Early start, 10.5miles

After yesterday's near meltdown I had an early night, lots of carbs and fluids. So I woke early feeling reasonably ok and decided to do a 90 minute loop down to Childwickbury.

It was a nice clear morning at 7am. The sky was clear and the tempearture fresh. The legs took a mile or so to get comfortable, by which time I was doing the infamous run round Long Buftlers that Paul loathes. I took the bridleway down to Pipers Lane and then up Ayres End Lane to the A1081. All was quiet and still on the roads.

Down through Childwickbury and I started thinking of the Virgins at the end of the marathon. That's right isn't it? Last year it was a tub of Flora but now we'll have a few Branson Bunnies to ease the pain and provide a bit of comfort.

After Childwickbury it was Beeson End Lane and home. By the time I was up at the common there was a mist hanging over the town and the best of the day was behind us.

Nice 10.5 miles in just over 95mins. Tomorrow I'm going longer as I build towards the 3 hour mark.

Two Runs, 12 miles

The heat is on. 80 days to go, over 500 miles to complete. So it was 2 runs, one before breakfast and another at lunchtime. 6miles each.
The first was the loop down the Nickey Line and home via West Common. Uneventful, no abuse, no dogs or dog owners getting stroppy. Just an easy, steady 6 miles at 9min pace.
At lunchtime it was the Wheathampsted loop. The legs felt fine and I was inspired by the thought of reaching £800 of donations. I'm in the dead zone, the enthusiasm of the early runs has gone. So the donations have spurred me on and as I approach 500 I know I will run 500 more!
With a 10-14 day taper into the run and a rest day every week, I'm looking at 10miles a day to complete the challenge. Easy peasy.

Energy Sapping, 12.4miles

It was a 7am start with Paul & Niall. The plan was St Albans, Sandridge & Wheathampstead over a 2 hour session.

Paul suggested that we go via Heartwood and see how things went from there. The first 4 miles were speedy for me. Too quick in retrospect. My long runs in good conditions should be around 9min pace, these were all around 8.30 / 8.40, so my heart rate was higher than it should've been. From mile 4 I was trying to manage it down but we were off road and on hilly terrain so that was next to impossible. The only way to get it under control was to stop for a quick photo shoot. I need a fewe photos for a press release on the 1000 miles and this was my chance.

Paul was in hysterics as I took off the gloves, hat, jacket etc. Photo was done and then Paul set off to throw all my gear up a tree.

The second half of the run was easier for me. The pace was settled above 9 and so my heart rate was under control.

We'd headed back to Harpenden after a loop of the various woods. We took in Mud Lane and then on Pipers Lane I took the loop over the top to the Lea Valley walk while Niall and Paul headed back via a more direct route.

Overall it was 2 hours, 12.4 miles. The early effort has left me feeling as drained as I have felt in ages, so I may take tomorrow and Monday off to recharge the batteries.

Last one in Scotland, 14 miles

So we head back to England tomorrow and so this would be my last run in the hills for a while.

The weather has got seriously cold, minus 9 overnight and a bit below zero during the day. The roads were icy so I had to tread carefully. Decided on a climb to Loch Turret and then a loop of Monzie-Gilmaton and the a climb to the top of the Knock.

Highlight of the run was the spectacular views at Loch Turret. Ice on the loch but sun on the hills was awesome. Lowlight was the temperature in the valley, must have been minus 5. Absolute nightmare, especially as I was in shorts.

Overall it was 14miles at 10min mile pace. 2279ft climbed.

My Scottish runs have taken me over 63miles in 6 days. That's the most I've ever done and in these conditions that's quite an achievement.

2 hours 48mins, 16.5miles in the snow

After 2 days with no running I took a 3 hour gap in the schedule to get out in the snow in Crieff.

The route was round the Knock, down to Comrie, then to Monzie, Gilmaston and back to the Knock. Twice round that lot and you have 16.5 tough miles. Total ascent was 2850ft.

The weather is as bad as its been for years and no one is driving, so the roads were empty apart from a couple of farmers and a gritter. Dog walkers were out and so was a guy on cross country skis.

Legs are feeling the effort tonight. Easy day tomorrow and then hopefully a decent run while the turkey cooks on Friday.

Perfect Distance

Niall had called the shots for the sunday run. We were going long and the plan was 8.30 pace, so I was up for it although I suspected the pace would be on the 7 side of 8.

Anyway we met at Paul's who was a second or two late. There was no time for him to get his watch on or say hello, as Niall was off. As usual the pace was faster than I wanted but my plan was to keep the HR in zones 2/3 for the run and so I'd keep up as best I could and then let them go if it was too much.

By the time we'd reached Wheathampstead there was a 20 yard gap but I was safely in my zone and not too concerned. Paul took us on a route I'd never been, through the churchyard and then it was on to the Wheato 10k path. The guys had decided not to let me slip too far off the back so were throwing in the odd run back to me in order to keep us together. Nice touch.
We went along the path and I tried to hold on to them on the ascents through the field. The HR went into Z5 but recovered as I slowed the pace. The lads had some fun up ahead, taking over an old guy at pace and then turning back and rejoining me. The unspoken decision was to chase down the lone runner again but he'd stepped up his pace and even though we were pushing under 7 we didn't get him. Funnily when we reached the point where he'd cut off we saw hi walking. He'd killed himself but it was still respectable. My HR was back in Z5 but as the pace eased back down I was back in 3.
Again the lads were building a lead but it wasn't growing beyond too quickly and I knew the way home. Paul threw in another little loop around Wheathampstead and took us up to the top of the hill a new way. On the ascent the guys pulled further away but again turned and ran back to me. From there we were together until Crabtree Lane where we parted.
As I was heading up the hill I saw the distance covered so far was just over 10 so decided to throw in a warm down loop of Aldwickbury Crescent and Topstreet Way in order to hit 11 miles for the treck.
The run was perfect for me. I kept the HR steady and managed to hold my form all the way through. Ignoring mile 1 and mile 11 which were warm ups/downs the average pace was 8.12 for 9 miles. That's very positive and I'd say my best long run ever.

Longer run than we bargained for

I've only myself to blame. Niall had suggested we run the Herts10k route and throw in some hill reps at the end. I suggested the Cooters End Lane loop as a warm up as I thought it was about 3 miles. After 5.5 we reached the 10k start line. Oh no, this was gonna be a killer.

We'd been joined by Simon from Aro Sports. Niall and I had met him on Saturday at the Allotments Soiree, he was planning a long run and decided to join us. Turns out he's a class act. 1.25 in the St Albans Half and 36m at the Whipsnade 10.

We were 4, no Paul, but Dave was back after his bit of sickness. Cooters End Lane was steady enough, Simon was striding easily and took the lads with him. I was trying to keep my heartrate down so stayed at my own pace. We were back as a foursome by the Nicky Line and were surprised at how busy it was, lots of dog walkers, including Jack's tennis coach Abby, and a guy doing reps.

On hitting the park we reset the Garmin's and the lads let me set the pace for the first 2 miles, which were down hill! On hitting the hill after the golf course Simon was off, Dave went after him and then Niall thought he'd go too. I settled down to a steady pace, slowing as much as I could and trying not to let the HR go over the top. As I came up the hill I realised I was on for a pb and slowed further - no PB's in training! From then it was a steady trot back to the Nicky Line, across the fields and home. I finished a few minutes after the lads in 49.05.

Simon set off for a further 7-9 miles - respect. Dave was heading for the gym while Niall and I were back on duty! The Garmin said 12.94miles overall. My HR was way too high for most of it and so I felt the pain / energy deficit all day. Even now, monday lunchtime, I know I went too long and too fast. As I said it was my fault.

I've 2 Sunday's in Scotland coming up, so I'll be back to 9min miles for my long runs which will be a relief.