The Great Escape

Cycling is very quiet on Monday, only 8 of us. Perhaps everyone’s still in Paris. Afterwards my Dad and I give the refurbished Royal Standard a go but it’s nothing very exciting. We do end up in the Exeter on Tuesday after Derby's League Cup match with Chesterfield which they win 2-1. 

L has an exciting yoga night on Wednesday as they get locked in the park cutting across to get to the Rodney for their post-yoga Pironis. They have to climb the gate to get out, showing that all that yoga and gym work has paid off.

While they're playing at the Great Escape, I'm in Beeston with my old school friend cashing in a free night out after I paid for everything last time we went out. I meet his train and he’s on time for once, as is the train. We visit the Star, the White Lion and then the Victoria for food.

Thursday’s tennis is a lively game as it’s a touch windy but at least my opponent doesn’t overheat this time. It even starts raining just before we play but the new rubber courts at Clifton seem to have excellent drainage and once it stops we have no issues.

I lose a close match 6-3 6-4 which is as good as a win in my book. My opponent sees it as a crushing defeat for him. L runs there which is about 7k and joins us afterwards in the Ruddington Arms.

On Friday I do a joint gym with L who’s only doing fun things. This confuses me. Are we not doing the gym then? and going to the pub instead? Apparently not.

On Saturday we do our first parkrun in three weeks. We run at Clifton and I run it with the Lad which is becoming a habit again. Perhaps a bad habit. I’m slowing getting the hang of running with his on a handheld lead as is now required.

Derby then have a 12:30 kick off and grind out a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough for their first win back in the Championship. Then we’re in the Plough for another pale ale frenzy but I can’t be bothered to walk anyway more exciting.

Sunday starts with a full English at the Wollaton which is very good. Then we walk it off on the park. In the evening we’re at the gym again. It’s not clear whether this is supposed to be fun as well. 

(Sunday 18^th August)