Kicking Against The Establishment

It’s a bit cold today. Frosty, almost icy, almost winter. I wimp out of cycling and get the bus again.

Day 24... Ironically now that we have a posh new shower and almost a new bathroom we are being prevented from using said new shower for longer than a few seconds at a time due to a blocked drain. Our builder says he’ll have a go at unblocking it for us.

I have been looking for a race for Sunday 20^th November but I feel this day is trying to tell me something. The Tatton Park Half is full, so is the Clowne Half. The Heanor Ch****mas Pudding run is also full and the Loughborough 10k has been cancelled. What’s the world coming to?

L is googling and suggesting races, clearly enthused. There are spaces in the Mo Run on Wollaton Park but they are limits, I think. Am I that desperate yet?

Pub lunch today and I clock up dark beer 101.

Sadly the evening’s post-dogging pint in the Masons is still Wainwrights. So I kick against the establishment (sort of) and risk a Pedigree. I regret it. Marston's Pedigree used to be distinctive once now it just tastes like Doom Bar.

Back at home we now have a working bathroom sink for the first time in nearly four weeks. Dare I whisper it quietly that it's looking almost finished. Perhaps just another week then.

(Wednesday 2^nd November)

Something Brown

Time for a fitness test, so I go for a 5k run at lunch time. I go out for my run despite the on-off heavy rain showers and completely avoid getting a single drop on my head during my run then it soaks me when I nip back out for a sandwich.

As regards the fitness test, I have no problems at all. So Clowne is on.

In the evening I’m out in Derby doing the usual combo of a few beers in the Brunswick followed by something brown and unappetising to eat at Wetherspoons. Things are particularly brown on a Tuesday as its steak night. I manage to track down some almost healthy looking pasta and go for that. My friend's latest venture has seen him become a white van man.

On heading home I am warned to expect to find dog and ball in the wheelie bin. Seems like a pleasant night has been had at home.

(Tuesday 17^th November)

URTP

It’s a little rainy on the bike but not too bad although they have promised us a deluge later. I will look forward to that. L’s already had hers, soaked before she even had chance of getting wet in the swimming pool.

Squash is off again this week which is probably no bad thing given the state of my calf. L is already digging out a URTP (Understudy Rapid Training Programme) in case she has to stand in at Clowne. She’s good like that. Although I suspect she’s only after my crumpets. Apparently you get crumpets in the goody bag at Clowne, as well as a Tunnocks teacake.  Hope they come warmed and pre-toasted.

(Thursday 5^th November)

See How It Goes

My freshly injured calf isn’t great but also not too bad. It’s apparently around about two weeks recovery time from a minor tear like this, which makes my next race at Clowne possible... Although I’m sure they mean two weeks minimum... We’ll see how it goes. L helps me with some stretches against the bedroom wall this morning which eases it. Then I do a few more on the bike as I cycle to work.

A sneaky pub lunch trip today. If Thursdays are the new Fridays then why can’t Wednesdays be the new Thursdays? No reason at all.

Then after cycling home and dogging, another sneaky pub trip in Mickleover where I meet L.

(Wednesday 4^th November)