January 2012

[Sweder]

Following a couple of gentle midweek runs I crammed a 9.66 miler in this morning. My Sunday plans were scuppered by an almost forgotten commitment to play a golf match, an occasion that, almost three months after my last competitive outing, is almost certain to come as a cruel disappointment to my playing partner.

   
14.1.2012 9.66 miles elevation map

My performance will not be enhanced after this mornings' draining session. I felt sluggish before I started and to be honest that was as good as it got. I took the Lewes Downland Ten route, up over BlackCap, left into the western Lewes hills looping around to head home via my usual route. The tracks proved incredibly slippery, last night's hard frost melted into sludge by a weak winter sun. I slip-slid my way slowly, heavily, for mile after bone-chilling mile, listening to BBC Radio Five Live preview the Premier League football. A succession of people associated with Liverpool FC appeared in my headphones (via 5 Live) to proclaim their 'unconditional' support for convicted racial abuser Luis Suarez. The spurious claim that it was 'one man's word against another' was repeated by the LFC MD and a number of fans and former players including none other than John Barnes. It was risible, as Mark Bright thankfully pointed out, mostly because the player admitted to calling his opponent 'negro' seven times in a two minute spell. Liverpool seem intent on painting their man as the wronged party. If we're truly in an age where people are lining up to defend a man's right to call another man 'negro' we have surely taken a wrong turn somewhere.

On a happier note Thierry Henri and Paul Scholes have now each scored more goals than Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll in 2012. In the year 2011 Torres scored more goals for Liverpool than he did for Chelsea. He was transferred at the end of January. My own Mighty Rooks are rapidly becoming the draw specialists, managing to throw away 1-0 leads in three out of their last four matches. On wednesday the club announced the suspension of the manager, Steve King, with 'immediate effect subject to an internal investigation'. Rumours are rife but it seems the former Farnborough Town firebrand is on his way.

I lumbered home, tired and weary, looking forward to my lovely hot shower. Sadly sharing a house with three women and being the last one into the bathroom meant there was no hot water left.
Woe is me.