"for the happy, the sad, I don't want to be, another page in your diary"

Sunday 28 October 2018

Not Really Rugby



Today’s Rugby Half Marathon is organised by a company called The Race Organiser, who organised the multi-lapper that was the Draycote 10. So I should probably have known what I was in for. They have recently taken over this race which has been on my ‘to do’ list for a while. Unfortunately this is not the race I wanted to do as this one doesn’t appear to go anywhere near Rugby.

I feel I was a little duped by the race description of ‘Starting at Hart field, you'll quickly find yourself out on to clear country roads and flying round to return to the town centre’. No not really, never saw the town centre.

It is basically two laps of some country lanes with a final stretch along the pathway of the disused Great Central Railway. it is pleasant but far from exciting. However I’m pleased with my time, a 1:46 again and five seconds quicker than last week. The organisation, aside from the disappointing course, is very good.

We also get to park quite close to the start, although we were told not to. Oops. There is also a handy field for L, who doesn’t run, to exercise the boys. So not a bad morning out.

(Sunday 28th October)

Friday 26 October 2018

This Isn't A Complaint


I walk boys this week and I come across one of those ‘moments’ that L keeps telling me about and that she dreads. The ones that MD takes exception to. 

Today he really didn’t like the lad on the scooter. It was nothing personal I’m sure, it was just that his chosen mode of transport didn't appeal. The Lad then took exception to MD taking exception as the Lad loves everything but in this case he was outvoted, as I hate scooters too.

Monday night I have the dentist, which takes ages as they are running late, again. This is despite their posh new facility or perhaps because of their posh new facility. We all now have to sign in using tablets, of which they only had two, their wifi seemed dodgy and the whole process seemed perhaps a bit over complicated but this is all progress. So I’m late for dog training.

Tuesday a deer escapes from Wollaton Park and they shoot it for rampaging around and causing damage. Which seems a bit harsh. They don't shoot dead the Saturday night drunks for doing the same thing do they?

Wednesday I’m on the bike and then dog training, while L and Daughter are again running. L has kindly left out an apple core for the Lad to power him though his training. It seems to work, so much so that I could have done with one myself so that I could keep up. Then I shovel this heaving mass of slobber back into its travel crate while I enjoy a much gentler session with MD.  

Thursday, the council come to collect our old carpets which we somehow have manage to keep dry for two weeks (as requested) while L has her tennis but I still have no squash.

Friday, I’m in the gym again which I think must have been student special day or something and the place was overrun by young women. This isn't a complaint by the way.

They were all dressed pretty much the same e.g. total leg cover combo-ed with a skimpy top. I find it odd that they seemingly don’t want to show any leg at all but are keen to show as much chest as possible. Of course, I’m a man, I’m not supposed to understand these things. I’m just supposed to pretend I haven’t noticed. 

(Friday 26th October)

Sunday 21 October 2018

Chesterfield Half Marathon


Possibly the hardest part of today’s Chesterfield Half Marathon was getting there as the main A617 in to Chesterfield was closed very early and we really had no clue where to go. 

After accosting a marshal, who also didn’t have a clue, we ended up driving down a section of the course that wasn’t on the A617 rather than the bit that was, that they had diverted us away from. Bizarrely we were then directed to re-join A617 closer to the town centre. Having got that far we were then directed to a car park literally in spitting distance of the start in Queen’s Park. So at least that bit was good.

As well as the Half Marathon, there was also a five mile event which L lined up in and both races started at the same time. There was then a split after the first mile and they went on to do the last four miles of our route. 

After a brief sightseeing trip through the centre we were sent on a three mile jaunt out along the aforementioned closed A617 before we left the dual carriageway to follow the way we drove in on, which was a much more minor road. Then back in Chesterfield there was the loop the five milers did before the finish back in Queens Park.

The route, is has to be said, ran better than it drove! My time of 1:46 is nearly two minutes slower that Nottingham but within the bounds of acceptable.

(Sunday 21st October)