The weekend is here

After another day and another dollar I headed home. The drive was good - thank goodness the A40 is fixed. I managed a very humble 30 minutes on the bike - and that was enough. It has been another successful week of training on the road to recovery.

Tomorrow we head over to Swansea for the Home Countries Mastersy Vets Cross Country Racey thing and Open Competition. I hope to run for England - in my dreams do I. I'm really intending to run in the Open race - unless I catch a bout of the can't be arsed's. There should be some good watching to be had in either case as there will be some very useful vets on display, running for their countries.

Not even the rain can stop me

I'm on a roll. I've located the comeback trail - it's not on any map so it is pretty hard to find - it's certainly taken me a time.

So anyway, not even the rain, in all it's nasty glory, could prevent me getting out for another run. As the midday bell tolled the Bristol Water Three, the notorious band of crocks - that's Graham, Clive and me - although Clive is the main crock - took to the hills. It was like rolling back the years as we cruised out of Ashton Court and along the tow path.

Through the onslaught of rain we ran. Onwards, ever onwards - until we'd run for about 15 minutes, that is - then we turned tail and ran home. We don't get too much time for lunch and what with showering and tarting ourselves up afterwards, a half hour run is about all we can spare. Still, a run is a run in my book, and as I pen this - or rather more correctly, tap this in - my calves are actually pretty tight. It wasn't like we sprinted or anything but the pace was more than easy and after a good go on the track last night I really feel like I've finally turned the corner. That I'm on the way back...

Thought for the day: Why sit in the office when you could get soaked and muddy on a run?

Going the long way

Welcome back Bruce. Yes, Bruce was back in the fold after a longish layoff through injury. Other than that it was just little old Sean and me with Jerry running solo under the watchful gaze of Dave - everyone knows a Dave. Rick had some business to attend to - he was Up And Running up at his shop in Clifton.

Tonight we ran with Dave B's group - you see, everyone knows a Dave. The session was three sets of 800, 600, 400 with an undetermined recovery somewhere around 60-90s depending on how quick - or in my case, how slow you ran. Sean went well although his youthful exuberance meant he ran the first set too fast and had to slow a little on subsequent ones - he'll learn.

As an aside, Dave T was on coaching duty with the girls - you see, everyone knows a Dave.

Anyway, I ran OK and although not massively quick I wasn't really that slow. My splits were 2:54, 2:07, 77s then 2:48, 2:01, 76s and 2:47, 2:07, 76s which meant that I managed to increase the lap pace as the reps got shorter so that was good.

Right, after one of my longest ever track sessions - 5.4k - I'm off to massage my tightening calves - and boy, are they tightening.

Thought for the day: It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.

Not a lot

It was another of those long work days. I headed out after work for a spot of moonlighting - and I found out that some of the PLC software I'd written for a client (KJE Tech) - stay with me [ claps hands to keep you awake] - has been used in the film, Mamma Mia. The confetti shot into the air, seen in the background of the final sequences of the film were produced by KJE's kit - which I coded the software for! How groovy is that? Anyway, all of which hides the fact that I did sod all training today - ho hum.

Thought for the day: If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means keep moving.

Stormy weather

As the candle burns low, pulling the blanket ever tighter to keep out the chill of the night, I type feverishly into this infernal technological device. Fighting fatigue to relate my story before it is too late. While the last vestige of my memory retains what measure of truth as has unfolded during the events of today. A truth so mystifying that it will burn deep into your very soul. The time that was foretold has come to pass.... I managed a very humble half hour on the bike in front of the telly but the important point, which we mustn't lose grasp of, is that yet again I actually did some exercise. Maybe not the greatest session but a session never the less.

Right I'm off for some kip. Tootle pip, what-oh.

Thought for the day: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Not a day to be outside

Due to the small technical problem - that we shall never mention again - that we incurred yesterday, we were not able to run our intended route - namely the Tebay race - on account of the fact that we were bloody miles away. So H went for a run on the treadmill at Beryl's gym while I graced the exercise bike down the Old Apple Yard Gymnasium, Spa and Fitness Centre.

To be honest there isn't that much to report other than I felt it in my fingers and, for that matter, I felt it in my toes.

I thank you, and goodnight.

Thought for the day: The rain in Spain falls mainly in the UK.

It's gone tits up

We were on route to Kendal when the unthinkable happened - OK, if you have ever seen the white beast you might not think it's so unthinkable. Anyway, the beast is dead. The gear box is f&%@ed and there 'aint no chance of a resurrection. We had just about made Stafford when she blew.

Helen is understandably upset and I'm fair sad. I was looking forward to seeing her get her medals. God moves in mysterious ways.

As I pen this I am on the train back to Gloucester. I hope to make home by nine where upon I shall hop into the car and drive back to Stafford to collect Helen, the dogs, our stuff and anything else we can fit in.

This is going to be a long night. Smoke us a kipper we'll be home for breakfast...

Saturday and all's well

The cock crowed and off we set on our mid morning voyage of discovery. Ok, so it was more like an easy twirl round the area taking in the twin peaks of May and Huntley hills - but there was no murders - or none that we stumbled across. So that was a relief. The dog of a brown persuasion followed obediently in our foot steps and the now almost inevitable rumage through the litter bins was, some might say surprisingly, avoided. The rain stayed away and after an hour and twenty we returned from whence we came.

We now have the unenviable drive north for the FRA Dinner Dance. I've got my dancing shoes safely on board and I can almost hear the crowd calling for me when they recognise my professional dancing style - Sergeant, Sergeant, Sergeant.

First Friday for a while

As promised, well, more of a hint really, I managed to get out during my lunch break for a run around Ashton Court. It's changed a bit since I was last there. They have finished off the re-landscaping. There's a new car park - and yes, I noticed the CCTV cameras - and the pathways in front of the main house have been narrowed and car access restricted. It all makes for a safer environment in which to use the land but I can't help feeling it all probably cost too much. Hang on, I'm not going there again.

Anyway, Graham and I managed just over thirty minutes, running in a large loop up to the top field and back past the golf course. It was good to get out there and after feeling a bit bloated in the morning I was fully ready for the afternoon session.

Go with the percentages

As my wise Nepalese Guru once said, 'He who makes a good choice is truly a lucky man - or woman - indeed'. And so it came to pass that my choice of a tracker mortgage over a fixed has come up trumps. You can't get one like it for love nor money anymore. I truly was a lucky lucky man when I picked it - that's not to say the tables won't turn in the future because I'm sure they will - but not for a year or two.

So, what's all this got to do with running? - absolutely sod all - and with my lazy arse planted firmly on the old comfy sofa, that ain't going to change any time soon. On the flip side I have mooted the idea of going for a run with Graham tomorrow and as I raised the flag up the flag post he saluted. So if I can remember to take in my kit then by lunch tomrrow we should be out in the mid day sun over Ashton Court...

- and remember, the price of your investment can go down as well as up - so don't invest anything you can't afford to lose.

Thought for the day: Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Just the two of us

Rick is away so it was only Sean and I who were present to play. Jerry and the Eritreans - sounds like a 60's pop band - were on there own session, and by the look of it, going well.

With no instruction we decided to run 800's. I feel that longer reps are probably more in keeping with what I require at the moment and Sean was happy with that. So off we went. Sean was lapping in the region of 74-76s and edging quicker through the session. I was steady, if not fast. My times were 2:49, 2:55, 2:51, 2:52 and 2:51 - making five reps in all.

My calves really tightened after the session so I warmed down for a few laps and then f#@£ed off home. Sean hung around for a bit more work. He ran some 200's at a steady 32 seconds - or that was what he was planning. I was sloping away as he started his last few efforts. Fair play.

Well there it is. I'm pleased I made it out for another session but I've still an awful long way to go on the way back from perdition.

I'm starting to get into the groove

I made it home from work in record breaking time. The now notorious A40 road works, while not entirely finished, seem to have entered the next phase - the phase where they no longer completely shaft us car drivers. The phase where a dual carriage way is, well, a dual carriage way again. Where a slip road is, well, a slip road again. The phase where you can drive along a small section of road three miles long in under forty five minutes. You know, the type of road much like it was six months ago. Hang it, come to think of it, it was exactly like the road it was six months ago, back to the time before they ever dreamt up their evil money wasting scheme to take a piece of road, completely balls it up for six months and then return it to use pretty as it was before - good thinking there Mr Council, nice one. And to top it all off they're coming round to re-value my council tax band to make me pay for the bloody thing.

Anyway, I'm not bitter - ok, I'm completely bitter but I'll get over it and there are more important things like, operation reduce the lard. Talking of which, onto tonight's training. I got home from work to find Helen had taken first dibs on the new bike and she was busy putting her foot to the pedal. I waited my turn and set about a 48 minute hill session. I was puffing like a bastard come the end. I'm so unfit - but I finished and the limbs are just about holding up under the strain. In truth it was quite a buzz, pathetic as that may seem, but to come home from work and then be able to notch up a good workout without having to go any where else was pretty damn fine. And you know what, I think I could make it a habit...

Thought for the day: Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks.

Meet hammy the hamstring

I felt my hamstring pull a little yesterday - it didn't stop me putting in that final downhill effort to overtake three people mind, but it did pull slightly so I didn't run today. Instead I christened the new Reebok b5.1e exercise bike. We decided to get a fairly solid - read, mid price - not low cost, nor re-mortgage but somewhere in the middle.

I can tell you now, it's a good 'un. I can heartily recommend it if you're in the market for a mid pricer. It's got plenty of programs and near silent running - so you can stealthily draft up to the rider ahead - no, hang on, it ain't got no wheels. Anyway, I managed a steady 45 minutes on the interval setting. I can feel the hamstring but it's not too bad. I definitely need to keep an eye on it but hopefully it's just a niggle and will go away of its own accord.

Well, that's it for now. I'm off to freshen up...

Sugar babes

My 2nd race in a week, The Sugar Loaf, was not a total load of pants - but it wasn't a million miles away. I was about 4 minutes slower than last year. Conditions weren't as good this time round so I reckon I was only 3 minutes down after seasonally adjusting the figures - if it's good enough for the government it's good enough for me - we're in a time of economic prosperity and high growth at the moment aren't we? - once we seasonally adjust, that is.

Anyway, all of which makes Helen's run all the more impressive. She set a new course record - again, running a few seconds faster than my time of last year. And it was nice to meet a load of the guys and girls from Bitton RR come to join in the fun.

Oh yeah, we even had our first snow of the winter atop the loaf - as we locals call it - that's local in the sense that it is in the UK.

Right, off to get ready for a fancy dress party - apparently I'm to go as gollum!