Before Sunrise

This morning the alarm goes at 4am, that’s earlier than a dog show, as we head to our second Sunrise City 5.30am 5k run this time in Derby. L runs with one of her friends, while the boys and I watch. She has the chance to complete the set with a run in Leicester if she wants... but that might involve an even earlier start.

I will do my own run later. L questions whether I will talk myself out of it. As if. The run is not negotiable, unless my calves cancel it of course but they haven’t done yet.

I run 14km from work to Sandiacre then get the bus home from there. That is actually the shortest run I can do and still get a regular bus service home, anything less would leave me waiting half an hour or more for a bus and with dodgy calves that wouldn’t be good.

(Friday 14^th July)

As Good As A Victory

Dry again and on the bike again.In fact it's gone warm again, summer has returned.

The ride home is slightly frustrating as three of us get stuck behind a learner driver travelling through Stapleford and Sandiacre. We’re all too terrified to go past but probably not as terrified as the driver is with three bloody cyclists behind them.

I offer my squash opponent the chance of restarting squash tonight after last week’s break for the beer festival or repeating the run around Rushcliffe Park that he did instead. I’m sure it was a difficult decision but he plumped for squash.

It finishes 3-2 to him, so another 'as good as a' victory for me.

(Thursday 16^th October)

A Traumatic Lunch

As I cycle to work, up the hill in Sandiacre, I realise I am being slipstreamed by a moped. It's like a reverse kierin. The cheek of the guy. He overtakes me once we’re back on the flat. Then later on I get overtaken by a bloke on a powered mountain bike. It must have some sort of electric motor on it because he wasn’t pedalling at all but was going at about 25 mph.

We attempt a pub lunch but are turned away from the Brunswick because they have no food. Then we turn ourselves away from the Waterfall as they have no beer. Then at the Victoria, we order to find the beer is rancid but stay anyway because by now we’re knackered even if we do now have to resort to Worthington. The fish and chips were good though, then we went running back to the Brunswick for something decent to wash it down with.

Tennis is off. My opponent’s back has gone again, so his spreadsheet is going to be a calamity this year. L goes boxing, she’s so diverse. 

(Thursday 14^th August)

A Long Cut

L makes it to work and stays there. I take the bus and will run home.

Bit of a victory for CityLink this morning. There are three of waiting at QMC when the CityLink bus pulls up with the Red Arrow right behind it, all three of us get on CityLink. Then it messes it up by long cutting through Chaddesden, making me late for work. That ‘short’ cut never works, never has, never will.

After having bought a £4 single because I’m running home, I later find out that Citylink have now solved the main problem with their ticketing. Their restrictive day return has now become an any time return. Sorted. They've also abolished the peak prices bringing a return down to £4.50 any time with the Red Arrow at £8... its a no brainer surely.

After a minor crisis at work I don’t start my run until 5.40, so I’m a bit behind schedule. I still manage 14k to Sandiacre though, which is quite pleasing and there are no objections from either my calves or my knees.

(Tuesday 19^th March)

It’s About Time We Had Some Decent Weather

The weather drops colder today. They say it will be below freezing by the end of the week with possible snow early next week. Good. It’s about time we had some decent weather.

I walk the dogs because L is in London for work and departs before 6am. Which means the boys and I are out on the street not much after that. At that time of the morning there isn’t much about to upset MD’s delicate equilibrium. I don’t think even the dustmen, due today, are up yet.

As we walk, I ponder a run instead of the bike today. Decision made, I postpone the bike ride until tomorrow and will run tonight. So I’m banking on the really cold weather not showing up tomorrow.

So it’s the bus to work, which nearly has its own bike related disaster. It pulled off just as a chap was outside putting his bike in the side compartment. Thankfully everyone on the bus screamed and the driver stopped.

Then after work, I run home from Sandiacre. I quite enjoy it, ripping up the tarmac through Bramcote. I mean, gently ripping it obviously, I need to look after the knee.

Then dog training, from which we get back just after L arrives home from London. She’s already in bed with a glass of wine in her hand. Good idea, don't mind if I do.

(Wednesday 9th January)