100 Days of Running - Day 60!!!!!!!!!! Ha-pea-ness!

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Day 60 of 100 days! Can't believe it! Was so excited, I ran in a celebratory 60 shape around the park.

 

 

This is the sky, can you believe it?

 

 

And this is the weather forecast, can you believe that?

 

 

This recent change in the weather to a more tropical climate = ha-pea-ness!

 

 

The heat has gone to my head.

 

Going for a lie down.

 



Stats

Total Days: 60 days

Total Miles: 641 miles

100 Days of Running Day 59 - shoeless

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Recovery day with 3.5 miles today. Lonely running by myself all of a sudden. But feeling lucky the that challenge continues....

 

The thing I remember most about today's run, is that I feel very light without my rucksack.

 

Both pairs of trainers now have holes in after last week, and my favourite pair of flip flops also fell apart on the last day. Thought about giving this barefoot running thing a try, but then ran past a broken bottle, and changed my mind.

 

Ran to Victoria Park, but ran a different route to usual, as my new challenge to run a different route every day continues. So ran around the Peace Pagoda twice. It's going to get hot later, so got up early to make the most of the cooler morning, although it was still getting hot. Nice and peaceful running around the pagoda and lake.

 

 

Stats

Total days: 59

Total miles: 636.5 miles

100 Days of Running Days 57 & 58: last part of Thames Path Trail!

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Day 57: 15.6 miles from Marlow to Windsor

Fab run today, everything is starting to look really different - lots of houses all along the riverside now, and they are all so different - some grand, some crumbling, some brick, some wood, different styles, sizes - never gets dull running by them all! Ran past Bourne End, across the river, and run through Cock March busy at the weekend with people walking dogs. Down to Cookham, a little town, and then back down to the river, and the closest to the river we got- the path went right into it, but then saved us from a quick swim by turning a sharp corner hidden from view.

 

On to Maidenhead and along its promenade- colourful with summer bunting and flowers everywhere. Boulters Lock, the most famous lock on the river for those who like locks, is next. For someone who has grown up running along canals where everyone gets off their boats to go through the locks themselves, it's funny to see that almost every lock on this river is manned by a lock keeper. And each lock is immaculate -  well tended flowers beds on each side, mown grass, shiny signposts. And the locks have been getting busier - most have traffic jams waiting to get through them by now.

 

Ran under a railway bridge by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and then on downstream to pass Bray on the other side of the river (am hungry, and I know there are 2 Michelin Star restaurants just across the river. Stomach rumbles). Then it's under the M4, and past the Dorney Lakes where the 2012 Olympic rowing and kayaking events were. Then round a couple of bends in the river and Windsor came into view.

 

 

Andrew's injury is playing up, so we walked the last little bit along the river in the sunshine. Sat in a café with an ice-coffee for a while and then shimmied on down to find the evenings B&B. St Mary's Cottage is lovely with a lovely owner too - felt relaxed as soon as we got there.

 

Unfortunately the Queen was out tonight, and so we had to find our own dinner. This was a good thing though, as have been dreaming of pizza for two days, and finally the dream was realised.

 

 

Had a walk about town afterwards. This is the Long Walk which runs 2.5 miles from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue of King George 3rd on Snow Hill. Handily, you can see the statue from here, so we just looked at it, and sat on the grass.

 

 

Day 58: 19.9 miles from Windsor to Hampton Court (the end!)

The last day! Amazing breakfast again, just to finish off the trend! Adios, Windsor!

 

 

 

It's funny. It goes from being absolutely packed in Windsor to completely quiet only 1/2 a mile or so down the path. The path is still wild and full of stinging nettles, and every so often, red admiral butterflies still sit on the path, fluttering off as we approach.

 

Soon we passed Runnymead, where in 1215 King John set his seal on the Magna Carta. There is another regatta on here, and this banks are busy with the rowing crews and their teams. Then it's under the M25, a sure sign London is calling. Resist urge to turn back and run all the way back again. Through Staines. Starts to rain hard for the first time all week!

 

Potential lunch stops are sparse. Find a pub, but there is a half hour wait for a table, it being Sunday lunch time. Have some crisps and lemonade and shelter from the worst of the rain, then set off again.

 

Then we went on the first ferry crossing of the week! The ferry goes from Shepperton to Weybridge on the other bank, and you summon it by ringing a bell on the quarter hour, when a man comes out of a nearby shop, announces that this is his first day driving the ferry, you pay him £2, and he takes you across. All very jolly. Off the ferry, and we know it's only 10km back to Hampton Court now. This goes really quickly, and before you know it, the red brick of Hampton Court comes into view, and we're there! THE FINISH LINE!!!

 

 

 

Fantastic weeks running. I will miss looking out for these signs! And 158 miles in 8 days has helped the 100 Days of Running mile bank!

 

 

Stats

Total Days: 58 days

Total Miles: 633 miles

 

100 Days of Running Days 55 & 56 - 3rd bit of Thames Path Trail

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Day 55: 21.7 miles from Wallingford to Sonning

Today was the only hill on the whole route. The hills round here are made of chalk, and near the appropriately named Goring, the river cut itself a new channel through the hills during the Ice Age. So the river banks are  steep hills for a while, which made for a good change from the flat.

 

The path wound it's way up though the woods and at the top handily came out of the woods so you could see the views. Not long before the track went back down to the river, a quick lunch and Deep Heat stop at the Greyhound Pub in Whitchurch-upon-Thames, and then back to it.

 

Was apprehensive about this afternoon's run, as it went though Reading, which I'm not a fan of. The first part was a bit ropey, along the back of the railway line, with lots of people drinking cider and someone being sick in the river. We speeded up. But, actually, the rest of the run past Reading was really nice, through some meadows and then along a long riverside promenade, with lots of birds and the ever present swans. I was quite taken with it. The guidebook states some interesting observations on Reading "Reading is an odd town, in that it stands on the Kennet rather than the Thames, and has never quite worked out a relationship with the river" and "the sense of escape here is a little premature, as Reading still has a supermarket and mighty gasholder to contribute to the Thames environment". What also contributed to the Thames environment here were Andrew's jokes "Reading - there are lots of libraries here".

 

Leaving Reading (although sadly not the jokes) behind, we soon came upon a regatta with all sorts of military teams taking part. First regatta have seen, but it won't be the last on this run - it is regatta season on the Thames!

 

Arrived in Sonning for the night, and stayed at the Bull Inn, where Jerome K Jerome stayed. Amazing place - can feel the walls whispering stories of all that's passed there. Good food, a walk around the village, and a film, and ready for the next day.....

 

 

Day 56: 14.5 miles from Sonning to Marlow

.....and another great breakfast! Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

 

Today is the first of two shorter days. A great days running through Henley-on-Thames where there was lots of Henley Regatta activities going on, which made a few miles go past really fast. Stopped off at the Flower Pot Inn for a lemonade - have been here before as it's nearby to a campsite we've stayed at before, which we then ran past. Nice to see favourite places again.

 

Continued on to Temple Lock, where the lock keeper asked about my running top which says about 100 Days on it, and he ran with us down the lock clapping and cheering, along with two ladies on a bench - made my day!

 

Feeling buoyed by the support, continued down the river, which is lined by weeping willows by this point, and is exactly like Wind in the Willows would be - I'm sure I saw Mr Toad messing about in a boat under this very tree.

 

 

Continued happily on the Marlow where the days run ended. Stayed in the Crown Plaza hotel, which is actually in an industrial estate, but which had an outdoor hot tub = result!

 

Stats

Total days: 56

Total miles: 597.5 miles

 

100 Days of Running Days 53 and 54 - 2nd bit of Thames Path Trail

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Day 3: 22.8 miles from Newbridge to Sandford-on-Thames

Actually the most amazing breakfast ever. Cereals and rubarb and yoghurt with coffee. Warm freshly baked raspberry and almond muffin. Scrambled eggs on toast. I honestly didn't mean to eat all of it. But it just sort of happened. Really sad to leave this lovely oasis.

 

Back to the path again - this is how I remember most of the path, running through meadows with lots of wild flowers and reeds drooping down to the winding river.

 

 

Had to leave the river for a few miles, to do a detour around a massive campsite that had commandeered the river side and had a friendly sign up saying 'The Thames Path is NOT HERE'. OK. Hold your horses. We'll go around you. The fields we ran through seemed to go on for a long time, and were full of very skinny sheep and sheep poo, and overhead there were lots of military aircraft circling overhead. It was a weird few miles.

 

Finally made it back to the river. Lots of big houses appearing on the river banks now. Spent many happy moments this week deciding on which was my favourite. If I'm ever rich enough to have a big house, it will be here, and it will have turrets and a summer house, and a boat house. On the downside, I got two horsefly bites here - am allergic to horseflies. At least they're both on the same leg, so only one leg will go gammy.

 

No proper lunch stop today. Sad times. Instead, had a picnic of cereal bars and haribo and water by the ruins of Godstow Abby, from the 11th century, during which a friendly rabbit pooed on my phone.

 

Approaching Oxford! The romantic spires, as described in the guidebook, get closer with every step. Past Port Meadow. Getting busier! Lots of boats. Very pretty and sunny. Go by Oxford and all the boat houses. Very serious looking rower-types in these parts. Run past Iffley Lock which is the most beautiful little lock anywhere. Left the path at Sandford-on-Thames for the day.

 

Two more miles off the trail to find the B&B. Most horrid two miles of the whole entire week. The village we were headed for was along an A-road which was busier than the M25 at rush hour on a really busy day with roadworks, and had no path. Tried to find the way through fields but the path ran out. Had an argument, which I lost, just because Andrew shouts louder, not because I was wrong. In fact I was right. We should have gone back to the last village and taken a taxi, but instead we ran on through fields of wheat and other scratchy stuff, and rocked up at the next village with two gammy legs, and really angry. But at least we didn't get chased off by an angry farmer, or attacked by guard dogs.

 

The B&B (The Whispering Cottages in Nuneham Courtenay - everyone must go) was the most delightful place; how I imagine paradise to be, if paradise turns out to be in England. A beautiful cottage filled with cups and saucers, an Aga. a Secret Garden with roses and a winding path covered in a tunnel of flowers, a dog called Maud, and lovely owners. At the bottom of the path was the old Cabinet Makers Workshop, where the B&B was, and then it got even more better, as there was everything you could need - milk in a miniature milk bottle tied with a ribbon, a sweetie jar, and the softest bath mat in the world. And again there was lemon drizzle cake, which again was delicious. So, I went from feeling totally rock bottom at the end of this run and really hating everything, to feeling like I had arrived in paradise, all within two seconds of walking though the front door. I haven't had a pensive thought for three days, but this seems like a good opportunity - things can turn themselves around in an instant!

 

Went to the Seven Stars pub for tea, which again was amazing - there seems to be some kind of quality competition going on in these parts - everybody and everything is top notch. The bill came with jelly beans in an espresso cup, which to be honest far outshines any other bill I've ever had. Imagine if bank statements came with some jelly beans in the envelope.

 

Day 4: 20.5 miles from Sandford-on-Thames to Wallingford

Actually the most amazing breakfast ever. Fruit and seeds, coffee, Aga breakfast on a little frying pan. Andrews legs have swollen up from all the hayfever yesterday. The owner kindly gives us a lift back down the Road Of Fear to where we finished on the path yesterday.

Very hot. Beautiful running. First stop was Abingdon - which claims to be the oldest continually occupied settlement in the county. Woah. Very pretty. Restock on supplies. Carry on the way, and meet a friendly runner who is out running on his lunch break (how lucky is he to have this to do at lunch time!) and is also into ultra events. Quick lunch stop of lemonade and crisps at  the Barley Mow pub at Clifton Hampden (the guide book says this is the best known of all Thames pubs, so it was rude not to stop) where meet some friendly pub goers interested in what we are doing.

Revitalised, we return to the path and spend a couple more hours running through meadows. I really love running here, but it's really bad for hayfever. All of my skin itches and my eyes, and I don't even have it that bad, and Andrew is like a massive ball of allergy. But it's pretty enough though to make up for that. There have been so many little dragonflies, I think they are called damselflies, or damsonflies. Sometimes there are so many, its like a little cloud of shimmering blue floating by. If you look really (really) closely you can see one sat on the brown piece of grass.

Super excited for tonight as we're staying in Wallingford, which is near where Agatha Christie lived ,and she based lots of here books here. Love a bit of a  murder mystery. Today seems like a quite long day, so spend the last few miles thinking of potential plots. Past the poshest campsite in the world, where each immaculate plot seems to have its own boat, across the weir (each one we go across the river gets bigger) and finally can see the spire of the church in Wallingford (which is the focus of the current plot in my head - Professor Plum murdered Dr Black in the cellar with a candlestick). Hurrah! We are here! Showers and water and food and rest. Check in to the George Hotel, only we haven't a reservation here the receptionist says, we have made a reservation at the George Hotel in Dorchester-on-Thames. But not to worry, he says, as it is only a 10 minute walk up the High Street, no  need for a cab.

Ah well, no big deal. A walk will help stretch our legs. Walk off. And on. And on. Have walked out of town by now. Check google maps. Dorechester is 3 miles away! Call hotel to ask for a cab, who say they don't have any cab numbers. Wow, how helpful. Find garage and actually the nicest lady in the world helps us, and even walks us round the corner to the local taxi firm. Who turn out to have gone bust. This isn't going well. The lady finds us another number though, and finally a cab is booked! Arrive at the other George Hotel (which is 3 miles back along where we just ran) and it is indeed very old (from 1400s) and beautiful. Total let-down though, definitely been spoiled from the bed and breakfasts, as this is horrid. Not even a proper shower! Just read that, and sounds a  bit diva-ish for someone who is on an outdoors type adventure week. But I've never pretended to be good at camping, and I want a shower!

Escape to Fleur-de-Lys hotel next door, which is a million times nicer and serves amazing food (I tried samphire grass for the first time, and Andrew had a deconstructed raspberry cheesecake - oooh, fancy) Things suddenly seem much better. Walk around Dorechester, which is insanely old and pretty, and look around the Abby grounds. Decide Agatha Christie probably also spent a lot of time here too.

Stats
Total days: 54
Total miles: 561.3 miles

 

 

 

 

 

100 Days of Running Days 51 and 52 - first bit of Thames Path Trail

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Back from holidays = post holiday blues. As the holiday involved running (lots of - 158 miles in 8 days = not a bad mile haul for this week) I feel like I have a valid excuse to bore you all with holiday tales of our Thames Path Adventure.

 

Day 1: 25.5 miles from the source of the Thames to Lechlade

Started in style with the longest run of the week. As so many things in my life seem to go, we started off running in the wrong direction. The source of the River Thames is, inconveniently, 2 miles away from the nearest train station (Kemble - in case you want to go), so you have to run backwards (not literally, obviously) to the start. Here we are, looking all enthusiastic by the starting stone.

 

 

Crikey. That seems a long way.

 

Biggest memory of the first part of the walk (other than the above thought) is how small and dry the river bed is. This is the River Thames, one of the most famous rivers in the word! And here it is, just a little bit of dust with some weeds here and there. Also, there are a lot of cows in this part of the world, I remember this as I am frightened of cows, but not as frightened as Andrew, so if a cow situation arises, I am in charge (and hopefully the cows won't). They seem like nice cows here. Not long before the river bed starts to fill up with water, and after a few miles, it's a proper little stream. First lunch stop of the week is in Cricklade, where convienlty there is a carnival (they have a carnival here evey year on Father's Day, always on Fathers Day, so that people don't have to remember themselves when Father's Day actually is, because there's a great big carnival to remind you). Had cheese rolls with the biggest proportion of cheese to roll I have ever seen, with banana chutney, which I have also never seen before, but hope to again.

 

Set off after lunch for the rest of the run. A few miles later had a  quick water and sweet stop in the church yard in Castle Eaton, which was a peaceful little spot. Then trundled on blissfully in amazing sunshine, until we reached a sticky part just before the end. All that stood between us and a nice shower and (more importantly) dinner was an A-road with no paths, just grass verges filled with nettles. The guidebook suggests taking a taxi or a bus for this stretch of the run, but stated that they hoped that this section would soon be sorted out to make more accommodating for those travelling by foot. The guidebook was published in 2012, but things seem to move slowly here, as nothing seems to have happened. As there are no buses on Sunday, and halfway through a run is no time to hail a taxi, we braved the road, and emerged shaking, but in one piece, at the other end. The last mile or two was through meadows by the river, which now was big enough for boats and soon the Ha'Penny bridge at Lechdale came in to view (it used to cost half a penny to cross the bridge - half a penny! Imagine! What could you buy with that these days??), like a mirage, and dinner seemed a whole lot closer. We stayed at the Riverside which, imaginatively, was just by the river side.

 

 

Dinner time! Oh no, hold on a moment. The pub has run out of food, as today being Father's Day and it being a nice day, they have been very busy. Um, I'm not in business, nor do I own a restaurant. but I can say with confidence that wouldn't you have expected today to have been one of your busiest days of the year? Would you not order extra food? The same happened at the next restaurant we tried, so maybe not. Finally found a Indian restaurant, which did still have lots of food, and was delicious, so it was really just as well everywhere else had run out. Watched Grand Prix for some post run entertainment.. Andrew complains he is broken from the days running, and has recently been introduced to Deep Heat. Fall asleep to the smell (it's more then a smell, more of an atmosphere) of menthol. 

 

Day 2: 17.8 miles from Lechlade to Newbridge
Slept for about 10 hours. Longest sleep in months! I haven't ever slept so much as I did this week.

First breakfast = beans on toast, watching the swans sat on the riverside. There are swans everywhere on this river. A few miles in to the run and it started to rain. Sheltered under a tree and made sure everything was waterproof, which made it stop. Lots of pillboxes along this part of the river, which are from the 2nd Word War. Soon we came upon Old Father Thames, which is a statue from 1854 which used to sit at the source of the Thames, but was moved to St John's Lock in 1974. He looks pretty comfortable here to me.

On for a few more miles, and then lunch break at 10 miles at the Trout Inn at the sweetly named Tadpole Bridge (totally could get used to stopping for a break half way around every run), for soup and double expresso for a boost for the second half.

Caffeine coursing though the veins, jumped straight up, and set off for the next part. The aim for today as Newbridge (which turns out isn't all that new, as it is from the 13th century). Here, we had to leave the path for a couple of miles to reach the B&B for the night - the beautiful Rectory Farm B&B, a 16th century farm house which is so peaceful and pretty. Friendly hosts, fresh cake (lemon drizzle!) and tea, and a lift to a pub as the one up the road was shut on Mondays, made for a delightful time.  2 mile detour completely worth it. Dinner = giant Yorkshire pudding, with sausage and mash, followed but what I'm quite willing to bet is the best homemade ice cream outside of Italy (with Turkish delight hidden at the bottom). Calories completely replaced.

Stats
Total days: 52
Total miles: 517.7 miles


100 Days of Running Day 50 - HALF WAAAAAAY!!!

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HALF WAY TODAY!!!!

 

Celebrated with my 3rd Park Run. 2 miles there, 5km run, 2 miles back = 7 miles. Park Run is great - lovely people volunteering and running, a really nice thing to do on a Saturday morning - all those people working together to help each other run, and to realise all its benefits.

Part 1 (run quick to the start - almost missed it!)

 

Part 2 (the race - 5km in 22.56 minutes)

 

Part 3 (run home quick - need coffee!)

 

So, let's take a half time break for a quick update on the state of things:

 

Running-wise: the last 50 days have been amazing. Some have been quite difficult. But I feel like every day that I run, I feel stronger. No problems there.

Fundraising-wise: little flurry of kind sponsors lately - THANK YOU to you all! And to everyone else who has sponsored me over the last 50 days! Up to £310 now, which is awesome.

Wishes-wise: so many people are so kind in asking after my Aunty, and sending their best wishes for her - THANK YOU for these thoughts :-)

 

OK, so to the next 50 days......

 

I am going off radar for a week to start with. Tomorrow Andrew and I are running the Thames Path. It's got a shiny book, and everything. Oooooooh.

 

 

We are doing this in a haphazardy fashion. Over a few days at Easter we ran from Dartford (the 'sea end') to Hampton Court. Tomorrow we are going to run from near Kemble in the Cotswolds (the 'source end'), and take 8 days to get back to Hampton Court, which is around 150 miles, along the River Thames.

 

So this is what we will do:

Sunday 21st June: The Source - Lechdale (23.5 miles)

Monday 22nd June: Lechdale to Newbridge (19 miles)

Tuesday 23rd June: Newbridge - Sandford-upon-Thames (20 miles)

Wednesday 24th June: Sandford - Wallingford (18.5 miles)

Thursday 25th June: Wallingford - Sonning (21 miles)

Friday 26th June: Sonning - Marlow (13.5 miles)

Saturday 27th June: Marlow - Windsor (14 miles)
Sunday 28th June: Windsor - Hampton Court (20 miles)

 

It seems quite a long way now I look at it like this, but hey, I'm sure it will be fine. The 100 Days Total Miles will look good this time next week!

 

I have packed my rucksack:

 

 

Teeny tiny bit apprehensive that this is all I'm going to have with me for a week, plus a pair of trainers and a pair of flip-flops (note: 2 pairs of shoes is the least number of shoes I have ever taken on holiday ever. EVER).

 

Obviously we will pick up food and drink along the way. Obviously. Not running for a week without that. I'm just saying that to reassure myself about the lack of food in the picture.

 

As dedicated as I am to my blog,  upper body strength isn't my thing, so I've had to downsize my rucksack contents, and chuck out the computer. I tried to be resourceful and have tried using my phone to update it, which in theory should work, but as it's my phone, nothing works, so I can't do that. So, I apologise in advance that there will be no blog until next Sunday. But I have taken some thin paper and a lightweight pen (hey, it all adds up) to write about each day as it happens, so I can update this when I'm back!

 

Adios until then - have a great week my friends!

 

StatsDays: 50

Total miles: 474.7 miles

 

 

 

 

100 Days of Running Day 49 - a disappointing adventure, a new adventure, and a casualty

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New adventures began today! 

 

Ran along some main roads. Through lots of roadworks. Waited at some massive roundabouts for ages. Feeling a bit disappointed. I may never run to Highbury Fields along the A1 again, but it was different, and you have to start an adventure somewhere.

 

5.6 miles. Hit 70 mile target this week! Looking forward to next week when I can get my total miles up! On Sunday a big adventure is starting! 8 day holiday starts, running 150 miles along the Thames Path from Kemble (near Cirencester) to Hampton Court, staying at different places every night. It will be like travelling again, but with running thrown in, and it will be brilliant.

 

Am slightly anxious that I have to carry everything I want for a week. I have never done this before. But at least we're not camping. I totally think I could be an explorer, if B&B accommodation was available every night,

 

 

There is some bad news though; the first casualty of the challenge happened today. My favourite purple trainers have got a big hole in them :-( 49 days, almost got half way with them. Onto the neon coral ones now, have cleaned them and everything, ready for Sunday.



 

 



The most disappointing thing was that I got a new purple rucksack for the trip which matched the trainers, and now it's all mismatched.

 

Well, if there's one thing I like more than outrunning my watch, its outrunning a pair of trainers.

 



Stats

Days: 49

Total miles: 467.4miles

 

100 Days of Running Day 48 - Adventures

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This morning I woke up and went out for a run without a plan. To be honest, I hadn't realised I hadn't got a plan, it was just when I started running I realised I hadn't decided where I was going, or how long for.

 

I ended up back in Victoria Park, where I did two laps and 7.35 miles. It was all very nice, the park is indeed much more wholesome in the day time, lots of children doing sports day, lots of older people walking, lots of park rangers ranging, runners running, parents with children, a bride (why not?), dogs running around with mouths wide open and ears flapping like it was the most exciting day ever. It was all very wholesome, and warm and sunny, and I felt very content.

 

 

But then I got home, and realised I hadn't been anywhere NEW. This bothered me. My challenge is not supposed to be safe and samey, it's supposed to push my boundaries, to show I can do something different for a cause I believe in, and to be an adventure along the way.

 

So I'm going to do something different everyday now. Even if it's just a little bit new, like a new loop on the end of a favourite run, or around a different part of a park I've never done before, or even a totally completely new route that looks a bit scary. Some part will be different, and I will explore more places.

 

Once I decided on that, I felt better.

I have opened the window in preparation for tomorrow, but a moth has just flown in. So I will close it for now, but first thing tomorrow -  ADVENTURES!!!!!!!!!!

Stats
Days: 48
Total miles: 461.8 miles

 

100 Days of Running Day 47 - steps

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Today I ran 10 miles, and did an experiment.

There's lots of stuff in the media at the moment about how many steps we should take a day, for good health. For example this article by the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33154510 

I have no idea how many steps I do, even when running. So I downloaded a pedometer onto my phone and set off.

16, 613 in 10 miles! Probably not that accurate, I was holding my phone in my hand, which won't be as accurate as if it was on my ankle, as I didn't run the 10 miles on my hands. Also, I noticed it said I'd run 11.6 miles, which I didn't, so it looks like it's overestimated things. But still, I'd say as a ballpark figure, that's still going to be at least 1,000 steps per mile.

Also, as a short legged person, my 16,613 steps might take more effort than for a long legged person! Ha!

Stats
Days: 47
Total miles: 454.45 miles

100 Days of Running Day 46 - A Summers Day in London!

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Day 46 = 14 miles in a circle around London! Amazing sunny day in the capital - happy days!

 

4 miles along the canal...

 

...to Regents Park, for some more wildlife spotting. Not sure what it is. I think maybe an Alpaca. t looked quite surprised to see me. Like it knew I was looking at it illegally through the fence and not paying to look at it through the proper fence inside to zoo.

Then on to the Rose Garden - a dream!

 

 

And then down Baker Street to say hi to Sherlock, down to Marble Arch and through Hyde Park to Wellington Arch...

...on the way I saw a big entourage of cars with a police escort. If I was good at telling stories, this would be very exciting. But I have no idea who it was or what they were doing, so that makes for a slightly less exciting tale. I was quite impressed with the signs in the windscreens of some of the cars: 'staff 1', 'staff 2' and 'staff 3'. Three cars of staff. Spent a few minutes thinking about how you could need enough staff to fill three cars. And then how you would order them into the different cars? Chef would definitely be in car 1, obviously. Probably with the sommelier. Then I might need a wardrobe person, and they would be in number 1 too. But what about hair and make up. No room left in car 1, but surely they are as important as wardrobe? And what about shoes? Spent a while worrying about this.

 

Then realised this was futile. Current chef-ing needs are a recovery milkshake, and I can do that. After last Thursday, I won't be needing a sommelier for some time. Current wardrobe needs = leggings and trainers. Hair and make-up, let's not go there, I've been running for 8 miles in 20oC. My staff could probably fit on a scooter. Oh wait, I have no staff.

 

Well that was a waste of time.

 

I think it could possibly have been the Queen in the cars, as I then ran down through Green Park to Bucks Palace to say hi to the her, but she wasn't in, so I had to do without afternoon tea. Which was a shame, as I like the Queen, and I was also running out of water by that point...

 

...ran on through St James Park to say hi to the pelicans, who were all asleep on a rock, and on to Parliament Square....

...and then along the river, all the way past the London Eye, the Tate Modern, The Globe, and the Golden Hind to London Bridge....

 

 

....then up to Liverpool Street, around the back of Brick Lane, and on to home.

 

Awww. Don't want to stop, was a cracking run! Funny, 14 miles is the longest run I've done since Saturday, but it felt like the shortest. I love London!

 

On arriving home, I performed all my staffing needs and made my own milkshake, washed my own hair and chose my own outfit for the afternoon. Then I walked for a mile to the charity shop with two bin bags of stuff (like actual stuff to get rid of, not just for fun) in the sunshine, and got too hot and my hair went frizzy. I think sometimes (/often) that things would be a lot easier if I was rich. Or at least had a car.

Stats
Days: 46
Total miles: 444.35 miles