Windy Or What?

[mrrun]

What a run. I always plan everything and everything looked fine this morning, 20c forecast with some wind later on, sunny at 9am, all good.

I'm fully into my ultra training routine and have been clocking in 270-300km per month with alternating weekends where l run 16k Saturdays and 32k Sundays back on back. I've included major London train stations into my routes because of the toilet facilities, just in case. God knows when the pubs will reopen.

Anyways, l just passed the parliament when the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. The idea was to gain the mileage by crossing all bridges on my way but crossing them turned out to be a balancing act with the wind lashing out, throwing me around like a marionette. Half way through near the Tower, l knew l was screwed. Too windy, too chilly for nothing but a basketball vest and a small rucksack on my back and 16km off my target, my warm car that was parked in the distant distance.

I made it in the end, was running faster if anything but l learned a valuable tip. Do not go for long runs alone in a deserted city without a backup jacket or a top. It wasn't like l could hail a cab, l was on my own in London that l don't recognise. Eerie and empty.

Has anyone else dodged the gusts this afternoon?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I went out early on my bike - it was surprisingly warm but the wind picked up very quickly even while I was out. Within an hour of being home it was like an entirely different day. Your account sounds like the opening scenes of a disaster movie - but one with a happy ending and a lesson learned, like all good disaster movies 😀

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Linda, l love disaster movies but l somehow do not like to partake in real life situations which may influence a making of one. A year ago l ran, a thunder crushed down and l simply walked into a nice and warm coffee establishment and set there until l could continue running. Today, an entire area around Tate Modern, normally packed with vibrant life, was empty and cold except for an idiot in a green basketball jersey hopping around, hoping to get to his car before the elements get to him. Oh well. Next time l will be prepared 😉.

[Run46 Half Marathon]

I did, but I was doing 10K and running from home, so I could have easily at any point been home in a K or 2 if it got bad.

I have to say, your run sounds brilliant...obviously not for you coz you realised how isolated you were and were stuck with a difficult situation! But for me, sitting on the sofa with a cuppa, it sounds exciting, I especially liked the bit near the end where you made it back to your car in one piece!

Seriously though, yes, preparation is now far more important than it's ever been!

Stay safe 😊

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Run46]

When l reached the car l was almost emotional. The warmth, the smell of its interior, those lovely lights on the dashboard that blinked when l turned on ignition, the purr of its engine. It didn't even know what I'd just been through, my beloved heap of metal, leather, glass and other stuff. My wife said l looked disheveled, as if I'd been put through a washer and she's normally reserved with her comments. You can only imagine what l looked like...

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Experience is the best teacher :). I’ve made too many planning/wardrobe errors that I now keep a long run list handy that I am still adding to!

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

I remember your post about that! Knowing me, l need to walk this line very carefully otherwise l will run like an explorer who drags a trolley with a rope tied around the waist.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to mrrun]

Yes I know what you mean. When the weather is crap, I sometimes plan a loop route using my car as an aid station housing extra food, jackets, dry gear etc.

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

That's what l normally do and did for the marathon but yesterday's change was so sudden, no time for a quick detour. I had some stuff in the car but the car was 16km away, haha. Never mind. Live & learn!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

It must be very special, if a bit spooky, to run through London currently. I hope you’re taking lots of photos so that in the future you can look back and wonder if it was indeed even real. That’s some mileage you’re doing, you mustn’t be at home much these days 😂

I went out yesterday and intended to do a speed run but my Garmin didn’t get a connection at all the whole run until I almost returned to my front door 🙄 so annoying. In the end I didn’t do speed because I wouldn’t have had any stats and what’s the point if I can’t see how brilliantly I did 🤣 So I did a tempo ‘ish run but yes it was very windy and wet but still absolutely brilliant 👍🏃‍♀️🙂

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Photos? I completely forgot about the photos, must remember. A few weeks ago l ran literary in the middle of Sloane Avenue in Knightsbridge with just one empty bus on sight. Normally it's stalled traffic both ways. I also crossed all 6 lanes (twice) in Park Lane near Hyde Park just to see what it feels like. Zig-zagging empty Oxford Street was stuff of sci fi movies. Surreal, absolutely surreal. And my Garmin also packed in at one stage, not taking any gps footage but that should be the last on our list of concerns. It's good that you're doing your thing as well!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

When you’re ancient you can look at the photos and see yourself as a part of history and say “I woz there”. Take lots....

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

My god, you're right. Will do.

[misswobble Marathon]

It was bleeping freezin. I had my merino on, having gone back for it. Yep wear or carry an extra layer. It’s the thing to do,

Good news on your ultra training 😃💪👍. I was supposed to be walking my ultra route last Sunday but it was cancelled 😟

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Walking? I was sprinting the last 12k, sprinting like Shackleton back in the day or else I'd still be there for the tourists to find me when this madness is all over.

[misswobble Marathon]

It was an organised walk! 12 hours 😃. It just so happened to be the same route of my planned ultra. Race Walking the route was to be a recce exercise.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

I agree. You don't want to experiment when you decide to venture out for 50k without a clue about the route. I know my passage inside out, including where all the working public toilets are. Now l know about extra gear as well.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to mrrun]

There is no support. We have to take a map, gps device/phone, food and water etc It’s a very local event so I think I would be alone for much of it.

There are five (I think) manned checkPoints which we have to hit or we get disqualified I expect it could be easy to miss one - hence my wanting to recce the route. I think there will be water at each check point

We get a hot dinner at the end😃😋

So, now that the walk has been cancelled I’m going to recce it in stages for next year. I’ve been saying this for two years. First time I had to forget it as my son decided to get married in the US 🤨. Kids ey 😁

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Sounds very interesting, go for it, no delaying! 😉