Left to right: Nigel Grove, Craig Taylor, Rob Prady. Wayfarer's Relays 2004

Ran with Rob Prady & Nigel Grove (two decent club runners, and excellent training partners) tonight from SOLL Leisure Gymnasium, Gillot's Leisure Centre, Henley-on-Thames. We ran a variation on our 7 mile loop (through Harpsden & down the Sonning Common Road), but instead of climbing up Gillot's hill to finish, we climbed up a parallel off-road one. It was relatively conversational for one of our runs, but I still reckon we covered a good 7 miles. Ran in my NB 832's (as usual), hips still a little sore but definitely getting better. Must think about doing my hillwork somewhere else next time!

I also followed the run with a weights session, as below:

• Chest Press, 6 sets, 12 reps, 32kg
• Pull up, 3 Sets, Reasonable Failure
• Dips, 2 Sets, Reasonable Failure
• Shoulder Press, 2 Sets, 20 reps, 25kg
• Plank, 90 seconds
• Boxing Situps, 10 reps
• 'Chinny' Situps, 20 Reps each leg

On a side note, did you know that Kenyan athletes regularly drink animal blood? As Ingrid Kristiansen was a reknowned fan of Blood Pudding & the record breaking Chinese LD runners regularly drank turtle blood to 'fortify their bodies against the rigours of intense training', maybe there is something in it? Well, it's an excuse to eat more Black Pudding anyway!