A Warning Sign

I park up at the parents’ place and run in to work from Aston this morning. This is around 8k and I run a km, then walk 100m or so, run 800m, then walk another 100m before running another full km. Seems to go ok, knee wise but I have a tight calf now. I think may be a pre-run roll this morning might have been preferable to a tumble.

L points out that the tightness is perhaps a warning sign that I've done enough. It may also be a sign to retire.

I do the same thing again after work, in reverse and even more gingerly. Nothing snaps. I run as much as possible on grass verges which puts much less stress through my legs. Sadly I think this (off road) is the way to go.

I’ve stayed in Derby because of the match which Derby win 2-0 over Blackburn. Two Darren Bent goals, he's proving to be a good signing already.

(Tuesday 27^th January)

Misinformation

Well they predicted snow and boy did we get some. At 7am I’m digging the car out of the stuff with a window scraper. Apparently today’s dog show across near Birmingham is on, so I’m determined to head over, if only for the morning because Derby have an FA Cup match this afternoon.

If the match was definitely on, and it’s too early to know for sure, I’d probably have skipped the show, to ensure getting to the match. The worry is though, that if I didn't go, naturally the match would be called off.

The roads are not too bad, the main roads anyway. Although as I arrive at my destination they announce that the main A52 into Nottingham is closed. Misinformation probably because I just came down that an hour ago.

My aim is to get three of our six runs done by noon and then head back. First up, Doggo who is clear in his run. Then MD gets eliminated but actually did really well. It was a tough one for Grades 1-7 and way beyond our current capabilities as a Grade 3 but we gave it a good bash. Then we do the one that matters Grade 1-3 Agility.

Oh dear. Pole down, can’t be helped, otherwise rather good.

Then having done the three runs I expected to do; we slot one more in for Doggo and then leg it. He is clear but not quick enough to get a placing, as is usually the case.

I head back to Nottingham, drop the boys off, then back to Derby to collect my Father for the match, which is still on as far as I know. Although no one seemed to tell the Derby team as they sleepwalk out of the FA Cup. I think I should have stayed at the dog show.

Back home, MD cons L into giving him a second lunch, I had already fed him. Doggo was complicit in this deception, by his silence and the accepting of a bowl of muchies himself.

We debate seeing a film tonight but don’t fancy anything too long and drawn out. L suggests ‘Chasing Ice’, which has the advantage of being a hell of a lot shorter than the two and half hours of Lincoln or Les Mis, that we ought to fit in some time. Unfortunately we can’t get tickets for it, as it’s sold out. So we book for tomorrow.

Instead we head over to the Victoria at Beeston on bus, without the dogs. Very radical and very pleasant.

(Saturday 26^th January)

Entrails For Tea

Football on the park this morning with the dogs, using the deer pretty much as goalposts. The females will insist on flaunting themselves in front of MD for some reason.

Then it’s the match, where Blackburn show to be possibly the best team we’ve played and only some inspired goalkeeping keeps the half time score down to 1-0. Second half is better, although you would still have to say that the late goal salvaged what was really an undeserved draw.

Then I get the train up to Sheffield to meet a hobbling L, who cut her foot painting. Yes painting, another dangerous hobby.

We meet up with Daughter who is now working for MI5, student style, but if I tell you any more I'll have to kill you. In fact I don't know any more myself. We eat at the Old House and ply Daughter with expensive cocktails (are there any other kind?) to loosen her tongue but I just end up having too many Stouts and Porters.

The beer washes down their excellent but arty food. I order some Lamb Sweetbreads, which is apparently off cuts or offal or entrails or testicles or something like that. Had to be tried...

Then a nightcap or three at the Sheffield Tap, worth deferring our planned 9.30 departure for a hour.

(Saturday 20th October)