While the weather has been so bad recently I have taken the opportunity to give the bike a rest (other than roller sessions) and work on the running which is relatively weak for me. Last season the longest run I did was actually the marathon at the end of the Ironman (although I had done a 3 hour run but not as far!).
Over December I have been running at least every other day and putting in some longer runs up to 40km off road and am now feeling much more comfortable. I think the difference has been that I’ve not been too worried about speed on road so working on strengthening muscles and ligaments by running off road and for longer periods of time. The runs in the snow have been particularly fun and quite hard workouts (especially when the snow was knee deep!).
The below route is my new favourite 20km loop from Henley-on-Thames, along the Thames on the towpath to Hambleden Lock crossing over the river to Hambleden and then off into the hills (the Chilterns) into woods and trails along towards Fawley across fields then along a ridge overlooking Stonor Valley (spectacular views and normally quite a lot of Red Kites and wildlife to be seen, in fact today nearly got hit by a herd of deer!) then down to Middle Assenden then back over the hills into Henley. Running steady is around 90 minutes and today as it was getting dark 86 minutes but generally just ticking over with some harder parts up the hills!
This is a brief video (excuse the panting) from one of the snowy days over the Stonor Valley on this run.
