Console The Inconsolable

It’s straight back to work on Monday where we both head unshowered because while we were away our brand new boiler failed. The dog sitter is blaming herself but when I get the chaps who installed it out to have a look at it they point to a broken fan. Which they say they can’t fix and we have to place a service call with Baxi. Which we do and they come out to fix it on Tuesday.

Later on Monday, the Lad is at the vets for his booster, which he thoroughly enjoys. He loves meeting people, even vets who about to stick a needle in him. It’s also time to renew his insurance which the insurers won't talk to me about because it’s in L’s name. They refuse to accept that I am called L and I’m non-binary. So I have to get L to give them permission to speak to me.

Keith Flint dies, only days after clocking 21:22 at his local parkrun. If we’re looking for positives in anyone’s death, then that’s not a bad one to go out on.

Tuesday evening brings the match, Derby v Wigan. While I'm at my parent’s house my Mum confesses she’s had another fall. This was a few weeks ago but she has neglected to mention it. That’s where I got that trait from. I leave her with a box of Polish chocolates, I’ve got a nice big block for us.

It’s so thick it’s unbreakable and has to be attacked with a huge chopping knife.

On Wednesday I’m back on the bike which gets very wet on the way home, it’s dog training in the evening and Magenta Devine joins Keith Flint in the past tense. They're dropping like flies.

Thursday sees L kick off a new dog walking regime. She is going to take the Lad out for a pre-walk, so that hopefully he’ll learn to walk better on the lead and it will add a bit extra to his day, while I attempt to console the inconsolable MD while also trying to have a shower at the same time. Then I will take them for their usual park session.

I spend the day up at a meeting in Chesterfield but I’m back in the office in time to do my now usual run home although it’s not exactly perfect running weather. It's very windy and rain is forecast. I could defer it to tomorrow but the forecast looks just as bad tomorrow and colder.

L says she’s happy to pick me up somewhere provided she still makes her tennis. That is if she’s able to drive after her PT session, she claims to have crawled from the last one. I manage my run, without incident.

(Thursday 7^th March)

Stars Of The Future

As the Pride Park roadworks enter their second year they celebrate by closing a lane in both directions for the duration of the Easter fortnight. Utter chaos. On Tuesday I arrive for work at 9.30 and that’s just day one.

The Lad is slowly getting the hang of his morning walk with MD and L, on his extendable lead. Walk, park, mad dash for the ball, massive tangle, walk, followed by a mad dash for his breakfast or in MD’s case another mad dash for his ball. Sounds like they all had a great time.

After all that, and his lively weekend, the Lad is far from happy about being plonked back in his cage. It’ll do him good as he needs his rest. L is taking him socialising tonight while I am out in Derby with my mate from school. The Lad does so love a bit of socialising.

Given Tuesday’s travel hell, I’m on the bike on Wednesday. Meanwhile my colleague at work isn’t cycling this week after getting knocked off last week. He's mainly fine, just battered and bruised but his £900 bike is a write off. The driver has accepted liability and is putting it through his insurance but I’m not sure my colleague will get anything. He's not insured himself through British Cycling or anything, so there's no one to fight for his cause and pursue the money on his behalf.

Lunch is spent in The Yard on Pride Park and then in the evening it’s Team Training Night at dog training. Where we try to encourage the stars of the future. Meanwhile L and Daughter are doing their own training, with added hills.

Thursday’s squash is cancelled as my opponent says he’s ill. He’s probably fine but he daren’t play me if he has the slightest sniffle in case I take advantage. Instead I join L for a family session on the park.

She has been furnished with a chocolate Easter bunny and a huge Thornton's egg. Lucky her. Hope there’s some scraps for me.

Friday is Good Friday and rather appropriately Derby get crucified by Sunderland in the evening kick off.

On Saturday my dog club is running a ring at Catton Park but the weather is so wet and muddy it should all have been called off. When I arrive at 8am they are towing people off site as they give up at the start of day two of the four day event. We stick it out as we’re getting paid but I do just the one farcical run with MD. I daren’t move in the mud in case I fall but he seems to cope ok and comes 3^rd in a very reduced field. With so many competitors already having gone home it is all over by lunch time.

In the evening we’re out with friends at the Curry Lounge in Derby, which is very good. We meet up in the Lord Nelson, where I haven’t been for years. It’s ok but we soon move to a new-ish micro bar called Suds And Soda. No real ale but an interesting range of kegs, bottles and cans. 

(Friday 30^th March)

Another Late Fitness Test

A policeman comes to work to tell us about the huge number of bikes being stolen from around the area and to ask if we’ve seen any undesirables around the place, other than the ones who work here that is. Great news, I’m not sure the insurance would believe me if we had another one stolen.

A late fitness test this evening, to decide whether I throw the towel in as regards Sunday’s half marathon. I jog the mile into Spondon and that goes ok, relatively speaking e.g the pain doesn't reduce me to tears. I then take the bus most of the way home and jog the remaining two miles or so.

I decide that the ankle really only hurts (as in a lot) when I go up hill and as the new Nottingham Half Marathon course is apparently ‘fast n flat’ I guess than means I’m in. It’s not going to be pretty though.

L and boys walk towards me to see if I need any help to hobble home. As Doggo tries to pull us all into one of the local pubs, I consider that anaesthetising the pain might be a good idea. On second thoughts though, we have stronger alcohol at home, as well as ice packs and if all else fails L can always take my mind off it.

(Friday 27^th September)