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.

Wind Chill, 4.6miles

It's getting harder to get off the sofa. Its cold, -4c, its icey and now the wind has started to blow. Running in the cold is ok as you soon warm up. But when the wind is blowing through your gear and chilling the bones its a tougher proposition.

Anyway, I was out for an easy loop. When facing the wind it was absolutely chilling. I took the loop round Long Buftlers-Leycroft Way-Welbeck Rise and back along to Crabtree Lane and home. An easy 4.6 miles at 8.57 pace. The forecast is for more of the same. Aggh.

Evening Mega Reps, 6.0 miles

So I missed the lunchtime run with Niall and Paul but as a bonus managed to arrange a rep session with Simon. For the first time in ages I was filled with fear as I set off. It was snowy and icey, and this was with the man who wins races and finishes half marathons in 1hr 17mins. I was probably going to die.

Anyway we met at Simon's at nearly 8pm and headed for the Nickey Line, www.nickeyline.org.
It seemed darker than last night so we took a few minutes to try and adjust. However, the inevitable couldn't be delayed and we set off on 10x400m with 45 secs recovery.

Simon went haring passed on rep 1 and I struggled hard to hold on to a 10 yard gap. And so it went on, I did my best to keep up as Simon showed his class. We took a left along Roundwood and then back around the Avenues to complete the 10. Rep 8 was my worst and I was certain my dinner was going to make appearance but just like Lazarus I somehow recovered to do 2 strong reps to finish. It was tough but good to get the chance to run in Simon's slipstream!

So, snow, a shorter recovery and more mileage, how was my performance. Well, 10 reps in October took 954 secs. Tonight 10 reps took 922 secs. In October my best rep pace was 6.01, tonight it was 5.46. Happy days.

Snow snow snow, 8.2miles

I'd hoped to join the Aro mob this evening but events conspired to postpone my debut. Instead it was a solo 8.2miles in the snow. The south east is really taking a hit this evening with 3-4 inches falling in the last 4 hours.

I set off towards Aldwickbury and spotted the Aro footfalls in the fresh snow. Looked like only a handful were out and were home by the time I'd got out.

From Aldwickbury I headed for Long Buftlers then down Medway. From Grove Road I decided to head up Cross Lane to the St Albans road. Snow affords a bit more light to the bridleways so having successfully got up Cross Lane it was off to Rothampstead Park and across to the Nickey Line. Again this was easy as the snow provided more than enough illumination.

Crossing to the Nickey Line www.nickeyline.org was amazing, no one had been out so it was fresh paths and only some rabbits and foxes were providing company. From there it was up the Nickey Line and along passed St Georges and home.

Overall 8.2miles in a 1hr 10min jaunt. Tomorrow looks likely to be a working at home day, so hopefully I'll get a lunchtime run in.

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.

Deeper snow, The Knock and 10.4 miles

The kids were out at club again and so I took to the hills. I’d run round the Knock a few times but decided to take the path to the top today. There had been 4-5 inches of snow overnight so the paths were tough going. At the summit, which was only 2 miles in, I had great views of the Highlands and towards Gleneagles. Snow is abundant. From the summit I descended to Culcrieff and then did the Monzie-Gilmaston loop. That was followed by a loop of the Knock and home.

10.4 miles in 1hr 44mins and another 2127ft to add to the climbing total.

Christmas Eve, Easy 4 miles

I’m pretty sore after yesterday and wonder if I’m doing the right thing as I take an easy run. Turns out to have been the best thing and the legs and body generally feel looser.

It was a straight loop of the Knock and a trot down to Culcrieff and back. 4.0 miles on the dot in a gentle 42 mins.

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.

Super Sunday, 11.3miles

The snow and below freezing temperatures weren't enough to put the lads off the Sunday run. Dave, Anthony, Paul and me deciding on a run towards Wheathampstead at 7am.

Woo, it was -3c. Luckily no wind but still enough to put hairs on the chest.

We headed over to Wheathampstead along the Lea Valley and across the fields. It was still dark but brightening as we went. The pace was slow but it was impossible to go any faster without slipping.

We made it to the start of the Wheato 10k and did a loop around part of the course before stopping for a photo and then heading back.

As we made our way across we noticed the ice on Dave's hair. Any moisture was freezing instantly, as it does below zero.

We made it back and after leaving Paul and Ant, Dave and I stepped up the pace and put in an 8min last mile. It was a good effort and the first time in ages that I've finished a run with Dave - normally he's got fed up going so slow. Ironman.

Overall, 11.3 miles, average pace 9.18 and a low Z3 heart rate.

Tempo Effort in the Snow, 8.1miles

So my trip to Warwick was snowed off and I had to return the hire car. My plan was a lunchtime trip to St Albans and a run home back along the road. Should've been ok.

Then I got the mail from Paul, "who fancies a run?" Simon quickly said no, Dave thought about it but in the end it was just me and Paul. With the words "off-road" ringing in my ears the plan was to meet at 1230. I ended up totally messing that up and in the end we met at 2.15. Sorry Paul.

We dropped the car and then the route was Sandridge-Heartwood-Harpenden. We set off downhill, no major issues although it was a bit slippy. We noted that for us forefoot strikers it was safer. On the other hand it was just as well that heel striker, Niall, was away on holiday.

From Sandridge it was onto the bridleway and up the hill. The snow was knee deep in parts so it was slow progress but still very hard work. We pressed on and resorted to the Niall skipping technique, which I confess did mean we moved quickly. I think thats when I knew I had hypothermia.

From Heartwood we headed for the infamous Mud Lane. No mud, just deep snow today. It was a nice downhill so we ramped up the pace and delivered a sub 8min mile.

It was uphill from there, to the Wheathampstead Road and then across more fields to pick up the Lea Valley walk. That was 49 mins in and that's when the "proper snow" started. It was a case of snow goggles required as the thick stuff fell.

We made it to Station Road, Paul headed home and I made my way uphill. I threw in a Dalkeith loop just to get the mileage over 8.

Got home and realised my legs were numb, my fingers were blue and my nose had icicles attached. Should be ok for tomorrow.

Snow & Freezing Wind, 4.2miles

The weather is deteriorating by the minute. Freezing wind and snow.

I had to collect a hire car from St Albans. In a moment of madness thought I'd gear up and run over.

Started off in blustery snow which cleared after a few minutes. Then it was just a chilling gale blowing through my gear. The snow came back and then darkness descended as the snow set in.

Made it along to St Albans in 36 mins. I was glad I'd worn 2 pairs of gloves and my thermals. A couple of people shouted at me. I think they said "psycho". I couldn't agree more.