I see you baby, shakin' that...

Having missed my usual run with Su last night, I was grateful to Phil for agreeing to go after work tonight. I had managed to persuade him to do a road run as opposed to the grim Hencliff project (wimp, I know). As we set off to do a circuit starting in Hanham Phil asked me if I'd prefer to run up Willsbridge hill or down Willsbridge hill depending on which way round we went....doh, obviously down. Note to self; Bristol is notoriously hilly therefore, what goes up has to come down or in this case, what goes down has to come up....and Phil doesn't do flat.

Anyway it seems I will have to get my skates on if I'm to complete the Bristol 10k in under an hour; we did 5 and 1/2 miles in 55 mins, not exactly speedy gonzales but it was hilly and I was fighting with a ricochet around my backside....undoubtedly the Devon effect.

Gone fishing (with Devonish people?)

Fact: If I didn't run, I'd be as big as a bull.
Last weekend L and I decided to take a road trip to Devon. I had booked a room at the ever popular Mason's Arms in Branscombe. It's a 14th century pub with several awards under it's belt, it also has cottages to rent, hotel rooms and a fantastic menu. Suffice to say that the two days and one night short break resulted in 2 roast dinners, a 3 course meal, full English breakfast and a curry....oh and 2x cream teas and has left me feeling somewhat lardy. I did a 3 miler on Saturday with Ruth around the downs in preparation, but it is without doubt the off-set simply doesn't weigh up.

On Monday we went out on a fishing boat in Beer....I have been wanting go for a while; it was absolutely brilliant and, even though still February, the sun was shining and the sea was like a millpond. I have never actually caught a fish before but within 10 seconds of casting the line I had a bite. It was bloody exciting at first then a bit scarey as I hauled up not 1 yes 2 ! flapping fish, then biggest of the two, with a look of 'you shit, you just ruined my day', regurgitated a crab...guess I don't blame it really? and it will certainly please you veggie's out there....but we had a great day and I really, no really, really didn't want to come home to Bristol, work, cars, buses, hussle-bussle, no beach and mung bean salad (for my sins). I could get used to the seaside-life malarky....and as L says...we like Devonish (ahem) people.

Getting ligher...

The weather that is, not me. Woo hoo. I'm not really a fan of getting up in the dark and coming home from work in the dark, it's miserable....and, although we've had snow (inexplicabley rendering some schools unable to function) today there are blue skies and there's a different feel in the air. Hope I've not spoken too soon; I. need. some. sun.

Last night Su and I set off on our 'Tuesday run' around the down's. For the first time since starting this blog, we felt it was light enough to take in the bottom half by Sea Walls and past the bit where dodgy-looking-blokes in their cars park. Distance: about 4-5 miles.

My knees, which had been causing a few probs of late, were fine....so, instead my body has decided to take on a new tack to protest, a stitch, you know the sort that make you feel as though someone has punched you repeatedly under the ribs. Having researched the problem (as it now keeps occurring) it seems there is unanimous agreement for the best way to get rid of one, 'Break wind'. Just so you know.

Anyway as things are looking up and to make you smile I just thought I share this with you......

Game on....oh please, no

Ok so it's been snowing.....and?

I have to say it's pretty poor show when the schools in Bristol close because of 'trecherous conditions'. I can understand (sort of) if there's a school bus involved, but if it's Redland Green School, boasting a popularilty contest of having to live within 0.9 miles of it to secure a place, AND the teachers are in the park playing snowball with the kids...what's the excuse? Although slightly miffed I have to admit to being secretly pleased that L and her friends had time off to enjoy the unusual (for Bristol) weather.

Yesterday Phil and I did a circuit straight from work. We set off from Lawrence Hill, through Netham park, past the more hard-core (and now muddy) sledgers and out along side the river Avon. I was hoping that, as I had forgotten my running trousers and therefore having to run in Karen Millen moleskin culottes (seventies word?), we would be sticking to the roads rather than crosscountry. I'd forgotten I was with Phil.

So, we trudged along in the snow, through Netham Park, over some fields, into a bit of a wooded area then, after my whining protest, back onto the road. We reckon it was about 5-6 miles and I was happy to accept the offer of dinner, trough the cheesecake and get trollied with friends later that evening.....not the best idea when you end up promising to do the Bristol 10k in May (Jon)just when you've accepted the challenge of the Braunton triathlon in June (Stu). I hate wine.

Skiing in Bristol

The earlier part of my childhood was spent growing up in Northern England, so we were used to being 'properly' snowed in, off school, abandoning cars etc. However, the smattering of snow flakes in Bristol over the last few days has sent the city into chaos...schools closing down (not because the children can't get there but because the dinner ladies can't??), people unable to 'get' to work, patient's not turning up for appointments, bus services not running, trains out of action....for heaven sake....it's just a bit of snow!

Having said that, driving down Redland Hill this morning on my way to WORK, I reckon the guy on ski's that zipped past me as I was trawling along at 10mph had the right idea.

Fess up

Forgive me bloggers for I have sinned, it has been more than a month since my last confession.

I have been out on my usual Tuesday runs with Su, and the Hencliffe torture with Phil..........the latter being very wet, muddy and cold (just to add it wasn't me that slid in the mud onto my backside.....so much for the 'strictly come dancing style' he he). I just haven't been in the mood to blog, that must all change if I'm to keep my promise........so in short and to catch up....stats for January

Tuesday night round the downs 4 miles x 5
Friday night round the downs 2 miles x 1 (well I did have a sore knee)
Hencliffe Woods 5-6 miles x 4
A few others that I definately did do but can't remember
'Extreme traffic' cycling x 1
Left-over Christmas chocolates/biscuits/sweets x lost count

I ended January on a bit of a wobble. My left knee had been uncomfortable after a few runs, then became unbearable after a five miler of sliding and slipping around Hencliffe and the River Avon. I had been stretching it out but it seemed to make little difference........however! last week in work I was stopped by a very young, very fit, very tall, very fit, very tall, very young, very fit and also very fit physio to enquire how my running training was going. On telling him my woe's he offered to take a look.......so there I was sat on the couch explaining that I was worried it was iliotibial band syndrome and that the pain was in the lateral aspect (a and e speak) of my left knee. I had to remove my boot so he could have a look....note, pleeaasse note....trust me, when a very young, very fit, very tall, very fit physio tells you he's going to feel your leg to help locate the exact pain/problem......please make sure you have had them WAXED! In the words of Forrest Gump 'and that's all I have to say about that'. Except I was right, it is ITBS and a bit of sports massage along with some special ITBS stretches seems to have done the trick. I've also booked an appointment at the beauty salon.