The pessimist would say that becoming ill just after starting marathon training is a terrible portent, while the optimist dismisses such negativity, pointing out that if you’re going to go down with something, then the first week, and particularly if it’s Christmas week, is a great time for it to happen, as it’s the furthest point from the race, and anyway, Christmas week is always going to be a bit hit-and-miss for training.
I’m an optimist, so I’m relaxed about the sore throat, the cough and the miraculous appearance of a pillow inside my head.
Anyway, after seeing Lord of the Rings III this afternoon, I’m counting my blessings. No longer will I complain about having an uneventful life. Crikey. After this cinematic expedition to Mordor, I’ll never again complain about the hassle of driving to Basingstoke on a Saturday afternoon.
I read Lord of the Rings in the weeks leading up to my O’Levels, which probably explains my results. It’s one of those books you used to assume was unfilmable, but that was before computers. The film(s) veer dangerously towards sentimentality, but the cinematography is just exceptional. The battle scenes in particular, are mind-blowing. If you still do LSD, I wouldn’t bother taking a tab before seeing this. It would be kind of superfluous.
With luck, and sufficiently aggressive antibodies, I might just feel able to get out in the morning for a festive plod.
