Thames Path 100 - Race Report


The Thames Path 100 is an ultrarunning race put on by Centurion Running in March each year. Normally it starts in Richmond, London and follows the Thames Path all the way to Oxford. I got a place confirmed in this years race as part of the early opening program for volunteers (I marked the Marlow to Reading of the course last year). Having run 40 miles a number of times and 75 miles at the Endure24, I thought it would just be a case of carrying on the same, for Read more

Scottish Butey


No, that title is not a speeling mincesteak, it is a witty reference to a run I did on the Isle of Bute (Scotland). Bute is a small island directly West of Glasgow, it’s a 35 minute ferry journey from Wemyss Bay (near Greenock). The island is 15 miles long (North to South) and about 4 miles wide. It is just North of Arran – the island where they make jumpers… I spent the first 17 years of my life on Bute, and the majority of that time I thought there Read more

Thames Path 100 Recce


This weekend was a long run in training for the Thames Path 100. I had planned to do around 45 to 50 miles and I wanted to recce the section of the race from Reading to Oxford.I’ve run the Marlow to Reading section a few times and as I should be getting to Reading towards night time during the race, a little prior knowledge of where I should be going would be helpful. On Saturday I stashed some water a couple of gels and some food around the Moulsford area Read more

Going Green


Imaginary Friend : “What this, have you turned into some kind of tree hugger ??”Me : “No, no, no, I don’t mean I’ve become some kind of tree hugger – no, I like burning fossil fuels as much as the next person – no, I mean turning all the spreadsheet boxes green by meeting my training goals / mileage.”Imaginary Friend (to second imaginary friend) : “What is he on about, turning boxes green ??”Me : “Okay, let’s start again – I put together a training plan for myself. 16 Read more

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Juneathon

Juneathon Day 20

Posted on June 20, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

red_telephoneJuneathon day 20, Runstreak day 112 and the day in 1963 on which the red telephone creating the Moscow to Washington ‘hotline’ was implemented. This was done after the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis made it clear that reliable, direct communications between the two nuclear powers was a necessity.

Today was a bit warm and ‘muggy’, but good conditions for running. I headed out for a lunchtime 5.5 mile loop, and to start with, my legs still felt tired – maybe as a result of the massage on Monday, maybe just too many miles recently.
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Juneathon Day 19

Posted on June 19, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

KuwaitFlagJuneathon day 19, Runstreak day 111 and the in 1961 on which Kuwait gained its independence from the UK.

I had an unsettled night after my sports massage, waking up a few times with a real dull ache in my quads. To be honest I was kind of expecting this – doesn’t make it any better though.

On waking, I could still feel the ache and my legs still felt very tired, but after a couple of hours I had forgotten about it, and/or it was less noticeable.

Come lunch time I thought I’d go and see how it went – if it was tough going I’d settle for 3 miles, if it felt okay I might push on to 5.5 miles. I guess I had kind of settled on 4 miles in my mind.
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Fathers Day

Posted on June 17, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

fathersdayJuneathon day 17, Runstreak day 109 and Fathers Day here in the UK.

After running a total of 18.6 miles yesterday to tire my legs out, I had planned an early morning 12 – 16 miler. It was not to be – falling asleep on the sofa in front of ‘Iron Sky’ last night, coupled with kids that were desperate to make me breakfast in bed for fathers day, put paid to my plan.

We had a nice ‘almost family’ day – Mrs H was poorly so sat out the events of the day and we kind of inherited a neighbours child for the day (Rubys BFF, so I’m told).

There was playing in the garden, a disco in Rubys room, lego building with Ali followed by an adventure/walk/picnic in the woods and then the dreaded homework just before a late dinner. By the time I had got them off to bed it was getting on for 8:30…
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Juneathon Day 16

Posted on June 16, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Canal, Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

geronimoJuneathon Day 16, Runstreak day 108 and the day in 1829 on which Geronimo, the Apache leader was born.

According to Wikipedia, “Geronimo” means “one who yawns”, and that has definitely been me today !!

I was up reasonably early (for a weekend at least) this morning – about 6:45 – and headed out for a easy long run, 15 miles along the canal. My plan for the weekend is back to back long effort. This will be the last big stress on my legs before the Endure24 in 2 weeks. Next weekend I’ll probably do a single long run.

Anyway, that early start and log effort had me yawning away, then I decided to double up today with another short effort while the kids were swimming, so I managed another 3.1 miles at 5pm.

Juneathon Day 15

Posted on June 15, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Juneathon, Planning, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

footballJuneathon day 15, Runstreak day 107 and on this day in 1954, UEFA was formed – very topical as England have just beaten Sweden 3-2 in their Euro 2012 match…

Today was an easy day, a very easy day. A short 2.7 mile canal run from home to the train station at noon.

I had been for a blood test first thing, then went along to the school (bring you Dad day) to spend the morning with Alastair – I remember my schooldays as being filled with playing with Lego, making biscuits and eating bacon sarnies (okay that last bit was just the Dads)…

Anyway, a short, easy day should set me up for a decent long effort tomorrow.. I hoping for at least 25 miles this weekend.

Stay tuned…

A Three Run Day

Posted on June 14, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Gear, Juneathon, Planning, Training | Leave a comment

HawaiiFlagJuneathon Day 14, Runstreak Day 106 and the day, in 1900, on which Hawaii became a United States territory.

I wanted to give myself some running on tired legs today. So after a late 8.5 miler last night, I got up at 6am and headed out for a local 4 mile loop. Legs were definitely still tired and felt a bit wobbly to start. I didn’t feel as though I was moving fast, but the pace turned out to be a steady 8:08/mile which I was pleased with.

Then at lunchtime I headed out with Chris for a 4 mile out and back effort along the River Thames. This was at a more leisurely 8:43 pace.

To finish things off I jumped on the train home, to Thatcham Station and then headed for my 2.6 miler home along the canal from the station. This was at an easy 8:53 pace as I had a slight niggle in my calf, up near the knee.

I also spent a bit of time today making a kit list for the Endure 24 at the end of the month. Jeez, the amount of stuff I’ll need is incredible – I could pack less for a 4 week holiday !!

Just about 29 miles for the week so far, which I’m happy with (I was at 12 miles this time last week). A couple of long efforts on the weekend should see me to 50+ for the week.

Juneathon Day 13

Posted on June 13, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Juneathon, Planning, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

YukonFlagJuneathon day 13, runstreak day 105, and the day in 1898 on which the Yukon Territory was formed. It is also T minus 17 until the Endure24 Run…

Todays effort was a steady 8.5 miler, this evening, at 8min/mile pace. Just a loop round the local streets, but also taking in a little track along a stream that I used to run along frequently, but haven’t for years – that was nice…

The other thing I have been doing today, has been starting to plan the logistics for the Endure24 – trying to work out whether to take a tent or not, what food / supplies I need and what clothing / kit.

I’m in a quandary about the tent thing, if I take one then it’s too easy to take a break / sleep if things get hard – so I probably shouldn’t…   BUT, if things do get bad and I have nowhere to go it’s going to pretty miserable – so I probably should…   Quandary!! Needs more thought…

Anyway, any advice, send it this way – much appreciated. I’ll probably do a specific post on my plan for this and then a follow up afterwards on how the plan worked out.

Juneathon Day 12

Posted on June 12, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

Boeing777Juneathon Day 12, Runstreak Day 104, and on this day in 1994 the Boeing 777 aircraft made it first flight.

Really getting back into things today. A speedy 5.5 miler at lunchtime with a work colleague, felt good – averaged out at 8min/mile which wasn’t bad as the first mile or so was 9:30.

Other news of the day is that I entered the Thames Path 100 for 2013. The public entry doesn’t open till 6th July, but I got early access for volunteering to help out this year…

Just over 2 weeks to go till the Endure24 event. I really need to start planning my approach – tent ?, do I take a sleeping bag (hopefully no sleeping will happen), food, clothing/kit etc.
May well do a post on my plan, see what people think and solicit feedback / advice.

Juneathon Day 11

Posted on June 11, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Juneathon, Runs, Training, Ultra | Leave a comment

Juneathon Day 11, Runstreak Day 103, and the day on which King James III of Scotland died in 1488.

scottish-flagStill had a bit of DOMs from Saturdays effort, but todays run was a lunchtime 4 miler. No takers from the office to join me, I think the weather put most people off…

I was very conscious of the ache to start with, but quickly got into the zone, started day dreaming and before I knew it I was just about back to the office. I had expected something like 9 minute miles, but was surprised to see it come up as 8:16 pace.
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Juneathon Day 10

Posted on June 10, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Canal, Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

Juneathon day 10, Runstreak day 102 and the day on which Alexander the Great died (in 323BC).

It’s just after lunch on Sunday, and it looks as though I managed to salvage something of the week. Mileage so far is 36.6, and I might be able to get out for another 3 or 4 miles this evening to try and reach my weekly minimum target of 41m.

After yesterdays speedy effort, my thighs were still aching today. Also, I didn’t get a decent nights sleep, so the 6:30 alarm was immediately switched off and ignored.  Mrs H nudged me at 8am and asked if I was planning on running, so I dragged myself out of bed and got my kit on and headed out the door, after taking the obligatory cup of tea up to Mrs H.

I had planned on 11 or 12 miles this morning, but the late start put paid to that – I only had till 9:30 and by now it was 8:20, so I decided on an easy effort on my usual 8 miler out and back along the canal.

Felt like I had heavy legs to start with but after a couple of miles I got into the zone and the miles passed quickly. If I start thinking about something (interesting) and planning then I find it easy to ‘zone out’ and before I know it a few miles have passed and I have no recollection of them – which really helps…

Anyway, 8.25 miles at 9 minute miles. Perfect temperature for running this morning and everyone else must have thought the same as  I passed a ton of other runners, cyclists and walkers. Really enjoyable running.

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