Tonight after work I went running for the first time since the 24^th of February. Not very far and not a very long run (15m07s) to go around the streets but great to be running!

man that one was a tough one, the legs restricted by my running tights, the lungs by flegm, and the head by a desire to be back in bed due to illness. I ran to work, and coughed lots. That’s all folks…!

Coughing hard from tonight’s run, the first of the week, but glad I did go running as I took the weekend off and didn’t have the energy or motivation to run yesterday. I have been suffering since Friday with a cold which is probably from the forced training effort. Less than 4 weeks to go until the Reading Half-Marathon now.

Writing this is in itself quite knackering because I have tired and drawn myself out with all the running (and running about) that I have done this week. When I realised last Sunday that the Reading Half-Marathon was just 5 weeks away I figured that I had to start my training right away or forgo the attempt this year. So I have run every working day this week, five days in a row, and I have to say that it has been a real awakener.

The first three days went well, I ran either to or from work and it felt good to be running again (I’d not run since the middle of December), but the run on Thursday was tough and I imagine that the run this afternoon will be something of an out of body experience;) I have the start of a cold and I am feeling knackered and empty which are both symptoms of over-doing it.

I am going to take a break from running tomorrow and I think that I will go for a run along the river on Sunday, a longer run than I have done so far. Possibly I will run all the way to Pangbourne and get the train back. I’ll let you know when I have done it!

I ran home from work on Friday and took my time, and was slowed more by having to wait at traffic lights to cross the road. Was cold and didn’t have long-sleeved top as had forgotten at home to bring it. The sun was out and sky was blue!

Not having time to run to or from work I needed to go out running at lunchtime. It was raining and muddy too as I ran along the canal listening to Laura Marling and Mariachi El Bronx on the mp3 player. Tough at the end but nice to do a different route. The route was 3.91 miles which equates to a 7min40s /mile pace.

Despite my legs being heavy and my stomach full of chocolate birthday cake (thanks Aklile, happy birthday again!) I ran home tonight. Warmer and lighter than the run on Monday. Now my legs are really heavy and walking up and down stairs is not easy. Roll on tomorrow!

Yesterday I made the bold decision to carry on my running to/from work regime and skipped breakfast and jumped into my running kit with just a cup of coffee to wake me up. Cold, a bit wet and slighly more up-hill than the other way round. A great start to the day!

Tonight I ran home from work – 2.69 miles in 19mins14s which equates to a 7.08min/mile pace . Not momentous in distance but definitely the start of the training for the Reading Half-Marathon (which will take place in less than 5 weeks time) and something to do every day or every other day for the time between now and 21st March.

Second run of the week and it was damp foggy and dark. I’ve run this route in the daytime but in the dark it was much better. Sections of unlit running along and before the river. Legs hurt but this is expected after 2 runs in week after not running for so long. 19’13″ for 2.68 miles. short river.

My first run of the season (not including running in NYC) was tonight and it was good to be outside and running! Only 2.17 miles in 15’28″ (7.07min/mile pace) I was a small step on the long journey that is ahead of me until next March when I will be doing my third Reading Half-Marathon on the 21^th March 2010. It’ll be my fifth half-marathon.

Here’s the Gmaps-pedometer Route