I Go To A Running Club

On Monday, I go to a running club. Now there’s a first, I think. This is a Portland Leisure Centre and normally they meet too early for me but today is a Bank Holiday, so getting back from work isn’t an issue. Would I go again? I don’t know. It was very competitive.

I get home on Tuesday to realise we forgot to hide the peg bag. Note to self: Buy more pegs as we’re now running a bit low thanks to the Lad.

On Wednesday I’m on the bike and get caught in a brief shower which isn’t brief enough. It’s also looks like it might come back for a second go at me when I cycle home but it holds off. Which is a good job as I get stranded after suffering a puncture.

I only got as far as Spondon and I suspect it was caused by a wooden splinter from the ‘It’s a Knockout’ obstacle that’s currently masquerading as the footbridge over the A52. I change the tube but my pump won’t inflate it, probably because the pump is full of this morning’s brief shower. I make plans to stash my bike at a local shop and get the bus home but then L offers to ride out to rescue me which means I can make it on time to dog training.

Therefore on Thursday I’m on my best bike which is like a pair of comfy old slippers and by that I don’t mean they’ve been well chewed by a puppy.

It’s also tennis and my opponent advises I bring a baseball hat, just in case. I’m not sure if that’s just in case it’s sunny again because we both struggled with the sun last week or whether he’s expecting rain. I guess the hat will be dual purpose.

L meanwhile goes over to visit her folks in Mickleover on the bus which can be quite a long arduous journey. I tell her I’ll have a large one waiting for her when she gets home. 

(Thursday 31^st May)

Our Wildlife Reserve

The city council have designated our Spinney as a wildlife reserve. This may be well intentioned but the sceptic in me thinks it’s just so that they can let it become overgrown and not have to look after it.

A pub lunch today to power me home on the bike, yes I finally got a bike ride in, and then for a session chucking balls first for the dogs and then later for my mate at Portland Leisure Centre. Otherwise known as squash.

L is in the pub waiting for us afterwards cradling a book in one hand and a pint in the other. She says she only ordered a half but got a pint. I’m sure she’s used that excuse before and she didn’t even get a stamp for it. Eight pints and we get a free one.

(Thursday 12^th February)

Just In Case That Makes Any Different

Another day on the bike and quite a bit warmer today, although with some black clouds hovering but even they're only last the morning.

In the evening L runs to Portland Leisure Centre, where I’m attempting to play squash. Portland has now completed it's transfer from Nottingham City Council to Notts County FC. The first thing do is to drop the word 'Leisure' and rename it the Portland Centre. Probably a precursor to them ripping the squash courts out.

L joins us in the pub afterwards. I feel relatively guilt free gulping a pint after my game as I’ve vowed to be alcohol free tomorrow, just in case that makes any different at Saturday’s Duathlon.

(Thursday 6^th March)

Playing Myself

Doggo is finally deemed fit enough to get a proper walk this morning, which must have been hell for L, what with three days worth of sniffs and wees to catch up on.

We lied about the collar. Doggo gets another day in it, much to MD’s disgust.

I’m on the bike and it's a bit blustery to say the least but it’s what I need, a bit of hard training as I’ve got that half marathon coming up and I can’t run far.

The weather is foul all afternoon, luckily just after we got back from our pub lunch, but fines up by the time I bike home.

L runs to Portland Leisure Centre where I’m playing squash and goes in the gym. I find out that my opponent has had to cancel at the last minute but only after I’ve paid of the court. So I play myself for half an hour before getting bored and heading off to meet L. Well at least I didn’t lose.

Tesco Watch. We decide to skip the pub and head home to open a bottle of wine instead but with the White Hart still shut we couldn’t have gone there for a curry anyway. I hope it doesn't stay shut too long. We know what happens to pubs that stay shut for longer than a couple of weeks. They become a Tesco and there isn't one for at least a quarter of a mile round there, so it's a distinct possibility.

(Thursday 6th October)