Out Runnning

I went out running yesterday evening after work. I was looking forward to it to be honest. The weather has improved a lot and it’s been much easier for me to go outside and enjoy working out. My 10 kilometers race is schedule to take place in a month, in Regents Park. So, I need to get going as much as possible. I didn't see my run though like something I had to do, rather like something I’d like to do. I also simply love keeping a diary of all my runs. Especially now, that I can see the improvement on my mileage and performance. Just checking the amount of calories burnt is brilliant! However, I tend to overeat after a run. I can’t help myself…

Anyway, I left work yesterday around my normal time. The plan was to run halfway towards home and then take the underground for the rest of the route. The whole journey home is more than 8 miles long, which is a bit too much for me at the moment, especially after a tiring day at work. I will get there and start doing the whole distance when I’ll start training for longer runs, just not yet.

Older Records

Since I have the freedom of jumping on the tube at any point to go home, I’m free to select various different routes. Yesterday, I decided to pay my visit to Lizzie. So, I started along the Embankment and heard Big Ben ring 6 times, passed through Trafalgar Square to salute Nelson and from there towards Buckingham Palace. Although running along the Royal Mile is quite nice and the views of the Palace pleasant, I soon regretted taking that route because of the amount of tourists being there, outside the gates. As a runner it’s not very pleasant having to manoeuvre through a bus of school children and various other photography taking tourists looking at you like a complete freak. From there the route through Battersea Bridge to Clapham was enjoyable and nice. I struggled a bit going up the hill towards the end of the route, but it felt really good reaching the top. I finished a 5.2 miles run.

I’m not delusional. I’m not that great of a jogger and lots of people were going on a faster pace than me, but I don’t care. I like the feeling of accomplishment at the ‘finish line’. I also found out that listening to audio books whilst running is not a bad idea. It’s better than shuffling through the same songs over and over again till you find something appropriate or nice. I’m now finishing my first audio book and I’m ready for the second. It’s not going to be something too difficult, but rather enjoyable and easy. I don’t think I could jog listening to ‘War and Peace’.

In addition, I think that working out is an amazing therapeutic pastime. It’s a great way to wind down after a long tiring day at work. Some great ideas come to you when you clear your mind exercising. Have you tried it?