Updates and photos from my regular running routes with occasional observations about training - although these days, PBs are a distant memory! I also like to talk about the benefits yoga has for injury avoidance, strength and stamina.
Running
On Sunday, I decided to start a three month half marathon training programme, to see if adding quality, reducing mileage, slowing down and generally mixing things up a bit improves my pace. I’m following a Garmin programme and today was a five minute benchmark with 2x2 min mute warm
Running
Left home with a headache and a Garmin Training Readiness score of 12/100 🤔. Managed to blow away the headache by the time I had reached Hyde Park, but left IT band is feeling a little tender. Quite a breezy day, but wonderful to see some sunshine. I’m definitely
Running
The sun has been absent for days now and we’ve also had La Calima (the fine sand blowing in from Africa covering everything with yellow dust). On the other hand, my entire run was accompanied by the smell of jasmine and orange blossom.
Running
After a day’s rest and a good night’s sleep and I was feeling fairly well recovered and ready to get out. Wanted to do nine miles, but didn’t get up early enough, so I skipped the stretch down to the marina (as in I didn‘t do
Running
This is a route I’ve been meaning to run for some time now. It’s largely “out and back” which I’m not really a fan of, but having driven out to the convent (La Gañanía en La Almoraima) for lunch yesterday, I was struck by how pretty it
Running
I’ve not been for a run in more than a week. Somehow, London made it tricky this week. I had early meetings and late meetings. If I’d been more organised, I’d have run in the middle of the day, but in all honesty, I was tired all
Running
Tired this morning. Woke at 3:30am and still awake at 5:30am. Briefly went back to a disturbed sleep. So, after yesterday’s longish run, I felt less than energised and not at all desperate to head out of the door! Still, as ever, I didn’t arrive back
Running
It was too nice not to head out at lunch today. Had to drop the car off for a service first thing so couldn’t get out for the usual pre-breakfast run and did think I’d be unlikely to manage it. But more than manage, I stuck an extra
Running
Short and quick(ish) one today. Just wanted to push a little, so took the pace to 8’22” (GAP 7’51”). I want to be running sub 7’30” over 5k in the next few weeks, and ideally back to sub 7’00” in six months. Average HR was
Running
It’s not hard to see why this is one of my all time favourite running routes. I don’t know how many times I’ve run this, or a slight variation of it, over the last five years, but it’s a lot! I never tire of the view
Running
Easy / tempo 5k at 7’56” GAP (8’28” actual) with 500 ft elevation gain. Average HR at 154 meant this run was 1bpm outside easy pace. Cardio fitness is definitely improving, which is great to see. I’m wondering if I might finally be leaving behind whatever it was
Running
More hilly running today. I was feeling a little tired in the legs before heading out - and tight hamstrings - but 2 x 30 seconds in Uttasana helped. It was another beautiful start to the day: clear 10 degrees, blue sky. According to Strava, I’ve run this route
Running
Spectacular morning for a super chill run around Paseo del Parque, over the bridge crossing Rio Guadiaro and alongside Gigi’s Beach to the end of the marina. Gibraltar on the horizon with Africa beyond, to the left. This will always be one of my favourite runs, but today was
Running
The hill is much steeper than it looks in the photo. Or at least it feels it when I’m climbing it, into the wind. Another beautiful start to the day. Around 8 degrees, deep blue sky and clean air to fill the lungs. One of those days where it
Running
Back to the hills (and cloudy skies). Kept to a comfortable pace and enjoyed the time on my feet. I remember once reading that “time on your feet“ is a good approach to Sunday running. Easy, rhythmic motion. Once March arrives, I’m planning to add one quality session to
Running
Back in Andalucía and it was wonderful to wake up to a blue sky, even though it’s still a chilly (for here) 8 degrees. I missed a couple of runs this week, making it even nicer to get out. I was beginning to feel claustrophobic by the end of