The first scheduled long run - 7 miles at an easy pace. So it's up at 7:30 with the kids and sort out George's breakfast (Claudia is still the sole responsibility of Sharons and her breasts). After eating a proposterously healthy breakfast of porridge, raisins and honey, watch a bit of Scooby Doo with George and potter aimlessly around the house I change into my running gear and head off. It's a glorious day much warmer than recent runs and the sun is shining bright. I decide to head off toward the river. The garmin kicks in after about half a mile and the 7 mile count down starts. I run through a few backstreets dodging KFC boxes and dog poo then down Askew Road dodging KFC boxes, sick, people on the way to church and yes, dog poo. I enter Ravenscourt Park and see many other fellow runners doing the tight thing - avoiding Tesco's, church, DIY and children using the excuse of getting fit. I run through the park on to King Street, still avoiding the occasional excesses of the night before - the pavement pizza though the street is remarkably absent of any indication that a dog has been down her.
After crossing the M4 via the subway I run passed the Black Lion (great pub by the river) and onto the river front. I head up to Hammersmith Bridge in convoy with many runners, cyclist and speed walkers/slow runners. Crossing the bridge you enter into a new world, running along the river on a stone & mud track, trees on one side the river on the other. This side of the river attracts tunners, cyclists and a few dog-walkers but very few walkers, tourists or other gits who might get in my way. I run at a decent pace up to Barnes Bridge where the GPS indicates 4 miles covered, so I head back thinking I will hit 7 miles fairly near the house. My calculations are a little out. I retrace my steps and more things have come to life - the river pubs are open and the tables outside full of people drinking bloody marys and eating fried breakfasts, families are out strolling along the river, all the rowing clubs are busy and people are now leaving the churches. As I reenter Ravenscourt Park my GPS beeps and the 7 miles is up. I'm feeling good so carry on at the same pace heading for home. As I approach the finish I pass my local the Princess Vic (www.princessvictoria.co.uk) which is filling up and the smell of beer and roast beef is very tempting. I arrive home haveing completed 8.5 miles with no problem.
Sharon has a pregnant friend visiting - Nic and they are busy talking babies, eating and drinking wine (just a small one for Nic obviously). So I warm down, shower and arrange to meet Nic's husband Pat for a cheeky Guinness in the Vic!
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