Mar1420103:53 p.m.
Why stop when I’m having such a good time?
Set off this morning with the intention of doing 18 miles. It was my first time running this distance on my own so put my ipod shuffle in my pocket incase I needed it later in the run. Was worried I might come back slightly insane but hey ho, some people say I’m already insane, so what’s there to lose? 
What a beautiful day for running. The sun and blue sky was a bit deceiving though as it was actually quite cold, fortunately I realised before I left so changed my ¾ leggings for my full length ones. Much better as I ran straight into the biting wind as soon as I set off. At which point my lazy voice appeared saying “it’s too windy and cold, there’s no way you’re going to run 18m today”. I promptly told it to shut up and I ploughed on.
It’s much harder to run a lot slower on my own as there was no one to gossip with apart from the lazy voice and I didn’t particularly want to talk to it. When I previously ran this distance with Becca we chatted a lot and we averaged 11:19mm; my first mile today came in at 10:13. Far far far too fast, I needed to slow it down to 10:45, which I succeeded on the second: 10:42.
Plan was to follow the river down and then turn round at some point and run back. I ran quite consistently all the way down even when dodging people on Tower Bridge. At one point I really did have to barge through some pesky tourists. North bank of the Thames was lovely but I did feel like the slowest runner in the world. At least 20 runners overtook me, but I resisted and continued at my slow pace.
I took a gel at mile 6 because I was getting bored and needed something to look forward to. I’ve previously taken it at miles 7 and 14 which worked for me before, but I thought I’d treat myself to it earlier today. Got down to Westminster, never run any further west before but today I got to run across the bridge and along the south bank before running across Vauxhall Bridge. This bridge for some reason seems to attrack some of the fattest people in London. Both times I crossed the bridge there were some big people taking up all the pavement – there were also a lot of people carrying mcdonalds!! Lol Must have been a Mc Ds nearby.
Followed Chelsea Embankment all the way down to Battersea Bridge – really nice to run round there, hardly anyone hogging the pavement, just lots of runners over taking me. I could have just kept running west but I was getting further and further away from home and it would take ages to get a bus back so turned round at 9.5 miles. By now the lazy voice had long gone, I was into my groove. 10 miles came in at 1:45:41.
Ran back the way I came but stopped off for more water just before mile 14 and a chat with the lady manning the stall about marathon training. That came in as the slowest mile 11:23 – guess that’s what happens when you stop and can’t for the life of you get the money out of your pocket, so it takes ages and the auto stop doesn’t kick in on the G Man because I’m moving about so much trying to get in my back pocket.
Got to mile 18 feeling pretty strong so decided to do a Lou21 and keep going, not just to 19 though as that would be silly and an odd number, so ran past my turn off for home and continued straight on and added on an extra lap of the dock to bring me to my second 20!! Whohoo! And a wonderful 20 it was too. I did it in 3hrs 32 mins, that’s a whole 14 mins faster than last time! Whoop whoop! Ave pace 10:36. A bit faster than planned but it was fine, didn’t feel fast, particularly with just about everyone overtaking me. 
The second half came in at 1:46:16, so pretty consistent. Had I not faffed at my water stop I think my half time splits would have been spot on, how’s that for consistency?!
I’ve iced and stretched; my legs are finally beginning to feel normal again. Rolling still to do... But pretty pleased, even if I do say so myself, so lazy voice, take note – you aint bringing me down! Not now, not ever!!!! hahahaha And I didn’t even need my ipod... 
Hope everyone has had an enjoyable race/run this weekend.
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Comments (23)
Firefly123 'Well done on a brilliant 20 miles - and at a very good pace. Your route sounds lovely and its such a nice day in London today. I hope you're able to put your feet up this evening! ' added 14th Mar 2010
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glen_b 'Absolutely awesome effort, very well done. When I got to 17 miles yesterday there was no way I was carrying on, so I am full of admiration.' added 14th Mar 2010
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Way_Too_Slow 'Brilliant run well done!! You well and truly stuffed your lazy voice, and hopefully it won't bother you again! Great pace too! Good to hear you were still fresh at 18 miles and could carry on. Just think how much easier still it will be with a crowd of thousands cheering you on and the adrenaline pumping round your body! Another 6 miles?? Easy peasy!! Have a nice relaxing evening.' added 14th Mar 2010
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Nick 'Well done to you! I expect London was looking bright and shiny today. If only it wasn't for the pesky tourists! And fat people!' added 14th Mar 2010
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gunes 'Yay and well done you! great pace, great time,and to carry on after 18 miles and still feel you had more left in the tank truly amazing !!! And to be on your second 20 brilliant !!! I have yet to reach my first 20,only up to 16 miles. Have a well deserved rest,and go easy with that roller lol, mine should arrive this Week :) ' added 14th Mar 2010
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eclipse 'Very flash and impressive, mind you go easy on us fatties we have feelings too Lol, only kidding, I am big but I agree some areas do attract large people for some unknown reason. Glad you had a great run. Tel http://www.justgiving.com/MarathonDesSablesorbust' added 14th Mar 2010
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Mrs_Old_Bird 'Excellent run! I agree, a lovely day to be out and about, although it was a bit quieter where I live - no tourists or Maccie-D munchers! Well done & keep up the good work.' added 14th Mar 2010
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michael_h 'Sounds like a textbook training run! It must be tough to do 20 miles on your own. Also, well done on ignoring The Voice; (s)he does try to tempt us every so often doesn't (s)he?' added 14th Mar 2010
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simonedumergue 'Yay Sabrina - what a positive sounding run and you sound on top of the world. Deservedly so too. You are starting to peak beautifully at just the right time. I am feeling very envious as I am so far behind on my LSRs, but I am inspired for my 18 miler tomorrow, reading what you have done today :-)' added 14th Mar 2010
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Alaistair 'Great run today, your right on track with your LSR's for sure...well done...' added 14th Mar 2010
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gloshawk 'Fantastic effort - very envious of you being so up in your LSRs. Well done indeed!' added 14th Mar 2010
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Muffs 'Well done. You should be so pleased with yourself. Nothing stopping you now.' added 14th Mar 2010
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STUBLACK 'Excelelnt run, you did the right thing pushing on for the 2 extra miles, if you feel up to it the go for it. I've been on Westminster Bridge a few times as a tourist and always been amazed at the amount of people running accross it and dodging tourists around the Eye, must be a bit annoying for them, and there is a McD's right next to the bridge. You may want to see someone about hearing voices. ' added 14th Mar 2010
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blondiekels 'Wow, brilliant running today and I so need to go to Vauxhall Bridge to see the Wombles! haha It seems to be the week for us all overcoming the lazy voice - will shall not be defeated!' added 14th Mar 2010
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Dim 'Brilliant - well done but what is it with you and Lou? Do you think you will be satisfied with the 26.2 miles on marathon day or will you feel compelled to round it up to 30 by doing a few laps of St James' Park?? Excellent!' added 14th Mar 2010
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Suziewee 'What a fab run, and its great you felt up to adding a couple of miles. You thoroughly deserve to be proud of yourself! I'm not sure I would call having a gel a treat though!' added 14th Mar 2010
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ChrisBrad 'Whoop whoop look at you 20 miler lady!!! Well done, sounds like you had a great run ;o)' added 14th Mar 2010
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RuddysMarathonEffort 'Remember when 5 miles was tough?! Thats a fantastic effort Sabrina, going great guns!!' added 14th Mar 2010
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Johnf 'Excellent training run, all looks to be going exactly to plan.' added 15th Mar 2010
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Kendlef 'that's great, you sound like you're going to spring round the marathon :D know how the overtaking feels, i was on my lsr on sat and i had to resist trying to reovertake people who had past me, i felt like yelling after them, i can run faster than this but im on my lsr so im not allowed :D' added 15th Mar 2010
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vickibombicki 'how can your legs feel normal when u've run 20miles!!! good goin kid x' added 15th Mar 2010
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antcoleman 'Brilliant run! You're almost there with your training now so just keep it up !' added 15th Mar 2010
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lyndseymcauley 'That sounds like a brilliant run!! I love running along the river - much better when there are no dawdling tourists though :-) ' added 16th Mar 2010
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