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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Training

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.
Read more

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.

8 Miles in Under an Hour

Posted on June 9, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Canal, Juneathon, Runs, Training | 1 Comment

Juneathon day 9, Runstreak day 101…

This week was in danger of being a washout, by Friday I had notched up a pretty feeble 20 miles, then a late night on Friday and a warm, cosy bed on Saturday morning conspired against me and my plan for a morning 8 miler.

It’s funny how quickly your perspective can change – fortunately I found some time in the afternoon and thought I would try a bit of a fast effort. I had, in my mind, a target of 8 miles in under an hour. When I’d tried this a couple of months back, I was just outside the hour, averaging 7:35 per mile.
Read more

Runstreak Day 100

Posted on June 8, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Juneathon, Planning, Training | Leave a comment

Well, big milestone today, I have run every one of the last 100 days.

This runstreak started as a plan to run every day in March, then got extended to 50 days, then extended again to 100 days. At this point I’m not yet ready to stop – next milestone will probably be 6 months.

I had not had a great week so far, with lots of taking things easy, 2 miles a day, so have been getting frustrated.

This morning was wet and windy, and not the most attractive for heading out along the canal, but I needed to get something longer done, and it was day 100 after all. Rain doesn’t generally bother me, in fact I often prefer the wet and windy days as the miles feel ‘hard fought’ and there is more of a sense of achievement / feeling alive. So, I zipped up my man suit and headed out for an early start. A steady 8 miles along the canal, the longest I’ve done this week, would bring me up to 20 miles and hopefully be able to salvage something near the minimum 40 miles I need for the week.

8milecanalrun

Lots of branches and trees down after last nights storm, but not quite as wet as I thought. It felt good, really good to get some miles under my belt. By the time I got to Aldermaston and onto the train my legs and shoes were caked with mud – I never seem to have a problem getting a seat to myself when I’m all sweaty and muddy, one of the benefits I guess…

Anyway, with any luck I can rescue this week with another 20 miles over the weekend – let’s see…

Appalachian Trail Run

Posted on June 7, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Cross Country, Featured, Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

appalachian_trailI’ve been travelling to Massachusetts every 6 or so weeks for the past 7 years and I never knew the Appalachian Trail ran through the Western end of the state.

I should have done – my brother Doug beats on about the AT all the time…

Anyway, on discovering this, I decided I wanted to run a bit of it – most of my US based runs are around a few lakes and loops around the town of Westborough – nice, but not ‘great’.

So, before heading out there last week I hooked up with my buddy Jim via email and we arranged to meet up and run a bit of the trail.
Read more

Juneathon Day 6

Posted on June 6, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Featured, Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

easy_as_123Well, it’s ‘juneathon’ day 6 and although I’ve been keeping it up (and the runstreak – day 98), it’s not going well.

We’re already at  end of play Wednesday already, and my weekly mileage total currently stands at a dismal 9.5 miles. It looks like this week is going to be a bit of a washout.

I’m still not feeling 100%, so thought I should take it easy again today – which meant a gentle 2 miles around the block. It was particularly tough keeping it short today, as I spent both commutes (to and from work) listening to TalkUltra – which is another great source of inspiration.

Anyway, with any luck I can get a couple of miles in tomorrow then something longer (8 – 12 miles) on Friday (which will be day 100 of the runstreak)  and then 20 over the weekend, taking me to my minimum weekly target of 40.

How do you cope when you don’t feel 100% ? cut things back or try to blast through it ?

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