More April Showers

Last Saturday as planned I headed out on my last long slow session in marathon training. First of all I headed down the Greenway towards Beckton. What a great discovery! Like the Parkland Walk in North London it’s a green route that allows people on foot to cut across miles of London, out of the way of traffic and pollution. In comparison the Greenway is straighter and more open. On Saturday this allowed me to fully enjoy the spectacular skies. Sure I paid for it with periodic soakings, but I soon dried out in between, and travelling along in sunlight while watching the dark clouds with their skirts of rain progressing across miles of London is a rare sight.

I spent a while exploring Beckton’s parks before heading to Excel for the London Marathon Expo. I’d had my doubts about going on the last day, but it turned out to be a good move. Crowds weren’t too bad, and everyone was trying to get rid of their freebies. I even got one of the runner’s freebie bags at the exit, though they usually reserve those for people actually running. It was actually off a palette being packed up and wheeled away, so it was probably a good thing I ‘saved’ it! Cat’s Protection also gave me a catnip mouse for Lizzie. I had my doubts as at 18 she doesn’t really do chasing things. But she actually loves it. Standing on all 4 feet play is still out, but she rolls around with it quite vigorously.

From there I started the slog home with my heavy backpack of freebies, including several drinks! I hadn’t been sure if I’d be able to go over the Lower Lee Crossing on foot, but after climbing the wrong overpass and finding my way down via a dizzyingly high staircase I found that yes, there is a footpath, and soon I was at the top of the Isle of Dogs and heading home… By now I’d banned myself from taking any more photos in order to get home before dark (Mile End Park was on my way home, but will have to wait again for its moment of fame…).

At home I found much to my surprise that I’d still managed a time in line with a massive improvement on my previous marathon time! And my bag of freebies and kit weighed a stone. Just to be clear, I really do mean 14 pounds, as I actually weighed it! I actually only did 16.2-17.2 miles (for the longer distance I’m assuming I walked about a mile inside Excel). Heck, I only did 15 miles longest in training for my previous 2 marathons, so having done 3 at 17+ I’m pretty well set up.