You Can Run and You Can Hyde

Inspired by all the bonking that seemed to occur on the third loop of the 25k, Crosstrain, a mere 7800k away from Wortham Center was inspired to run on the following Monday morning. Slipping out of the hotel at the crack of dawn, he was clothed in his winter gear as the temperature was a balmy 3 degrees Centigrade. Oh what those Houston folks would have given for such weather.

The streets were very quiet as London starts slowly on a Monday morning. The stroll to Hyde Park was one of determination. It was a special day. Every day of a run is special. When you are prevented from running, each run becomes a gift, my Thanksgiving.

Speakers Corner. The start line for the day. No one there to give a lecture. I could use a lecture. Perhaps from the ghost of Emil Zatopek or George Sheehan. Or the real life visage of Paula Radcliffe, standing at the corner, telling all about the joy of running.

Stretch and begin. This will not be a lazy run. Junk miles are for those that run a lot. For those that run a little there are no junk miles. This will be a tempo run.

Move those legs along the North Carriage Road in the Park toward Victoria Gate and the entrance to Kensington Gardens. There are a few cyclists about but mostly runners. Steadily rasing the pace, heart rate in the 130s and soon the 140s. Past the Fountains and into Kensington Gardens. 10 minutes into the run, stop for a short stretch and then take off. Faster yet.

Turn south behind the Russian Embassy toward Kensington Palace. Women runners on the Broad Walk. Catch them and drop them. Halfway point of the loop, running at full tempo. Race past the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. Runner ahead joining the dance, coming from the police barracks across the road. Would catch him but he heads into the bowel of the park.

Reach the final turn for home at the Achilles statue, taunting me, near the Queen Elizabeth Gate. Fast runner passes me, I step it up a notch and hold the distance between us, our paths diverge. He is starting and I am finishing. Oh to start again.

4 miles in under 32 minutes, heart rate average 152. The joy of running.

The pain of recovery.

Listen to your body, but sometimes, but not often, you just gotta say the hell with it.