A pessimist, someone explained to me the other day, is just an optimist in possession of the full facts. There’s something pleasingly self-referential about such a gloomy viewpoint. Anyway, those words came back to me this morning, when I got back from my run to find I’d done my 3½ miles in record time. This in turn produced another record: the smiliest breakfast since Arthur Miller poured his post-nuptial cornflakes in the summer of 1956.… READ MORE.... …
Month: January 2004
Just a mile or two into my first training day, and I’d already decided what my thought for the week should be: running is a secret garden. Oh yeah? What does that mean then? Before I get there, I should apologise to people who may have been following this running blog for a while, because I have a feeling I’ve talked about this one before.… READ MORE.... …
My eyes crashed open this morning to the realisation that today is the start of something big: my 18-week marathon training plan. I was trembling with something that I hope was excitement. If it was delirium tremens, I’m stuffed. But then I remembered. I admire Hal Higdon for many things, but his decision to make the first day of his marathon training schedule a rest day, must put him up there with Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa.… READ MORE.... …
Dear Andrew, There will be no problem for you to join the festive days in Copenhagen, because the royal wedding will actually take place on May 14, and not May 13. Best regards Annegrethe Høffner H.K.H. Kronprinsens Hof Chr. VIII’s Palæ Tlf. 33 40 24 43 I’m sure the wedding was scheduled for the Thursday, so I suspect Annegrethe is being a little disingenuous here.… READ MORE.... …
Another 5:30 run, this time much stronger after yesterday’s rest day. It was also cool enough to try out my new, cheapie long-sleeved Aldi top and running jacket. Yes, they really work.… READ MORE.... …
Email to the Office of the Lord Chamberlain, Det Gule Palæ, Amaliegade 18, DK – 1256 Copenhagen (Hofmarskallatet@kongehuset.dk): Dear Sirs We are travelling to Copenhagen from the UK for the marathon on May 16, 2004. We are arriving on Friday 14 May, but understand that the royal wedding is on Thursday 13th. We wondered if it might be possible to move the joyful event back 24 hours please?… READ MORE.... …
Decision time. I’ve had to write off two complete training weeks, and I’m still not ready to run, so I’ve decided to go for the Copenhagen Marathon on May 16th, three weeks after the original target day. That gives me one more week of recovery and easing back, before the start of the 18 weeks. Why Copenhagen? Well, why not? It’s at the right time, it’s a place we’ve not been to before, the race has a good reputation, and flights are cheap.… READ MORE.... …
YO HO HO, and a Happy New…. [deep sigh] No. I can’t be arsed either. Sorry. I’ve had enough of being wished, and wishing, all sorts of delightful things. Let’s rip down those dinky little winking lights; the pseudo-magical paraphernalia of seasonal beneficence. Yes, goddamit, I love you all, but I’m just… I’m just bored to death having to tell you, and having to listen to you telling me.… READ MORE.... …