Whether it be the motivation to actually get out the house to go for a run, or to continue running when my legs feel like lead weights and my feet are in agony because of the blisters I'm now the grateful recipient of, I feel like it takes all of my energy to actually get out and do it. Which isn't great, considering I have around two-six miles (entirely dependant on my frame of mind as I walk out the door) to run ahead of me.
Having said that, once I am out there, and I've just about put the blisters and tiredness to one side, it's almost enjoyable. I enjoy the solitude that it offers - you could say it gives you time to think, but that's not really the case with me - I've usually got AC/DC or some similar adrenaline fuelled riff coursing through my ears as I run. But I enjoy just having some time to myself, even if it is whilst i wheeze my way around Hyde Park. Running in London is even more surreal than usual, as you're constantly surrounded by others, yet you still feel that solitude, which is nice - it's almost like a haven.
Of course, this is completely thrown out the window when you're in the last mile, desperately wanting to finish so you can put an end to the torture you've forced on yourself - but even then, I somehow muster up just enough energy for a sprint finish - which I suppose is just my competitive nature. And, once I do finish, I feel pretty good, which I suppose is the whole idea.
I did 4 miles today in 30 minutes, which translates to 7.30 a mile - which I was very impressed with. My aim is to do a half marathon over the summer in around 1 hour 30-40 minutes, which would mean I'd need to do those sort of times over a far greater distance, but today felt good. Apart from the blisters. And the breathlessness. And the aching legs. And the hot and sweatiness. But apart from that, all good.
Having Hyde Park close by is a real bonus - I love the fact that spectacular images such as that of the Albert Hall, Marble Arch and Kensington Palace are all features of such a mundane daily activity of mine.
God knows how I'm going to cope with a marathon - I've already put my entry in for next year's in London. Six miles is bad enough, let alone 26. I think there might be a good few walls to break through yet.
