Today I caught the new high speed service from Ramsgate to London St Pancras, and for the first time ever for a train journey to Lond0n for me, I actually got there faster than I could have done driving.

Train users elsewhere in the country will be used to this of course, it’s long been possible to get from London to Glasgow in just four and a half hours. The journey from Ramsgate to London Victoria however takes, at best, around one hour and fifty minutes. For 64 miles. to Charing Cross takes even longer. Today however, I was delighted with the journey time of one hour 15 minutes to take me to St Pancras.

So, I can now travel a few miles farther and do it around 35 minutes faster which is fantastic news. The price difference of just a couple of pounds extra was well worth the time saving for me, which today was essential to fit in with my timetable. The train was smart and comfortable too, and if I’d known there were power outlets next to each seat I would have taken my phone charger to get me through the day.

Of course I wasn’t travelling at peak times on a packed train so I can’t really say what the morning experience would be like on a normal weekday, but today there were minimal numbers of fellow travellers so the journey was probably the best train ride I’ve ever done.

So, based on my limited experience of the service, use it, it’s brilliant. Fact.

After my two week training course it has been nice to get back to normality this weekend and do things at a slower pace, catching up with household chores, arranging vet visits for pets, reading etc.  Having done a few things around the house I’m now gearing up for a run, which will be my first for some time having been off the radar for a little while.

In September my friend Chris and I ran the Cancer Research 10k in Finsbury Park in London.  I quite enjoy running but do need a kick to get myself up and out of the house.  This year I set myself a goal of competing in three more races – one more 10k and two 5k races.  Eventually I would like to be able to run in half marathons and maybe even a full marathon.

I’m hoping that there will be some local races starting soon that I can join in.  I’m not necessarily interested in the competitive element, but rather having a target to work towards and therefore a reason to get myself out and on the road.  If anyone who knows of a good place to find races in the Ramsgate area I’d be pleased to hear from you.

Right now I need to get into my running gear and get on with it!  Then back to the chores….