Day 13 - Saturday 14th January 2012 - HOLY F*** IT'S COLD!

MILES - 10; TIME 1HOUR 26MINS; CONDITIONS - F**** COLD; WEEKLY MILEAGE - 35

Up and at em' early today. Awake at 7am, feeling surprisingly chirpy after the customary 15 minutes 'coming round'. Does anyone really skip out of bed and bounce into the day?

Decided on a 10 miler and instead of buggering about, i went straight out at 7.45am. It was just light, crisp, bright and sodding cold. The coldest day of the year and a real classic Marathon training day in January. -2 degrees and colder than a Banker's heart.

I ran to the river and did the towpath from Putney to Barnes. 5 miles all along the river. It was superb. The day was an absolute stormer. A crystal clear bright light, the sun bounced off the buildings and boat clubs. Rowers prepared for training, runners trundled by, dog walkers wrapped up against the cold. Shivering into their uniform fleeces.

The river looked incredible, a low mist hung over it like a movie set. Sun rays streamed through the gaps. I passed 3 photographers shooting the scene. The sort you see on the front pages of tomorrow's newspapers. It really was quite extraordinary, and a real benefit in getting up to do marathon training. Simply stunning. High five to you God. I missed so many of these mornings when i was hungover.

The other thing that struck me was the amount of people out early 'doing shit'. Runners, mountain bikers, walkers, dog walkers, rowers, painters, photographers. I used to think London was an unfit town. That people just drank, clubbed, ate, commuted and worked. I figured that sunny outdoor places like Australia, Brazil or other climbs were healthy. Only because i spent most of my time in pubs, bars, tubes, work and police cells.

Now i realise there are plenty of people out and about in London. Whole communities of people exercising or just indulging in sporting hobbies in the early morning. The river and Richmond park a real hub of this. Therefore it's a real pleasure to be 'one of them', grinding out the miles and makes me enjoy nature and open spaces even more.

The other thing i like about running in these open wooded spaces, instead of built up streets, is the freedom that comes with unloading a big piss when you need one. Loading up on tea, water and luckozade before a longish run always leaves the bladder fuller than a bulimics fridge.

Invariably (and this happens so much during the marathon) you get the urge to piss after about 3 miles. This can be problematic in built up areas. Meaning you crouch in alley ways or doorways looking like a serial masturbator. But in open spaces, quiet wooded areas or parks you can unload with an element of freedom, enjoyment and no shame. You could even have a little mid run wank if that's your thing. Never appealed to me though. I'm here to run! But nothing is quite so satisfying as a piss when you run and when you start running again it's like you have a new body and run strongly. Bit worrying this morning though as the MHP(Massive Horse Piss) lasted for what seemed like hours, So long in fact that 2 OAP's running slower than a milk float on bricks got dangerously near from a mile away. Next time i shall measure it better and leave myself a 2 mile exclusion zone.

On i trotted and if I'm being honest the legs were very heavy today. I did to Barnes Bridge and back at a very slow pace. A plod really. The hamstrings hurt, the hips were tighter than a virgin's snatch and i crawled back home and completed the 10 miles. Sorted.

It took me 10 minutes to open the door as my hands didn't work through numbing cold, my nose was running more than me, the eyes watering like I'd just watched Watership Down on loop and the legs felt like they'd been fed Viagra. But it was done and i had observed one of the most stunning mornings in London i have seen. Inside i felt good and content, all by 9.30am. Get in!

Only 15 miles tomorrow for the 50 mile mark for the week. Jesus, i must be insane, it's going to be tough as the legs are stiff but bring it on i say. In fact i'm secretly looking forwards to it. Another cold and sunny day forecast. The only spanner in the works is i have to train someone at 6am. Surely that should be illegal on a Sunday. -5 degrees forecast. Oh god. Now, where was that number for Dubai again?.........

Have a good un you lovely people

Nicholas Edward
xx