The Longhorn

Today L and I both do the Longhorn Half Marathon at Thoresby Park. L signed up for this a while ago figuring that while the 10k would have been sensible, an off-road half marathon sounded too good to miss. Which is the opposite of the logic I would have used. Now she is a reluctant participant but one with a masterplan - ‘How to Finish a Half Marathon Without Training For It’. Sorted.

We leave the dogs at home and take the new car, travelling in style. It’s a late start for our race, 11:50, so I take them for a park session first. There are actually various distances I could have done with the Lad but decide to go it alone.

I shouldn’t really be doing this at all, as my calf isn’t up to it but if I’m going to do justice to my birthday present (Windermere Marathon) then I need the training run even if I have to crawl the second lap. Yes, the half marathon is two laps.

There is also a 5k, a full marathon and a 60k Ultra for the excessively stupid. Maybe next year.

I strap everything up and take it very easy, making sure I don’t toe strike to preserve my bad calf. I'm even chilled enough to partake of the odd chunk of cake at the feed stations.

There are plenty of Nordic Walkers which set me off thinking whether those poles they use would help take the stress off my calves. Is Nordic Running also a thing?

The route, through Sherwood Forest and allegedly over old military roads (they’re all forest tracks to me) was nice, if you like that sort of thing. I prefer city centres myself. The terrain is not too leg braking but might have been had I been strapped to a dog.

The mile marking is a tad bizarre. Miles 1 to 6 are marked out but what this all means when you start lap two I have no idea, given a lap is 6.55 miles. That said, from what I call tell, I’m almost but not quite on Marathon pace and I finish in 2:04, which isn’t a total disaster. I did try and lift the pace towards the end which didn’t help my calves, which had until that point held up well.

I am handed my ‘bespoke’ race finishers medal which is allegedly one of the big selling point of the race. That is, if you’re into your bling which I’m not but at least I will save mine. L will most likely bin hers straight away. There’s no t-shirt included but there are some to buy.

Then I wait for L who pronounces herself pleased with her efforts which included a bit of run-walk to get herself through it.

Then it’s home to cheer up the dogs and have a ‘debrief’ before heading out for a few beers. We drink in the Hockley Rebel and the Lord Roberts before going for a meal at Bar Iberico. This is the bar version of their restaurant which does open on a Sunday. The food is very good as is the sherry we have for dessert.

(Sunday 28^th April )

Dangerous Territory

With me doubled up sneezing with hay fever while even indoors, L takes on the job of cutting the hedge. Then afterwards she crashes, post-shower, on the bed. Dangerous territory.

Later we go over the Leamington to visit Son. Which enables me to pick up my belated birthday present. I will point him towards mail order next time.

Our regular haunt and the only non-Wetherspoons pub where you can get food on a Sunday evening is fully booked due to it being Father’s Day. So we have booked into the Five Rivers Indian again. Ironically beforehand we pop into one of the ‘Wetherspoons’ which is now no longer a Wetherspoons but still looks and acts like one. Decent pint of Plum Porter though.

Back home afterwards, I enter the Nottingham Grand Prix. My marathon training will start there with some short snappy distances. I note that Wollaton Park is no longer one of the races, the 5K is now being held on the Embankment.

(Sunday 18^th June)

Injury Prevention

I’m on the bus today and feeling good ahead of Sunday’s Outlaw Half although I’ve probably over tapered or, as it’s known in my case, injury prevention.

To which ends there shouldn’t be much chance of picking up any injuries in the pub where we go for lunch.

L had hoped to start the Colwick 5k series tonight, which was going to be a birthday present from me, but although she’s improving she says she’s not that good yet. Her back pain is now apparently just an ache, rather than two drawing pins stuck in her back, which was better than the 6" nail a couple of months ago.

It’s a shame because I thought I might give it a go. I even thought I might try it without dog power.

Instead she heads off to visit her folks.

(Wednesday 17^th May)

The Invigorating Glow

I cycle to work and then whilst still in the invigorating glow of post-exercise, I open my emails and then two or three clicks later... I’ve entered the 2017 Outlaw Half. Bugger. I try and convince myself that this is a 50th birthday present to myself. I must really hate myself.

I’ve only just recovered from click, click, entering the Nottingham Half... VIP package no less.

L contemplates a pump class unless... it certainly is, today is the last day of the week at work as we’re on holiday from tomorrow. Today is Friday.

(Wednesday 17^th August)

We Could Bath In It

The Brunswick, where I have lunch today, seems to have had a bit of a revamp. At long last they have starting writing the beer colour on the blackboard that contains their beer list and and they even take my Camra card.

L comes home with new contact lenses for us both, nothing wrong with that but she also brings another six bottles of lens fluid to add to the twenty of so we already have. It’s a cliché but we could bath in it.

Derby Velodrome announce that they will be staging the first round of the Revolution cycling series in August and over three days. Wow. Sounds like they have finally successfully organised something. I quickly grab four tickets, it’s already close to selling out.

I go from work to Cyclo Monster who have been repairing my Yorkshire ravaged bike in readiness for next weekend’s silliness. Then I head to the pool and swim 70 lengths, although I get calf cramps after 50 and then thigh cramps (not had that one before) with 8 to do. I grab a pull buoy and float my way to completion.

With my attempted purchase from Fat Face not arriving and therefore proving to be a birthday present disaster, I instead order my Queen of the 10K her usual running shoes from trusty Wiggle. Boring but quick. The package is order and despatched the same day and will arrive tomorrow. Fat Face take note.

(Thursday 21^st May)