aches

[Sweder]

My wife and I were invited to attend a friends' party on Saturday night. Sadly our baby-sitter cried off sick, so we drew straws and I ended up going. I hung around for 30 minutes (there was only one can of Guinness on arrival. I'd neglected to bring a backup supply, opting instead for bottle of something white and chilled that had resided in our 'fridge since the millennium) and was about to depart when some local runners arrived.

We immediately formed a cluster in the back garden and swapped tales of running and injury, whereupon, just as our host erected hazard signs - danger, extreme bores at work - my back issue arose. Maria, a superb athlete and sub 1:30 half marathoner (last year - her first race!) suggested that runners require a 'strong core'. She recommended a visit to a sports physio to get some strengthening exercises. This sounds eminently sensible, so I thought I'd pass it on, whilst asking 'what's a bloody core then?' and, if you know, 'how does one strengthen it?'

I would have asked on the night, but instead chose to smile inanely and pretend like I knew what the hell she was talking about.