I managed to get myself out at lunch time today for my overdue long run.  It’s 3 weeks since I last ran 10 miles and only 4 weeks until my next half marathon so if I’m going to make it up to 14 miles before the HM I had to get out for a 10 miler today.

Home to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park for a few loops, round the serpentine and a nice neat circle around the round pond to make a pretty map!  The first 4 or so miles were hard going.  My legs didn’t hurt or ache anywhere I just felt tired and generally weary all over. However as usual after slogging through the first 4 miles the rest of the miles melted away and before I knew it I was at 8 miles and on the home stretch.

Like most people my mind wonders when I run and I have all sorts of creative thoughts on the hoof.  Shame I can’t always remember them afterwards. Today I started out thinking about the two great blogs I’d read before I set out from Local Adventures and Beanoutrunning about ways to skin a cat, leave your lover or save the world!  I had a few original thoughts but mainly all my mind could concentrate on was ways to shove my gloves somewhere on long runs! Pockets, waistband, bra?  Then I took off my hat!

On my loop of the serpentine today I really began to wonder if I’d been transported to a European ski resort!  Everyone I was running past was wearing hats, fur coats, puffer jackets and reflector sunglasses were everywhere! I had to keep watching the swans on the Serpentine to remind me where I was. Obviously cold crisp sunny days in London bring out all the beautiful people (and runners)!

10.13 miles in 1.40.51 mins.