Looking forward

It's been a while since I took the 'long' route to work in the morning. Friday I finally ran the 7.5+ miles to my office via the Pulaski Bridge, Greenpoint in Brooklyn and the Williamsburg Bridge.

The skyline view from the Williamsburg on a sunny, cloudless day beats just about anything. I admit, it left me missing London just a little bit less.

So it's time to start stepping things up a bit. I've reached the 20 mile a week threshold, and I plan to increase that to 30 over the next month or so. I'm starting to think about a possible marathon goal - most likely in Spring '09. I far prefer the idea of training hard through winter rather than summer weather conditions. I hold the London dream, of course, but since that seems incredibly difficult to get into, it will probably end up being a domestic course. Preferably flat.

I've decided to hold off racing for as long as possible. Every other run, my left knee twinges alarmingly, and I'm reminded how fine a line it is between health and injury. And I really, really, really appreciate being healthy right now.

Back 'home'

I'm back now from an unexpectedly fantastic trip to London. The change of pace and level of socialising has left me feeling like I've been on vacation for 9 days, instead of on a business trip.

I feel quite disorient(at)ed to be back on US soil, particularly because by the time my plane took off from Stansted, I had been absolutely convinced (by myself and friends) that we ought to move to London asap. I arrive back in NY on a beautiful spring day, and can't quite remember what all the highly persuasive arguments were. It's very confusing. But I suppose I should remember how lucky we are to have such options.

I do recall one of the indisputable reasons is that London is a wonderful city for the long distance runner. Training for a marathon there must be heaven. Especially if you are anything like me; someone who likes to explore far and wide, who isn't scared just to examine a map on a Friday and hit new roads, paths and parks on the Saturday (and not just stick to the same old routes.) Two of my runs there are most memorable - both about 6-milers.

The first originated in Twickenham and brought me along the ridiculously picturesque river path to Richmond and back along the opposite bank. It was perhaps 60F, sunny and bright, the bird chorus easily overpowered noise of nearby, unseen traffic. There was an occasional sun shower, but this only hightened the whole experience. Everything was so green and lush and sparkling and pretty. It was easy to forget I was right in London. It was a sensory treat for my hardened New York soul.

The second originated in Borough, where some friends of mine live. I ran from their townhouse to the Tate Modern, then struck off east along the Thames past the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, to Vauxhall. I turned around at a bridge and sped back, faster than I've run in years.

My legs spoke of the effect of that run today; they were weak on my 4.5-mile local route. They - as I - felt tired, but happy.

Stranded at Kennedy

As predicted, my Mum and Chelle turned out superstar performances at the More Half Marathon last Sunday. Individually they achieved remarkable 81 and 78 AG%s respectively and together they came in 11 of 2572 teams. It was another year of freezing my ample tooshie off while cheering from the sidelines, but it was worth it to see Chelle speed her way to another PR, and my mum whip the ass of thousands of women decades younger than her. What really made the morning though, was watching Susan Loken and Jody Hawkins near the finish line grab each others hands in apparent premature victory celebration, only to be pipped to he post by Caitlin Tormey. I couldn't believe the pair of them didn't take a second to glance behind them to see Tormey hot on their tail, and that they were so oblivious to the screams of the bemused finish line crowd.

This morning on my run to work, I approached the Queensborough Bridge and noticed a familiar tall, lean blond figure running up ahead. Fellow Hellgater Kate - like most - has an unmistakable gait. Going east to west over the bridge, there's quite a long incline to the apex. I decided I would try to catch Kate before we got too far. I closed the gap quite quickly and my head filled with proud thoughts about how much fitter I'd become. Kate is a very talented runner; I never could usually match her stride. It wasn't until I caught up with her that I remembered she is four months pregnant, doh! It was perhaps not that great of an achievement after all, especially considering I then struggled somewhat to stick with her the remainder of the bridge.

That was my third run I squeezed in so far this week (it's Thursday evening as I type.) I am now killing hours waiting for my very delayed American Airlines flight to London. I would have hoped they'd offer free wireless in the terminal as compensation, but it seems they want $14.95 from me for that convenience. So god knows when I'll actually get to publish this post.

I diligently packed my sneakers and shorts, and am very much looking forward to some runs along the Thames or around some of the many huge green parks while I'm in The Big Smoke.
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update:

It is near midnight on Sunday 13th GMT and I am in Twickenham, finally blogging. I'm having a ridiculously fab time here in London. We watched the marathon this morning down at Tower Bridge. I was struck by two things - 1) how much more subdued the spectating crowds are here, compared to the US, and 2) how many more charity and/or costumed-dressed runners there are here. My running friends and I resolved with certainty to run this race one year soon!

I ran yesterday along the Thames in Central London near my friend's house in Borough, and tomorrow I run along the same river all the way down here. I'm in heaven.

The Fitness at the End of the Tunnel

It's been a very busy and fun week, one book-ended with two races in Central Park. My stepdad ran my old favourite Scotland Run last Sunday and my mum pairs with Chelle to run the More Half tomorrow.

This morning was the second time this year I've run round the Bronx Botanical Gardens, (before slowing down to enjoy it properly with Matt and Kyla.) Now that we're members I'm hoping to make this a regular habit this year. Its short, sharp hills are a contrast to my usual routes, as are its dirt trail, car fume-free, and green, colourful setting.

Overall, I remain satisfied with my slow return to running. On Monday I broke the one hour barrier for the first time in forever, which felt like a real workout. I can see a speck of fitness up ahead now. There's a long hard slog in the tunnel still to go, but it's up there.