The Peterborough Thing

So, the Peterborough thing. We head down the A1 for a half marathon that I’m barely fit enough to run. Actually scrub the barely but I’m still giving it a go.

First problem is parking, which we had pre-booked but it still ended up being a free for all. Somehow they manage to slot us in a pre-booked section although I’ll be blocking people in if I don’t get a shift on with my run.

Having parked, the start is very close on the nearby Embankment. My next decision is how much compression stuff to wear. I opt for two calf guards on my extremely dodgy right leg and one on my not quite so dodgy left leg. Then compression socks on top.

The start pens are in parallel with each other, which is different. They are also very narrow, which is also different. However despite causing quite a bit of confusion, it seems to work well. The narrow pens mean that it takes longer than usual to cross the start line but meant that everyone was nicely spread out from the off and of course your time is handled by your chip.

The route takes us through the centre of town (Nottingham take note) before, I think, visiting every housing estate in Peterborough. This doesn’t make for the greatest of scenery but that is counteracted by the amazing crowds who only have to step outside their front doors to give us a cheer and they do so in large numbers (again Nottingham take note). Great local support, everywhere.

My multiple layers of calf support largely hold things together although I wouldn’t pretend I was running anywhere near freely. Things only get really grim, as regards calf pain, over the last three miles.

At the end they hand me a slightly dull technical t-shirt and medal for finishing. I finish in 1:49, not bad in the circumstances.

The aim of this run was, originally, as a warm up to Leicester in two weeks’ time. I now have until midnight to enter that event before the price practically doubles. I contemplate this as we sit in the White Lion in Beeston that evening. This is a new pub for us and we are here as it’s recently been done up and the rumour is it has Old Peculiar on. Well the hand pump is certainly there but it isn’t on, despite the fact they haven’t turned the clip around. They do though have a decent substitute in a dark ale from Caledonian called Trojan Horse at 5.5%. Very nice and it’s probably a mistake that we move onto sample what is on at the Star and the Last Post as we never quite hit those heights again.

As for Leicester... I don’t think I’ll bother.

(Sunday 12^th October)

The Jury Is Still Out

This morning I head to my parents’ place at Aston-on-Trent and run the 8k into work from there. It was excellent at first but then the old calf started to get very tight about half way through. So not good. L asks if I’m going to come home and instantly withdraw my Peterborough Half Marathon entry? The jury is still out. I will see how the run back is tonight.

Oddly, on the run back, the calf got better as I went along. I had changed my shoes and put long socks on for extra ‘compression’. I don’t know if any of that made any difference.

I’m at my folks’ place because we’re heading off to the match later, where Derby finally break down an ultra-defensive Bournemouth and win 2-0.

(Tuesday 30^th September)

Practice Makes Perfect

The traffic is particularly bad this week as I’m in the car.

My hobble is improving slowly. Practice makes perfect. I’ve been looking at compression socks and calf supports on Wiggle. They might help with the skiing but also it might be worth using them for running to avoid a repeat injury, that is if L can cope with the embarrassment of me in them.

She says black ones look a bit pretentious yet sort of cute but the white ones are a definite no no. White socks are for schoolgirls apparently. No comment. I best order some black ones then.

Just outside work, some men come along and fix a hole in the road that no one knew was there but they leave the huge chasm that is at some point going to cause a serious incident. We watch them prodding, poking and even putting their feet through the abyss in disbelief before fixing the other ‘hole’. Of course they will only fix what they were told to fix. The chasm probably isn’t even on their schedule until 2014.

L heads off for a cut & colour. So I’m hoping to pull a redhead tonight.

I limp to Sainsbury’s. I need some birthday cards, Swiss Francs and Bonios. Life’s essentials.

There's a match tonight, Derby v Blackpool. Where I’m under strict instructions to not aggravate the injury. No standing up suddenly and cheering every goal that they score. I think I should be safe, I'm not expecting any goals.

Bugger. Surprisingly Derby score twice and win 2-1, accompanied by some gentle celebrating.

I come home to a violethead, if there is such a word. Very sassy.

(Tuesday 6th March)