hills ,hills and more hills - 51 days to go

With more hills to come.  Tried my first long run with a bum bag containing a energy gel and jelly babies over the forest last week . Thankfully Frank accompanied me for the first 6 but then I had 2 hours on my own . It wasn't too bad and I followed Frank's directions to havering park via lots of hills (thanks frank!) and smelly stables but it beat doing circuits in the forest . I also visited havering-atte -bower on the way to havering park . I get around you know. All in all a first time running for 3 hours ,albeit slower than usual to register 18 miles  . I might try 3 and a half hours next week but first is the tough half marathon at roding valley .Will be good to run it with around 30 or so friends from ELR but it cannot be described as pleasant and it is hilly so fast times are at a premium . Last night at ELR we had , yes you guessed it , hill training ! thanks very much to Doug for the idea ,made a change anyway .  Before sunday I am running in the 5k at hyde park ,hopefully I might get close to my event pb or even a pb for the distance .We shall see . I have to think of the bigger picture ,i.e the marathon .
Did you see the o's drew with arsenal , what a team eh!  I am going to miss running club for the first time in months next wednesday as I am off to the emirates . I will try another long run during the day , although I will have work to do .
 Will try and blog again next week so check back to see how I go in the 5k and in the half marathon.

63 days to go -half marathon pb but it's time to crank up the training !

Sorry for the gap since my lost blog ,been busy ! I enjoyed a slightly easier week in the build up to the great bentley half marathon on 6th feb (about 25 miles) .The reviews for this race said it was a fast flat course . It was fast and flat but boring as well .There was also a strong wind which was against you for most of the race , however the miles I have been putting in got me to the line in 1hour 42 minutes for a 5 minute pb so I was quite pleased . Next race on the agenda is the tough roding valley half marathon but I am looking forward to it although much will depend on the conditions. Last year it was freezing with heavy rain , totally miserable . Hopefully we will get better weather this year . There should be a good turnout from my running club so it would be nice to run well although the marathon is more important . I have a long run planned for next friday 18th feb  ,3 hours in the forest in the morning ,anyone want to join me ?
I wont comment about the decision about the olympic park going to west ham and the possible effects on my beloved leyton orient . Will be great for west ham watching championship football with a running track in the way !

R