Sunday 6 and Monday 7 June: Relaxing, eating and late night swimming

After Saturday night we took it a lot easier on Sunday. All day was spent by the pool, relaxing and reading. It was cloudy, but still really warm so dipping in and out the pool was a great way of keeping cool. After a quiet day we got ready to go into the city for dinner. Before we sat on Stephen's balcony and had a couple of beers watching our first Vietnamese thunderstorm as rain lashed down all around the hotel.

Thankfully it only lasted several minutes and by the time it came to get our taxi it had stopped. We went to a Vietnamese restaurant called Lemongrass, which was a small, but very nice restaurant near the centre of the town. Having decided not to go clubbing we decided to go big on the food and eat as many different dishes as possible. In fact we ordered so much food, that the waiter stopped us ordering any more and said that we had ordered enough. I was sceptical, but it turned out he was dead right and we had just enough food to make ourselves full to bursting. We tried everything from crabs' claws, to satay chicken, pork dishes and beef dishes, all with noodles and rice. The food was all very good and very tasty. The lemongrass marinades on several of the dishes were especially delicious. Once we'd finished things off with a bowl of ice cream we went for a walk through the city.

We were close to the Saigon Opera House and it was clearly a very wealthy part of the city. The buildings around the opera house were a lot newer, more modern and appeared very much like many large western cities. Many were shops carrying the huge shopping brands such as Gucci, D&K and Rolex. There were also a number of big hotel chains, such as Sheraton, in this area. It was a nice part of the city, and clearly had been redeveloped and grown over the last decade as tourism to the area has increased so dramatically.

After a short walk we found a roof top bar, which had a live Vietnamese rock band playing largely covers of western classics. We sat down and enjoyed a few cocktails and chatted away for about an hour before heading back to the hotel in a taxi. Thankfully tonight's journey home cost no more than $15. Having sat out on the roof bar for over an hour without air conditioning we were all quite warm, so even though it was after midnight when we got back to the hotel we decided to go for a swim in the pool. The hotel staff very kindly lit the pool up and we took a can of beer each and chilled out in the lovely cool water. We found ways to amuse ourselves with underwater head stand competitions, doggy paddle races and holding your breath the longest! It was a great way to end another great night on holiday.

Today, Monday, we got up early to go on a river boat trip to the Cu Chi tunnels. Cu Chi village is an area of Vietnam, about 65km north of Ho Chi Min City, which remained a Viet Com stronghold right through the American/Vietnam war.

The hour long trip up the river was pretty interesting too. I have to admit I thought the river would be teaming with more people and boats going about their business. There were several boats, not many fishing, most of them were haulage carrying construction marterials and there were a few carrying large shipments of fruit. Many of the boats seemed to be staffed entirely by families, as women and children were all in the cockkpit area. I am not sure, but it did look like that some of these families lived on the boats they worked on. We passed one boat, where a mother was washing her children and another where the family were sat eating a meal. Some boats were staffed by large groups of men, so clearly it's not all the same. The boats too were of all different sizes and ages, some looked very old and rusty, whereas others were a lot newer.

The riverbank also told a lot. There was lots of construction sites as new buildings were going up, it was hard to guess exactly what they were going to be, but I thought they looked more like residential flats/houses rather than hotels. There were lots of houses and buildings built right on to the bank's edge and in some case right over the top of it on stilts. Many of these houses and in some cases businesses were poorly built made up of corrugated iron panels, wood and other makeshift materials. They looked quite poor, but it was hard to judge without seeing the fronts of the buildings. We did manage to get a brief look at some of the people that lived there, and I saw scenes that you would expect to see at any family home, people preparing meals, hanging up washing, dogs barking and children playing.

When we got to Cu Chi it was apparent straight away that this was a tourist hot spot, as several tour buses and large groups of people were already gathering round ticket kiosks and souvenir stands. Vietnam is clearly working hard to build its tourism offering. Cu Chi Villagers built over 250km of tunnels over 20 years of war. The network of tunnels allowed them to move about and conduct a gorilla war with the Americans that surrounded the area with 3 bases and bombed it repeatedly. The tunnel network also had bunkers and rooms built underground. These rooms were designed to hide families and protect people from the US bombs, some of the bunkers served as medical facilities, kitchens and bedrooms. They were extremely impressive. The tunnels were tiny, really not designed for the likes of Stephen and I, we did manage to get a go at crawling a specially made one for tourists, such as ourselves, and that was tight and cramped enough as it was. How the people of the village lived and fought in those tiny tunnels for so long, I do not know. I guess needs must and faced with such an aggressive force with superior weaponry and numbers this was the only way they could resist. The fact that the Americans never secured the area proved that they worked.

The temperature there was 35c and very humid. The sun was out too and just walking about caused a sweat. It must have been horrendous for US and Vietnamese soldiers fighting in that environment. We heard that the Vietnamese soldiers carried very light equipment less than 3kg compared to the US troops who wore over 20kg, so it would have been even more difficult for them.

After the tunnels we headed back down the river on the boat. Tonight we are going to eat at the Vietnamese restaurant next to the hotel. It will be an early night tonight, as tomorrow we start our bike tour early. If the weather and humidity stays like this then it is going to be really hard work on the bike. Also, I've been told that the Mekong Delta area has loads and loads of cobra snakes! I am very scared...

Sunday 6 June: Stolen phones, $200 motorbike rides and lots of Jack Daniels in the Nam

Well, where do I start? I guess from the beginning, that's where most people do. My holiday started Friday morning with a lovely 16 mile run in Edinburgh along the cycle network and up towards Juniper Green. It was a beautiful sunny day. After my run, Gail and I took Jack for a walk and went to Hector's for lunch. We had a lovely lunch and Jack got a nice bowl of water too.

At 3.30pm my taxi arrived and it was time for my epic journey to begin. It was really hard saying goodbye to Gail and although I am on holiday, I will miss her.

My flight to London was largely uneventful, apart from the very nice steward who gave me several mini bottles of gin and a wink as I disembarked. I did, however, start reading Dean Karnenzes book about his life and ultramarathon running. It is an amazing book and reading his story and the emotions he feels through running I felt total empathy and understanding. I feel exactly the same. If books were mirrors I would have, in many ways, be looking at reflection of myself.

The flight to Bankok was long, very long and far from comfortable. For the first couple of hours I read and then I tried to fall asleep watching a film. I had a very broken few hours sleep, as I couldn't find any position that was either relaxing or comfortable. Whichever way I sat a part of me seemed to ache or dig into an arm rest. I eventually gave in and started to watch another film. I did manage to fall asleep again, but by the time we landed in Bangkok I was very tired. At Bangkok I met up with Stephen and Rob, we  had a couple of hours to kill before our final flight to Ho Chi Min City, so we did, what I am sure will be a recurrent theme on this holiday, went to a bar and had some beers and food. It was good to sit there, relax and chat and I felt, for the first time, like I was on holiday.

I managed to get a little more sleep on the flight and another beer. By the time we landed, worked our way through immigration, collected our bags I had been travelling close to 22 hours! It was close to 9pm Vietnam time and dark by the time a driver from the hotel collected us and here we got our first view of life in Ho Chi Min City.

Our car pulled out into a very busy road, which was teaming with mo-ped and motorbikes. There were hundreds of them, all different types and with anywhere between 1 and 4 people on them, sometimes whole familes would fly past the car on one mo-ped. They all wore helmets and I could see why. Driving on the roads is lethal. With so many bikes all jostling for space, weaving in and out of each other, sliding between trucks and cars, with trucks and cars largely ignoring the motorcylcist, token beeps of the horn was all the warning they got. This real life version of whacky races was all carried out at over 30mph as well. The three of us sat in our minibus watching in amazement as this scene played itself out on every street we drove through. How Stephen and I came to be on the back of one of those motorbikes several hours later I will get to in a bit.

The city itself was an awesome sight in the dark, tall buidlings covered in bright neon advertising lit up the skyline. Underneath this were streets and streets of shops, cafes, resturants and bars. Some were decked out in lavish garden furniture, on a raised balconies others less so, with plastic chairs and tables outside and a door opening straight through to the kitchen, where steam poured out of large woks and pans. The streets were almost as bustling as the roads with many, many people. There were lots of small gatherings around the doorways of the shops and cafes as people smoked, chatted and laughed. From the car it looked like an exciting city, vibrant and full of life. We all couldn't wait to go out and have a look around and experience it.

Our hotel is located a few kilometers outside the city centre on the bank of the Mekong Delta River. It is a lovely colonial house with a spa and swimming pool. We were given a nice glass of iced tea when we arrived, which was lovely and refreshing and once our rooms had been sorted we quickly got showered and changed for our night out. As it was late we decided to eat at one of the hotel's restuarants, unfortunately the Vietmanese restuarant was closed and we had to settle for Italian. The food was okay, but we all a little disappointed not to be eating something local. What was nice was that we had a candlelit table by the riverbank. Even in the dark we could see that the river was massive, every so often fishing boats would sail by. We could hear the rumble of engine noise as they approached and the onboard lighting showed them to be very traditional style south-east asian fishing boats.

After dinner we decided to go into the city. Stephen had done some research before we left home and had found a night club, aptly named Apocolypse Now, which was meant to be nice and lively. After a 10 minute taxi journey we arrived at the front door. Bright neon ligthts, another common theme, greeted us and the sound of largely western music blasted through the doorway. The place was rocking and rammed full of locals and many westerners and tourists. It was on two levels and we headed straight to the top floor where were given a table by the wall and a waiter who ferried us drink after drink. We started on lager and then quickly moved on to some very strong Jack Daniels and Coke. After several drinks we noticed that the security guard was standing very close to us and when he moved away I suddenly realised that my phone was missing from my pocket. It didn't take a genious to work out what had happened, so Stephen quickly ran after the security guard and asked if anyone had "found" a mobile phone. Sure enough the security guard produced my i phone and for a $20 dollar "reward" he was happy to retun it! Stephen had warned me that the guard was looking suspiscious and I felt an idiot, as well as a little angry, having had my phone pinched. A Jack Daniels and Coke later I was happy again.

After several more drinks Rob decided he'd had enough and left Stephen and I to go back to the hotel. Stephen and I continued to drink and then hit the dancefloor until the club closed. Outside we stumbled on a group of Westerners who told us that they knew of another venue/party which was open till late. There was about seven of us in total and we all, and I mean all, got into a taxi. Stephen was sat in the front and I was sat on top of him! It was cramped and thankfully after a short journey we ended up outside another neon fronted building. We fell out, literally, of the taxi. It was a this point that I realised that my phone was gone, again!! I checked the taxi to see if it had fallen out during the ride, I couldn't see it. It must have been pinched again!

We went in to the club, but to be honest that's a real blank and I can't remember what happened other than a few drinks and standing at the bar with Stephen. We could have been in there hours, but I simply don't remember. We left at some point.

I am not entirely sure what happened next, but somehow and neither of us are entirely sure how, we ended up on the back of a motorbike been driven by a local. I think we asked him to take us to another club or party, as after a short ride we pulled up outside a closed buidling door with no neon sign. It didn't look like a club! The local called out and the door opened and we were ushered in side, it was at this point we realised we had arrived at our first Vietmanese brothel! Oh dear. We quickly explained that there had been a missunderstanding and that we wanted a bar or nightclub. Our guide took us back out the building and at this point we decided to just head back to the hotel. We gave our driver the card for the hotel and asked him to take us there, he agreed.

What followed was one of the most hillarious, funny and probably dangerous trips I have ever taken. Stephen and I were both riding on the back of a rather small but poweful motorbike been driven by a local through all the extreme traffic of Ho Chi Min that I mentioned earlier. From somewhere we'd found a bottle of beer each too, so we weren't even holding on properly! Our driver took us all over the city and even on the motorway. I remember a very close encounter with a large truck. I am not sure how long we were on the bike for or where we went, I know we got lost several times and it was dark when we started on the bike and light when we got off it. We also managed to take a few photos while on the back of the bike. I am amazed that we both didn't come off the bike and split our heads open on the road.

Eventually we arrived at the hotel to be told by our driver that we owed him $200! We argued, we tried to negotiate, Stephen shouted a bit, the hotel staff looked on bemused, I lay drunk on a sofa, but evenutally we paid up.

Finally we paid a visit to Rob's room to wake him up. He wasn't amused, so Stephen and I went back to his and had a fight with the food from the mini bar. I did eat his Oreo cookies, I only remember this, because I still had half of one in my mouth when I woke in the morning and the other half smeared over my face!

That was day one in the Nam! Quite an advenutre. Today has been spent by the poolside of the hotel, relaxing and eating a club sandwhich. We're off back into the city tonight, hopefully the carnage level won't be so high tonight!

Thursday 3 June 2010: Meadows session, drunken idiots and final holiday prep

Mileage: 17 miles

AM: 3.75miles PM: 13.25

What a lovely night for a Meadow's session. The club's numbers looked to have grown quite considerably as people gathered at 7pm and there was barely a jumper in sight! Most of the guys had opted for sleeveless-shirts, as summer had clearly returned after a long interval since the marathon.

The last time we'd enjoyed a stunning Thursday night in the Meadows I blogged about it, describing it as an almost perfect urban gathering on the grass with a great atmosphere. Unfortunately tonight was a lot different. There seemed to be an awful lot more drunk people staggering about and not the nice kind of drunks, but the idiots who shout abuse at others, who throw empty bottles on to the ground and let them smash, who pee against trees and on the paths, not even making any effort to be discreet. After last time it was a real disappointment and I had to agree with Neil when on one rep he said, "If this is what the Meadow's is like when it is sunny, I think  prefer the winter!"

Still it was a nice night for running, almost too warm and I found myself running half the session with my top off. That's first time I've been able to do that this year. The session sounded fairly easy when Alex told us it, but I can tell you it was a very tough one. It was 6*4minutes at faster than 10k pace with 4 minutes recovery.

Owing to injuries, recoveries and absences the fast group started off with just four of us, myself, Jenny, Neil Calder and Stevie Wales. We agreed to take it in turns to lead each rep and run together as a group. Jenny took the first one, which was a good, fast steady pace. Steve took the second one and sped off at such a pace over the first 2 minutes that I found myself struggling to keep up. He slowed toward the end of the rep and we bunched up to finish. It was then that Steve turned to us and told us that he had finished for the evening, leaving us all a little bit tired and gasping for breath. It was my job to take the third and thanks to Steve's hard rep I struggled to get going, but got stronger as the rep went on.

After the fourth rep Jenny finished for the evening too, as she has begun her taper for the Dunfermline Half, which is the Scottish Half Marathon Championship and she has a good chance of winning the race. I am sure she will. That left Neil and I to do the last two. Neil had raced last night winning a 5K in 15.39, but despite this, he was still lightening quick over the session. In the fourth rep he had dropped Jenny and I within strides. With just the two of us I tried to stay with him for the fifth rep. He must have been cruising slightly, as I did manage to keep up with him. Thankfully the final rep came and we set off, Neil pushed on and I tried desperately not to let him get too far away. The last rep ended up being the the quickest, yet and I was pretty knackered after.

Even with the long recoveries the session was tough. Our recovery jogs were quite quick too. Again I felt tired and I really didn't feel good until the last three reps. I am definitely ready for a break. Everyone keeps telling me it will do me good and I think it is starting to seep through, as I am beginning to believe them.

Below I have put the pace that we achieved for each 4 minute rep:

1) 5.30 minutes per mile pace
2) 5.26
3) 5.30
4) 5.27
5) 5.22
6) 5.13

After the usual post session club chat Dan and I hit the gym. It's a great way to round off a session. On the run home Dan was quite clearly chomping at the bit to get back to running to normal after his marathon. He had taken the session quite conservatively, so was full of energy running home. I struggled to keep up. I think he'll be back to normal running next week.

Finally, I got home ordered a curry - bad! But very yummy! I then finished packing for my holiday, just about, the running kit is being washed as I type this. I am going to hang it up to dry before I go to sleep so it's nice and clean for my 16 mile run tomorrow morning. Yes, I am off for a 16miler first thing tomorrow. Hopefully, that will get the last of the running out of my system for a wee while. Also, it will help me sleep on the plane, as I will be shattered.

Finally, finally Steve Booth gave me some great advice today. In order to help maintain my fitness and not do too much running, I should, when I get the chance to run on holiday, do short runs packed with strides. Sounds good to me and the man is a scientist!

Wednesday 2 June 2010: Run, Gym, Swim, my car's MOT and Service, and a Pizza Hut!!

Mileage: 14 miles

AM: 3.5 miles PM: 10.5 miles

Today started with a drive not a run, as the car was due in for a service and MOT. The garage was just off Leith Walk so I got into my kit, dropped the car off and then ran to work. It was nice and sunny this morning and I really didn't want to stop. I could have quite happily carried on running all morning.

As soon as I did stop running I started worrying about the car. With my holiday coming up this weekend, I was really worried that the car would have some serious problems with it and it would cost me a small fortune. I am sure everyone with a car has had a morning like I have, you drop the car off and then spend the next few hours waiting nervously for the call from the garage. I got the call about 11.30am from Garry, the mechanic, where he uttered the words I had been dreading, "Mr. Meade, your car has failed its MOT."

My heart sank and I immediately started to panic. "What! How? What's wrong with it?" I stammered down the line. He replied, "Your headlights aren't aligned properly, and there's a problem with your front suspension." I panicked even more as it sounded serious, well not the headlights, but the suspension did. I think I whispered the next question, as if that would somehow make the answer better, "How much?" Thankfully the reply was £30! Panic over. I then went from panic to manic, "Really, are you sure. £30, that's it? What's the rest of the cost going to be, how much more? Will it pass then? What happens next, what happens now? Can I still pick it up today? I think I left my house keys on the car keys!" Okay, maybe not quite as bad as that, but not far off. The mechanic told me my total cost would be £144 and it would pass the MOT with a new part. Phew, I was so relieved. Not only was it less than I thought, but it was actually £50 cheaper than last year and last year the car needed no repairs! How that works I have no idea. I am, however, very relieved!

So I had to leave work early and run back to pick up the car. I quickly paid and drove away hoping the guy wouldn't call me back saying there was a mistake and I owed him an extra £200.

I got home parked the car giving it a little stroke on the bonnet to thank it for being so well behaved and cheap! I then did an hour's work at my computer before the door buzzer went. I was meeting Dan for a run, gym and swim session. We did 6 miles (I had already done 7 miles by now) running around the cycle networks of Warriston. It was quite tough for me today I was feeling a little sore after yesterday's session and again I was feeling tired. I'm definitely needing a rest, but that can wait till Saturday! After our run we hit the gym and then did several lengths in the swimming pool to finish off. It was a good workout and I felt better for it.

I may, however, have undone all the good work, as I got home and ordered a large Italian, pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut with some chicken dippers and ate the whole lot, every slice! God knows what the calories are for that or the amount of fat and salt I've just eaten. Oh dear. Still, was quite tasty.

1 June 2010: Track Tuesday

Mileage: 15.5 miles

AM: 3.75 miles PM: 11.75 miles (including track session)

It's Tuesday, so it's track day! I have to admit I again felt fairly tired today and my run to work this morning was a complete plod. I felt slightly better as I ran to the track through Holyrood Park meeting up with Jo along the way. I think this ongoing tiredness is a reflection of my need to have a rest and a break, so as I am sitting here writing this I am starting to think that a running break will be a good thing. I spent most of my jog to Meadowbank telling Jo how worried I was about taking a running break and what that might do to my fitness level and preparation for Amsterdam. She did a reasonable job of reassuring me until saying at the end if it were her she would feel just as worried! 

Track was a good, but tough session tonight. It was broken into 3 sets. Set 1 was 10*300m with 1 minute recovery between reps, we then got a 5 minute rest before we did Set 2, which was simply 1*300m flat out, we were then given another 5 minute rest and then set 3 was 5*300m with 2 minute recovery between efforts, the aim being to run the final five reps quicker by a couple of seconds than the first 10 reps.  

My session went like this:

Set 1: (1) 53 secs (2) 53 secs (3) 50 secs (4) 52 secs (5) 53 secs (6) 53 secs (7) 53 secs (8) 53 secs (9) 52 secs (10) 52 secs

Set 2: (1) 45 secs (PB!)

Set 3: (1) 52 secs (2) 50 secs (3) 51 secs (4) 50 secs (5) 48 secs 

I was pretty pleased with the first 10 reps in Set 1 and to be honest I could have probably done that all night long. I was, however, delighted with Set 2 and my 45 sec 300m. My legs felt tight and tired, but I also felt really strong and relaxed running down the home straight. It also helped having Malcolm breathing down my neck for the entire 300m. As we rounded the bend I could see his shadow in the setting sunlight and I knew he was perilously close to me. It felt good to hold him off and run my fastest ever 300m by a second. Still, I've got some way to go to catch up with Usain Bolt who ran 300m in less than 31 seconds last week!! The final set was a little disappointing, as I would have liked to have done them all in under 50 seconds, but my legs were a little jelly-like and I was definitely tired, but still I did manage to do them quicker than my first set, so overall a good session.

After training, I met up with Dan and we hit the gym for the usual core and strengthening work. Dan had been for a lap of Arthur's Seat, as he continues his recovery from the marathon. Dan also signed up to Amsterdam Marathon yesterday, so at the very least there will be two of us out there. Niamh has also told me she will definitely be going to and several others have said they will do the half. There should be a good crowd from the club going, which will be great.

Monday 31 May 2010: It's all systems go for Amsterdam Marathon and 3 jags in the arm... ouch!

Mileage: 12 miles

AM: 3.75miles PM: 8.25 miles

Well today I decided I couldn't wait any longer and booked my place in the Amsterdam Marathon, as well as my flights. I have always found it very exciting booking a marathon place, because instantly it makes it all real. It starts the clock on training, it gets the body motivated to get out there and run (to be honest I don't really need that!), it fills me with excitement and inspires me to dream about the possibilities: what time can I get, what position will I finish, how will I feel after? I am already feeling nervous sitting here typing about it.  I'm already praying for good weather and no injuries. I already feel sorry for all those around me who will hear little else for the next 20 weeks.

I'm remembering my two previous Amsterdam Marathons. My first one was an extremely emotional marathon, it was my second marathon and was my first under three hours (2:55:36). I still remember feeling tears as I crossed the line knowing I had achieved everything I had hoped for. I also remember the excruciating cramps and spasms in both hamstrings that accompanied the moment and I remember laying on the floor at the finish line in complete agony with two marshals helping me stretch my legs out, but filled with utter joy at the same time. Awesome. If I could replicate those feelings of joy (not the pain) after this Amsterdam Marathon then I know I will have done well. 

My second Amsterdam Marathon (my fourth marathon) wasn't quite the same, although the time was just about (2.55.45). I had hoped to run my first sub 2.50, but a bout of illness in the run up to the marathon and if I'm being totally honest, probably, as a result of over training left me feeling empty on the day and although I went though half way in under 1.24 I went to pieces in the last 6 miles. I just ran out of energy and steam. My last 5k was over 23minutes and I remember feeling sick and dizzy for most of that 6 miles. I did, however, still feel proud that I completed the race and still managed to get under three hours. In the five marathons I have ran, I have learnt that no matter the time it is still great to finish a marathon. 

So, I now have a third opportunity to run an Amsterdam Marathon and I have a target in my head. I've shared this with some of you, but I think I am going to stop talking about it now until nearer the time and once I've got a few heavy weeks training out of the way before, so I know how I am feeling. 

Before I can think about Amsterdam, I do have a 16 day holiday to look forward to. I am going to be spending 8 days in Vietnam and 8 days in Thailand. I am very excited. My trip is going to be part relaxing and part adventure, which is a perfect balance. I am going with my brother, Stephen, and my friend, Rob. Part of the reason for going is my cousin is getting married in Thailand, so this seemed a great opportunity to see a part of the world that I haven't been to before. We plan to spend a few days in Ho Chi Min City, before going on a 4 day cycle tour by the Mekong Delta River and then heading back to the city for one more weekend. We then fly to Ko Samui in Southern Thailand where the wedding will be. Ko Samui will also be a great place to do some kayaking, mountain biking and Stephen has even found a running club for me to go and meet up with! 

It's unlikely that I'll be able to do too much running during my holiday, which I am trying to consider to be a good thing, as it will give me some good recovery time after all the training I've done this year. I've run just about ran 1500 miles already (could be more, as I've not added it up in a while), so the break will be good. On the other hand, I am finding it hard too deal with the fact that i am probably about to do next to no running for 16 days!! 16 day!!! Argh!!! Okay and breathe!!! I am quite worried about it, part of me thinks I am just going to lose all my training and all my pace and that I'll return unable to run!! I keep thinking it'll be like a taper gone mad! I'm glad we've got the cycling sorted out as I hate the idea of doing no training. I'll also have to try and get some swimming in too and if possible, somewhere, somehow, perhaps with the running club Stephen found, make it out for at least a couple of runs!! 

In preparation for my trip I had to pay a visit to the Travel Doctor's today to get a whole load of vaccinations including Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Rabies! Three jags in my arms, not nice!! I hate needles. My arms are already pretty sore, and I am sure they'll be worse in the morning, but better that than something nasty in the Nam! I was pretty pleased with what a brave little boy I was at the doctors, I didn't cry once.

Finally, I haven't even mentioned today's running. I'll keep it brief. I ran home along the canal and bumped into Kim paddling the other way in her kayak. We stopped and had a wee chat for 10 minutes and it was good to catch up. My run home was about 8 miles, the first was slow, but the rest picked up and averaged out at about 6.40-50 minutes per mile. I felt good towards the end, so pleased with that. back to track tomorrow. Love track!

Sunday 30 May 2010: Long run Sunday!

Weekly Mileage: 88.5  miles (plus 30+miles on the bike)

Mileage: 16 miles

I fully intended to go to Craiglockart today and meet up with the club for the usual Sunday morning run, however, I woke later than I had planned and by the time I managed to get up I knew I would never make it in time for the run, so instead I lay in bed with a coffee and watched Doctor Who from last night.

I was also really tired, stiff and sore. This week's hard training was really running through my body this morning, but I was determined to get out and go for a run as soon as Doctor Who was finished. I texted Colin McGill, as he lives close by, to see if he would be interested in going for a run. I was hoping that company would ensure that I did my 16 miles at a reasonable pace. Unfortunately by the time the credits were rolling on another brilliant episode of Doctor Who he had not replied.

I wearily pulled on my kit and decided to run around the Warriston cycle network and then head toward Cramond. As with my last few runs I decided to run without looking at my watch for at least three miles to let my body set the pace. By the time I checked, I was again just under 7 minutes per mile pace and it felt comfortable so didn't push any harder. By the time I got to Cramond and turned round after 7 miles I was feeling good and a lot of the stiffness in my muscles had gone. It was at this point I turned round and nearly bumped in Colin McGill! Colin, who had not seen my text, was out for his Sunday run and by complete chance we had bumped into each other, so we ran bang along the sea front and back towards Newhaven.

It was good to have company for the journey and although we were running at around 6.50 pace we still had enough breath to chat. This was good, as it meant that I couldn't get carried away and start pushing too hard. We chatted for a bit about marathon training, club running and upcoming races and plans. As we ran back through the Warriston cycle network we bumped into Gail and her parents who were out walking Jack. When Jack saw me he got very excited, and ran along beside me. He kept up as well, so Colin and I had some company, it was nice too and I was really pleased the dog did do well, as it bodes well for later in the year when I plan for him to come running with me as part of my MDS training. After 0.75 miles Jack started to fade a little, so we turned round and led the dog back towards Gail who caught a hold of him as we ran on. 

After a few miles I was finished and I left Colin to head back up the road home. 

I finished my 16miles in 1hour 50minutes with nearly all of my miles sub 7 minutes, so I was pretty pleased with that. 

I then spent the afternoon shopping for my holiday and am just about to enjoy a massive vegetarian lasagna so a good Sunday! More about my holidays tomorrow I think. I am off to Vietnam and need to get some holiday jabs! Ouch!!