Discussion: the way to get strong

for running is to get in terrain
get running up hills.
anything requiring a longer slower (harder) muscle contraction during runing.
marshes, deep leaf, soft ground.
you don't have to run fast even.
the heavier the terrain and slower underfoot the better.

get ploughing, not pumping

There's just much of that stuff around - the woods are too nice here! I can do short hills no problem. I can probably get to a beach in a month or so when we have a car. The marshes are still a bit wet but will be dry very soon.

New Haven people - any areas I've not yet been that might be good for this kind of stuff?

And you know I like pumping. I think it works for me. I was at my strongest in Scottish forests whilst doing that stuff three times a week...but also running regularly in tough Scottish forests! Difficult to pull apart the two...

if you can't find masses of heavy terrain then just a small bit of hill terrain would be fine, you just have to run a little loop on it
many times
round and round, committed but not killer effort - tempo level effort

I had a key session that involved 20 odd loops around a hill circuit the hill was only about 150m long, 15 m climb but is was nice soft woodland floor (Endcliffe Park in Sheffield). Steady tempo effort up, quickly down, round an round.
Not bounding but not blasting and gasping either.
going round in many circles can be fun if you set your mind to it.

which also answers your other question
the other answer to your other question is that you could use plyometrics - the sort of stuff we used to do with Mr Bishop, but I think it needs to be more prolonged effort and not full on explosive.

The only thing I can think of that's comparable to the soft squishy forests/marshes of Scotland or Sweden for that matter, is the beach or snow running. Unfortunately a bit late for the latter, but beach running could work just be careful of the side hilling aspect. Our woods are firmer. Marshes more bottomless goo and not good for running. But we do have hills, like you did today. Reminds me that I need to get back at those. Been remiss for a few years.

stream running? used to do that for mix-it-up training for skiing on hot summer days, might do the trick!

also, I have a pair of o-shoes and some other kit of yours- get it back to you this weekend?

Oh, you do?! I thought maybe I left a bag, but I wasn't sure! Is it my Inov8s? I will be around this weekend, thanks!

I think you're right George, that the beach might be a good bet! At least it will get me off East Rock for a while!

the sand at Lighthouse Pt?

The hopes and dreams of small children?

a sea of fairy penguin plush toys?

batman, spiderman, ironman, mr incredible