There's no loneliness in our long distance runs

The Thames foreshore at Greenwich. Rich pickings on the  mudflats for the waterfowl

Time to stop for a group photo at the Thames Barrier

26.10.2014
Day 195

Long slow Sunday run day. My foot wasn't happy with the eight-mile circuit from Greenwich Park, along the river, up through Charlton Park and down again. Still feeling breathless and depleted too. The companionship was lovely though.

We're a jolly bunch at Kent AC these days. Since Ted decided to 'give something back' and turn social secretary and assistant coach, our sociability has improved 100%. We don't just meet up on a Tuesday night now. We're sharing our marathon training schedules, and planning our Sunday runs - routes and meeting places - via Googlegroup every week. I love it. Today we were joined by members of Greewnich Runners for an eight miler that covered a well worn route to the Thames Barrier, then a new way to Charlton Park that I'd never run before. I felt bouncy and fit at first, and covered the first four miles at around 8:24m/m . The plantar fasciitis kicked in, however, then was joined by depressingly familiar sogginess of hormonal stress incontinence and jelly legs on the uphills...most likely the lingering fatigue of stressed, sleepless nights and recent blood donation. I want my fitness back. Lagging at the back for the last mile, I at least had a companion in knackerdom. One of the Greenwich Runners, a young man from New Zealand, was still suffering the after effects of a strength-zapping virus, so we jogged/walked together, fantasising about how good we'll feel when we're back to proper fitness. Empathy, camaraderie, mutual understanding; running in a pack can do wonders for your spirit.