The Running Man by SeanG

So, this week. Monday was a steady 6 miles and not quite the tempo run that the last few Monday's have turned into with the light fading. Took Tuesday as a rest day as I spent most of the day in Norfolk trying to resolve a multitude of problems I have got on a site prior to a big communications installation task I have that starts in mid Jan 12. If I'm lucky (very lucky) I may get to the end of the task alive. Wednesday was the 2nd cross country league race of the season at Priory Park, St Neots. Usual course which is a short(ish) out and back (sort of a loop) and then 3 laps around the perimeter of the park with a few zig-zags up and down some small hills. A pretty fresh day with a very cold and biting wind in the air. Started out pretty strongly with the 1st mile in 6.41. As per most of these runs your position is pretty much cemented within the 1st mile or so. Think I may have been passed by 2 or 3 runners after the 1st mile and I also took 2 or 3 places too. 2nd miles was a little slower 7.20, 3rd - 7.14, 4th - 7.13, 5th - 7.20 and the 6th in 7.09. 6 miles dead in 43 minutes dead. Pretty consistent all barr the 1st fast mile. Finished in 23rd place with and average pace of 7.10 and an average heart rate of 167 bpm.
Got given an urgent job on Wednesday morning for Thursday. Had to head up to Lincoln 1st thing to do an installation. Typically, just after we had got on site and started to unload the equipment we were told by our Customer that the job had been cancelled and if we hadn't unloaded all the equipment that would have gone back to base with us too. The plus side meant that I was back in the office just after lunchtime and got home in plenty of time for an easy 8 mile run. Friday was another rest day as we had our Section Christmas lunch at a local Indian Restaurant. It was very good too. However, all hell had broken loose before lunch as news of our aborted installation on Thursday reverberated around. This is going to run and run into this week too - I said, they said, he said etc etc. Saturday was the usual 8 mile run with the Little One in the BabyJogger and again. Very frosty and very cold....again but was significantly warmer coming back than going out!

41.25 miles ran for the week.

Today's LSR was only 8 miles (with the Little One in the BabyJogger). Why? Well after 4 quiet weeks of no marathons I have 2 this week - Wednesday and Thursday. So today was the start of my 3 day taper! Another very frosty and cold morning. 'Er Indoors come out with us too for the 1st 0.75 miles before we left her.

So, will be at work Monday and Tuesday (Tuesday is my last working day before Christmas and New Year) before Wednesday's and Thursday's marathons in Milton Keynes. Both days will be same uninspiring course - a short out and back section, followed by 17 times around a lake! On the plus side, I shouldn't get lost!