Plodding On

[El Gordo]

Bad luck SW, that really is a shame. By all means enter another half, though you seem to have fewer of them up there than down here. There are halfs coming up in Leeds and Sheffield, if you're prepared to stray into enemy territory. Otherwise you may have to wait till the autumn. But it's great to see you back doing decent distances after your eventful last few months.

Sweder's right -- it would be fab to get you to Connemara for 11 April next year (www.connemarathon.com). Proper scenery, proper Guinness: you know it makes sense.

Sweder's partly right about Croagh Patrick. There's a tiny church on top of the mountain, and has been the target for pilgrims for decades. There's one Sunday in particular, in July, when a lot of people trek up there, some in bare feet, some on their hands and knees.

Incidentally, here's a snap of the mountain (The Reek, as it's known locally) that I took from my hotel window in Westport when i was there in February. Looks pretty daunting, huh? It will prove to be an outstanding hangover cure, I'm sure.