Archives for January 2010
365: Porridge Pot or Bust!
Now, this was a hard day. A second attempt at a Helly Hansen adventure race promised a more evenly balanced team, but after some chopping and changing I ended up two super-fit guys, one ten years younger than me and the other a BMF instructor and professional fit person. And me, 36, creaking, reasonable stamina but slooow.
It was snowing at the start of the race (but at least not as muddy as in December) and -2 degrees but that was soon ignored as we pushed on with a few hundred others on an unmarked course through the woods. I kept pace with the fit lads for the first mile but backed off to conserve energy and was two or three minutes late into transition. However we were well matched on the mountain biking and (forgive me for saying this, mate!) I was relieved when CA cramped up on the second of three runs, which gave me a chance to get ahead. After the kayaking we were all together on the final run back to the cargo nets, wall and finish line.
I felt I’d pushed myself hard, and the others had a fair crack too, so it was great to find out that we finished 48th out of 350 teams! 2h46 of pushing, my legs cramped on the very last obstacle, but a good day.
And this time I didn’t fall asleep in the bath…
365: The white stuff
It’s been a most peculiar winter, with another dusting of snow in South London. At this rate Tooting will start looking attractive in the middle of winter.
365: Bargain film night
Wow! The monthly trip to Savacentre brings up four three of the greatest movies of my youth. I suspect Stripes is there to fill space. And all for £7.99. Bargain.
365: Casio F-91W
The question is whether this purchase is practical or ironic.
365: An unsettling forecast
This does not look good: I’ve got a race on Sunday morning including a kayaking section, and the weather forecast looks positively Baltic.
365: Crossword completion
There is an undeniable and deep, deep satisfaction about finishing the crossword, even if it’s the Guardian’s ‘quick’ one, and especially if you do it whilst on a conference call.
365: Star gazing
365: Lost
With the marathon training well underway I’m heading out for longer runs at the weekends. It’s surprisingly difficult to find a 12 or 13 mile course around South London that isn’t too repetitive, doesn’t go back over the same paths and is easy to remember. I try and remember where to go, and have the iPhone GPS available, but that didn’t stop me making a significant wrong turn at the railway tracks and heading south rather than north when I was turning for home. 12 miles became a half marathon… and I was glad to get home for tea.
365: Fun and games in Swinley Forest
As I try to find my mountain biking feet. I’ve only done this once before, and it’s scary. And, once I had the bottle for it, good fun too!
365: All will be revealed
In a few weeks, insh’allah.
