was my first proper run in what feels like months, ergo it was a good one. Issues: I'm not sure my right foot fits properly in the shoe. My toes don't sit comfortably in the toe gloves and this led to a stubbing incident on Marylebone Road. Another issue, I'm landing ever so heavily, which I try to address, but this 'fleet of foot' running style is extremely tiring. Halfway home I was already turning corned beef; three-quarters of the way and I was groaning like a tennis player. But I kept going and made it home in one piece. I practised my patented 'running backwards down Hillfield Road' technique in order to stretch out my calf muscles in the opposite direction so I'm hopeful I'll be able to walk tomorrow. This is all in preparation for the Ealing half-marathon at the end of September. I'm not sure that speed will be of the essence, if I'm going barefoot then I'll just be happy to get round. Expectation management in progress. (Stats: 4.24 miles; 43 minutes; 10.08 minute/mile.)

Lost in Bristol

Today's run in the Vibrams took a slightly different turn - several, in fact - when I got very lost. I'm staying at a friend's so while she was at spinning, I headed out in the rain for a 20-minute foray that took 45 minutes. A lesson in spending less time looking at your feet and more time looking where you're going. My calf muscles are now rock hard. Even a quick swim hasn't loosened them up. I'm squatting a lot to see if that helps, though I might need to stop as we're off to Clifton shopping. On the plus side, it was good to go for a decent run. Apart from the concrete calves, my feet are fine and all is well with the barefoot adventure. We're going dancing tonight. The Vibrams would be perfect. However, I'll probably stick with the ridiculously high sandals that have previously left me with second-degree burns. Would Barefoot Ted approve? Probably not. (Stats: 45 minute run (no idea of distance, possibly three-ish miles in circles around Stoke Bishop?) (Pic: Peace and quiet at Clifton Relaxation Centre. Well worth a visit.) [Corrections and clarifications: My friend has just informed me she was at body pump, not spinning.]

Taking the plunge

It's taken a little while to get my stride back after the marathon, but today I jumped right back in: to parkrun - and to the ladies' pond. The run was lovely: sun shining; happy faces; dogs. Lots and lots of dogs. One dog, I think it was a Basset, even seemed to start us off - standing proudly to one side as we lined up, wagging his tail in encouragement. To be honest, I was envious of his four legs. My two didn't work that well today. In the night, someone had replaced all my blood with lead. I tried to will my body to move faster, but it wasn't having any of it. In the end, I resigned myself to a very gentle plod. And, on the plus side, it meant I could enjoy watching all the little four-legged friends frolicking in the way they do. Mainly in fox poo. Post-run, I headed for the bathing pond. It's a mighty 12 degrees now - 9 degrees warmer than my coldest swim. However, the sunshine today was a bit of a trick and I had to summon all my resolve just to get in. The lifeguard advised a long breath out as you enter the water. It was so cold, I feared it wouldn't be followed by any sort of breath in. But good to freshen up - and it entirely justified the small mountain of fried breakfast I consumed ten minutes later. (Stats: 3.1 miles; 27.15 minutes; 8.47 minute/mile.) (Pic: Parkrun involved running up this big hill. Twice. I much prefer strolling down. Slowly.)