Tom Roper's Running Training

First Umbrella run

In Manchester for CILIP's Umbrella conference so for my first conference run I went down the Oxford Road, through the university quarter and past the hospitals.
I don't do much urban running: poor GPS signal in places, I suppose because of high buildings. Also I had a noticeable and irritating cough: poor air quality?
Time: 31:07
Distance: 3.47
Pace: 8.59 (best 6.04)
Average heart rate: 178

Loose Bottom

A nice if windy day for a Falmer-Loose Bottom-Stanmer Park run.
Distance: 5.59
Time: 55.40
Pace: 9.57 (best 6.5)

Newhaven and Seaford

A Sunday run down to the sea, along the front to the end of Newhaven's East Pier, then back the length of Seaford front to Splash Point and up Seaford Head.
Time: 1:25:56
Distance: 8.77
Pace: 9.48 (best 7.55)
Average heart rate: 159
As I ran I thought about future running plans. I'm not entered in anything at the moment, but came to a decision: I shall do both the Jog Shop Jog (20 miles) and the Beachy Head marathon. The Jog Shop Jog shall serve as a last long run before the marathon.

To Blackcap

At least part of the way, very hot but the poppies are spectacular.
Distance: 5.31
Time: 51:39
Pace: 9.43 (best 8.04)

Newmarker Plantation and beyond

Another gorgeous day and the poppies in he fields behind the university shone. I took myself;f up to the Newmarket plantation and a little farther. There's some travellers camped up there, who are harmless but they have some rather alarming dogs. On the way out one dog was playful and friendly but the other five were rather cross. On the way back the cross ones had persuaded the friendly one to their point of view.
Time: 39.02
Distance: 3.97
Pace: 9.51 (best 7.4)

The health week run (abbreviated)

I left the Forerunner at home, but ran an abbreviated version of the Health Week route in 55:07. I think the distance is about 5.5 miles.
It was hot but lovely; microlights (?unsure of precise technical description) flying off Ditching Beacon, poppies in the fields.

Fathers' Day run to Splash point

It being very hot today (30˚C), I didn't attempt anything too strenuous, a short run to the sea and along Seaford front to Splash Point. It was hard work, especially the return trip
Distance: 5.02
Time: 43:43
Pace: 8.41 (best 7.09)

No heart rate reading as I ran shirtless (I'm never sure whether that is permitted or considered vulgar).

Stanmer Park: hot and sticky

Not much time today, so another short one to Stanmer Park
Time: 31:32
Distance: 3.65
Pace: 8.37 (best 6.21)
Average heart rate: 165

The hills of old

Needing a quick but demanding route I made for the hills immediately behind the University of Brighton Falmer campus in misty weather. I'd forgotten how steep the biggest hill is, though this is one of the routes I first used when I started running again.
Time: 23.31
Distance: 2.24
Pace: 10.29 (best 8.29)
Average heart rate: 169

Stanmer Park

A fine if windy day for a short Stanmer Park excursion
Time: 32:17
Distance: 3.72
Pace: 8.4 (best 7.05)
Average heart rate: 163