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July
The first half of July has been a wash-out running-wise.
There was a week in Pembrokeshire that held plenty of promise; but there just seemed like more important things to do. Like building sand-castles with my lad; going for walks along the cliffs; dragging sea bass out of the breakers; and getting pissed.
But tonight I made it out for a 5 miler. 5.19 actually.
One thing I've decided is that I should try to get abit more scientic and actually record my runs: how far I've gone and what time I did it in.
In my own mind I'd love to be somebody who just goes out and runs his bollocks off on a regular basis (like our Spanish contingent). I remember when Obree and Boardman were battling it out for the world hour record. Boardman was the pro who had his own team of scientists analysing every physiological measurement possible. He had technologists building his bike and psychologists coaching him. Whilst Obree made his own bike (using the bearings from an old washing machine) and his only training method was to go out into the hills and beast himself. And I always routed for Obree. He was the eccentric amateur who just did things on instinct. His career collapsed into depression and mental anguish, but that's another story. And possibly another reason for liking him more.
But it's not really working out for me; so I'm going to log my runs. Which is hardly turning professional. Just adding abit of structure and hoping it will help me along the way.
Funny, I never liked Boardman because he seemed to whinge all the time during The Tour and had a pained expression on his face all the time. But now I know why! He was famous for being clean and was probably the only person in the peleton who was experiencing what it was actually like to cycle that race without chemicals. Poor fella. (Apart from Big Mig of course, in case Ana is reading.)
Shame my itv4 reception is buggered otherwise I would have happily watched it this year. I don't like professional sport much any more but The Tour (and cycling is arguably THE most professional sport) still holds some romance for me. And I love the French for holding it close to their hearts.
So this running is still work-in-progress; just a question of keeping the plate spinning. Problem is all the other plates spinning on top of those precarious poles. Getting lathered at every available opportunity probably doesn't help.
BTW if you get the chance watch Ten Canoes ... a great Aussie film coming to your cinema soon.
Other films I've really enjoyed recently: Last King Of Scotland, Perfume, Apocalypto, Sicko, The Illusionist, Black Gold, The Lives Of Others, Munich, Thank You For Smoking, Jindabyne. Some are better than others, but they're all worth a watch for one reason or another.
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