I almost bailed out of this run more times than I care to count. I should probably have more than a bowl of cereal when I’m going to be running 50minutes non-stop. But I made it through, 9.26km which isn’t too bad (though Mo Farrah could do it in half the time). Details here.

I had to have an extra rest day as my body complained about activity after a two-week layoff, and I fear my quads and calves are going to kick up a fuss tomorrow (they are already grumbling now). But I managed my aim of going further than in Munich, if only by a few metres (9.6km over 9.51km). My stamina has suffered with the break but hopefully I can get back on top of that relatively quickly. I managed to average 5m20s/km, which I’m pretty happy with given the break. I shall see if my muscles let me go swimming tomorrow. Details of run here.

I hadn’t run for over two weeks as my feet and left knee had been wrecked in Germany, so I was surprised I managed as good a pace as I did for the first 20 minutes. Nasty stitching down my left side (the one with the injured knee) slowed me down considerably over the last 30 minutes, but I still managed to get to 9km. Details here. My cough didn’t seem to be much of an issue other than I may have been breathing more shallowly (which probably contributed to the stitch), so back to the gym tomorrow.

The hall at the EJC was closed, so I took the opportunity to go for a run. Not great pace since it was roasting hot and I didn’t know where I was going (plus several times I was having to dodge through tourists. Details here.

I also measured the distance from my tent to the main hall – 1.67km, a 20 minute walk, and that was before my feet were entirely held together with tape and my knee twisted from lugging my kit there and back.

Another week done, only two more to go. Today’s run almost didn’t happen due to poor weather, but luckily I got distracted playing Plants vs Zombies, so by the time I was ready to have a shower the rain had stopped and I was able to go for a run. A bit all over the place, pace-wise, but an improvement over Tuesday’s run. Also found out that there had been an attack at the place where I run in the early afternoon on Tuesday, so may want to find somewhere else to run when I’m back from Germany. Details of today’s run here.

Today’s run started off OK. I was average 5m/km for the first 20 minutes, but then my body remembered that I hadn’t had enough sleep, I had spent 90 minutes at the gym the previous day, and had also spent 4 hours walking around Cribbs the previous afternoon. Pace was also all over the place. But I got back just before half of my new bathroom was delivered, so at least I got the run in. Details here.

Week 8 started a little early to get it all in before EJC. A step back in distance but a step up in endurance this week, going from 3 reps of 15 minutes to 2 of 20. I managed to knock another 5 seconds of my 1km pace. Down to 5m4s, closing in on my goal of 5m flat. Details here.

Huzzah, Wednesday was not a fluke, I managed to average 5m12s/km today in near perfect conditions (cool and cloudy, but not enough sleep). A few tweaks and twinges and a couple of dog interruptions but it was mostly good, and I was back and showered in time for the start of the delivery slot for my new bath. Details of the run (not the bath) here. 3 more weeks to go.

A good run today. I felt in a good rhythm and managed to get most of my run in before the sun burnt off the slight cloud cover. Even with interruptions from dogs and their walkers I managed to knock another 10 seconds of my 1km pace down to 5m10s. Details here.

A drop down in distance, but an increase in endurance this week. Went from 4 reps of 12 minutes to 3 reps of 15 minutes. I managed to keep under 5 minute/km for the first 3km, then slowed down a bit in the hot sunny weather. Pace was a bit all over the place during each rep, possibly as I went in and out of shade. Details here.