Starting at London Wayfarers Hockey Club's new Senior Performance Hub at King's House Sports Ground (Chiswick), this route initially runs parallel to the River Thames, until Hammersmith. From there it is on to Earl's Court, through South Kensington and passed the Natural History Museum before slipping in between Hyde Park and Green Park at Hyde Park Corner. It then follows Piccadilly, continues through Leicester Square and Covent Garden, before passing the British Museum. Then it is on to Old Street before the final leg to Victoria Park, passing The London Stadium and entering Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and finally on to Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, the home of England and Great Britain Hockey.

Actual Distance:  14.20 miles 

Total Duration:  1 hr 59 mins 20 secs

Half Marathon Time:  1 hr 42 mins 48 secs

Blister Count:  +1 = 1  (back of the right achilles. But... those who have been coached by me, know that I never travel light and was well-prepared! Blister plasters in my emergency pack in the back of my running vest. So... short pit-stop for running repairs - play on words fully intended - and all sorted!)

As the Marilyn Monroe film would tell you, 'Some Like It Hot,' and when it comes to running, I would agree. Running in warmer conditions, with the sun on your face (or conversely in the pouring rain - don't ask me why), has always been my preference and with the body naturally warmed up, has tended to mean fewer injuries.

However... having trained in Autumn, Winter and Spring conditions, I was maybe a little under-prepared for summer to announce itself on Day 1 of the Challenge. And to make life a little more challenging, the train strikes (strikes or overtime ban? I forget which was scheduled for today) meant limited services which resulted in a later start to the run (bang in the hottestt part of the day). Still, suns out... guns out... let's go!

The first challenge of Day 1 was the logistics. Starting at Point A and finishing at Point B, meant either carrying a change of clothes throughout the run or travelling to the finish first, storing a bag, then meandering across London to the start to dump a bag... and then running back again.

The route was planned online, so there was an element of the unknown, but this was a fantastic route, even if I do say so myself. Settling into  a steady and comfortable pace, the first third of the run went without a glitch. The middle of the run proved to be much more challenging - the sunshine having brought everyone into town - and my pace slowed as I weaved my way through hoards of tourists. With the busiest part of the run successfully negotiated and the remainder of the run more downhill than up, things were looking good. And then, having not had one for the entire training year, my first blister. Ugghh! No drama and all planned for, a quick pit-stop for running repairs and I was on my way again.

Approaching Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, it became clear that the heat had started to take its toll and my pace had dropped off from the mid-point of the run. So, with half marathon #1 in the bag, I scaled it right back for the final mile through the park. Twelve days to go and no point expending energy unnecessarily on Day 1. 

Passing the Lee Valley Velodrome put a bit of wind in the sails and I picked up the pace for the home straight, finishing half marathon #1 on the hallowed (astro)turf at Lee Valley.

Huge thanks to Nick at King's House Sports Ground for allowing me to store kit at the start and to the staff at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre for allowing me to leave a change of clothes at the finish and grab a shower after the run. Definitely needed (and not quite so unpleasant for those around me on the train ride home).