It's on

January 25th - Absolutely shattered today after the 50kms of running in the weekend. Could barely get out of bed and hence stayed in bed till 8am. Consequently was running late for work and missed bus so caught overland and tube, made it to my desk by 9:02am though.
After Saturday's 5km TT and 15 kms of other running, was a little sore but still was up for another long run. Ended up going to bed a little late Saturday night after 45 minute chat to Zach and then another 45 mins to Mark, so didn't hit the pillow till about 2am. I woke at about 9:30am, and contemplated sleeping in longer but instead put on some tennis, Henin v Wickmayer, was pretty good. Got up and moving around 10am, coffee and cereal and then out the door at 11am. Not to cold so ditched the gloves for the first time in a while. First few kms tough as always running up Lavender Hill, in fact the whole journey to Richmond feels up hill! Made it to the park in 35:17 which was fairly decent, and legs started to free up a bit. Better run than last week around the park, a few new tunes on the Ipod to change the vibe and after week of no drinking had renewed energy! Once again I think I missed a turn though, and did the full loop in 48 minutes or so. Pretty comfortable the whole way round, then headed home which is great, the nice long downhill West Hill. Since was going to be under 2 hours decided to do a loop of Clapham Common to pad it out a bit. Plenty of gas in the tank at the end but the legs were definitely seizing up a bit. Another 30kms or so, to make it about 125kms in 8 days - most since 2006, and great feeling! Forest is back motherfucker! 3 years, hard to believe but I have well and truly found the zest, motivation and drive to launch a full scale assault first of all on Mark's time at Rotterdam, then assail my 2:40 in Berlin -September 26th will hopefully crush 2:40 and maybe get down towards low 2:30s.

Home and shower then straight over to Blair's for a roast dinner at the Dove, shared a whole chicken with Blair was great. Then home to watch a movie Lake Tahoe, not bad, Spanish movie about a guy who has lost his father. Quaint and perfect for a Sunday night. Liz bounced up and down on the Swiss ball and seems to have done the trick as currently in labour. Amazing to think that in a few hours will be a new life on this earth. Hope all goes well and it is over quickly!

Tonight finally made it down to Clapham Chasers, and an important day for my running career. Was almost too late after waiting for bus, but got there with plenty of time in the end down to Nuttfield gym. About 70-80 people down there, a really good buzz and immediate good impression. Fast group had about 30 in it, really decent pace but could feel tightness in calves halfway round, settled down by the end though. OVerall 46 mins, I'd say around 10kms was a decent Monday effort. Had a chat to Neil about other training sessions, tracks sessions on Tuesday and fartlek type stuff on the Wednesday. My next 5 months just fell into place to coincide with my saving mission. And not a moment to soon. The booze hag is dead, bring on Rotterdam. Yeah baby.

Forest is back

January 23rd Saturday - First 5km time trial in 2 years at Wimbledon, had forced quick tempo run down there in about 30 minutes and was blowing pretty hard when got there, but was on time. Not too cold which was good, legs felt a little dead when I got there but once started race felt really good. Conditions were pretty awful to run well, boggy as fuck and certain parts of the run very slippery. Went through 1/2 way in 9:10 feeling pretty good, on 2nd half had only one guy ahead of me so just moved up on him slowly then when had about 500m to go really put the hammer down and finished v strongly, 18:15 - but probably more in the tank than I realised. Easily in sub 18 shape since ran 8kms or so to get down there, plus muddy conditions probably cost 15 seconds or me. Very happy! Walked to Tibbets corner then ran home so another 6kms or so, 20kms all up and legs fine. Sub 2:52 is on, maybe had a fleeting moment on the way home that could push the boat out and try to break 2:40...will see how the next few weeks go...

January 22nd - Ran home from work, forgot inhaler so horrible frustrating run as asthma kicked in quite early which makes it stressful, raining and shit conditions, legs quite tired but ok. 10kms

Weekly total about 96kms - happy days

Hammer time

Tuesday January 19th 8kms- lunchtime run from work to Westminster, 16:13/15:27 (31:40), I think a record for the run, pretty happy, no pain whatsoever in legs, hammys a tad tight but knees are finally totally free of a niggle. Went to Blair's for roast dinner, awesome as always!

Wednesday January 20th - lunchtime went to gym and did 5 mins rowing plus some chest and shoulder exercises, decent set on 20kg dumbells. After work had unexpected free time as movie flagged, so went and hammered out 39.5kms in one hours, absolutely flying and very happy. Kept rpms no lower than 110, and alternated with burst of 120+. Decent bout of stretching afterwards.

Thursday January 21st - 17kms - Cruisy run with Tim to WM and back, 19:05 and 16:30 or so, stopped at Mil bridge, very comfortable. After work ran home, early on a little tweak behind right knee and a smidgen of shin pain, but loosened up. Didn't get time to WM, but after that was 6:28 to Lambeth, 12:30 to Chelsea, 18:46 home - on my record run of 31:35 splits were 12:44 to WM, 19:14 or so, 25:34 then 31:35, happy with energy, really starting to fly!

Checked out buying Garmin 305 GPS today, Jason has run, I think will revolutionise the way I train, cannot wait.

Murdoch...I'm coming to get you

January 18th - It's well and truly on.
Jan 11 - 5kms in 18.59 on treadmill
Jan 12 - 34mins to Westminster and back at lunch
Jan 13 - 7kms on treadmill
Jan 14 - 31:35 home
Jan 15 - 10kms at gym
Jan 16 - rest, write off from Friday night
Jan 17 - 2 1/4 hrs to Richmond, back, 4.3 kms on treadmill
Total 50kms or so for week

Jan 18 - Lunch - 20kms on bike
PM Work to home, 13 mins to Big Ben, 19:44 to Lambeth, 25:34 to Chelsea Bridge, 37:38 to Battersea gate, 38:30 to crossing, 41:01 to home. Shattered

All good, it is on. Legs feeling fine, energy levels good, really pushed on way home today and came through ok. Will finalise goal for Watford in next week or so but sub 1:20 not out of the question. Will go to Clapham Chasers Monday run next week, then track session on the Wednesday. Should tweak the fitness a bit. Also will go to Wimbledon this Saturday for the 5km time trial then another long run around Richmond Park on the Sunday. Will have slow jog down to Wimbledon Saturday, so will be total of about 50km next weekend. Fingers crossed injuries stay put...

2010...it's on

Sunday January 10th

5 runs this week, solid hit out this weekend, fast 25 mins yesterday around Battersea Park in the snow, 45 mins pretty hard today to Westminster and back. Feeling the most relaxed and smooth I have for about 3 years....the quest is on. Total runs this week, 8km Wednesday, 10kms Thursday, 6.5kms Friday (treadmill), 6 kms Saturday, 11kms today - 41kms this week.
Knee feeling good, left hammy a little strain today but overall, all good...
3 months exactly today till Rotterdam, 13 weeks....game on. Murdoch (Mark) I'm coming to get you!