Day 20 - Training Blog 13th January 2013

Up at 6:30 after a late night, 2am, very late for me! Feeling knackered, hamstrings tight following yesterdays mud, also inside of left knee tight, new one! Quick Nature Valley Oat and Honey bar, one granary toast and a cup of tea all consumed by 7am, eyes barely open. Kitted up, shorts and thin long sleeve top on, voltarol on problem areas and off up to Guy's house in Bovingdon for 8am. Got out of the van, freezing cold, wrong kit on! Found a T shirt to put on top, met Vince and Guy, quick video diary taken and we were off. Needed a pee almost instantly, must have been the cold, ran for 6k before an appropriate pit stop found, thank god! And on with the run. We went out of Bovingdon through Ley Hill to Chesham. A few runners about and not too many cars. Out the back of Chesham and up towards Missenden then left towards Amersham. The sun came out at this point and showed fantastic countryside whilst remaining very cold! We cut just below the town and headed to Chalfont. Guy said we would run at "conversation pace" and for most of the run we did. It is good to get the miles done with a conversation, Guy and vince are good experienced runners and know how to pace the runs well, which is good for me. A good pace established and we seemed to get through the miles quite quickly. We followed towards Chorley Wood then left to Chenies, great countryside with happy people and I think a 100% score of return "Good Mornings" which is nice. A little section of off road track, a bit muddy but not too bad, and through the Chess Valley and up a very long hill to Flaunden, not too much conversation had up the hill! All good at the top and a great run through the lanes back into the Chesham end of Bovingdon, we spotted a runner ahead at this point and subconsciously the pace picked up! A good push for the last mile and a great run complete. 2'03"08 for 16.28 miles, recorded on Guys watch hence in miles! Good watch and route can be seen on this link.http://www.trainingpeaks.com/av/HIZJ7AJALC57RN32TTQYCC4MYA 

All feeling good but still very cold, after a quick video diary its into Guy's house for a great cup of tea and a pastry or two, very needed, I started to feel hungry towards the end due to not enough breakfast! Thanks lads, hope to do more of them over the coming weeks. Anyway, home, quick shower and set up for a nice restful Sunday.