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The Beast from the East Run Commute


Unless you're living under a rock, you'll have heard that the UK is having some horribly cold weather, snow, etc. It's basically like the apocalypse. It chaos everywhere. Ironically the busses seem to run just fine, yet the trains have major problems.


Today is especially cold. It's below freezing, but what made it particularly awful is the gale force winds.


Check out those wind chills! And while you're at it, look at the direction of the wind; it's coming from the ENE. That's right in my face for the entire run. This sucked!


The alarm went off at 5:35AM, I caught the bus to Richmond Station, did my warm up, and off I went on my 12 mile commute to work. As soon as I got around the corner from the train station...BAM! The winds, RIGHT...IN...MY...FACE! Like brutal winds where you feel like your pushing up against a wall.

For two miles, I pushed against the wind with tiny snowflakes seemingly piercing my eyes. It was painful to look up. Really, my only goal today was to make sure I didn't fall on my ass given the sidewalks were as icy as they were. 

After about mile 2, I decided to get off the streets and follow the Thames Path. Unfortunately it was also completely exposed for another mile. Once I found the trails, I was surrounded by trees that helped cut the wind and snow ever so slightly. At this point, I would have taken any reprieve I could get. 

Normally I cross Hammersmith Bridge and run a straight line to work. Fearing the icy sidewalks, I decided to continue on the trail until Putney Bridge, crossing there and heading towards Buckingham Palace for what seemed like an eternity. I just wanted this run to be over!

The sidewalks were so slippery that I was forced to slow down. I had no idea what my pace was anyway. Finally having reached Liz's crib, I knew I didn't have much farther to go. 


In the end, I got my workout in and I'm pleased with that. I didn't hit my pace goals, but given the wind and the icy conditions, I really don't care. I did the best I could.


17 days until race day. My hamstring is feeling much better after taking two days off and getting a massage. Now if only the weather would turn half decent.
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