December Doldrums

[Sweder]

Running through wet porridge in a high velocity wind-tunnel.
That was how I spent the last morning of this most excellent running year, battling against a maelstrom amongst the battered Sussex hills, cold, mud-splattered, interminably happy. The Serpent played her Joker, her scales slick with slime, a head-long tempest driving us back or in the case of Paul the Goat, over the edge. This is my time of year, when the elements join forces with the topography to test my will to run. Thundering across the backbone of the downs above Saltdean I railed at the Spielberg skies.
‘Is that all you’ve got? Bring it on!’
Gary glanced across at me, worried at my sudden outburst.

During the moments of calm as we loped in the lee of a hillock or tree we chatted about strategies for Cape Town. The race, like many, can be separated into two halves; a fairly orthodox marathon, 26.2 miles of mild undulation in beautiful surroundings, followed by a brutal nine mile hill race. I’ve entered the Steyning Stinger, a full off-road marathon with four nasty peaks along the way in early March, which I expect will show just how woefully short my training is. Another event set to lay my preparations bare is the ‘Double Snake’, simply a two-times loops of today’s thirteen mile circuit. The challenge is to find a training route to mimic the demands of the TOM, to whit, a long run with a demanding finish over several miles. Makes your heart skip with joy, don' it?

Movies entered the conversation, words stolen from the whip of the wind as we skipped around craters overflowing with nature's soup. I had the privilege to enjoy Guillermo del Toro’s supreme piece of work Pan’s Labyrinth last night and was full of praise for the man and his creation. Del Toro has made a Faustian pact with Hollywood – one heavily bank-rolled blockbuster for you, one self-indulgent masterpiece for me. After Cronos he embraced the mainstream with Mimic, a well-crafted story about the antidote to a pandemic that takes on a life of it’s own via large insects capable of impersonating humans. OK, so not quite the mainstream . . . next (in 2001) came El Espinazo del Diablo (The Devil’s Backbone) where the Director returns to his muse, the Spanish Civil War. Back under the reigns for Blade II and Hellboy, and now El Laberinto del Fauno, a fantastic, wonderful, heart-rending fairy-tale for grown-ups. Rarely has a film filled my heart with wonder only to replace it with aching sorrow. If you like your fantasy beautifully crafted and loaded with pathos this one’s for you.

Gary shares my passion for films and we talked about Del Toro and other successful foreign language Directors as the miles blew past. Thirteen of them in all, and to be honest despite the best efforts of the weather a comfortable and enjoyable last outing of the year.

Happy New Year to y’all.
As part of my rigorous training schedule I’ve invited Mr and Mrs SP over to welcome 2007. Curry and beer are prominent on the menu, and the Great Plodder has threatened us with his ‘beat the intro’ cd. Huzzah!