Awight, my fellow Runneroos? I just had to write a post about my running week.....
As I was drafted in to work for an 8am start on Tuesday (I know. Hideous) I couldn't manage an early run, so I only did two runs this week. My first was on Thursday - a 6.5K jog along the cold, dimly lit A316 from Twickenham to Richmond swimming baths and back. I don't mind running along a busy road this early as it feels safer. Old Deer Park looks as black as a baboon's gool**s at that time of the morning and I dread to think of all the mad axe murderers hiding behind trees there, waiting to pounce and demand the contents of my pouch! So main roads it is for me whilst it's this dark at 6.30am.
No great things to report. I did it - which is the main thing and non stop too. I'd had a couple of walk breaks on my previous early morning outings just because I felt sooooooo tired. But thursday was a continuous jog and the first bead of sweat didn't trickle down my face until K2. It's usually way earlier than that which just goes to show how bloomin' cold it is.
TurboTortoise and I had been trading messages in the week, with regard to signing up for The London Winter Run this Feb. I'm hoping quite a few of you lot might be able to make it there as it sounds like a fun run, passing Londonium's most celebrated landmarks. Well safe to say, we're all signed up for it - TT, Aliboo and Mr Aliboo, Beads and A.N.Other who I can't remember, and it's gonna be great.
So as a result of this signing up to only my 2nd race, I started to have a minor panic. I haven't run a 10K since Remembrance Sunday and since then I've gone out on a Sunday with a view to doing one. Tiredness and just general winter blues have hindered me so much, that I could only manage my 7K river run the past few weeks and I said to Mrs Dan - "What if I can't do 10K again?". She replied with her usual verve - "Don't be ridiculous, you ludicrous popinjay! Of course you'll be able to do it. You've got 7 weeks to "train" before your Winter Run, so pull your finger out and get training!"
So this morning I awoke after a blissful lie in until 9.30am, and saw the bright sun shining in a clear blue sky. This instantly put me in a good mood and I'd already mentally planned my 10K route. So downstairs to the juicer I went. What was in the fruit bowl and vegetable drawer that I could juice? I selected two pears, tow carrots, two sticks of celery, half a lemon and a chunk of ginger! The power juice flowed through my body like Kryptonite and the 6 dates ensured that a shed load of fruit sugar was entering my blood stream. I was ready. Black beanie hat and gloves, running tights, short AND long sleeved top and I was ready to Rock 'N Roll.
I could hear Endomondo from my pocket, announcing each kilometre and the time it took. I was aiming for an hour for the 10K, which meant 6 mins per K. Do-able for this 51 year old dude. The first, second, third & fourth went by - each one faster by two seconds. The 4th ended up being my fastest. By 5K I had reached Kew Bridge which meant it was time to leave the riverside and run back home through Brentford. I was going well until a pain shot up my right calf at around the 7K mark. I hoped I could "run it out" and I concentrated on using my left leg as the "power push off" leg and then just lightly hopping on my right leg. This ridiculous gait made me look like I had a wasp inside my pants so I decided to revert back to normal mode. The pain eventually subsided and I can only think it was a muscle spasm or something.
I'd reached 9K. One more to go. My buttocks were feeling tight and my legs felt tired now, but I hadn't stopped ONCE. I'd kept going and this I did until I heard the announcement from my pocket - "10 kilometres. lap Time 5 minutes 53 seconds". I'd done it! An amazing feeling off achievement and well being came over me as I walked home. Now I know I won't embarrass myself in front of the incredible TurboTortoise and the equally fabulous Aliboo and Beads!
My time? 57'55 which I'm dead chuffed with. The jacuzzi afterwards was sheer heaven.
So that's my week folks. Thanks for reading and best of luck with your Saturday and Sunday runs!
Yer pal.
Dan.
NOT!
its exciting though and a great motivator eh? Looking forward to meeting up! Dont forget miles _ yonder is back in circulation too and is joining us! 
Kit, what kit? - Amazing woman. 
What can you control?
Follow me into the sunshine!!!!
What do you do for post-grad consolidation?
Week 7 Run 3 - In the Sunshine !
