Canterbury 10 mile

So this was something of a double-header a 10 mile race and my 29th run of Janathon. I'd set my expectations for this race at around 1 hour and 20 minutes, having previously run the race in 2010 where I set a time of 1:22:17. Given that I'd run every day for the last month I was hoping I'd be a little bit fitter, despite being two years older. As it turns out I ran pretty much the perfect race, apart from slowing down when going up the hills. I really need to join a running club even it's just to do some hill training. So these were my splits, sadly they're reliant on my memory so there are some gaps.

Mile 1 - Didn't see the mile marker, but the first time I looked at my watch it said 10:41
Mile 2 - 15:53
Mile 3 : 22:23
Mile 4 : 30:33
Mile 5 : 38:23
Mile 6 : 46:03
Mile 7 : 51:13
Mile 8 : 1:01:14
Mile 9 : 1:08:19
Mile 10: 1:15:51

So some pretty quick miles towards then end, but then from about 8 miles onwards it's all downhill - which is a relief given that between miles 4 and 7 it's pretty much uphill all the way! I even had a sprint finish in my legs, thanks to another runner who said go for it. He was apparently running with a groin strain - now that's commitment! That time meant I finished 303rd out of 889 runners. You can look at the full results on the IEK Chip timing website There are supposed to be 5 mile split times listed but I cant see these at the moment.

I should also say I ran yesterday 1.35 miles in 10:51 but failed to blog about it. I don't know whether this makes me a Janathon failure or not! Tomorrow I expect I will be aching somewhat but will happily run in the knowledge that there are only two days of Janathon left and after surprising myself with this time!

Just in time!

A very very short post before I forget to post anything at all. I really have very little to say but promise to post something more significant over the weekend.

Run summary

Distance - 4.01 miles
Time - 32:02*

*A whole 3:45 quicker thenmy effort at the same distance yesterday. I guess this proves that I don't like running in the rain!

Sponsored by the letters P, R and S

Today's run was sponsored by the letters P, R and S, namely Puddles, Rain and Sleep or lack of sleep in my case. Why a lack of sleep well my  6 year old decided that 3.30am was a good time to wake up and decide to watch some Alvin and the Chipmunks. This decision was shortly by me saying that now wasn't an appropriate time and sleep was a much better option. Cue 30 minutes of crying followed by 20 minutes of saying she had a nightmare, probably about Chipmunks. That led to a very hesitant "leap" out of bed this morning.

Once I was outside things didn't get much better as it was absolutely heaving it down. To the extent I had to don waterproofs :-( and had to splash through many puddles, whilst avoiding all the lucky people in their cars!

Run summary

Distance - 4.01 miles
Time - 35:47*

*This really is slow for me, but I blame the weather, the lack of sleep, the darkness, a pain which I hope isn't my hamstring and anything else apart from my running ability or lack of!

Runners encountered - 0 (as if there would be any other nutters out at this time!)
Dog walkers dodged - 1

Jokeathon

I'm not sure this isn't entirely relevant to my blog post but hey ho!

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Rain!

Rain who?

Rain dear, you know, Rudolph the red noses rain dear!

Just going through the motions...Janathon Run#25

A short post as I'm feeling a bit world weary! Running today literally felt like I was just going through the motions, drink some water, put kit on, warm up, start watch, start running. Given that I've run every day for the last 25 days I'm not surprised but I'm hoping it's not just me.

As it stands there are only 6 days left until the end of Janathon (boy has this month flown by) and I have to say I'm actually going to miss it. Although I do have to get up early tomorrow and Friday to do a run, which I'm definitely not going to miss!

I'm also pleasantly surprised that;

1. I haven't been ill in January
2. I haven't picked up any injuries, unless you count a pain in my right bum cheek, which I told myself I wasn't going to mention...dammit

Run summary

Distance - 3.91 miles
Time - 29:46

Runners encountered - loads
Dog walkers dodged - 0
Cobblestones crept across - thousands

A very fine rain...Janathon Run#24

Part of my 5.5 mile run route*

A short update today as I'm busy at work and am out this evening so not able to blog later. Today wasn't a day for the faint-hearted, cold, miserable and wet was a good summary of the weather and worse the rain was that horrible type that seems to soak you even though it wasn't raining that heavily :-(

Despite that I manged to drag myself outside into the "fresh" air. Unsurprisingly that weren't that many runners out and those that were out had plenty of rueful smiles!

*According to the many notices I see along this part of my run Thames Water plan to turn this part of the river front into some sort of super sewer. What is it with me and sewers?

Run summary

Distance - 5.59 miles
Time - 46:42

Runners encountered - Not many
Runners overtaken - 3
Runners who overtook me - 1
Dog walkers dodged - 2
Puddles stepped in - lots
Number of times drenched - 1

Jokeathon

Why did the weather forecaster move to another country?

Because the weather didn’t agree with him.


[Photo credit - Canary Wharf from Flickr]

Artichoke hill...Janathon Run#23

It really does look like this

Here's a famous fact you may or may not know. Artichoke Hill is one of the places long running Police show the Bill was filmed it's also part of the 3.91 run I undertook this afternoon. Or rather it would be If was to run up Artichoke Hill.

Unfortunately

1. Artichoke Hill isn't that much of a hill
2. I run across/past it rather then up it

But never let it be said that I don't grasp an opportunity to promote an unknown part of London. Even if it was unknown to me until I looked it up! If you have the time you really must have a look at some of the results for Artichoke Hill on Flickr

Run summary

Distance - 3.91 miles
Time - 29:05
Runners encountered - a few
Dog walkers dodged - 0
Famous, but sadly now defunct sets run past - 1
Less salubrious establishments run past - 1

Jokeathon

I thought I'd struggle to find a clean joke about Artichokes*, how wrong was I...

Knock Knock 

 

Who’s there? 

 

Artichokes

 

Artichokes, who? 

 

Artichokes when he eats too fast!

*Not the greatest joke in the world admittedly

[Photo credit - Artichoke Hill from Flickr]

An almighty stink...Janathon Run#22

So today was another day of firsts, the first running on this particular route and the first time I'd run 40* miles in a week. If you saw me tweet about my run and looked at my running route, you might have noticed that I also ran past a sewage plant. I can confirm that yes it did stink and the wind wasn't even vaguely blowing in my direction.

Aside from the sewage plant, which I promise not to mention again, the run took me through some of the Ebbsfleet valley and up close and personal to Ebbsfleet international station, home of HS1. I'd love to tell you more about the plan for the Ebbsfleet valley, which I believe includes building a few homes but sadly the Land Securities website doesn't work and I'm not even using IE! We'll just have to wait and see I guess!

Run summary


Distance - 9.36 miles
Time - 1:17:53

Runners encountered - 3
Dog walkers dodged - 8
Sewage plants passed - 1
Sprints past sewage plants - 1

Jokeathon


 I tried I really did but I couldn't find anything appropriate so no joke today I'm afraid.

*Okay okay it was 39.9 miles this week!