I ventured into the Promised Land today. This is the section of the park on the other side of the dual carriageway. Not sure why I called it that. It just appeared faintly mysterious and enticing on the few occasions that I’ve run past the small suspension bridge and glanced across at the Other Side. Today… today I made that journey.… READ MORE.... …
Month: December 2002
No run today after all. That twinge in my knee was muttering to me all morning, and I thought it best not to risk it. Now then, I know what you’re thinking, and it’s just not true. It was bitterly disappointing not to have another out-of-body, out-of-mind potter round my deep-frozen lunchbreak. In any case, I made up for it this evening by doing 40 minutes on the little-used exercise-bike, transfixed by the sight of Gary Rhodes’ cooking as I did so.… READ MORE.... …
Another lunchtime run, on the day that marks the start of the Hal Higdon training programme for runners of London 2003. I thought it was cold last week, but wow, I wonder how many novice marathoners are beginning to envy those whose rejection letters have been arriving in the last few days? Imagine taking a turkey out of the oven on Christmas Day and sticking it straight into the freezer.… READ MORE.... …
Here I am, a marathon trainee without a marathon. And without any training to do, indeed. The very best thing about the Hal Higdon training programmes is that they start with a rest day. Tomorrow, and the two days after that, I’ll be getting out at lunchtime for a gentle 3 mile run, but today I am officially recovering from yesterday’s non-existent exertions.… READ MORE.... …
Tonight, watched Paula Radcliffe winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for her amazing achievements. Strange to think that I took part in two of the five events that she won, including the one where she broke the world record. No running this weekend. I need to, er, prepare myself mentally for the new training regime beginning this week. I did allow myself some R and R yesterday by drinking loads of beer at lunchtime, watching the Man United v Arsenal game, then making parsnip soup and sweet and sour chicken in the evening.… READ MORE.... …
Just recently, I’ve been working at our office near Heathrow. It’s situated in a large park, with a golf-course, a couple of lakes, and a network of sandy paths, ideal for running. Today was the inaugural jog. I changed in the office and ventured outside at high noon. There’s something about being overweight and unfit and unwarmed-up that makes running on a chilly day seem like an unnecessary expedition into the Antarctic.… READ MORE.... …
Walking is for cissies. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I wanted to join the big boys’ game again. So before lunch today I got togged up, and went out for the mildest of jogs. A very easy pace indeed. The seven or so weeks since the marathon have reduced me to… no, have enlarged me to some grotesque, misshapen version of the elfin athlete who graced the streets of Chicago.… READ MORE.... …
The excitement mounts. I really have to start jogging next week to prepare for the offensive Spring I’ve lined up for myself. And I mean jogging rather than running. The two words are not interchangeable… If all goes well I can step up a gear the week after. I’m thinking of following Hal’s marathon training programme again, but with a little more flexibility.… READ MORE.... …
Some good news today. I think. One of my planned 2003 half marathons was to be Bath in March. It’s become one of those halfs that everyone wants to run. Even people who don’t want to run it, want to run it. It’s the Glyndebourne of half marathons. Which is why it sells out so quickly, and why I missed the cut.… READ MORE.... …
Time to get going again. Seven weeks after Chicago, and I’ve not run at all, apart from a desolate, two mile jog about three weeks ago. Since the marathon I’ve put on at least 15 lbs. It’s time to act. My close season is over. I’ve lost all my marathon fitness. I’m fat again, and get out of breath walking up the stairs.… READ MORE.... …