Tom Roper's Running Training

Ditchling Beacon

Today I fulfilled a running ambition I have had for some time, that is to run to Ditchling Beacon, the highest point in the Sussex Downs  I don't know why I waited so long, for it was an easy 3.25 miles from the campus, quite hilly, but so it should be. The views were good, though a haze impaired visibility. I ran, as I did yesterday, without my shirt. It was odd to run through still-leafless woods in summer temperatures. Yesterday I ran 4.5 miles, made up of a trip round Stanmer Park with Jana, and then a little extra round the back of the university, but I left the Forerunner at home. There will be a three mile fun run [Word file] on 9 May; it's the week after the Neolithic Marathon, but a gentle three miles would do me no harm.
Today:
Time: 1:15:59
Distance: 7.06
Pace: 10.46 (best 7.24)

Five fast miles

Today was an extra day off work, so I ran later than usual, for a Tuesday, a mid-morning session on Seaford front of five miles at fast pace, interspersed with 200m recoveries, and a mile warm-up and cool-down.
Time: 1:12:19
Distance: 7.52
Pace: 9.37 (best 7.45)

Mile 1: 9:06
Mile 2: 9:06
Mile 3: 9:06
Mile 4: 9:15
Mile 5: 9:34

Nineteen miles on Easter Sunday and a Cambridge run

I forgot to mention an eight mile run in Cambridge on Friday morning, out to Grantchester and Trumpington, back through the city, including a short detour to pass the house of my childhood, and up Castle Hill and Huntingdon Road to Storey's Way, then back along Grange Road.
Today, in glorious Easter weather, I ran to Firle Beacon, beyond to Itford Hill, down to Southease and Rodmell and a little way beyond.

Friday:
Time: 1:18:13
Distance: 8.29
Pace: 9.26 (best 6.54)

Today
Time: 3:19:42
Distance: 19.04
Pace: 10.29 (best 8.10)
Total mileage this week: 39.11

Four weeks till the Neolithic Marathon.

Stanmer and Falmer

As the weather becomes warmer again for Easter, I enjoyed the company of Claire and Joanna for a lunchtime circuit of Stanmer Park, followed by a trip round Falmer village and behind the University campus.
Time: 43:49
Distance: 4:53
Pace: 9.40 (best 7.40)

Fast runs on Seaford front

I ran three mile-and-a-half fast runs on Seaford front early this morning, in a biting north-easterly, with 400m recoveries, and a mile warm-up and cool-down. I was lucky to get out of the house in time. A series of domestic crises, including the cat being sick, the strong wind blowing the recycling around the garden, the rubbish collection coming early and a broken shoe lace, threatened to stop me. Nevertheless I ran, and was pleased to be three minutes faster than the same course two weeks ago.
Time: 1:12:15
Distance: 7.25
Pace: 9.58 (best 7.43)
For the three one-and-a-half-mile sessions:
First 1½ mile: 13.48/9.13
Second 1½ mile: 14.33/9.42
Third 1½ mile: 14.41/9.47

Nineteen mile run

I ran nineteen miles today in sunny weather, with a north-east wind. I went to Seaford front, meeting a few runners on the South Coast half-marathon, a rather dull four-lap event organised by a company in Cheshire, for heaven' sake, then to Newhaven, up over Newhaven cliffs, on to Peacehaven and Telscombe, and back. I used a gel for refreshment for the first time, without mishap. The marathon is now just over a month away.
I also have a Friday run round Stanmer Park in Jana's company which I did not record at the time.
Friday:
Time: 23:59
Distance: 2.15
Pace: 10.19 (best 8.22)

Today:

Time: 3:19:35
Distance: 19.03
Pace: 10.29 (best 7.56)

Total mileage this week: 43.88
Five weeks till the Neolithic Marathon.