the thames, a runner and his dog

#Janathon Day 27 - night running = getting lost, tripping, sinking, slipping and running into things

2012-01-27T23:58:00.001Z

Obviously a day for getting lost as I did tonight and so did runtezza today. It was a beautiful day for a run but I was too busy and set off too late .... when it was dark! I just can't get excited about running in the dark but Local Adventures raves about trail running at night so like a mug I tried trail running at night.

Well I got lost, and my feet got wet and muddy, I ran further than I intended and it was cold. I can't look out for owls or anything else except the odd moth that crosses the light beam of my headtorch. No, I have to concentrate on the beam of light from my headtorch so I don't trip, sink, slip or run into anything. Problem is I still trip, sink, slip and run into things. Running at night would be fine if it wasn't so dark. I will persist though.

On homeward stretch I felt really hungry and decided to listen to the first episode of Talk Ultra to take my mind of my tum. Unfortunately, hearing all about 250km runs and 10 hour training runs and running across deserts, jungles and Antarctica sort of sapped my energy! But I did find it interesting.

Still I ran 8.5 miles making my Janathon total 219 miles.

Remembering Eric

2012-01-27T00:04:00.001Z

Just before my run today I found out a school friend had passed away. During my run I thought about my friend from school a great deal and ended up running just over 11 miles, which was a good few miles more than I had originally intended. I do wish we had managed to get together (he lived in South Africa) and do that run together but we didn't. But as I ran tonight I remembered Eric.

#Janathon Day 25 - Fleet smashes a 100 miles and knots again

2012-01-25T22:15:00.001Z

Fleet has completed his century with a Janathon total of 108 miles, well done Fleet :-)

Last night I played badminton singles with my son for an hour. Great fun despite my tired legs.

This morning Fleet and I ran 9.1 miles, the first mile is always the hardest. This brings my Janathon total to 199 miles.

It was Cubs tonight and I taught them (or tried) how to tie a sheet bend. I also went over how to tie a reef knot using a slightly different method that I think is easier for Cub age kids to remember rather than left over right .. etc. The good thing about this method I'd worked out, is it makes it easier to teach how to tie a sheet bend.

#Janathon Day 24 - my legs are aching :-(

2012-01-24T19:47:00.002Z

I've decided that my leg muscles are not going to recover until I have a few days off and so they will probably ache for the rest of Janathon, lovely :-(

Maybe tonight's badminton will help a little ... or not. Normally all five of us go but it has been reduced to two of us, me and my youngest son. Singles for an hour ... my tired legs!

Stuck on a bug in my work too, so that's not helping.

Run today was 8.45 miles (in the drizzle) and my Janathon total is now 190 miles.

#Janathon Day 23 - my 99 miler dog

2012-01-23T21:38:00.002Z

Fleet has run 99 miles with me (he's run more really if you count the back forth style of running he does). The truth is it is probably 100 miles if I added all the fractions of a mile together and I was tempted to add them up but then he wouldn't be a 99 miler dog :-) it has a nice ring to it!

He is definitely getting fitter and faster, unlike me who might be getting fitter (I think or theorise) but definitely not faster. My legs really need a rest as they feel quite heavy, clomp, clomp clomp along I go. I should have a rest day but I want to run every day in January. I'm not actually competing with anybody or maybe I am, I don't know, but I do want to do better than I did in Juneathon - I hope my legs hold out.

And of course I also want to carry on into February and Marathon Talk's Febulous (the February section of Jantastic). Incidentally, I was wrong about the total weekly mileage, you have to set the target length of your 'long run' (not total mileage) and the number of times you want to run each week. I think my target will probably be to run 5 times a week with a long run of 10 miles(ish) and maybe one longer run of say 13 miles once a month, but I'm still undecided.

So my/our run today was 8 miles and my Janathon total is now 181 miles but more importantly Fleet's total is now 99 miles :-) making him ... the 99 miler dog!

#Janathon Day 22 - holding myself together and an Olympic blockage

2012-01-22T16:41:00.001Z

First thing this morning went out for a pleasant walk with my wife and Fleet. Returned and did a few chores, booked badminton court for Tuesday and had a lunchtime bagel.

Then decided to head out for a long run while my wife dropped my youngest at a (not so local) cinema, I'm picking up later, sigh. My run took me along the Thames and all go was going well but the bagel (or something) was um, uh well searching for a low level exit strategy. I figured I would maintain self control and carry on regardless but unfortunately I had to stop every so often to, well, hold myself together a bit.

Carried on running and then reached a fence blocking the towpath! The towpath around Dorney Lake has been closed off until November because of the Olympics and the need for a temporary bridge over the river. I'm all for the Olympics but I'm not sure why the towpath has to be closed for so long? So I ran up to Dorney Lake to find lots of people walking around there. A duathlon had just finished and I thought ... toilets! And yes, I found clean toilets (duathletes must be a tidy bunch) and was um, very relieved.

My run back was much better although I started feeling hungry. Total run was 13 miles bringing my Janathon total to 173 miles.

#Janathon Day 21 - rainbows, #Jantastic and isn't Fleet doing well

2012-01-21T20:49:00.001Z

As runtezza has pointed out, Fleet has almost reached his ton! He is now at 91 miles and seems to be managing a lot better than I am.

Although I'm not feeling that bad, knees okay (check), Achilles okay (check), hips okay (check), muscles okay ... well maybe not but it's not that surprising at this point in Janathon. Still, only one week left but then I am also doing Jantastic and that goes right through to the end of March, oh well.

I set a target of 5 runs per week for Jantastic but I've been averaging 7. Next month I expect I will drop down to 5 runs a week and I'm thinking of setting a weekly mileage of 30 miles, something to consider.

On my return part of my run today it rained but on the bright side I was very lucky to see a double rainbow straight ahead. With the open fields all about it looked like a huge finish line arch intended for me, beautiful :-) My run today was 8.2 miles.

My Janathon mileage is now 160 miles and, as I mentioned, Fleet's mileage is 91 miles.

#Janathon Day 20 - doggy Christmas decorations and almost running into stays

2012-01-20T21:59:00.002Z

Fleet came running with me today and wore his tri-colour flashing LED, it looks like a little Christmas decoration. It works very well and drivers definitely notice him. Our run was 8.2 miles and it was dark when we got back home.

Talking of running in the dark, on my run in the dark last night I almost ran into a telephone pole stay, that was with a headtorch on too! I would have hit it square on with my head and I know I don't run that fast but it would have been a nasty collision, surely stays on public paths should have reflective material on them?

Short post today so my Janathon mileage is now 152 miles and Fleet's is 83 miles.

#Janathon Day 19 - yawning plus other things

2012-01-19T23:46:00.000Z

I'm yawning away as I write this, I'm not getting enough sleep, oh well!

Eldest son only had one hour's sleep last night as he was doing TMAs, which he finished and submitted. Subsequently I drove him to work (nice Dad that I am). Also had to take youngest son to drama school after his normal school. Ordered a sofabed and toilet seat. Made breakfast (porridge), washed up, took out rubbish. Also arranged First Aid course as requirement for Cub Leader, printed out my OU course timetable. Did some further revision in preparation of OU course. Worked solid for rest of time, was stuck on bug but eventually solved it :-) , but customer hasn't paid invoice :-( so suspending work (this is frustrating and irritating). Notice no mention of a run.

(still yawning)

Ended up running this evening but it wasn't that bad even though it was at night. It was a road run but large tracts were not lit so I used my headtorch with flashing red light on back ;-) Quite mild outside, run was 8 miles

Came home and had heated discussion with one of sons :-(

Realised that all my running kit is in the wash so put some washing on, hope it dries in time when I hang it up tomorrow!

My Janathon total is now 144 miles.

(yawn ...)

#Janathon Day 18 - overheating, bugs, Cubs, knots and the recovery position

2012-01-18T21:40:00.001Z

I wore too much for my run today and I was a bit too hot, probably overheated a bit, but I did another 8.1 miles plus it was drizzling too - I wonder if I was steaming?

Then I worked and worked and worked trying to solve a bug in my design, right up to 5 minutes before Cubs. Then I threw my uniform on and rushed off to Cubs where I arrived just about on time Tonight we did knots and a bit of First Aid including the recovery position (I was the patient, I need recovering) and games of course :-) Helped me forget the bug in my design!

Rushed home 'very hungry' and had dinner ... and here I am writing this post.

My Janathon total is now 136 miles.

#Janathon Day 17 - and all I can think of is bed

2012-01-17T21:16:00.000Z

Run today with Fleet was 7.1 miles and Fleet had/needed a swim to remove all the mud.

Middle son had a maths A level exam today so I drove him into school and oldest son had psychology TMA to submit by 12, which he did :-)

Played and hour of badminton this evening as soon as my wife arrived home. She went off to Scout exec meeting immediately afterwards and I made the dinner which she will eat later. As you can see it's a bit busy round here! I have Cubs tomorrow night, it's a knot night so I need to check that I remember the relevant knots.

I am very tired, yawn. Local Adventures thought up a poem ... all I can think of is bed. My running is not feeling very poetic at the moment!

Janathon miles are 128 miles for me and 75 miles for Fleet.

#Janathon Day 16 - Garmin had a flat and poo parcels

2012-01-16T21:53:00.001Z

Monday morning and I looked outside and, if I'm honest, I made enough excuses or created enough deviations so I didn't have to run in the icy cold ... wimp? Yes, I think so. I decided that lunchtime was the best time for a run.

Lunchtime came ... and went, I was too busy on debugging a new design (i.e. work was getting in the way of running, a bad state of affairs really). I had a breakthrough with my work and thought, 'I better go for that run', picked up my Garmin and blank screen! The battery was not charged as I hadn't fitted the charging clip on correctly. What to do? I decided I'd charge it for as long as possible and delay my run just long enough so I came home in the light (I was taking a late lunch break plus all the rest of the time I was working).

My Garmin was partially charged so decided to risk it. Set off ... running shoes not right (I think they're wearing at the the back, new Innov8s me thinks), adjusted them and went a few more metres, adjusted them again and started off hoping I wouldn't get a blister (I've never actually had a blister running). Then Fleet decided he need a poo, sigh, bagged poo and left strategically for return pick up. Rest of first half of run was very pleasant.

On the way back (i.e. just past the halfway point) Fleet 'encouraged' me to try a path I hadn't been down before ... we got lost! Eventually found my way out of a maze of roads and started running home. 'Beep, beep' went the Garmin, battery low. Oh dear, what was I going to do? Perhaps try and run faster and get home before the Garmin battery runs out. But I'm tired, sigh, run faster, started running faster. Fleet loves this but he can now run faster than I can, so I had to keep up, so running faster than I was expecting. Identify a cycle to my running:

Run faster! Briefly feel good (for running faster)! Get puffed! Getting cold! Getting dark! Too tired for this! But Garmin battery draining! So ...
Run faster! Briefly feel good (for running faster)! Get puffed! Getting cold! Getting dark! Too tired for this! But Garmin battery draining! So ...
Run faster! Briefly feel good (for running faster)! Get puffed! Getting cold! Getting dark! Too tired for this! But Garmin battery draining! So ...
etc.

It was really starting to get quite dark and cold, brrr. My hands were starting to freeze despite having gloves on. Picked up poo parcel but soon after my Garmin went blank (as expected). Fortunately it was close to home so I was able to estimate the remaining distance fairly easily. Arrived home and took a long while to warm up despite having hot shower. But, solved problem on my design :-)

Total mileage today was 9.6 miles.

So that makes my Janathon total 121 miles and Fleet's must be about 68 miles ( he doesn't actually care).

#Janathon Day 15 - in trouble, acquring dogs and sticky, slippy mud

2012-01-15T18:59:00.000Z

Another busy day but I did manage to squeeze a run in. However, I was out a bit too long and I got in trouble :-s. Run today was 9.1 miles with Fleet, he needed a swim as it was quite muddy. It was the sticky yet slippery mud variety, I ended up with mud all up the back of my legs - must be something odd about the way I run!

Almost acquired another dog, I reached a road and went to put on Fleet's lead and I found a little dog had joined our run. Ran back and eventually found the owner.

My Janathon mileage is now 111 miles and Fleet's is now 59 miles.

#Janathon Day 14 - scouting for goods and the mystery path

2012-01-15T00:00:00.000Z

I have been on my feet most of the day today ...

Went for a good walk with my wife and our dog Fleet in the morning. Frosty again, our dog loves the frost (and snow), he gets very excited and runs around madly. Walked past a group of runners who might be part of a fitness group, I'm not sure. Thing is I know two of the guys in this group and this is now the second time I've seen them running hard and I've been walking casually past knowing full well that I will be running later that day, and I'm sure they are looking at me as if to say 'you've stopped running' and I want to say 'no I haven't, I'm running later' but I don't because that would just sound silly and a bit pathetic and I know that they're not really thinking what they think I'm thinking and it's really all just in my head ... so, sorry, I feel better now.

After our walk I went out for a run along the Thames (told you I would) all the way to the bridge that carries the M4 over the Thames. I discovered that some steps there go up to the M4 and there is a path that runs right next to the motorway. I was quite surprised to find a path so close to the motorway? I think next time I might follow the path to see where it goes, I wonder if I could get back down to the Jubilee River? Where does the path go, a mystery.

After my run I came home and took my youngest son to the local sports shop and we bought him a badminton racket. Then it was off shopping at Sainsburys (sigh), our family eats so much that we often have two trolleys for our weekly shop but this time we didn't expect to be purchasing quite as much bulk so one trolley would do. So instead I went off scouting for items further afield in the outer regions of the store while my wife gathered perishables within the scope of a few aisles. I would return to the trolley laden with goods, check their suitability and then after acceptance of said goods would then head off again in search of the next items. The problem with this hunter/gatherer approach to the weekly shop is that I end up walking miles! By the time we had unpacked the shopping I was exhausted. I'm getting two trolleys next time.

So despite running 10.2 miles today, I suspect that I've doubled that walking! And, some of those miles were the very hardest miles that a man can do ... miles covered shopping!! And they don't even count for Janathon.

Janathon total is now 102 miles and I am very tired and need to go to bed.

Goodnight, yawn :-)

#Janathon Day 13 - thumb blister, quantum mechanics and a frost

2012-01-13T23:30:00.000Z

I think I have a blister on my thumb! This evening I replaced the overgrips on 'six' badminton rackets. The blister is a result of trying to remove the old overgrip tape on the badminton rackets. All done and ready for our family badminton session on Tuesday. This time we should have no grubby hands from perishing rubber. The handles are quite tacky now, non slip performance grips for maxim power transfer and control, I can hear those power shots even now ... I wish :-)

Also received my Open University course materials today. I'm doing a course on quantum mechanics but I've spotted some more maths I need to revise before the course starts, I haven't done much studying for a while so hopefully it will go okay.

My run this morning was much, much better than last night's. It helps running in the daylight, with a frost on the ground and a blue sky. I should have taken a camera, beautiful view over the Jubilee River looking back towards Taplow. Good run, not boring but I had freezing hands by the time I reached home. So a nine mile run this morning and with my faithful dog, Fleet :-) A good one, slow but good.

So my Janathon total is now 92 miles and Fleet's is 50 miles.

#Janathon Day 12 - boring run in the dark

2012-01-12T21:01:00.003Z

I can't imagine that title will attract much interest. What more can I say other than I ran 4.1 miles, it was dark and I had a head torch on.

I could tell you about the blinding lights and how cars don't dip their headlights just because I'm a runner with a headtorch. I can also crash, you know! I can't see the path with dazzling headlights in my eyes. I should have a massive headlight that I can flash at drivers!

I'm tempted to make something up about my run but I'm far too honest, I'd never make a tabloid journalist or banker.

No, it was a boring 4.1 mile run during which time I considered why on earth I was out running, why I was running at all and how tedious it was. When I got back I felt much better not because I had run but because I wasn't doing a boring run in the dark. Sorry if you were looking for motivation here :-(

Okay, so I'm in a grim mood today - It'll be better tomorrow I'm sure, I hope. Sigh.

My Janathon total is now 83 miles.

#Janathon Day 11 - a games evening at Cubs

2012-01-11T22:38:00.000Z

So, as predicted, non-running-muscles-used-in-badminton are starting to ache a bit. I wonder how I will feel tomorrow?

Tonight was the first Cub Night of the year. It was a games evening and it was great fun. I ended up arriving a little later because of work, but, despite the rush, it was good to be involved again. I'm not doing the preparation for the evenings just. turning up to help out, although I am now back in uniform again. It's really rewarding and fun, we just need more volunteers, no shortage of kids! Sadly one of our two Beaver Colonies (which is full and has a waiting list) will be closing down because we can't find any leaders to run it. Sigh!

Went running this morning with Fleet and ran 8.1 miles. This makes my Janathon total 79 miles and Fleet's 41 miles.

#Janathon Day 10 - badminton limb freeing and grubby hands

2012-01-10T23:57:00.001Z

Just did a short run today of 3.5 miles and with Fleet.

All five us (not including Fleet, although he’d probably love tearing backand forth) played badminton tonight, brilliant fun. I haven't played badmintonin ages and we all had so much fun that we decided to book another court againfor next Tuesday evening.

What was even better is that it transpired that I had pre-purchasedbadminton sessions from ages and ages ago so I didn't have to pay tonight andhave two more prepaid sessions :-) Icherish these moments of fortune more than I should.

However, we all had grubby hands as the grip tape on most of our rackets isperishing so I will have to seek out a suitable supplier of grip tape. We havesix rackets and I've replaced the grip on only one of them (I think). Plus myyoungest son wants his own racket too so the saving on courts (not a realsaving I suppose given that it was a prepayment) will contribute to a newracket and grip tape. I'm sure I remember putting grip tape on was quitefiddly?

The badminton seems to have helped my legs too; they feel much better now... I wonder how they will feel tomorrow? But I must be positive ;-)

My Janathon total is now 71 miles and Fleet's is 33 miles.

#Janathon Day 9 - my legs might just fall off

2012-01-09T23:01:00.001Z

I still haven't had a day off running and I'm wondering if I don't, will the aching in my legs stop? If I carry on running will the aching subside? Will my legs fall off? Or will my pace just gradually become slower and slower? I must do a shorter run tomorrow!

I definitely must do a shorter run tomorrow, or maybe not run at all. Despite the tired, aching legs, I've booked a badminton court for tomorrow evening for some family fun. Hmm, every time I play badminton after a break, I inevitably ache all over ... maybe the legs won't feel as bad :-)

Anyway I must get to bed, I ran 7.4 miles today with Fleet, who is now a happy dog. This makes my Janathon total 67 miles and Fleet's about 30 miles.

#Janathon Day 8 - Did and done

2012-01-08T22:46:00.002Z

Did breakfast. Did go for walk with wife and dog. Did my tax return. Did lunch. Did take middle son to work at sweet shop. Did run of 7.24 miles (surely can't be that accurate). Did log said run. Did bins. Did briefly help eldest son with pshychology essay (uh ... just a couple of sentences). Did suggest wife was better qualified to help him (she is). Did help wife with I.T. problems (I'm better qualified) but didn't sort out final problem (obviously not qualified enough). Did other chores plus more chores, sigh. Did study a bit. Did carve and eat roast (yum). Did watch Sherlock with wife snuggled up and two sons. Did this blog. Done 60 miles so far for Janathon.

#Janathon Day 7 - An escapade past a hotel ...

2012-01-07T21:20:00.000Z

Tried a new run today through Cliveden which is a local National Trust property. Started out from Cookham and crossed the Thames at Cookham Bridge. Then straight across a muddy field, through some houses and then uphill along quite an awkward trail that follows the road. Had to run around a recently fallen tree (didn't fancy risking going under it as it was propped up on a fence).

Then I started working out a way into the estate. The main house and gardens is closed at this time of year but a section of woodlands (aptly called Woodlands) is open so I ended up running all the way to this part of the estate with a car park. This wasn't particularly pleasant as I had to run along the road for some sections as the path disappeared. I anticipated I might have this problem which is why I chose not to bring Fleet on the run.

Anyway I reached the Woodlands Car Park entrance (National Trust) and I asked the chap at the gate if it was possible to pass all the way through the estate so I didn't have to risk the road. He said I couldn't as it was private, this confused me a little but what he meant was it was all owned by the National Trust ... I showed him my membership card and said 'That's different then!' - made me feel quite important, part of the Club :-) He then proceeded to tell me that I should be able to get through the estate and out of the entrance reserved for the hotel and that I could probably use this route in the future, just explain to anybody that I was going to/from Woodlands and keep away from the house. I'd been reluctant to try this entrance on the way up as (called Hedsor Gate), despite my earlier post about going round fields, I'm actually quite a law abiding sort of guy and don't like getting in trouble unnecessarily.

So after chatting a little more to the helpful National Trust chap during which time we both complained about how few public footpaths there were that side of the river, I set off. Now he said to follow the route along the river and then up the road which keeps some distance from the house where the 'expensive' hotel is. Well I tried this but alas, workmen were digging up the road I need to run along. I had a choice to either turn round and run all the way back or risk running up to the house ... gulp! After a bit of thought I figured that I would risk the house (expensive hotel) route and explain that I was just trying to find the way out and was a bit lost, which was actually true! Besides, I'm grey enough such that younger people are disinclined to confront me and older ones might think I was a guest, there are some benefits to premature greying, although I'm sadly getting to the age where it might not be considered premature anymore, sigh! I spotted a path through the woods that had a sign that said, very helpfully, 'The House'. Surely I wasn't going to come across men in camouflage gear and air rifles ... surely not :-s (read previous post for explanation).

I ran out of the woods and I was at the house! 'Keep running', I thought. I decided that I would keep away from open areas, not because of snipers ... really (previous post reference again). I ran past the Orangery Restaurant all the time convinced I would bump into somebody important. I was relieved when I arrived at the road in front of the house only to see workmen in a truck with fluorescent jackets (always a sign of authority) looking at me! Yipes!

What to do?

Well you'll be pleased to know that I walked boldly up to them, told them that I was lost and was trying to find the Hedsor Gate (the name of the entrance/exit). They were actually very helpful and friendly and it was only just a few hundred metres up the road :-) They probably thought I was a guest! Incidentally, a hotel car did drive past me with two young staff members in it (a young man and lady), they smiled and waved at me ... they must have thought I was a guest too, or they might have been skiving, or I looked too much like their Dad and they really wouldn't want to confront me. I was quickly out of the estate and ran back home.

So it was a muddy run but one I would definitely will do again. When the workmen have finished the road repairs it will be even easier and the Woodlands area has an outdoor exercise trail thingy. Now I know how quickly I can run past the house I hardly think it will be a problem. Once the house is open again it will be even easier.

The route was 8.5 miles altogether but I could make it shorter in the future. Next place I want to investigate running through is Taplow Court which is Buddhist owned ... I have a relation who helps out there in the coffee shop on weekends so she might be able to give me the lay of the land ;-)

So my total Janathon mileage is 53 miles, I hadn't planned to run quite so far today.

#Janathon Day 6 - tired legs, confused dog running pace and Jantastic plan

2012-01-06T18:21:00.000Z

And another beautiful sunny morning. Felt good outside in the sun but my poor leg muscles don't feel so good! Oh well, I'm planning on having a day off running this weekend and do some other exercise.

I've considered adding Fleet (my dog) on the Running Free website and adding runs that he completes with me. Of course he ends up running a lot more than that but it might be fun.

Talking of Fleet, when I'm tiring and starting to run slower (most of the time at the moment) I think my pace ends up falling between his natural running speed and his trot. Poor dog struggles a bit when I have to put him on his lead, he sort of oscillates between two paces.

Hopefully I will look after my legs enough to be able to continue with the Marathon Talk Jantastic thingy that carries on into March.

So my run today was 7.1 miles taking my Janathon total to 44 miles.
Fleet's total is now 22 miles.

#Janathon Day 5 - the pigeon shooters and running round the field dilemma!

2012-01-05T21:12:00.000Z

So I keep thinking I should run around the field again. This is a route I did for quite a while until I was confronted by a camouflaged man with an air rifle in the neighbouring field about a week ago. He told me that the route I was taking was not a public right of way and they were shooting pigeons which was about the moment I spotted another camouflaged man in what looked like a very professional sniper pose ... probably shooting pigeons. I had obviously disturbed the pigeons in my fluorescent jacket and with my eager dog. They looked like they wanted to be soldiers, and they had guns so I didn't argue. I also thought they might be the owners of the field but I'm not sure now, as there is a gun shop that backs onto the field they were in.

I know it's not a public right of way but houses back onto it and I do no damage. The only rubbish I've ever seen was a pile of empty cartridges. If I knew who owned the farm I'd ask them if they wouldn't mind me running round their field. I think I might have spoken to the farmer a few months back when I found a dead swan in a stream in the vicinity, but I'm not sure and I don’t have the number anymore. Do you think i should risk it again and stuff the bird shooters, who have guns, and who are probably wannabe soldiers?!

I don't know why shooting birds is considered a sport. When I was about fourteen I shot a little bird with an air rifle. I remember looking at the bird and feeling ashamed and sad, I never shot anything again. From what I've read it's not even a very good method of controlling the pigeon population.

I also thought they should have had a flag or something up to let people know that they were shooting as there are houses nearby?

The question is, should I run round the field again? I'd actually quite like to wind the wannabe soldiers up but I don't want to annoy the farmer!

I've got that off my chest. In other news my son didn't get an offer for Cambridge but he tried is best and will probably go to Birmingham, even if he receives and offer from Imperial. I'm very proud of him :-)

Oh yes, I went running with my dog again today, 8.2 miles. He enjoyed it but is a bit fed up with aggressive dogs!

My total Janathon mileage is now 37 miles and Fleet's is about 15 miles.

Got to go now, hope this has no errors ...

#Janathon Day 4 - a sunny run with my dog and types of mud

2012-01-04T20:05:00.000Z

Sunny morning run today :-) With my dog too :-) :-)

During winter I progressively get better at running on slippery mud. The mud was definitely more slippery today than yesterday when it was more watery. Tomorrow the mud will probably start sticking to my running shoes so tomorrow so I'll be a few inches taller by the time I get home.

Fleet, my dog, was very muddy too so we stopped so he could have a swim in a stream closer to home. He was a very happy chap.

So another slow run of 7.3 miles.

In other news my youngest son will be finishing performing in 'The Railway Children' at Waterloo on Friday, two more days. A bit of relief in terms of travelling for us but I expect he will be sad. I think the area at Waterloo Station will be turned to shops which is a shame, it was a great production.

My middle son should hear if he has a place at Cambridge tomorrow, either way he's done really well.

Janathon total is now 29 miles.

#Janathon Day 3 - windy, wombling, whinging, whateverness (but not wet)

2012-01-03T20:54:00.000Z

A hard run against the wind today! Fortunately I set out before the serious downpour..

It was a bit of a mess outside our house as rubbish from bins had blown about as it was bin-collection-after-the-festive-season-day. So I ended up picking up some litter and wheeled a neighbour's bin out the road, and then once I'd done my Wombling I was off.

I wore my new (Christmas present) Montane lightweight jacket with hood. I was very happy with it :-)

I couldn't work out what was happening with the wind direction? I set out across the fields bent against the wind worrying that I was going to be going so slow that my Garmin watch would 'pause' (it's on auto pause). I kept reminding myself that the wind would be behind me on the return leg, but on the way back the wind kept changing direction so I ended up doing a kind of interval session.

The end result was 5.9 miles. Oh yes, and my legs are aching a bit and I'm taking too long with the blogging and I'm too busy at work and why did I register for an OU module and I really need to start stretching more and ... that's enough! Sigh.

Janathon total is 21 miles.

#Janathon Day 2 - Boring Post Warning

2012-01-02T17:23:00.000Z

Warning! A boring post today:

I squeezed another run in today of 7.3 miles. I'm not sure how much time I will have for running in the coming month, I think if I don't fit them in first thing in the morning then it will be difficult to find time later. Tomorrow I will run with my dog who, fortunately, had a walk later in the day.

! That is such a boring post. I did actually write something extra that was more interesting but I removed it, it spoilt the tone.

Janathon total from Running Free is 16 miles (bit of rounding error going on there)
Jantastic starts today.

#Janathon Day 1 - Too much wine, sigh!

2012-01-01T21:44:00.000Z

I had a bit too much red wine last night/morning plus champagne too but at least we tidied the house before going to bed. Woke up parched with headache but H2O helped.

Dragged on running gear and set off just before 8am clutching lucozade bottle in vain attempt to readjust hydration levels! Really quiet and no other runners and no toilets open, which was a bit of a problem.

But I enjoyed my run and arrived home feeling much better ... until about 5 minutes later when headache returned. Spent rest of day at family gathering and had a great time :-)

Janathon total 8.2 miles

Day 30 of Juneathon - completed, thank you Cathy :-)

2011-06-30T22:46:00.000+01:00

I really did not feel like running this evening. I'm tired, I have a swollen calf from an insect bite from last night's run, it was almost 9pm and I'd not long eaten. But I dragged myself out and staggered seven miles of pseudo running to the music of John Barry, it was a lovely evening, when I took the time to notice. My main problem (a recurring one) was eating to soon before running, I won't go into all the details!

My final Juneathon total is 204 miles and besides tiredness and a swollen calf I'm still in one piece which is a better result than Janathon.

This month I've started running with my wife again and my middle son, with a promise from my eldest son that he wants to start running too. Tonight is also my eldest son's Leaving Ball so that's my first child out of school, sigh!

A big thank you to Cathy and her team for organising Juneathon :-)

I must get to bed now as I have a long drive tomorrow, I'm taking my son to another university open day.

Day 29 of Juneathon - work, PC problems, Art Exhibition, Cub cycling and more work

2011-06-30T10:25:00.000+01:00

I always knew it was going to be a busy week and yesterday was something of a peak of business.

Up at 6am and started work and completed circuit diagram design before breakfast. Did some household chores, breakfast etc., did some more work. Had my lunch at my desk, loaded bikes into car ready for Cubs. Did some more work.

Tried closing my computer, it crashed! Had to leave for my son's art exhibition at 4.45pm.

Great to see my son's work :-) He's a very good artist. I'm sure that the art teacher believes I'm the one that's convinced his prized pupil to drop art, I'm the engineer that he believes just wouldn't do art. Some people think you can't love/do art if you also have a scientific bent, sigh! Anyway, it was my son's decision to choose Chemical Engineering at uni and to drop art for A2 but I'm not sure I will convince the art teacher.

Dashed off from the school, went home and found my PC wasn't booting. Wondered how I was going to log my run, wondering how I was going to fit in a run! Changed for Cubs and rushed out to meeting point for cycling with Cubs. Had a brilliant time cycling with the Cubs across the fields for about an hour and a half. Eventually arrived home about 9pm, still no run!

Changed for run, but very hungry so grabbed a slice of bread and a gel. Started a recovery on my PC and set off for run, much later than 9pm. Started worrying if I would be able to download my run ... tried forgetting about this and listened to Marathon Talk.

Ran six miles and returned home to dinner. Had my dinner straight after my run. Decided I'd better check my PC (putting this off), glanced at my Garmin and it was starting to download :-) so tentatively looked at my PC - it had booted up :-) :-) Downloaded and logged my run, whew! My son comes home from his performance ... I eventually get to bed in the early hours of um, today.

Up at 6am ....

My Juneathon total is now 197 miles.

Day 28 of Juneathon - running on empty and a standing ovation (not for me)

2011-06-29T10:29:00.001+01:00

Ran a difficult eight miles yesterday before dinner yesterday. I was a bit hungry which didn't help, running on empty.

I'm not sure when I will fit a run in today! I have so much work to do so I started working at about 6.30am today and finished a section of circuit design. I'm going to my middle son's art exhibition at 5pm and then afterwards I'm off to a Cub cycle ride. For the cycle ride I have to find two extra helmets, check my bike, fix up an extra bike for a Cub and load them in my car which means taking seats out. I only have time enough to change between the art exhibition and the Cub cycle ride ... hopefully! This means I need to load the bikes etc. before I go to the exhibition. Oh well, I'm sure it will work out - I might run later this evening ...

In other news my youngest son performed at the Press Night for The Railway Children and they received a standing ovation :-) He has another performance tonight.

My eldest son went off to school today dressed in a skirt and blouse for Muck-Up day! I suppose we will find out later what they got up to ...

My Juneathon total is now 191 miles.

Day 27 of Juneathon - hot and humid 10 miles and my eldest son has finished school

2011-06-28T07:55:00.000+01:00

It was threatening a thunder storm yesterday afternoon so I decided I'd better squeeze in a run before any thunder and lightening. Ran from home, then along the river, over the river and back a different route. It was very hot and humid so I kept the pace slower.

I didn't take a drink with me but I did pop into a shop and bought myself a Lucozade Sport at about mile, irritatingly I couldn't make use off the special offer for two bottles! That drink tasted soooo good :-)

I ran past a group of people dressed up waiting for a boat trip, looked a bit uncomfortable in this heat. I guess people probably thought the same about me but it wasn't that bad, yes I was hot and sweaty but I felt okay - I'd definitely rather be running in the heat than having to dress up in it! Anyway, it was good to fit in a longer run as I wasn't able to on the weekend.

In other news, it was my eldest son's last exam yesterday which brings to a close his schooling, end of an era. My youngest son is performing at the Press Night for The Railway Children in London tonight so he'll be leaving school a little earlier this afternoon.

My 10 miles brings my Juneathon mileage to about 182 miles.

Day 26 of Juneathon - went running with my 16 year old son and I couldn't keep up at the end!

2011-06-27T09:08:00.000+01:00

For the first time I went out for a run with my 16 year old son today. We set out at a slow to moderate pace with Fleet pulling us along. My son was soon running very comfortably in what was a very hot morning and we chatted as we ran though the fields. After about a mile I asked him how far he wanted to run, I described the various routes and he decided on the five mile run. The furthest he had run previously was the cross-country at school which we think was between two and three miles.

We ran the first 2.5 miles non stop. At the half way point we turned around immediately and I suggested we could run the second half faster for a negative split. We started running faster and then my son asked if we could run faster still, so we upped the pace again! At this stage poor Fleet (our dog) was slowing a bit in the heat so we stopped off at a stream with a lovely deep pool that he could swim in - it looked very inviting to us too.

After Fleet had enjoyed a bit of stick retrieving and had cooled down, we set off for the remainder of the run which was just over a mile. My son suggested running faster still, which we did. Then in the last half a mile he said can we run even faster! Well I did try to keep up but he was just too fast and he ran ahead for the last two to three hundred metres - it was definitely a negative split!

I am very pleased to say that my son is very keen to continue running and now has his sights on the school cross-country race at the end of the year. I think this is going to help my running too, I am under no illusion that I will be able to keep up with him but I do think that running with my son is going to push my running and it's fun too :-)

My Juneathon total is now higher than Janathon at 172 miles. Fleet has now run 23 miles and my middle son 5 miles. It's also my oldest son's last exam in sixth form today ... no more secondary school! :-)

Day 25 of Juneathon - busy ... and it's going to get even busier!

2011-06-26T10:55:00.001+01:00

Up early yesterday so that we could make our way to Surrey University in good time. We were all very impressed by the campus and, even more importantly, the Chemical Engineering Department.

We arrived back home later in the afternoon and then went for a run with my wife and Fleet (our dog). Ran an easy 3.5 miles with a couple of stops for Fleet to have a swim, it was actually quite humid. A busy rest of the day and that was it.

My Juneathon mileage is now 167 miles which is what my total Janathon total mileage was. I'm not sure how much running I can fit in today, we'll see.

In fact it's going to be a really busy week, my youngest is performing today, has Press Night on Tuesday and is also performing on Wednesday. My middle son has a visit to Imperial on Thursday and Birmingham Uni on Friday, he then leaves for an Engineering Headstart course on Monday at Loughborough Uni and comes home on Thursday, and the we go to Cambridge on Friday after which I have to be back in time to got to a wedding reception in the evening. My eldest has his last exam tomorrow, his Leaver's Ball on Thursday and then is off to Greece on Saturday and comes back the following Saturday, two trips to Gatwick ... sigh! So I'm both taxiing and visiting universities a great deal over the next two weeks, plus I have Cubs and a career talk on engineering for the Year 12s ... and I have so much work to do so I shall be trying to slot that around everything else including, unfortunately, today and possibly next weekend. Oh well, the hedges shan't be cut but I will still fit some runs and some family time in, I'm doing a barbecue tonight :-)

As I said my Juneathon total is 167 miles, my wife has now run 31 miles in June and Fleet has run 18 miles.

Day 24 of Juneathon - steaming (as in water vapour) and seven wet ones

2011-06-25T00:00:00.000+01:00

Why do I find it so hard to go out in the rain for Juneathon but for Janathon when it was really horrible I found it easier, have I become soft?

Anyway, I looked out the window and complained to my wife that it was raining, she promptly told me not to be a wimp and kicked me out the door, well sort of. A short run it was to be, maybe a couple of miles ... which turned into four ... then six ... and ended up being seven. Seven wet miles :-)

I stopped just under half way at three miles (at that stage I thought it was half way) and I noticed steam! Steam? I looked around to find the source and strangely the steam seemed to be following me!! Yes readers (or maybe reader looking at my stats - 'Hi, Mum') I was steaming and I actually felt a little self conscious about it, it must have looked very odd ... perhaps even creepy :-s All that steam escaping wherever there was a hole ... wet and steamy, like a swamp thing, a running swamp thing.

I'd tell you about the rest of my day but it would only bore you so I shall leave you with my Juneathon total of 164 miles. University visiting with my middle son tomorrow morning.

Day 23 of Juneathon - a run that was shortened and Marathon Talk's Magic Mile Challenge sounds tempting

2011-06-24T09:36:00.000+01:00

Went for my run after dinner yesterday, not a very good idea. I had hoped to run further but (on account of having dinner) I needed to turn back home and walk a bit to prevent a run. This is a subject I've covered before so no more detail is required!

So I've run every day in June and I must admit I feel like a rest now. Almost without fail, a rest of a day or two improves my performance ... slightly. All I can say is that I'm glad I'm not Ron Hill. What a bind to 'have' to run to keep your record going! I'm enjoying Juneathon but there is a limit to it (namely July) but to run every day since 1964! Now I know he is revered and has god-like status in the running community and I admire his achievements but .... not this one I'm afraid. He has run every day for almost every day of my life and it just seems to me to be a bit, well, obsessive ... a bit like me at the moment :-)

I listened to Marathon Talk and the 'The Marathon Talk Magic Mile Global Team Challenge' (that's a bit of a mouthful) seems like fun, well a bit of challenge. I've been thinking that I'd like to concentrate on some speedwork and this might provide the motivation. Anybody else tempted?

So I managed to run about 4 miles yesterday before having to head home, lifting my Juneathon total slightly to 157 miles, I was hoping it was going to be 160 miles, oh well.

Day 22 of Juneathon - sticky, messy Cubs cooking over fires and choosing a DJ that wasn't for my son

2011-06-23T09:01:00.000+01:00

Went to Windsor to Moss and Brothers with my eldest son in the afternoon to hire a Dinner Suit for his Leavers' Ball, ended up purchasing a slim fit suit! After all the stress of exams it was good to do something more relaxing and enjoyable, he has one more exam left next week and then that's it.

After we returned home I went for a run of about 8 miles. I've not really had enough sleep recently and I think that the lack of sleep is not helping my running, I definitely felt a bit tired.

After my run I came home, got ready for Cubs and identified one of our 'many' bikes that might be the correct size for a Cub. Loaded the bike into my car and headed down to the field where we meet.
The bicycle was the correct size so we had a happy Cub who can now participate in the cycle ride we're doing next week. The Cubs made fires and did some simple backwoods cooking, they are really good bunch of kids and it seemed they had lots of fun. They baked dough spiralled on sticks and toasted marshmallows over their fires, they also managed to scatter quite a bit of flour over themselves. A few of the Cubs managed to get quite a bit of melted marshmallow over themselves too - marshmallow, flour and grass ... a sticky, messy combination.

When we were baking the dough sticks I mentioned to one of the kids that I baked bread every day. He looked up at me and asked if that was what I did for a job, I said no but that it was bread for our family and that we got through over a loaf a day. He looked puzzled and said, 'If you bake bread who earns the money?'

Later I 'unexpectedly' closed the Cub meeting, I used to do this every Cub evening but that was a few years ago, I just about remembered what to do although there were a few confused murmurings from the Cubs afterwards. Most importantly I enjoyed the evening and I was quite relaxed when a Cub's grandmother accidentally forgot to pick up her grandson after becoming absorbed in the Wimbledon Highlights ... life is too short besides I think we've forgotten to pick up kids before.

But back to the running, my Juneathon total is now 153 miles - this is about the distance I ran in the first week and a half of Janathon. However, unlike Janathon, besides a bit of tiredness, my body is doing fine ... so running wise, Juneathon should just slip into July :-)

Day 21 of Juneathon - my son's first performance of 'The Railway Children' and what we're seeing at the Olympics

2011-06-22T09:37:00.001+01:00

What a long day!

It's exam time in our household so life is extra busy and stressful. Also, last night was my son's first performance of 'The Railway Children' in London and he only got home about 11.45pm, then wanted something to eat! All in all, a very busy time and not the best time to fit in a long run.

Despite all that, we did manage to fit in a run and I was able to run about 3 miles with my wife and our dog. Fleet even squeezed in a swim! We also had a good chat with a friend we hadn't seen for a while, so it wasn't so bad. I did almost forget to log my run and it was only uploaded online at 11.56pm!

I don't know how I'm going to fit in a run today. I've dropped off my son for his exam this morning, later he needs to go for a suit fitting for his Leaver's Prom and I've got Cubs tonight ... and all inbetween I work, whew!

Other news:
We have now found out that we will be seeing the athletics at the Olympics on the evening of the 7th August. Events at that session will be:

Women's 3000m Steeplechase Victory Ceremony
Men's High Jump Final
Women's Long Jump Qualifying Rounds - Groups A & B
Women's 100m Hurdles Semifinals
Women's Pole Vault Victory Ceremony
Men's Discus Throw Final
Men's 800m Semifinals
Women's 200m Semifinals
Men's 400m Victory Ceremony
Men's 1500m Final
Women's 100m Hurdles Final

Brilliant! :-)

Not quite Olympics but my Juneathon total is 145 miles, my wife's is 27.5 miles and Fleet's is 14.5 miles.

Day 20 of Juneathon - short drizzly run in the evening and feeling fine

2011-06-21T09:29:00.000+01:00

Quick post ....

Went for a run yesterday evening, in the drizzle and with my dog. Felt a little guilty when I overtook a young man running but I didn't want to be too long. Worked out a description for the meeting point for a proposed Cub cycle ride. Ran back home again making a total run of about four miles, I might run further today. Fleet (my dog) looked a bit tired when you arrived home.

My Juneathon total is now approximately 142 miles and Fleet's total is 15.5 miles. Knees are quite happy and so all is well :-)

Day 19 of Juneathon - spoilt on Father's Day, stinging nettles, brambles and Boot's micropore surgical tape works

2011-06-20T09:33:00.000+01:00

Spoilt Dad yesterday with three very appropriate cards (one handmade), two books, one polo shirt, a box of chocolates, an 'Old Fart' tankard and a homemade cake ... thanks sons :-)

Went for a gentle run of four miles with my wife and our dog in the morning. Tried the Boots micropore surgical tape on my nipples (see last two posts), seemed promising.

Later I went for, what was intended to be, a fourteen mile run on a new route. However, part of the trail was a bit too overgrown and consequently I battled through brambles and stinging nettles. This made for slow progress and sapped my energy. Eventually I made it out of the jungle of brambles etc, ran along a path which seemed to disappear! How do paths disappear that don't lead anywhere? I had not intention of running along the busy section of road and what was left of the path just wasn't very runnable so I turned round, bypassed the overgrown section (I'd had enough battles for one day) and found another route home thorugh a different village. By this time I was really quite fatigued, I don't think I'd eaten enough and I think that yesterday I might have even missed lunch! I arrived home and was met by a few comments from my family concerning my bloodied limbs. I won't try that specfic route again in summer but I did spot a very interesting trail across the fields that had no visible brambles or stinging nettles. Anyway, later I had a very pleasant barbecue and a nice glass of red wine ... but only a glass as I can't always drink much after a long run.

The Boots micropore surgical tape worked well, my nipples are happy and came off relatively easily in the shower :-) I just need a solution for the stinging nettles and brambles now :-(

So my second run was only 10 miles-ish, but was a fairly difficult 10 miles-ish. This makes my Juneathon about 137 miles and other than the tiredness, scratches and rash from the stinging nettles, my body feels fine :-)

Also, Fleet's Juneathon mileage is 11.5 miles and my wife's is 24.5 miles.

Day 18 of Juneathon - sore nipples (the sequel) including mentions of gaffer tape, pasties and a dead goldfish

2011-06-18T23:53:00.000+01:00

Set off for my run this morning, then about half a mile in it started pouring with rain again! Put some Brave Soldier Friction Zone, which ordinarily works well, before abrasion, before soreness and tenderness, but evidently not after nipple grazing! So in desperation I put more on, to be precise two big dollops on each nipple and then (like a wimp) I ran home as fast I could in straight jacket mode as I did yesterday. I'm half way home and guess what, the soreness subsides, and (remarkably) so does the mental image of sandpaper against my nipples.

I get home, ring the doorbell, and while I wait for my son to answer the door, I decide that I'm going to turn round and try again ... which I did (not such a wimp now). But not before my sons have had a good laugh at the two white circles on my blue shirt where my nipples were! I set off and ... I was okay. Total mileage today was just over 9 miles, I did wait under some trees at one point during a spell of rain but otherwise I was fine.

Carrick "Pyro" Armer says to use Gaffer tape, big big ouch! Surely I'm going to end up with bald patches on my chest ... but it might work. Will function (or experimentation) win over vanity?

henniemavis, I've tried the bandaids before but it just doesn't stick on the hairs, thanks for the sympathy by the way (sarcasm intended), women don't seem to have the same problem. Same 'sympathy' I received from my sons who suggested I wear a bra! And no, henniemavis, pasties don't work!

Kieron Chapman suggested Boots micropore surgical tape. Same possible problem as Gaffer tape (i.e. bald patches and pain of ripping out chest hairs sited around sensitive nipples) but some how I think it might be better.

runtezza ... showering, I know, I know ... that water really fires up the soreness of the nipplies, ouch, ouch, ouch! I agree that sports apparel companies are missing an opportunity, as long as they don't take up my sons other suggestion of placing holes where your nipples are! That would just look kinky!

Moving on from my nipples ..

After my run I headed down to the Summer Fair where this afternoon the rain largely subsided until about 4.30pm. I had a good time and chatted to a few people between a few jobs I was given. Ended up looking after the toddler bouncy castle just before the 4.30pm downpour, an easy job :-) Plus ... we won six bottles of wine on the raffle, or rather my wife won six bottles of wine with raffle tickets that I paid for but that she had put her name to! It doesn't matter, I have possession of the wine ;-)

In other news:
A goldfish (one of five my son came back from an earlier fair with) died this morning. We have rehoused the remaining four in more suitable accommodation that includes a bubbler oxygenation thingy and filter in the hope that the remainder will have a happier time and a longer life.
We had an Indian takeaway this evening which is a piece of news that indicates a level of rambling is beginning to set in which suggests it's bedtime.

Juneathon total is now 123 miles.

Day 17 of Juneathon - sore nipples!

2011-06-18T00:08:00.000+01:00

Sore nipples! I've got sore nipples!

So after a very busy day today I thought,
'right, time for a run and who cares if it's raining.'
... raining ... it was pouring! So I searched for a clean running shirt and decided I'd wear the Asics running shirt that I don't really like very much and hardly wear. Put on my running kit and wet weather gear and set off, in the pouring rain. I decided that I'd run about 7 miles but after a mile and a half my nipples started getting sore. Stupid Asics shirt when wet must turn into sandpaper! I decided that I'd better turn round before my nipples started to bleed, grrrr! So only 3 miles today.

I must have looked a right t'w'it as I ran home trying to run so that my running shirt didn't cause any more abrasion. It must have looked like I was running in a straight jacket. I must remember to put some Brave Soldier on next time when it's raining, or just stay inside.

In other news ... well it's raining ... and we have a Summer Fair tomorrow ... a Summer Fair!

Juneathon total is now 114 miles, hopefully my nipples will recover by tomorrow.

Day 16 of Juneathon - runner's washing machine formula, I think my dog is aching and wishing for a dry spell.

2011-06-17T09:12:00.000+01:00

Firstly I'm very pleased with myself as I washed all my running kit and managed to dry one set before my run today. My washing machine formula for running kit = 30 degrees, 1600 spin, extra rinse, short duration wash ... and no softener! This formula really works well :-) (bit sad isn''t it - have I become a running geek?)

Another busy day yesterday and also irritatingly wet! Brief period of sunshine in the afternoon so I grabbed the moment. I changed into my running gear and went downstairs. Now normally Fleet would stretch in anticipation of a run when he sees me in my running kit, not today. Just as I expected, he looked up and gave me a look of 'You're kidding! I'm too tired'. Poor Fleet, I think he's aching.

So I went for a seven mile run by myself listening to 'Marathon Talk'. A difficult run, I'm probably a bit tired too. On the bright side, there was a beautiful rainbow later :-)

I came home and worked quite late, hugely over compensating for taking out time to take my son to his 'final' rehearsal for 'The Railway Children'

That's it, another day today, another run to fit in, and once again I hope for a dry spell later.

My Juneathon (am I the only one that has to correct myself after writing Janathon?) total is now about 111 miles.

Day 15 of Juneathon - a dog tired dog, little Cubs, a Village Fair and hoping they're wrong!

2011-06-16T08:37:00.000+01:00

I decided to take Fleet (our dog) for a run yesterday (day 15). As I have explained before, I am slowly building up his fitness after he spent a couple of weeks with, what we think, was Kennel Cough. As you would expect, he loved it but he was a bit tired in the last mile and was running behind me. In the last half a mile, when he had his lead on, he was slowing down quite a bit. I just matched my pace with his. He had a good rest afterwards - a tired but happy dog ... dog tired!

My total run was about five miles and was around the fields and so was fairly mixed terrain. I guess I was running faster and continuously compared to the last run I did with my dog when my wife ran too. I shall give him a rest today.

Later on I went to Cubs. Unfortunately the weather meant that we were unable to be outside to complete the athletics badge but instead we were at the Scout Hut. Having not worked with Cubs for a few years and now that my sons are all big teenagers, the Cubs seemed quite small! Lots of fun, I'm enjoying myself, I hope they are. We had a new little chap this evening who was a bit overawed by the noise and excitement, he sat huddled up with his Mum. Half an hour later he was joining in and was smiling and looked very happy ... his Mum went home :-) Great fun.

We have our Village Fair on Saturday which is run by the Scout Group. My wife and I are both involved in this so I'm trying to work out when to fit in a run .... maybe I will have to get up early, or rather earlier than normal! The weather forecast is not good ... let's hope they're wrong!

That's enough rambling, my Juneathon total is now about 104 miles and Fleet's is 7.5 miles. I hope the rain stops later, I don't fancy a wet run ...

Day 14 of Juneathon - happy knees, a late night pick up and sons who 'might' run

2011-06-15T08:31:00.000+01:00

Morning chaos (including blog before work), work, eat lunch and work, work, stop, eat dinner, wait a 'few' minutes, RUN, log run (just), phone call from son saying he'll be home earlier from rehearsal, shower at lightening speed, drive 20 minutes to pick up son from rehearsal .... he's not early (he's on a coach from London), pick up son, drop friend off ... I must have been home past 11.30pm, go to bed!

So the run ... it went quite well actually. It was a good seven miles in under an hour and my knees are still happy. No dog today, he is still recuperating. He had already had a 'very' energetic play with my eldest son who is writing A levels, and my run was a bit rushed. Besides I had planned a sustained pace and a longer distance that he wouldn't really be happy with at this stage. The vet says I have to bring up his fitness as I would for a human.

Talking of bringing up fitness as I would a human, my two eldest teeange sons have both made murmurings that they might like to do some running. I think starting to run can be quite daunting but I know that I will be lagging behind them in no time! Fingers crossed, I'd love to run with my sons.

Cubs tonight! I don't know how I'm going to fit in a run today? Maybe lunch time? It will have to be fairly easy run.

My Juneathon total is about 98 miles .... maybe I should have run a couple more miles, but when!

Day 13 of Juneathon - went running with my wife and ........ dog :-)

2011-06-14T07:23:00.002+01:00

Fleet, our dog, came running with me and my wife yesterday. He was very excited and pulled his lead quite a bit. We did just a short run of just over 2.5 miles at a nice easy pace - dogs need to be eased into exercise after being sick, just like humans and I had done a longer run yesterday.

Felt a little discomfort in my knees but that subsided after about a mile.

My total Juneathon mileage is now 91 miles. Fleet's Junathon mileage is 2.5 miles and my wife's is 20.5 miles.

Day 12 of Juneathon - wet weather gear and going to see my son in 'The Railway Children' :-)

2011-06-12T21:04:00.000+01:00

What a rainy day! I was going to do a run with my wife but she wasn't keen on a run in the rain ... we've gone walking in the rain before but it wasn't quite as dreary, or romantic (don't know why).

I kept waiting and hoping that the rain would stop but it didn't look too hopeful so I put my wet weather gear on and off I went ... I sort of dragged myself out the door, lots of sighs and puffing and grumbles. I did about a 12 mile run today and the the first half was really quite wet with a head wind too! Half way I was feeling quite tired but listening to Marathon Talk helped to distract me from the awful weather. Anyway, the weather for the second half was better. I completed the 12 miles but I think I might have been a bit too hot for the second half. Since returning I've been quite thirsty, and tired but I still want to do the Comrades ... madness!

Otherwise it's been a fairly productive day. I've now booked tickets to see my son in 'The Railway Children', I'm looking forward to that. He has technical rehearsals in London this week, some quite long days for a 13 year old. He will performing at Press Night too, all very exciting.

I've also prepared my CEng application for the final sponsor to sign it. It doesn't seem to be that important in what I do to be chartered and I've been stage 1 chartered (i.e. my academic qualification is at the right standard) for ages and ages. Not been chartered doesn't seem to have lost us any business but it doesn't hurt to jump through the hoop. Anyway, I thought I ought to tick it off the list of things for me to do, eventually! The head of the section at the IET that deals with the applications looked over my application and has given it the thumbs up, let's see how it goes. The only problem is when I become chartered I have to pay out more money each year, sigh!

Back to Juneathon, my total now appears to be 89 miles. I think I might do an easy run tomorrow, hopefully with my dog :-) He will be a 'little' out of condition ;-)

Day 11 of Juneathon - my lovely Nike Free 3.0 V2 running shoes (running anorak that I am)

2011-06-11T23:25:00.000+01:00

Went for a four mile run with my wife this morning. Nice easy pace through the fields so we were able to have a good chat. I mentioned how I might like to run the Comrades sometime and she was very supportive. I think I would be planning it at the very soonest in 2013, something to work towards. I doubt if our sons would come along because of school and university.

What I have :-)

I try to do a few runs in my Nike Free 3.0 V2 running shoes (see above, even the correct colour). I love running in these shoes although they took a bit of getting used to. I've slowly increased the distance that I run in them and my only real gripe is that they pick up stones in the soles. Otherwise they are cool and light to run in, I recommend them. Maybe I might try some Vibram's or a similar type of shoe sometime, I have suggested it but my family threaten to disown me! For their benefit, any suggestions on the most socially acceptable free running shoes would be greatly appreciated (or just moral support for me)? I think it's a Dad thing, Mums seem to get away with a lot more! What would be really convenient would be to win a pair, that would get under the radar ... so let me know about any competitions :-) Please!

Surely these aren't that bad ... are they?

Talking of running shoes and embarrassing my family, I actually quite like these shoes ...

These are fun!

... I think they appeal to that side of me that desperately wants to wear more colour, they remind me of summer, the sea, the beach. A bit of fun which symbolises what running is to me, fun ... well most of the time ... when I don't have runner's trots, sore nipples or sore anything else, when I have some energy, when I'm not too cold or not too hot or not too wet .... but maybe it's still fun even with all those things. Maybe I need some competitions for these too!

So an easy run today bringing me Juneathon total to 77 miles.

Day 10 of Juneathon - miserable run with runner''s trots but I have finished Vol 1 of 'War and Peace'

2011-06-11T14:38:00.000+01:00

My run yesterday was very difficult. I set out but just had no energy at all, sigh. I had planned to run a little further, despite the tiredness. Alas, I had to turn round and hurry home as soon as possible. I occasionally suffer from runner's trots but haven't had a problem some time ... until yesterday. So my run today was just over 4 miles making my Juneathon total about 73 miles. I had a really good sleep afterwards, hope that helps.

Next week I'm expecting to be able to run with my dog, he's not coughing any more and his antbiotics course ends on Monday. Who knows, maybe I might run a few more miles, that is if I have the time and energy ... and feel fit enough.
I've also just finished the first volume of 'War and Peace'. I'm really enjoying it but it does take a little time to get to know the main characters - a marathon read!

Day 9 of Juneathon - I've got Olympic tickets, not a family of four and trying to leave comments, grrrr!

2011-06-10T01:17:00.000+01:00

I am so happy :-) We have 5 tickets for the Olympics and from the amount we were charged I'm guessing it will either be athletics or gymnastics. I was quite despondent when we were not successful the first time and subsequently, each time I saw or heard anything about the Olympics stirred in me a resentment for the tickets I didn't get for my family. I seemed to be targeting this poisonous resentment on Sebastian Coe, maybe he sensed my glares at his image on the television, I'm sure I saw him twitch once! Anyway, this initial let down has made this change of fortune particularly sweet, I do feel a little hypocritical when my heart now jumps at the mention of the Olympics. So fickle am I!

Perhaps it helped that we were a family of five as this meant that we could not apply for any prime tickets as they were for families of four. This is a common problem when we have more than two kids, everything is for a family ... of four! Why? Is this some sort of covert social engineering? And why would prime events at the Olympics be more suited to a family of four or less? Oh well, in this case being a family of five might have been advantageous :-)

This didn't seem to make my run this morning any easier. I struggled to run the six miles. To be honest I'm just tired, I'm just not sleeping enough. I'm simply trying to fit too much in my day. My run was helped listening to Marathon Talk. I've only recently started listening to this podcast and I've never listened to a current episode, I'm always catching up, although I have skipped a few after listening to the first two and a half episodes. I couldn't reconcile talks on running in the snow when I was sweltering running in the heat. So yesterday, I skipped to episode 70 and listened to some of episode 71 today. This does mean that I probably have enough episodes for all my runs for Juneathon ... should this be a new challenge? Listen to all the Marathon Talk episodes.

Some of you will notice it will be past 1am when this post is eventually posted. Yes I should go to bed but in my defense I did actually have a sleep earlier on so I'm feeling a little better ... I just hope I feel better tomorrow.

I have a gripe (nothing unusual there)! Why is making comments on blogs becoming so awkward. Am I the only Juneathon participant that has been trapped in an endless loop trying to leave a comment on a blog using Google ... you write a comment, sign in, type some obscure word to prove your human, sign in, type another obscure word, sign in .... on and on! Then you think, oops have a I inadvertently left the same comment half a dozen times? Why can't I just leave a comment as me? Why has the whole exercise of leaving a comment become so complicated? Even at the bottom of my posts there are a half a dozen icons, half of which I don't know what they are for. What is this '+1'? I could look it up but why should I ... waste of time ... have I just become a grumpy middle aged man? But it is getting to me and I really am losing the will to comment. I diligently read other blogs but I have lost a quite few comments down, what appears to be, some sort of security, spam filter black hole! All these spiralling confirmations just to try to prevent me advertising Viagra, of course, they never spell it like that. Thinking about it, this post might never be published because I've said Viagra, some over zealous spam filter will recognise the word but they're wrong, Viagra is never spelt correctly! (which irritates me too) Maybe not publishing this post might be a good thing as I'm rambling ... grumbling might be more accurate.

But quickly changing the subject, my Juneathon total is now about 69 miles and I have some Olympic tickets :-)

Day 8 of Juneathon - Cubbing and I think I want to do the Comrades, maybe!

2011-06-08T22:23:00.001+01:00

Tired tonight, yawn!

Went Cubbing tonight, first time back as a Cub Leader for 3 or 4 years ... noisy, good fun. The Cubs seem smaller! Must be having teenage sons.

Earlier today had a phone call from my doctor asking me to go to the hospital for another blood test so this made my afternoon a little disruptive - nothing serious. I can't believe the lack of parking at the hospital, madness. Need to catch up tomorrow, when will I fit a run in?

Did my run this morning (fortunately), just over seven miles. Listened to episode 70 of Marathon Talk where they were talking about the Comrades. I grew up in South Africa, south of Durban, and the Comrades is probably the first running race I was really aware of. I used to be in awe of people who run the Comrades, in fact I still am. I really want to run it but it's just soooo long. It's hard enough running a marathon, to run an ultra! I really ought to give it a go .... hmmm.

Anyway, Juneathon total is now just over 62 miles. And ... I've almost finished volume one of 'War and Peace', it's actually quite good :o) I might bore you with details later in the month.

Day 7 of Juneathon - asthma checkup went well and a gentle run that wasn't

2011-06-07T21:51:00.000+01:00

Went for my asthma checkup today, all well and my peak flow is as expected for my age. However, last year my peak flow was above average and the only real difference is that I was swimming more so this adds further weight to plan to really tackle swimming after Juneathon. And ... I have used salbutamol for a year :-) This does mean that my asthma is now quite well controlled so I agreed with the asthma nurse that it was a good time to see if I can reduce my Symbicort dosage. This would be very good as I think the Symbicort might be contributing to the cramps I get and, of course, I don't want to take more medication than I need.

If you are asthmatic and you carry a Ventolin inhaler I really recommend the Sports-haler for running and any other activities of that matter. I clip this holder on my shorts when I go running. I have accidentally gone swimming with it before, and my inhaler was still dry! Very good product, you can buy them here http://www.habdirect.co.uk/products/Sports_haler-p11510-r661 ... and I don't get any commission.

I could only fit in a run later today. I started out thinking I would do a gentle run on account of my aching muscles but ended up doing some interval training, very tiring, maybe not as fast, but satisfying. I know my muscles will eventually feel better and I think I can feel an improvement already, might be able to do some more hill running soon. Did about 5 miles today making my Juneathon total 55 miles.

Day 6 of Juneathon - this was my day but I got to 50 miles :-)

2011-06-06T23:59:00.000+01:00

What a day. Wrote three letters for various requests, permissions etc for my sons for school. Started work, frustrated with a research project we're working on with top universities, need info not getting it! Took tow oldest sons to school for A level exam. Worked on another project, designed some circuits but CAD crashed!!!! Grrrr! Wife calls to say we need to take Kennel Coughed dog to vet "I can't!" says I (she sought sit out for tomorrow). Receive text from my sister and arrange to meet up with her, my brother-in-law and my beautiful little nieces at Legoland, feel much better :-) :-) Reentered circuits. Provided directory and information services to lady with son who wants to join Scouts (we have a big, full Scout group), nice, friendly lady so felt even better. Entered some new circuits, determined to finish circuits before starting dinner (wife has to visit client this evening). Finish circuits later than expected. Start making dinner late dinner, empty dishwasher, clear mess on kitchen surfaces mainly from teenagers eating food during day, continue to make dinner, aware grocery delivery is at 8pm - ding. dong, groceries arrive HALF AN HOUR EARLY, I'm cooking, everything is almost cooked, all teenage sons have disappeared and out of earshot, grills on, pots on stove. microwave bleeping, dog (with Kennel Cough) is planning escape. Run round house, grab two oldest sons, shopping (tons and tons of it) is deposited in kitchen, sons disappear, all available space is now taken by shopping .... no space for cooking!! Start unpacking, cooking, loading dishwasher in vain attempt to clear space to dish out food. Realise frozen food and other perishables are in danger of perishing in hot kitchen, seek out all perishable items and create piles and piles, while cooking. Phone rings ... my wife "What!" I say.
"I'm leaving now", she says.
"Only now!!" I think.
"I've got loads of shopping everywhere!!" I say.
"Get the boys to help"
"Yeah right", I think.
"I've got to go. Bye", put phone down.
I can't do it so holler for oldest sons to help me NOW! They put frozen and perishables away (she was right). I have just enough space to dish up. We four eat, they complain about bones in slightly overdone trout, I growl. Clear up. Give dog crushed up medicine in mushed up dog food and excite him significantly so he gobbles food down without noticing laced tablets. He looks happily at shadows so is getting better.
I wait then go out for run.
It's so hard tonight, my legs are still aching from hill running but ... I do it. Just over 6 miles to make my Juneathon total 50 miles :-) However, I am still in running gear and I really need a shower and I have to be at the Asthma clinic at 8.30am and I have a meeting with BBC afterwards.
But now I have logged, blogged and am totally wiped out! I am not checking this post ... publish now!

Day 5 of Juneathon - wet run, aching thighs, all reminds me of Janathon

2011-06-05T22:39:00.000+01:00

My thighs are aching a bit from the hill running so going for a run today was a little difficult, but I did it. I was planning on doing a run with my wife but she's having a break today, as I have said, she has done really well. So my plan was to run earlier so changed into my running gear. Alas I spent hours wandering around the house in my running kit, much to the amusement of my sons. I eventually got round to going out just when it started raining! So a run in the rain, in summer ... actually reminded me of Janathon. Needless to say I came across no other runners.

Set off and was sure I started my Garmin but realised just over two miles in that no mileage was registering. Might have accidentally stopped the timer putting on my jacket, I've done that before, maybe the buttons should have a shield. It wouldn't be so bad had it not been that I felt like I was flying and my speed looked good too, oh well. So started my Garmin and ran another three miles and turned round and retraced my steps and calculated the bit I'd missed out at the beginning. Ran just over 10 miles and very wet I was at the end.

Running Free says my Juneathon total is about 44 miles. Back of my thighs were still aching at the end of my run today and I was so hungry, easy run tomorrow I think.

Day 4 of Juneathon - Garmin's beeping off on hills and a squeezed run

2011-06-05T11:55:00.001+01:00

Squeezed in a 3 mile easy run with my wife. Her Juneathon total is now 14 miles although she will not be running every day.

For me having a nice easy three miles after the 14 miles the day before was just the thing to do. I need to fit in a few more hill runs during Juneathon, but hopefully choose cooler days!

But fitting this run in was a real squeeze. My youngest son had another performance in the evening that we went to and we had to drop my middle son off at the stables, which left a slot in between when we could go for a run, prepare food and get ready ... we did it, just!

I'm starting to help out again at Cubs on Wednesday. A few years ago I was a Cub leader and stepped back when work/home commitments became too much. I'm now tentatively returning on the understanding that I won't be able to do the preparation - I'd be happy not to be in uniform but that might not be practical in the long term. The Cub evenings will be good fun and I always find that I'm totally destressed afterwards. I've decided that I will have to run to the field where we meet during the summer to fit in my Juneathon run that day.

It's probably apparent that I'm not running crazy miles this time. I'm running the Royal Parks Half Marathon this year and I would really like to improve on my PB. This, of course, means doing some interval training! I did a session last week and it was hard going, I crawled home. My hill running has not been that great either so I really need to put a bit of work in these areas.

Talking of hill running, I've recently enabled the auto pause on my Garmin that pauses my mileage below a certain speed. The other day when I was going up a steep hill, battling against gravity, in the heat ... bleep! My watch goes on pause!!

'What!' I think. ' This is really hard!!' So I run a bit faster to make the thing start adding my most valuable metres ... but then I run too fast. As you can imagine this does not help with pacing and I realise that it adds another level of stress that I don't need on an already difficult section of hill. I need to forget my Garmin on hills ... but that's really hard to do during Juneathon. Sigh, I really need to forget my Garmin!

Juneathon mileage is now about 33 miles ... and this post is longer than I was expecting!

Day 3 of Juneathon - a dead swan, two cuckoos and a water bottle refill

2011-06-04T11:57:00.002+01:00

First run of the day was with my wife. Nice easy run of 4.3 miles pushing her total up to 11 miles, not bad for a beginner.

Spotted a fairly large dead swan in a stream. It was obscured by foliage and we thought it was a rock at first. When we got home I thought I better call somebody about, I wasn't sure if it would be a health hazard to other animals, particularly the cattle that graze in the adjacent field. So I called our local council with coordinates ready ... waited and waited in a queue ... eventually spoke to somebody who told me to call DEFRA. Spoke to DEFRA, they took the details (but not my coordinates that I had ready) and they said that I really should tell the Local Environmental Officer at the council!!! SO I phoned the council again, was held in a queue again and thought 'stuff this' and hung up.

Instead I called a local farmer and had a nice chat. He wasn't that concerned but was very pleasant. He did suggest I could try pull out the carcass if I wanted although he didn't think it was that necessary. I must say that I'm a little worried that it might fall apart, how do you grab it properly? It's quite big ... I shall have to see. Maybe I should take some rubber gloves - but that's going to look a little odd, suspicious even!

Talking of our feathered friends, we've heard a couple of cuckoos on our runs - very special :-)

My afternoon run (not that I plan to do two runs a day) included some hills. It was quite hot and I took the wrong water bottle, too small it was. So I stopped off at one of the houses along the way to ask if they wouldn't mind filling my water bottle, they kindly agreed :-) Sweat was pouring off me, I was in my trendy running gear, sunglasses, running shoes, GPS watch - after she had filled my water bottle (a hand held one with a hole in the middle), she asked me if I was jogging? I did hesitate before answering, I was wondering what I wasn't doing doing that didn't look like I was running, maybe I just look too old, my grey hair perhaps? Maybe she was saying indirectly that I shouldn't be running ... oh well! That's not going to happen :-)

So I eventually got home - tired, hot, sweaty and happy. Changed into my dinner suit and went to a black tie gala evening, good fun.

My afternoon run was 10 miles making my Juneathon total 30 miles. Easy, short run today (i.e. day 4).

Day 2 of Juneathon - nice and easy ...

2011-06-02T22:59:00.001+01:00

Did a short easy run with my wife of just over 4 miles. She is a beginner and doing really well. Her total (not that she plans to run every day) is now just under 7 miles.

I plan to do a longer run tomorrow but I'll see.

My youngest son was in a local dance show tonight, the performances were brilliant but I've only just got home! We're off to a Gala performance tomorrow night, should be fun.

Juneathon total is now about 16 miles.

Day 1 of Juneathon ... but no running dog :-(

2011-06-01T22:23:00.000+01:00

Juneathon!

Sadly I couldn't run with my dog today, we took him to the vet and we think he has Kennel Cough. He was all lined up to do Juneathon with me too. The vet thinks that he might have caught it when he went in for a general checkup (he has one every six months). I always explain to the vet that he is an active 'running' dog and he gets all the injections, worm tablets, solutions etc etc ... surely the vet should suggest the Kennel Cough vaccination? Maybe it doesn't work so well. Oh well, he is a bit of a sad dog at the moment.

However, my lovely wife has started running so I'm very pleased. So today we ran 2.7 miles before rushing back so that she could go off to see my youngest (for the second time) in High School Musical. I stayed home with my two sons who are (should be) studying for various AS and A2 exams.

Later I went for another run of about 9 miles. I feel much better, who cares about the Olympic tickets I didn't get, my dog will be better soon I'm sure, oldest sons are bound to do just fine in their exams and I guess we'll figure out how to get our 'performing' son to ever changing rehearsal times and performances and we can work how to get middle son to university open days across the length and breadth of the country and yes I am really, really busy at work ... but a good run and all is okay! And my friends ask me why I run :-)

So rounded up Juneathon total is 12 miles.

Janathon complete ... lots of firsts and lots of thanks

2011-01-31T21:28:00.002Z

I decided that I would take my youngest son to the gym and run on the treadmill for the duration of his gym program ... and did just that :-)

I just wanted to end Janathon running, even if it was on a treadmill. I ran 7.2 miles at an average speed of about 7mph. You get a few looks when you stay on the treadmill that long! I didn't know how my head managed it really as it really is a bit mindless.

Final Janathon total appears to be 167 miles :-) (sorry about all the smiles)

Janathon has been a great experience:

I've run more miles in one week than ever before.
My dog has run more miles in one week than ever before!!
I've made more trips to the gym in one month than ever before.
I've blogged more frequently in one month than ever before.
I've probably read and commented on more blogs than ever before.
I think it's the first time I've blogged about my running.
I've sent my first Tweet - only one though.
I've tried out new gym equipment for the first time.
I've had my first Achilles tendon injury (well it's a first).

and ....

I've been fortunate enough to have shared Janathon with a superb group of people.

At the beginning of Janathon I was thoroughly enjoying the madness that Gary and Auswomble inspired me to greedily eat miles at a rate I suspected my body might disagree with. Would I have started out more cautious had I known I was going to get an injury, honestly ... possibly, but that would never happen and I loved it. It wasn't about what my body could manage, I wanted to see what my head could manage. I know now that I could do some high mileage with a bit more training (and possibly a new body).

The injury is interesting as I have always had one foot that sticks out more than the other. Over the years I've tried to correct it but it's always been there. This might be the root of the problem and I will probably see if anything can be done. I didn't think it would affect my running, I did have an insert put into my ski boots so this might be the solution for running.

I think there has been some discussion about awarding prizes next time. Personally, I didn't push at the beginning because of the prizes and I'm not sure that they are needed. On the other hand having prizes is fun too. As a suggestion, perhaps the prizes might be distributed using a draw amongst all those that completed Janathon successfully - just a thought.

I am in awe of Gary, what an achievement! But I am also inspired by the runners in deep snow (see Yes, I'm Still Running...), the extreme heat such as Auswomble or in the middle of exams I run for cake!

Not forgetting those who have just started running, want to get fit, want to lose weight, training for a first race, marathon or 2011 miles .... or just want some help to run outside in the cold and wet. Every blog and every runner has a different story and all inspired in a different way. In one month you could read about a new baby and sadly about a bereavement. I regularly read blogs from as far afield as Manchester and also the Netherlands, New York and Australia - pretty amazing really. I loved the way that running speed didn't segregate runners. Thank you for sharing your running and a glimpse of your lives during Janathon. A big thank you to Cathy and her team - Cathy you are a real gem and you deserve a medal.

Finally, I asked about vegetarian meals and had some very helpful feedback - thanks guys. Runtezza wrote out a favourite recipe and posted it! You are an absolute star, have a look at http://runtezza.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/vegetarian-recipe-4-u/ I will be making this dish, thanks.

I'm hoping to keep this blog updated, anybody else going to keep on blogging ... but maybe not every day?

"A machine as versatile as the human body...", 'The Redbreast' and too much sex in 'Transition'

2011-01-30T21:37:00.004Z

Firstly, thanks for the ideas for freezable vegetarian meals. JogBlog your website does look very interesting, if you haven't seen it, have a look at Planet Veggie, and Kathryn we have just ordered one of the 101 vegetarian cook books. It helps to get some recommendations - thanks.

Last night I had an enjoyable evening watching 'Inception' with my youngest son. The other two boys were out with friends and my wife disappeared upstairs. I haven't watched a movie from Blockbusters for a while - good fun!

I have just finished the book 'Transition' by Iain Banks today. Very different from his other books, quite a bit of sex that didn't always seem to be in context (i.e. I think there was too much of it or it wasn't written very well). I wondered if he was trying to write a book with a screenplay in mind. Some interesting ideas, good plot, fairly interesting characters but I'm just not sure if it wasn't just a bit clumsily put together, it didn't quite flow. It felt like the author had ideas that he was trying to squeeze into a plot. Still, I think I enjoyed it - it kept me reading to the end.

I've started reading 'The Redbreast' by Jo Nesbø, I enjoyed 'The Snowman' so hopefully this should be a good read too.

Today? It's been a busy day today.

Went to the gym with my youngest son this morning. He followed his programme which includes quite a bit of Powerplates work. I did some different exercises to those that I did yesterday, including about 2.6 miles on the treadmill at about 7mph.

Other than the running, other exercises:

15 minutes cross trainer

3 x 15 single arm row on each side

3 x 15 reverse flye
3 x 15 lateral raise
3 x 15 pec flye

This pushes my Janathon total up to about 160 miles. I'm in 8th place! I'm sure a few more people will pass me yet ;-) It's also showing that I'm in 4th place for number of hours of recorded exercise I've completed this month - all a bit of fun.

There are some notices about indicating that the gym has ordered some more of the AMT elliptical cross trainers. These are big, sophisticated cross trainers that move your limbs like an insect. We have two in the gym and seeing as we are to have some more, I thought I ought to have a go - perhaps even tomorrow. This helps me in my quest to try out all the equipment in the gym. AMT stands for Adaptive Motion Trainer, evidently it is "A machine as versatile as the human body ...", haven't seen one doing Janathon.

After the gym I took my son off to a pantomime teenage cast reunion. Together we were supposed to purchase some sweets and cokes from Booker that my son (this is the youngest I'm still referring to) has been selling at school. As his gym programme took a little longer, I ended up taking the shopping list and purchasing the items for him, almost £90 worth!

Well I think that's enough for today, only one more day left of Janathon - it's been great :-)

(P.S. The 'Blogger' spell checker is very odd, it can't always recognise complete words. Do other people using 'Blogger' have this problem?)

Powerplates induction, more gym and freezable vegetarian meal suggestions please

2011-01-29T19:50:00.002Z

Firstly a request. I've got the impression that quite a few Janathon participants are vegetarian. We are looking for recipe recommendations that:
Are freezable in small portions.
Good for feeding hungry teenagers.
Don't use meat replacements.

Powerplates Induction
As I mentioned before, my youngest son and I had Powerplates induction. Definitely going to add Powerplates to my exercise routine. It's early days but I think I found that the vibration made some exercises a little easier as it had a kind of relaxing effect. Very good for stretching and massage too. So I recommend it but I shall have to see the long term benefits.

My youngest son loved the Powerplates. I can see that the Powerplates in the gym will be used a little more often in the future ;-)

As I said before, my youngest son had a gym exercise program written for him today. He is very much into the performing arts and does quite a lot of dancing. After an audition, he recently became a member of a Street Dance group and he is now keen to develop his strength, balance, aerobic fitness and agility. I think the gym instructor was quite surprised at preparing a program for a 13 year old with a target sport of dance! Anyway, my son came home very motivated and wants to attend the gym three times a week! A good result.

Middle son and my wife came to the gym too. I'm sure my eldest son would have come along as well but he works on Saturdays. My eldest son is 18 and his Saturday job is Playworker at a local playground/centre for children with special needs and disabilities. I'm tremendously proud of what he does. He has responsibility for a child in the morning and another in the afternoon - the child may have any disability or special need. I think I would find this demanding and the fact that he does this as an 18 year old Sixth Former is quite remarkable. But it's not just a job, you can see that he gets a great deal of satisfaction out of making small steps of progress. I am very, very proud ;-)

I'm probably boring you so to round off the boredom my exercise today was a real mixed bag:

First half an hour was an induction to the Powerplates:

I didn't count how many we did of each exercise, but the exercises included.
press ups
crunches
tricep dips
squats
lunges
30 sec plank
30 sec side plank
etc etc for half an hour

After this I spent about 45 minutes going on other gym equipment:
3 x 20 leg extension
3 x 20 leg curl
3 x 20 hip abductor (outer)
3 x 20 hip abductor (inner)
3 x 15 shoulder press
3 x 15 lat pull down
3 x 15 bicep curl

No aerobic activity as I still have a bit of a dry cough, I'm sure I'm not contagious though.
Finally, the last 15 minutes we all went back to the Powerplates and ...

1 minute side plank each side
Stretching and massage (which was very good).
Quite a bit of laughter too.

That was my Janathon exercise today - I'm feeling quite pleased :-)

Gym Ball Extravaganza

2011-01-28T22:50:00.001Z

The encouraging comments I had after yesterday's post really helped - thanks guys :-)

Not sniffing as much and cough is getting better. I thought I might run out of inhalers (Symbicort) as I use it more when I have a cough, I certainly wouldn't have had enough for the weekend. Took me ages to get through to the doctor, eventually got through and all sorted. It's amazing how much the inhaler helps me recover from a cough compared to in the past.

My doctor wouldn't let me scuba dive last year as I had used my reliever inhaler (sabutamol, blue case) sometimes during high intensity swimming lessons. I was most frustrated as if I hadn't been exercising I'd not have used it occasionally at these times. Anyway, I decided that I would have to change my regime and used my other inhaler a little more often than previously (morning and night), this did the trick. Subsequently I haven't used the reliever inhaler and so I should get the okay from our doctor next time I want to go scuba diving - I do carry it with me when I go running though. The other way this has helped is that I seem to get over coughs much, much faster.

Back to exercising ...
I decided that I'd keep away from the gym tonight although I'm probably out of the contagious side. I'm hoping to take my youngest son to the gym tomorrow as we have an induction on the Powerplates and he is having an exercise plan written up. I expect I should be okay but I won't over exert. So for a change I decided I'd work with a gym ball at home.

I haven't used the gym ball in ages so first thing was to find it, I looked everywhere and eventually found it in the loft. Then the thing needed pumping up, I must confess that I used a little electric pump to get so far but then it couldn't manage anymore. So out came the hand pump, put the ball between my legs and started pumping. I have to say that I was pleased that I wasn't in a public place! Naturally, I would have found this a lot easier when I was younger - my arms were pretty tired afterwards.

I then had to look up some gym ball exercises. I kept having to run up and down the stairs to check if I was doing each exercise correctly. Some of the exercises I found quite difficult, as indicated in the list. It was a good session and my heart rate was lower than last night (even after going up and down the stairs). I still tried not to over exert and I didn't do any exercises that hurt my Achilles tendon.

This was all followed by a thorough session of stretching from one of Matt Robert's books.

The session:
..........................
All exercises using a gym ball (except running up and down the stairs and stretching)

Pumping the gym ball up first., phew!
25 x basic crunch
25 x core crunch
25 x back extension
20 x elevated push-up
10 x balanced push-up (difficult)
1 x 1 minute plank (easier on ball)
25 x side crunch each side
25 x opposite limb extension each side
20 x abdominal rolls (phew)
25 x bent knee bridge
10 x twisting prone jack-knife each side (difficult)

Also include running up and down the stairs to check on my computer if I'm doing the exercise correctly!
Followed by gentle stretching.

I did try the odd exercise that I gave up on for various reasons.
..........................

I will need to work on the exercises I struggled with. Janathon total is the same, 157 miles. Feeling better and feeling happier.

Sniff! Cough!

2011-01-27T21:45:00.000Z

Sniff! Cough! Feeling rotten :-(

Well I'm not giving up now but I'm aware I have to be really careful. I decided that I would not subject other gym goers to my cough and I wasn't sure what I could do there anyway.

Popped on my heart rate monitor and carefully did the following set of exercises making sure my heart rate was low. I did each exercise and then stopped when my heart rate reached about 100 bpm ensuring my heart remeined below 110 bpm. Then I waited for my heart rate to drop into the 80s. Ended off with some gentle stretching.

I'm sorry there's not much more ...

1 x 25 crunch
1 x 20 oblique crunch each side
1 x 20 reverse curl
1 x 1 minute plank
1 x 1 minute side plank (one each side)

1 x 25 back extension

1 x 25 another abs exercise tha tI don't know the name of!

3 x 20 lateral raise
3 x 15 reverse flye

All followed by gentle stretching

These exercises took about 40 minutes which shows how slowly I was going. I actually felt better afterwards (and still do).

Janathon miles remain stuck at 157 miles - it woud be nice if it went to 160 miles but we'll see. Quite a change from the beginning of the month, oh well!

Sniff!

2011-01-26T22:22:00.000Z

Sniff!

It was hard going to the gym tonight as I'm feeling rotten, I've got a cold and I didn't sleep well last night. Yawn. My cold is above the neck so I felt it was safe to exercise despite the fact that I don't want to. I do realise that having picked up a cold there, I'm probably now perpetuating it. However, I did try to keep bug transfer to a minimum and kept my hands off the equipment wherever I could, kept away from the weights and wiped the cross trainer down.

So really simple tonight - no running, no weights, no grappler, just the cross trainer for half an hour at a healthy aerobic effort level. Sniff! Really simple post to. Sniff!

Janathon mileage stuck on 157 miles, lots of hours though.

Grappling and tiger art

2011-01-25T23:04:00.000Z

Yesterday a bit of poetry and today some of my son's art but first what I did for Janathon.

I was very pleased to go to the gym with my middle son today. He cycles to school every day instead of catching the train and regularly goes to the gym so he's very fit ... plus he eats very healthily! Not bad for a 16 year old. As I've explained previously, not unusually for a Dad I'm very proud of my three sons - obviously each of them has his strengths and weaknesses. My middle son is very disciplined, but he is also quite an artist. He said I could show you one of his pieces, it was difficult to decide but here's one ...

Once again at the gym today I was on the treadmill. To alleviate my boredom I tried to read the subtitles of the 24 hour news but this was a mirror image and I didn't have my glasses on - I gave up! I wouldn't risk doing much more than the mileage I have been running recently so today's mileage was 3.6 miles. My Achilles tendon is a bit sore but it's not getting worse (I hope) so I think I shall probably maintain the status quo.

My average speed was about (perhaps a little under) 7 mph again, maybe a little slower than yesterday as I have a bit of a cold. I included a few short speed sessions just to stretch a bit. I've been wearing my heart rate monitor at the gym (when I can find it) just to check that I'm not pushing too much, I hardly ever wear it when I'm running outside.

The cold I've acquired is probably a symptom of visiting the gym. It's ironic that a place where you go to get healthy is such a good place to pick up bugs. Still, it builds up the immune system I suppose.

I went straight from the treadmill to the grappler (rope pull). I'm very pleased as I grappled for a full 15 minutes - truth is I've been grappling most of my life. I used one of the interval settings too which made it a little harder. This is the longest time I've used the rope grappler and I was feeling okay afterwards, I think it might help my swimming.

That was it! Janathon mileage is now about 157 miles. My mileage is not going to increase dramatically but injury happens and subsequently my focus changed. And I'm still enjoying Janathon.

Briefly, I fly

2011-01-24T23:14:00.000Z

Briefly, I fly

The foot falls and another step forward,
Another step that was to be, that is and another step that will be
And in-between,
In-between I fly
Briefly, I really do fly.
I am me, in control of the next step.
That will be mine to take,
And fly again I shall,
Me, running, me.

Me, but not selfish indifference,
But more free,
The foot falls again and another step forward,
And pain, anguish somehow are left a little behind.
A little of what troubled, sweats away with each footfall,
My steps that I take,
Me in control, the worries that are not so great,
And in-between I fly,
Briefly, I really do fly.

My hopes, my future, my heart,
Pumps forward, my legs push back,
Taking my eyes to the future,
As one life holds all that I am,
In me,
That I was,
That I am right now.
The foot falls once more and another step is done,
And I delight in knowing,
That all will be better,
That I am alive,
Here, now, my body tells me,
My spirit will soar,
I know it, I feel it,
I am doing what I can do now,
Running,
And,
Briefly ...
Oh so briefly ...
I really do fly.

*******************
A bit of a hard day today, just a few different things I'd rather not talk about. I wrote this poem in a late afternoon coffee break - I felt much better afterwards. Helped me complete my work.

Gym again tonight with my wife but just for half an hour. Ran 3 miles at about 7mph and then did a few minutes on the cross trainer. Achilles tendon isn't right, it's a little sore so no long mileage for a while I expect.

Met my swimming instructor tonight as I was doing training on Monday nights last year. I've committed to swimming as from next term. She's really pleasant and very good, a gold medallist Paralympian but very modest.

Janathon total is about 153 miles.

A sleepy dog, teenage attire and the word 'solipsism'

2011-01-23T21:13:00.001Z

Both my oldest sons have exams tomorrow and they have been studying in the kitchen where are dog lives. He's very pleased to have their company but my sons do stay up late, and our poor dog is looking a little tired. Poor chap is just not used to the late nights - waking him up in the morning is like having a fourth teenager :-)

Talking of teenagers, I (like many other adults) have a thing about these low slung trousers that reveal underpants. If you've ever seen a toddler walking around with a wet nappy that's seeped through to his pants, well if left the pants start to hang and effectively become 'low slung' owing to gravity and heavier pee soaked pants. As the pants start to drop, the poor thing can't walk properly and can only walk from below the knees - remember that picture the next time you see a teenage boy with low slung jeans. I have three teenage sons and they are not the biggest offenders ... but they still do, sigh!

So (because I'm not finished yet) yesterday when Dad (me) is looking for a clean shirt for the gym and wanders downstairs with the belt of his jeans undone and maybe just one button of his button fly undone with (please note reader) a shirt on and (the most important note) no underpants showing whatsoever and in my own house, my own house with no visitors! What do my eldest two sons say, 'Dad please don't wander around with your trousers undone' !!!!!! This said in a critical and disparaging tone ... and ... and not a hint, a smidgen of the irony! (Sorry about the exclamation marks.) Need I say any more ... other than sigh! I still love 'em.

I learnt a new word today (I guess I might have known it once but I'm too old to remember):

–noun

Philosophy . the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.

extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.

So back to exercise and all that stuff ...

My youngest son (13) enjoyed his first visit to the gym today and next week they are going to write a plan for him that will complement his dancing. Also, we are both scheduled for an induction next weekend on the ... Powerplates! I figured it made sense to have a little help to get the most out of this vibrating contraption, and it is fun to learn with my son - when I'm not embarrassing him.

So about today, today I ran 5.2 miles at 7mph on the treadmill. A bit of a twinge from my Achilles tendon but I'm going to take it each day at a time. I'm not sure I can tolerate much more than 5 miles on a treadmill!! I guess I'm not sure my tendon can take much more either and the treadmill is gentler than the outdoors. Other than a bit of stretching, that was it.

Janathon total is a touch over 150 miles - my goals have changed and I am feeling mildly positive.

Treadmill running today - yay I'm running but it is boring!

2011-01-22T19:33:00.000Z

I think I have said before that I have three sons, all teenagers. This, of course, means that we have a fairly male dominated household - my poor wife! My two eldest sons have girlfriends and they are both here tonight. I realise how different it is when we have a few more females in the house, it's pleasant and ... altogether calmer I suppose. With two sons in 6th form I'm very aware that our lives will change quite dramatically in the coming years, I have mixed feelings about this. Pleased to see my sons become young men that I am very proud of, but sad when I realise how grown up they are and the little boys that they were are memories - time moves on.

Talking of growing up, my youngest son is having his induction at the gym tomorrow. This will be his first time at the gym and I'm sure he will move from one piece of equipment to the other rather quickly. He does dance so the gym should help build some strength and (maybe) increase aerobic fitness. In my experience young people get a little bored at the gym, I can understand this, I get bored too. Still, I shall have to make it as interesting as possible for him. Maybe arrange a program for him.

At the gym today I went on the treadmill so I am very pleased. I ran 3.5 miles too. It is boring though, to be outside would be so much better. My full set of exercises:

3.5 miles on treadmill at about 7mph
3 x 20 leg extension
3 x 20 leg curl
3 x 25 hip abductor (outer)
3 x 25 hip abductor (inner)
3 x 12 shoulder press
3 x 25 tri-cep press
3 x 15 chest press
Janathon miles are up to 145 miles :-) But how will my Achilles tendon feel tomorrow???

My wish for some Red Kite running ...

2011-01-21T22:22:00.002Z

Well that was better. I have found that my Achilles tendon is fine in the morning but has then started creaking later in the day and yesterday it then started getting sore. Today it was fine so I decided to us the elliptical cross trainer followed by the grappler and I'm pleased to say all is okay.

I needed some good aerobic exercise as I've had a stressful day today. I won't go in to details but I'm glad today is over.

The Red Kite (not my photo)

Who knows, I might be able to go running soon. I don't think that I've mentioned before that I associate my running with the call of the Red Kite. My main running route takes me across some fields and we have loads of Red Kites there. As I approach the beginning of my run they often give their distinctive call - I'm missing that call at the moment. A beautiful bird that is now thriving locally since reintroduction a few years back. Hopefully I'll be doing some Red Kite running soon.

My gym session tonight included:

25 minutes on elliptical cross trainer
11 minutes on grappler (rope pull)

Janathon mileage remains at 141.5 miles

The creak came back, Scout badges and Physics Coursework

2011-01-20T23:29:00.000Z

The ankle creak came back so no treadmill :-(

This was useful ...

... and so was this!

I didn't get to the gym today. Really busy in my work, I started early, finished late, took my son to Stage School, unpicked and then glued badges on a new Scout uniform and helped my son with his A level Physics Coursework (not sure I helped that much)! I'm tired so this is a short blog post today.

But I did still do some exercises at home. I concentrated on my core and completed the following set:

2 x 25 crunch
2 x 25 oblique crunch each side
2 x 25 reverse curl
2 x 1 minute plank
2 x 1 minute side plank (one each side)

2 x 25 back extension

It was quite tiring but I do feel I'm getting stronger.

Janathon mileage is 141.5 miles, nothing changes - sigh.

Yes, No or maybe ... I don't know!

2011-01-20T14:24:00.000Z

I don't know? Should I or shouldn't I? Do I or don't I? Yes, No ... maybe? My ankle has stopped creaking, I can't feel any pain so do I try treadmill running again tonight? Will I make it worse? Maybe I should crosstrain for 5 minutes and then onto the treadmill ... I'll see! ? :-(

Mr Forgetful and the lost comments

2011-01-19T23:47:00.001Z

Mr Forgetful - now where did I leave that comment?

With so many people doing Janathon I occasionally find that I leave a comment and then can't remember the name of the blog. These forgotten comments (and more importantly forgotten blogs) and my inability to recall which of the 200+ blogs they were is really frustrating me. So there are a few blogs that I haven't returned to, I'm sorry if yours is one of these blogs, although you wouldn't know that was the case, sigh.

This is it!

My ankle is creaking (i.e. my Achilles tendon is rubbing against its sheath). It's not particularly painful but today I have curtailed any treadmill running or use of the cross trainer. I decided I would extend my time on the grappler to 10 minutes continuously followed by another 3 minutes. This gives me a bit more aerobic exercise without flexing my ankle.

After the grappler I mainly concentrated on strengthening my legs and also included exercises for my hip abductors. Let's hope it all works and the creaking stops, I could try a touch of WD40?

I had a read of the Power Plate instructions and exercises but a vibrating plate didn't seem to wise an exercise for my ankle.

My trip to the gym:

3 x 25 leg extension
3 x 25 leg curl
3 x 25 hip abductor (outer)
3 x 12 single arm row on each side
3 x 25 hip abductor (inner)

10 minutes on grappler (rope pull) increasing resistance

3 minutes on grappler (rope pull)

Now I might not be able to to run and increase my Janathon miles but one benefit of this is that my wife has been going to the gym with me every night except last night :-) She's doing very well indeed and is doing more aerobic work than me!

Janathon miles are 141.5 plus lots of gym trips.

Running robots, treadmills and bugs

2011-01-18T23:11:00.000Z

Asimo - the first running robot although he runs a bit like I run at the moment

I would quite like to do some robotic engineering and watching the episode on robots from James May's Big Ideas series reminded me of that. Have you seen Asimo run? However, right now I have a bug in one of my designs and it's getting to me a bit - I find it difficult to think of robotic engineering when I'm stuck on a design problem, oh well!

My background in engineering is in designing and developing equipment for broadcast but over the years I've designed electronics, systems and software in just about every industry, from research, to hardware and software for satellites, medical electronics, aerospace, semiconductors right through to consumer electronics and even electronics for plumbing! Right now our company is working on quite a range of products so I'm kept pretty busy - particularly on that bug!!!

I have a great deal of video and audio compression experience, and have worked on portable integrated systems. Consequently I have often thought that the ideal system for a runner with ipod, GPS etc. has not been developed. In my mind I have slowly been putting together this 'ideal' system for the runner. But that is the problem, what I think is important and 'ideal' is probably not what others see as important. What would be interesting is to hear what other runners find irritating or good about the gadgets they use. Perhaps what would be your ideal feature no matter how outlandish! I'm not saying that I will design it but then it's not out of the question.

Anyway, back to the gym tonight and .... I went on the treadmill. I ran 1.5 miles :-) I think my leg is okay too. I find treadmill running boring and I'm not very good at looking up and watching the TV monitors at the same time - perhaps I put the treadmill on too fast? In our gym nobody puts on the safety line for treadmill, I don't all the time but if I'm running fast I do, but I'm not sure I've seen anybody else use them. Why is that? Why do we tend to shun safety devices? Is it cultural or do all humans behave this way? There just seems to be a pressure 'not' to take safety precautions, interesting.

But treadmill running is running all the same and I'm feeling happier (except for that bug). I don't think treadmill running counts towards Janathon mileage? I haven't included it.

Here is my gym session, you will notice that I also did two lots of '5' minutes on the grappler, that was really hard going and I had to reattach my shoulder afterwards!

5 minutes on cross trainer

1.5 miles treadmill (increasing speed 6.5mph to 9mph)

2 x 5 minutes on grappler (rope pull)

3 x 20 leg extension

3 x 20 leg curl

25 x crunch

25 x oblique crunch each side

25 x reverse curl

1 x 1 minute plank

2 x 1 minute side plank (one each side)

Janathon mileage still 140 miles but who knows when I might have a little run? And it was soooo sunny today plus a beautiful clear night and the moon looked wonderful earlier. Did I tell you one of my other interests is astronomy, but time for bed .... I might have a look at the bug before though, sigh!

Chaos, books, interleaving and leg exercises

2011-01-17T23:59:00.001Z

Chaos Walking Series (different covers to ours)

I went to the gym today. Yawn! BUT ... I did some leg exercises and 15 minutes on the cross trainer :-)

Does your gym have (normally expensive) kit that is rarely used? Our gym has three Power Plates that are hardly used. I look at them and think what on earth do you do with that? Are they any good? Here is a photo of one. I shall have to give it go.

Power Plate with power woman option attached

I have to say that I've not tried all the equipment in our gym. I suppose I should work my way round and try a new piece of equipment once a week.

Anyway, I've been really busy today. I'm presently interleaving three projects which is interesting but I am quite tired by the end of the day. I've just started reading a new book by Iain Banks called 'Transition', the problem is that it interleaves the stories of a number of characters. All this interleaving is quite hard going, my brain is starting to feel like sliced bread.

However, as I progress I'm finding that 'Transition' is quite a compelling read (despite the interleaving stories) - we'll see. I've just finished reading the 'Chaos Walking Trilogy' by Patrick Ness. It's targeted at teenagers/young adults and was quite a good read. My youngest son has started reading the first book, it takes a little getting used to but I think he will enjoy the series. My eldest son read the first book a year or so ago and complained that it was depressing. I can see why he thought it might be but the series doesn't shy from tackling some fairly adult themes of how society functions during war, touches on genocide and how individuals can make a difference. It is a world where 'almost' all thoughts are visible and how humanity adapts to this new world is the source of the conflict that is a link through the books.

The three books are a touch disjointed but that's not unusual in a series. I enjoyed reading them. I've got carried away and ended up doing a book review - I do enjoy reading though. I also wanted to read these books before encouraging my youngest to read them on account of what my eldest son had said about the first book being depressing.

You know the other book I read not that long ago that interleaves different stories is the 'Cloud Atlas' by David Mitchell. Again I enjoyed it and it was different but not always easy ... but stop talking about books.

Back to the gym. As you can see from my workout my leg is healing, yippee!

15 minutes on cross trainer

3 x 20 leg extension
3 x 20 leg curl
3 x 12 shoulder press
3 x 20 tri-cep press
3 x 12 bicep curl
1 x 3 minutes on grappler (rope pull)

So Janathon still has me at 140 miles but hopefully I might start running again ;-)

Another exciting episode ...

2011-01-16T18:33:00.000Z

Still can't run so no photos at the moment as I'm trying to keep off my feet whichn means I'm not even walking very much. I'm doing a family newsletter at the moment and I came across this photo which is from the Royal Parks Half Marathon, sigh, a reminder of when I could run. I'll be back running soon though :-) Adds a bit of colour to my post.
So it was back down the gym today so this is going to be really interesting.

I used the rope pull (grappler) for longer today and it was really hard work, my shoulders felt like they were going to drop off. Like so many exercises there is a probably an easier way of using this piece of equipment but I do find I get maximum benefit by extending my arms up as you would for swimming, not that I would extend my arms 'up' when I'm swimming, that would be 'horizontal', unless I'm drowning of course. Well ther you are, the Grappler is also good in case you are drowning and you need to extend your arms up to wave for help.

This is the Grappler - the machine not the guy!

As I said, I started with the grappler today so my shoulders were ~~quite tired~~ ~~very tired~~ wasted. I then did some weights but I have to admit that I couldn't manage all three sets on the shoulder press so I wimped out!

My main emphasis is trying to build my core strength. I had forgotten to add that I had done 20 reverse curls yesterday. I have always found this exercise hard going which probably means it's working. My wife seems to find it easier, probably my heavier legs, who knows? As a word of caution, don't do core or abs exercises when you have gas. Yes I am trying to spice up my blog on my gym trip.

When I was extended out doing a plank I (perhaps a little bit smugly) thought that I don't see many people doing this exercise. I turn round and there's a young lady doing the same thing and possibly not straining as much!

I Achilles tendon feels better but it is still a little swollen so I shall wait a bit longer.

My workout today:

3 sets of 20 tri-cep press

3 x 3 minutes on grappler (rope pull)

3 sets of 12 lat pull-downs
1 sets of 11 shoulder press

20 x oblique crunch each side

25 x crunch

25 x reverse curl

3 x 1 minute plank (including single leg and single leg abduction variations)

2 x 1 minute side plank (one each side)

Janathon mileage still 140 miles.

Core variations

2011-01-15T19:05:00.000Z

Good workout again in the gym. I used the grappler more today as it certainly gets the heart beating. I reach for the rope above my head and keep my body fairly straight to try to mimic front crawl. There's a mirror in front of me so I can work on staying symmetrical and straight. I think it will help my stroke but it's hard work!

I also added some variations on my core exercises without pushing too hard of course.

It was good but I really want to get back to running. I will see how my Achilles tendon and knee feel like tomorrow but I might go for a 'short' jog with my wife. I must be disciplined and keep it short and easy!

Thanks for all the encouragement, it really helps.

Exercises I did today:

3 sets of 20 tri-cep press

3 x 2 minutes on grappler (rope pull)

3 sets of 12 lat pull-downs
3 sets of 12 shoulder press

20 x oblique crunch each side

20 x crunch

3 x 1 minute plank (including single leg and single leg abduction variations)

2 x 45s side plank

Janathon mileage is still 140 miles but my overall fitness is improving :-)

The Grappler

2011-01-14T22:22:00.001Z

My messy desk (it's not normally this messy - honest!)

There you are, a photo of my desk. It will have to do as I can't run.

So what can I do? Well I am trying to identify muscles that I can exercise that aren't aching. This is a worry because, like yesterday, the bottom half of me is broken and the top half is aching a bit more. As long as the top half doesn't break before the bottom half is fixed I should be okay.

All this gym work on my upper body is not really me. I used to look at all the young men doing weights and think, 'tut, tut - you should do some aerobic exercise!' .... now I feel a bit of hypocrite.

So off to the gym we went. I can't go by myself so my dear wife came along, she wasn't expecting be exercising quite this much when I started Janathon, she isn't complaining.

Tonight I changed the program a bit again:

3 sets of 20 tri-cep press

5 minutes on arm pedal thing

3 minutes on grappler (rope pull)

3 sets of 12 lat pull-downs
3 sets of 12 shoulder press

20 x oblique crunch each side

20 x crunch

2 x 1 minute bridge

Not in that order. I am trying gym equipment I haven't used before. I hadn't used the grappler before, it's quite hard work and aerobic. I used it at the end of my gym session but I shall try using earlier next time. The grappler is a rope pull, I imagine it will be quite good for swimming - but what do I know!

I'm a bit tired tonight and have some work to do so I shall post this and hope I repair soon.

Janathon mileage is stuck on 140 miles and will be for a while I think. On a positive note I think Janathon is providing me with an all round workout, I really wasn't expecting that.

Aching on the top, broken on the bottom and can't read the letters

2011-01-13T23:12:00.001Z

I seem to have established a routine when I publish a Janathon post:

1) Write the post
2) 'Briefly' scan it.
3) Publish it
4) View the post on my blog
5) Spot an error.
6) Fix error and republish post.
7) View the post again, spot another error and decide I'd better read it through properly at least once.
8) Read through and then republish.

9) Then I pull up Millie Lavelle's Google Reader and admire my post there ... spot another error. Fix error and republish. Go back to Millie's Google Reader, and read a few of the blogs I haven't got round to reading.

Most of the time I will write a comment, sit back and read it. Is it too long, too short, missing the point completely, patronising, total rubbish, inappropriate? The last one I'm particularly sensitive about, the second to last I'm particularly good at and the third to last I sometimes do without realising.

I then go to post my comment and quite often the are-you-human-so-read-the-letters-test will pop up, I glance at the letters and sometimes I'm flummoxed! Can I make out the letters? What if I get it wrong? I have to say I don't always get them right - does that mean I'm not quite fully human? What does it do if you keep getting them wrong? Does it say 'You are not human, you can't read the letters!'

'I am, I am - please give me another chance'

'Nope, you can't read the letters. You have failed. You will be removed'

'Removed? REMOVED? What will happen now? It's the wheelchair isn't it, that's what the wheelchair is for. I AM HUMAN!'

(wait)

'If you are human .... then you are too stupid. Good bye!'

Okay, so that doesn't really happen but I do sometimes struggle a bit with those are-you-human-so-read-the-letters-tests.
Talking about comments and inappropriateness. The other day (yesterday) I posted a comment on a fellow Janathonite's blog and then I realised that I'm the first person to comment on the young lady doing naked yoga post. Oh dear, that's not appropriate, a middle aged man commenting on a post like that. Why did I choose this post to comment on? Because you skipped the one that made references about sports bras (I think), I just can't contribute there, not that I've done any naked yoga either. I choose blogs to read using Millie's wondrous Google Reader pretty randomly, I think ... I'm sure 'Naked Wednesday' in the title didn't make any difference. Sigh, that doesn't sound too convincing either! So after posting the comment (because I'm getting tired) I think, 'Hold on, how old is this blogger, I hope she's not a student, she could be half my age, she has flatmates!! I'll be done for harassment.' Sigh, sigh and sigh again!

But about my exercise today, I can't run! I have a dilemma, the top half is aching and the bottom half is broken. So the only option is to exercise the aching half - off to the gym I go dragging Mrs Jenks. The result will probably be more aching on the top half, I hope nothing else ~~brakes~~ breaks! I never thought I would be doing so much upper body training in Janathon.

What I did down the gym:

3 sets of 20 tri-cep press
10 minutes on arm pedal thingy (I don't know what it's called and it was the first time I'd used it)
3 sets of 12 lat pull-downs
3 sets of 12 shoulder press
3 sets of 12 chest press
3 sets of 12 single arm row on each side
3 sets of 12 reverse flye
3 sets of 12 lateral raise
3 sets of 12 pec flye
Janathon totals: aching upper body, sore knee, sore Achilles Tendon and I'm stuck on 140 running miles.

Sorry, no pics again unless you want a photo of my desk?

Better and worse?

2011-01-12T21:03:00.003Z

Gary V of Local Adventures suggested ice on my knee before and after a run, this has worked really well - thanks Gary. My knee was feeling much better :-) I still could only run slowly but all was looking well ...

But unfortunately on my last run my Achilles tendon became sore (same leg as the sore knee). I finished the run slowly and to be honest it was better running than walking - stopped frequently. I'm falling apart!

Sorry but all the concentration during my runs resulted in no photos. Morning run was with my dog, we both got home quite muddy so I turned the outside hose on and washed off Fleet. As I said it was slow but much better, I was feeling quite positive.

This afternoon my knee was feeling okay, I think I had the odd twinge from my Achilles tendon but all felt fine. Anyway, I was struggling with a piece of design and really wasn't getting anywhere so I figured I needed to clear my head and went off for a run. I often think through problems when I run and it really helps. I was taking it slowly and all was going well until about half way - that's when my Achilles tendon started hurting. It was stop start on the way home and the couple of miles were quite uncomfortable.

Once home I put ice on my knee and Achilles tendon and then proceeded to slosh and rattle around while we were making dinner! Feels better now, I'll see how the old body feels tomorrow though. Feeling very tired right now so I need to rest, sorry if this is a bit of a jumbled post.

14 miles today so my Janathon mileage is now 140 miles.

Neoprene and ice helps

2011-01-11T23:38:00.001Z

No, my head is not exploding!

That headtorch is a bit scary (saying nothing of the chap strapped to it).

Half way point - I didn't venture down the path.

Well I tried one of those neoprene knee strappy thingys, I kept fiddling around with it the first mile, decided it didn't seem to be working so I took it off. After three miles I put it back on again, turned round and ran back home. On my return it worked a little better, I think I had it on too tight initially. My knee is still quite sore and maybe I should rest it more. I will go to the gym tomorrow evening and do some leg extensions/curls/bends/cracks/whirls/snaps/pops etc.

Not bad running in the evening despite been hooted at, not sure why? Taking the photos (which aren't great) was amusing, I think drivers thought I was speed trapping with all my hi-vis gear!

Drivers wondering who the hi-vis chap is taking photos

So it was a bit, or maybe more than a bit, sore but I did 6 miles. Neoprene strap thingy was also good for holding a bag of ice against my tender knee too ... afterwards that is! Not even I would consider running with ice strapped to my knee ... well maybe?

Janathon total 126 miles.

What to do when life is a little bleak

2011-01-10T22:49:00.000Z

So I'm not running :-( And I found out that I owe the tax man quite a bit of money (company clerical error) :-(

:-\

:-)

It could be worse I guess. So if I'm not running (I really need to give my knee a rest) it's time to go to the gym and do an upper body work. So what did I do ...

3 sets of 12 Lat Pull-downs
3 sets of 12 shoulder press
3 sets of 12 chest press
3 sets of 12 single arm row on each side
3 sets of 12 reverse flye
3 sets of 12 lateral raise
3 sets of 12 pec flye

Not half as interesting as running but at least I had my dear wife with me. If I took photos I would have proably been thrown out so you will have to make do with the bleak shot above - stripped down is how I feel after the taxman's assault on me. I feel a bit better now but I think I'm going to ache tomorrow.

My sons tell me that I shouldn't put noses on smiley or sad faces - what's wrong with noses??

A big stick and a sore knee

2011-01-09T17:37:00.002Z

Fleet with a stick that's too big!

I've got a sore knee, any advice other than don't run on it (i.e. the most sensible advice) please let me know.

Woke up this morning, resting heart rate was down (good sign, as long as it's not too far down!). Knee was sore but I thought I'd at least try a morning run.

There are some swans in that field

What a beautiful day, frosty morning with a glorious blue sky. My wife and I set out for our planned run/walk with Fleet our dog. First we did a half mile walk and then we set off running along the trail. My wife set the pace and we walked whenever she wanted to. I very carefully switched on my Garmin for each of the sections we ran. Good fun it was.

I feel better ... buggy thingy seems to be going, aching has pretty much gone but my knee, sore! I know that it's just a bit inflamed but it's not happy.

Less than a mile from home

Took some photos, played with dog. Morning run with wife was about 2.75 miles running and a further 1.5 miles walking. Knee warmed up so said goodbye to wife a start of trail and off I went for a few more miles with Fleet.

Yachts on Summerleaze Lake

Fleet and I did another 6.5 miles and I returned just in time to take my youngest to his last day at the Panto.

They were having a party and my son made two cakes as he wanted enough cake for the cast and crew. The left cake lists Tic and Toc with all the other cast and crew below, with the 'Celebs' at the bottom. Tic and Toc were names of the two groups of kids who were performing - he's loved it. My wife has a seat for the final performance, my son doesn't know.

Talking of cakes, here is a picture of the Christmas Cake that my middle son made (I mentioned this in an earlier post). It's delicious and completely homemade :-)

But back to running ...

I was going to go out for another run later, and I would have, had my wife not helped me see reason - my knee is just too sore - any suggestions? Does hopping count as running? I might have to switch sports for a while, do a bit of swimming ... maybe. Sigh!

Janathon mileage: 122 miles

Blue skies but still not good :-(

2011-01-08T20:13:00.001Z

The Jubilee River half way through my run.

Backing off the mileage as from tomorrow, maybe. I think I'm fighting off a bug, resting heart rate is up a little - oh well. A bit of rest might be in order ... and my knee's a sore. Too old for this. I haven't been running that long either, about three years now - wonderful asthma drug made the difference.

However, I am planning to go for a short run with Mrs Jenks tomorrow :-)

Did a ten mile run today, why? A bit sad really but I wanted my Garmin Training Centre week mileage to be a hundred miles - just for me.

Back to my run ...

What I woke up to, the green across the road.

Woke up to a blue sky - happy, happy man. See photo ->

Not feeling brilliant, head says run, body says no ...

... body, head argument ...

... more body, head argument ...

Go for run, slowly, stopping at regular intervals.

End up running behind lady who I'd normally pass. Lady happens to be following my route, realise she might be getting worried with strange man staggering behind her! Don't want to pass her but don't want to stop, she takes a different route - phew!

Then ... 'runner's runs', yipes! Do I stop? No, can't see anywhere. Control, focus, mind over ... uh, well, you know. Keep going, stopping every so often, glancing at watch as if it's planned (very sad). Focus, control, get to halfway and see top photo.

By this time mind has done its job, remarkably, tentative relief. Body still not happy though, so still no speed.

Another photo of the Jubilee River.

Run (jog) (stagger) past pretty young lady on horse. Smile at her, she ignores me! Irritation, I was bestowing runner's courtesy she probably thinks otherwise, grrr. I've been happily married for almost 25 years, I really don't need this.

<- Take another photo, feel better.

Back over Maidenhead Bridge so I take another photo, see below.

The Thames from Maidenhead Bridge

Reached 10 miles, Garmin Training Centre is happy ... body isn't. I should rest and recover, I'll see how I feel tomorrow ...

111 Janathon miles (feels much, much more than that)

Wet, very wet and tired, but I got there ... 100 miles :-)

2011-01-07T21:34:00.000Z

See! Wet and mud!

Wet! First run in the morning was wet! Dog was wet! I was wet! See photo of wet with slippery mud. 7 miles of wet, wet , wet.

More wet and mud!

Afternoon it cleared :-) dried all my clothes :-) :-) Started running after dry weather has been around for hours, 10 minutes into my run and ... wet! I get wet all by myself too! To top it all, a big bus sprays me with more wet! Wet, wet, wet! 10ish miles of wet (but no mud) and I'm so hungry! Everything is wet ... wet, wet, wet and it's dark and I'm cold and I'm hungry! NO it's not just wet, I'm drenched!

A variation - wet dog walking in mud and wet temporarily ceased to remind you how nice it was when it wasn't wet ... before the wet starts again!

But 4 miles left - 4 miles to get to a hundred miles. Sigh! I can't stop now, I might never do this again. It's wet outside, and darker, and colder but most of all it's wet .... but I'm so tired, I want to go to sleep, I've had a nice dinner. It's warm inside and so cold outside ... and wet!!! But it's only 4 miles ... sigh! But I'm not putting wet clothes back on, and I will find a pair of older 'dry' running shoes ...

... I did it :-) About 4.5 miles. And it was dry too! Although dodging the puddles in the dark with my headtorch was hard going (not all our roads have streetlights). Total rounded up to 101 miles.

100 miles in a week - I'm very pleased with that. Once I thought I might do it, I decided that I would try and do it early on in case I developed and injury or fell sick. I've bagged it, 100 miles in a week :-)

Assuming nothing goes wrong, I'm pretty sure that Gary of Local Adventures will win as he seems to be taking the mileage in his stride - very impressive. Kevin of ...musing... has little ones, that's exhausting on it's own! I remember how hard having little ones was, teenagers can be difficult but little ones ... brilliant fun though, but so are teenagers (sometimes). I'm very proud of all three of my sons despite the moaning - grumpy middle age man that I am :-( Well, maybe I'm not that grumpy.

Me? I'm certainly not stopping but I might slow down a bit, see how I feel. I don't use my age as an excuse but I do find if I'm injured it does seem to take a little longer for my body to repair itself. Am I competitive? My 13 year old certainly is! I don't think that I'm that competitive, the goals I have set so far have been my own. Like Kevin I'm really surprised at my mileage so far - I never dreamed I could run so far in one week. I guess I haven't run that fast but that's okay.

Total so far, 100 miles (over 160 km) :-)

Geese, ball and wondering if I should run?

2011-01-07T00:01:00.001Z

Wet, dirty but happy

Took my dog out for his morning run, in the rain ... and more mud. I took it easy this morning as I think I might be fighting off something? My legs felt better today.

He wants the ball

I passed a huge flock of geese on the muddy field (see yesterday's photo) - hundreds and hundreds of geese! Fleet, my dog, just ignored them. Fleet did find a bright yellow ball and I eventually convinced him to leave it behind. The field had even more mud, I ended up on mud stilts but as it was raining my running shoes weren't quite so muddy when I got home. Morning run was about 6 miles

Hundreds of geese and an uninterested dog

I spent the day wondering if I was developing a cough so I didn't go for a run at lunchtime - if the truth be known I was probably too busy to run anyway.

Fantastic drug - let's me run :-)

By this evening I was still unsure if I should run. I'm asthmatic and I take an inhaler morning and night, this normally controls my asthma but occasionally something will trigger it. Anyway, I decided that I would try a gentle run along the paths in Maidenhead, any problems I would turn back or call for a lift. I kept the run gentle and slow. It actually turned out to be a good run, it was slow, but it felt brilliant! However, I did get a bit lost and later it did start getting very cold, but all in all it was a successful run. Evening run was about 10.5 miles.

This brings my Janathon total to about 79 miles.

Legs that feel like I'm running on mud!

2011-01-05T23:47:00.001Z

Woke up this morning and looked out of our loft conversion window to a beautiful blue sky and a blazing Venus.

I find starting morning runs quite difficult at times, once I'm going it's often the best time but the first half a mile! This morning the beautiful sky helped a bit, my dog's expectant eyes helped a lot. So off I went, plodding the first mile with my faithful dog. Things gradually improved, a bit; so I plodded faster, a little faster.

One of the good things about Janathon is that it has helped me to focus less on pace and speed, and instead to listen to my body a little more. With high mileage running I'm concentrating on keeping my running smooth, trying to minimise any jolting and ultimately try and save my knees. Yes, my legs have ached and still ache a bit (quite a bit), but my knees seem to be okay. My runs are slower and I'm less inclined to push fast because I keep thinking 'How does it feel? Am I pushing too much?' It's all a new experience and I hope it goes okay but if I have any problems and I end up having to reduce the mileage - that will be okay, hard but okay.

Part of my run took me across a field which was (not surprisingly) muddy. The mud slowed my progress further and I realised later that most of my run felt like degrees of crossing that muddy field. Almost all my runs I end up running to a point and then turning round, the photo below is the muddy field I crossed, it doesn't look quite so muddy as it was!

The last couple of miles actually got better and I did some strides near the end. Morning run was 6 miles.

A couple of hours after that I had a phone call from a panicked chaperone asking me where my son was as he had to be on stage in half an hour (he was at school). My youngest son is in Peter Pan at a theatre about 20 minutes away, he was at school 10 minutes away. We had not been told his schedule had been changed. Phoned up the school, grabbed his kit, dashed out the door, picked him up and got him there 5 minutes after the curtain went up - stressed! Fortunately he was on only on stage 20 minutes into the show, sigh!

It's times like these that I need a stress reliever - running. So I got back to work, grabbed some food while I was working and went off for another run. Sadly this run was in the rain. I was a bit easier than the morning but the last couple miles were harder, I should have had more to eat or grabbed a gel. Afternoon run was 7 miles.

13 miles today so that means that I've now reached 62 miles(ish) which I think is 100km(ish) - I'm very pleased. I'm also very tired so I must get to bed. I am really enjoying the Janathon experience and the blogs are great.

What does a woodpecker and a mobile phone have in common?

2011-01-04T20:11:00.001Z

Today I did a run in the morning with my dog. Set off to the sound of the dawn chorus and a misty sunrise. I even heard a woodpecker tapping away on an old tree. The sound was very familiar and reminded me of something else, I thought and thought and then realised what the woodpecker's taps sounded like - my eldest son (he's 18) texting on his mobile phone! His thumb goes in little bursts as he selects each letter (unlike me, he doesn't use predictive text).

Morning run went well although I often find running with my dog a little more tiring. I'm not sure why this is the case as he is off the lead most of the time? Here's a photo from this morning ...

Second run I squeezed into a late lunch. I set off a long compilation on my computer (they can take hours) and then headed for road. I was feeling fine after four miles and was tempted to go a little further before turning around but I didn't.

But I was hungry! All these calories I'm burning have made me quite hungry at the end of some of my runs.

My morning run was 6 miles and my afternoon run was 8.3 miles so I did 14.3 miles today. I think my dog should be logging his miles too :-)

Of mixed up music and irritating speedhumps!

2011-01-03T21:45:00.000Z

We did the same 5 mile walk this morning that we did yesterday but this time we convinced our youngest son to join us. Fleet, our dog, did lots of running chasing lots of sticks some of which were really to big for him!We had a great time and stopped off at a local pub for a bite to eat called The Bounty which is right next to the Thames. It is a relaxed pub with a very welcoming atmosphere - I shall take some photos next time. It's really worth a visit and extremely popular with the locals. I'm tired of posting scenic photos, here's a photo of me and my youngest son who is 13.

So ... after we returned home I started thinking about a run. Now my youngest son has really got into Janathon so he's giving me a push. The problem is that we don't have many daylight hours, off I went later in the afternoon knowing it was going to be dark when I returned, sigh! I did the same run down to Maidenhead and along the Jubilee River and back again.

After sunset it started getting quite cold, I might need a few more layers in the future. There were even a few snow flurries, brr - I couldn't talk properly when I got inside as my face was so cold!

I used my new iPod that has playlists (unlike my old iPod Shuffle), the problem is that I can't easily forward songs like on my iPod Shuffle and I haven't organised the playlists properly. No problem, I thought, I'll play my 25 most played songs and i'll set it to shuffle. Now I have sung in a choir and often listen to pieces to etch them in my memory (I can't read music very well) and my most recently played songs only apply to iTunes and not my iPod Shuffle. This meant I ended up listening to a mix of Electronic/Dance music and Rutter/Chilcott Choral pieces - not everybodies taste but worked rather well, it kind of boosted and then made you float along (ideal for Janathon where knee conservation running is a high priority). Sean, remember it was my idea first - AudioFuel with a twist of Choral Music (somehow I don't think it will take off).

One other thing, speed humps are not very good for cars but they're not very good for runners with headtorches either! I really struggle to spot them, I know they're there, I'm looking out for them and then trip, stagger, 'umph!', I've hit one!!

The run was 14.44 miles, which includes 0.4 miles when my Garmin was off. I don't know if I switched it off during a rest/headtorch adjustment, and then forgot to switch it back on or if my glove switched it off. Anyway I came home and worked out what I'd missed - it's the second time it's happened. I might try the auto off function when you stop and see if it's me forgetting switch it back on.

Such a good husband ...

2011-01-02T21:32:00.001Z

I made my good wife breakfast in bed this morning - such a good husband I am.

A very pleasant morning it was so off we went for a walk with our dog but no sons (three teenage sons = two asleep, one baking!). New background was taken on our walk (see below as I'm sure I will change it again).

The walk was about 5 miles and we ended up taking quite a few photos, the one above just suited a background image, I might upload other photos in the future. Lots of runners out this morning!

Another photo of our dog :-)

In the afternoon I set off for a run just in the nick of time, the early dark evenings are quite frustrating. My afternoon run took me up and down a hill that requires a total ascent of just under 1400 feet. Beautiful scenery from the top overlooking the Thames but too late and dark for photos. Part of my run goes through Marlow High Street, loads of shoppers so I resorted to running in the road as the traffic was very slow. Turned round and ran back up the hill (very steep). Used my headtorch which also has a flashing red light at the back - it might look like a Christmas Tree but it's very safe (Alpkit Gamma headtorch). Only problem is my hair needs a cut so I imagine I might have looked a bit odd as all my hair ends up sticking out between the straps, oh well.

Total run was a touch under 10.4 miles.

The tale of 'the smartly dressed runner with brolly'

2011-01-01T19:12:00.000Z

Well first of all, Happy New Year.

So today is the first day of Janathon and it was never going to be easy going for a run after a party the night before, but I did. Off I went in the afternoon along my familiar route, over Maidenhead Bridge and along the Jubilee River. I have to admit that I was struggling a bit at first, and on and off thereafter.

As I approached the Jubilee River a man got out of a car slightly ahead of me. He was dressed quite smartly in brown trousers and shoes and a light beige jacket, he might have had a tie on too. He had a neatly collapsed full length brolly that he held midway, horizontally. He was probably late 40s or in his 50s. Well I thought he was going to go for a walk along the Jubilee River but then ... he started running!

Now this gentleman was running maybe a couple of metres in front of me to my left. His legs were moving but his body was quite vertical and his brolly remained quite perfectly horizontal. Now you would expect that I (in my snazzy running gear and more electronic gizmos that I would like to admit to) would slip past him effortlessly, but no! He was running at the same speed as me!! In my defence I had already run 4 miles and I've lost some fitness over the last few weeks but still ... with a brolly ... and dressed like he's going to dinner!

What to do? There I was running slightly behind and to the right of a gentleman with brolly and smart attire. How does that look? Was I going to run like that for another mile?!? Would you? I decided something had to be done. I could either pretend that I'd reached halfway and turn round, which, of course, I had not, I could pretend that my shoelaces (or something or other) needed tieing, I could glance at my watch and slow to a walk as if planned (don't tell me that you've never done this), run with him and take the mirth and mockery or ... simply speed up. Sadly my ego was in control so, I sped up. I did, you'll be pleased to learn, offer him the courtesies due to fellow runners on passing and said a polite 'Hello'.

Once I had passed him I realised (and panicked a little more than I should admit to) that he might speed up! Alas, we could end up sprinting along Jubilee River through all the New Year's Day walkers like a scene from the marathon run in 'Run Fat Boy Run' - but perhaps even more hilarious (and more damaging to my ego). Fortunately my ego is intact as I did manage to increase the gap, and when I eventually found an opportunity to glance back, the 'smartly dressed runner with brolly' was nowhere to be seen.

Sadly I do not have a photo of the 'smartly dressed runner with brolly' as my ego shoved out any possible ideas of photojournalism. On my return I took a photo from the spot where the 'smartly dressed runner with brolly' threatened my ego - a pretty stretch of the Jubilee River isn't it?

Hmmm, was the 'smartly dressed runner with brolly' a possible Janathon participant squeezing in a quick run? Do you recognise yourself from the above description?

The rest of the run was fairly uneventful in comparison. It did start raining and I didn't have a jacket two miles from home, not really a problem other than a wet shirt does have tendency of making my, umm, nipples go raw. I had a slightly embarassing incident once (more embarrassing for my teenage sons) that involved rain, two red streaks on my front (that I was unaware of) and greeting two teenage girls (friends of my sons). Dads are always embarrassing I know, but sometimes more than other! Anyway, fortunately my nipples were fine but I was a bit cold.

I'm pleased to say that today's run was 10.12 miles, I'm definitely running slower than I was a month or so ago.

Run on a misty, muddy day

2010-12-30T20:01:00.003Z

Did an 8.15 mile run today and took this photo of the Thames near Boulters Lock half way.

Snow, ice and slush

2010-12-27T17:35:00.000Z

After a period of cold and flu I finally went for a run today. I dressed up warmly and wore my trendy Saucony green top, my son said I looked like a Christmas Elf! You really can't be too sensitive when you're a Dad of three teenage sons, sigh.

I was a little apprehensive as it was a mixture of ice, slush, compacted snow and more ice. Time to test my new Yak Trax ice cleats, last year's cheapo ice cleats broke after falling off numerous times. The Yak Trax Pro ice cleats have a strap over the top so if they unclip they stay on your feet. Unclipped ice cleats wouldn't have been too serious today but in deep soft snow it would have been difficult to find them (as I have experience of). Anyway, the Yak Trax performed very well and I didn't slip once :-) Yak Trax and Gortex Salomon Running Shoes proved to be an excellent combination - I can be such a Geek!

Scenery was beuatiful with frozen streams. I didn't take Fleet (my dog) today as it was my first run for a little while and I wanted to check that the Yak Trax worked okay. Oh yes, I ran 7.5 miles at an easy pace - feeling good ;-)

The background photo ...

2010-12-21T00:32:00.003Z

... , which will probably change, is a route I run frequently, 'very' frequently. Perhaps I should run different routes but I don't. Am I lazy? Am I getting old? It's just easier - I know how far a mile is, two miles three, along the Thames, over the bridge ... I love my runs, I love this route You know it changes all year round too - I should post photos. The Red Kites love it too, sometimes dozens of them. In fact I associate their call with running. My dog loves it too, that's him in the photo - possibly the softest, gentlest dog in the world.

When will my sons be home?? It's icy and snowy out there :-(

Just found out my one son is staying at his friend's house for the night, a relief! He will need to catch the first train for his paper round. My eldest says he is almost home ... he's home - whew! Goodnight.

No running

2010-12-21T00:06:00.001Z

Still no run today, still sick but have put up the Christmas tree :-) My three boys went out, chose a tree, purchased it and brought it home, quite special, I'm very proud of them. The two eldest went out this evening and my youngest and I put up the tree, decorated it and then watched a movie, special.

But no run :-(

... and I'll be happy when they get home too :-| Sigh!

Janathon - Running and Blogging

2010-12-19T19:08:00.002Z

I've never written about my running on my blog so why not start me thinks. I've decided to participate in Janathon. Run every day and blog every day for the month of January.

'Looked After Children' no more

2007-12-12T19:34:00.000Z

My wife is a Social Worker and she told me last night that 'Looked After Children' are now to be known as 'Children that are Looked After' ...

'Looked After Children'
'Children that are Looked After'
'Looked After Children'
'Children that are Looked After'

??

Do they really believe it will make any difference?

Of course I'm sure there will be a cost associated with the change.

Missed it again!

2007-12-10T22:46:00.000Z

I have just realised that yet again we have missed The Royal Variety Show.

Some years Mrs Jenks and I happen to catch a snippet of it and we call our kids down to see the last few acts. Every year we say that we really must remember to watch it all next year; even just most of it ... this year we didn't even catch a snippet! I fear our children will be deprived of seeing the whole show, just once! What makes it worse for our poor children is that they often show flashbacks of the various acts at the end of the show - the acts that they missed.

Are we the only family that are unaware when it's on? I suppose this is the danger of selective viewing, you miss the adverts for shows. Oh well, will somebody please remind us next year, if not for us then for our children’s sake - I have this suspicion that next year this time ...

Swans with shades

2007-12-04T13:19:00.000Z

This might be obvious but we live near the Thames but not so obvious would be that our village has an assocaition with swans. Anyway, I heard that a crew was filming locally and made use of 'trained' swans instead of our local common or garden variety of swans (I'm not much of an ornithologist I'm afraid).

Now I have this picture in my head of swans with shades, reclining on director's chairs - do you think they have equity cards. Imagine the tantrums, you don't want to be near an angry swan!

(PS "Swans with Shades" is a unique phrase in Google and takes you to this post ... and I was hoping for a picture.)

Cheques and permission slips - grrrrr!

2007-12-04T12:17:00.000Z

I'm fed up with writing out cheques for school and filling in forms. The other day I had to request another chequebook from my bank, the last one they sent us was at the end of October!

Piecemeal requests for cash, £2 for this, £5 for that - sigh. Permission slips. Newsletters. Bigger sigh. I just have so many better things to with my life than fill in forms, tell people that yes my son has had a tetanus jab, write out my address, email, telephone numbers over and over again .... and write another confounded cheque ... for £2!

I wish I could tell the school 'Yes, you can take my child wherever you think is appropriate (I trust you), email me the details, here's £100 (or whatever) - take out what you need, when you need it and let me know periodically if the pot needs filling and roughly where the money went.' Not complicated, less paper, less time and surely everybody will be happier.

I received a form yesterday that listed 'all' the contact details associated with my child that was held on record. It was 'all' correct but for some reason I have to keep writing out this information on forms! If I really have to sign a form, why not do a mail merge??? It's a closed loop system, parents submit details, parents check details - all records are correct and technology has helped save time and money.

Oh well. I feel a little better now, sorry.

My bad timing and hairy chests

2007-12-03T09:28:00.000Z

Hairy chests, another example of my bad timing...

I grew up being told that you're a real man when you get a bit of hair on your chest. That chest of hair was a sign of your arrival at manhood.

That was the 70s.

I remember one of the more serious swimmers at school shaving his body to reduce drag in the water - most of my friends were horrified, such sacrilege. What if the hair didn’t grow back??? So this thing about hair on your chest was really quite important – get the picture.

Enter a rather hairless teenager (namely me, not unusual for teenagers really) waiting for those hairs to emerge … waiting … waiting … waiting … hoorah!

Alas, arrival of hairy chest occurs just as it goes out of fashion.

Men now seem to shave, wax (ouch) or something? I can’t imagine they’re born like that and I’m not sure it’s ever discussed down the pub. In fact, I imagine most men would be worried if there was ‘no’ hair to remove. I think you notice a little confusion here and a distinct lack of research.

But my main point is that it is another example of my excellent timing. I might add that I am not planning on any shearing of my torso either – Mrs Jenks has said that she is quite happy just the way I am. Besides, it might come back in fashion ;-)

Off to the Hellfire Club ;-)

2007-11-29T12:32:00.001Z

I'm off to the Hellfire Club tonight. What is the Hellfire Club you might ask? I really can not say.

Hee, hee ... the mind boggles doesn't it?

the thames, a runner and his dog

#Janathon Day 27 - night running = getting lost, tripping, sinking, slipping and running into things

Remembering Eric

#Janathon Day 25 - Fleet smashes a 100 miles and knots again

#Janathon Day 24 - my legs are aching :-(

#Janathon Day 23 - my 99 miler dog

#Janathon Day 22 - holding myself together and an Olympic blockage

#Janathon Day 21 - rainbows, #Jantastic and isn't Fleet doing well

#Janathon Day 20 - doggy Christmas decorations and almost running into stays

#Janathon Day 19 - yawning plus other things

#Janathon Day 18 - overheating, bugs, Cubs, knots and the recovery position

#Janathon Day 17 - and all I can think of is bed

#Janathon Day 16 - Garmin had a flat and poo parcels

#Janathon Day 15 - in trouble, acquring dogs and sticky, slippy mud

#Janathon Day 14 - scouting for goods and the mystery path

#Janathon Day 13 - thumb blister, quantum mechanics and a frost

#Janathon Day 12 - boring run in the dark

#Janathon Day 11 - a games evening at Cubs

#Janathon Day 10 - badminton limb freeing and grubby hands

#Janathon Day 9 - my legs might just fall off

#Janathon Day 8 - Did and done

#Janathon Day 7 - An escapade past a hotel ...

#Janathon Day 6 - tired legs, confused dog running pace and Jantastic plan

#Janathon Day 5 - the pigeon shooters and running round the field dilemma!

#Janathon Day 4 - a sunny run with my dog and types of mud

#Janathon Day 3 - windy, wombling, whinging, whateverness (but not wet)

#Janathon Day 2 - Boring Post Warning

#Janathon Day 1 - Too much wine, sigh!

Day 30 of Juneathon - completed, thank you Cathy :-)

Day 29 of Juneathon - work, PC problems, Art Exhibition, Cub cycling and more work

Day 28 of Juneathon - running on empty and a standing ovation (not for me)

Day 27 of Juneathon - hot and humid 10 miles and my eldest son has finished school

Day 26 of Juneathon - went running with my 16 year old son and I couldn't keep up at the end!

Day 25 of Juneathon - busy ... and it's going to get even busier!

Day 24 of Juneathon - steaming (as in water vapour) and seven wet ones

Day 23 of Juneathon - a run that was shortened and Marathon Talk's Magic Mile Challenge sounds tempting

Day 22 of Juneathon - sticky, messy Cubs cooking over fires and choosing a DJ that wasn't for my son

Day 21 of Juneathon - my son's first performance of 'The Railway Children' and what we're seeing at the Olympics

Day 20 of Juneathon - short drizzly run in the evening and feeling fine

Day 19 of Juneathon - spoilt on Father's Day, stinging nettles, brambles and Boot's micropore surgical tape works

Day 18 of Juneathon - sore nipples (the sequel) including mentions of gaffer tape, pasties and a dead goldfish

Day 17 of Juneathon - sore nipples!

Day 16 of Juneathon - runner's washing machine formula, I think my dog is aching and wishing for a dry spell.

Day 15 of Juneathon - a dog tired dog, little Cubs, a Village Fair and hoping they're wrong!

Day 14 of Juneathon - happy knees, a late night pick up and sons who 'might' run

Day 13 of Juneathon - went running with my wife and ........ dog :-)

Day 12 of Juneathon - wet weather gear and going to see my son in 'The Railway Children' :-)

Day 11 of Juneathon - my lovely Nike Free 3.0 V2 running shoes (running anorak that I am)

Day 10 of Juneathon - miserable run with runner''s trots but I have finished Vol 1 of 'War and Peace'

Day 9 of Juneathon - I've got Olympic tickets, not a family of four and trying to leave comments, grrrr!

Day 8 of Juneathon - Cubbing and I think I want to do the Comrades, maybe!

Day 7 of Juneathon - asthma checkup went well and a gentle run that wasn't

Day 6 of Juneathon - this was my day but I got to 50 miles :-)

Day 5 of Juneathon - wet run, aching thighs, all reminds me of Janathon

Day 4 of Juneathon - Garmin's beeping off on hills and a squeezed run

Day 3 of Juneathon - a dead swan, two cuckoos and a water bottle refill

Day 2 of Juneathon - nice and easy ...

Day 1 of Juneathon ... but no running dog :-(

Janathon complete ... lots of firsts and lots of thanks

"A machine as versatile as the human body...", 'The Redbreast' and too much sex in 'Transition'

Powerplates induction, more gym and freezable vegetarian meal suggestions please

Gym Ball Extravaganza

Sniff! Cough!

Sniff!

Grappling and tiger art

Briefly, I fly

A sleepy dog, teenage attire and the word 'solipsism'

sol·ip·sism

Treadmill running today - yay I'm running but it is boring!

My wish for some Red Kite running ...

The creak came back, Scout badges and Physics Coursework

Yes, No or maybe ... I don't know!

Mr Forgetful and the lost comments

Running robots, treadmills and bugs

Chaos, books, interleaving and leg exercises

Another exciting episode ...

Core variations

The Grappler

Aching on the top, broken on the bottom and can't read the letters

Better and worse?