Basics...

A great weekend in Liverpool, good to catch up with people but a sad reminder of the inevitable march of time. Not long ago I wouldn't have thought twice about two days drinking. Now however, I still feel a bit cherished two days on. 

So with the only PBs this weekend being the amount of booze consumed in a single twelve hour period, it was good to get out to the club for a run. Even better the longer nights are making canal runs a viable option. 

Sadly, I forgot to check my Garmin before heading out so upon reaching the Pavilion realised it was entirely out of battery. Another lesson in adequate planning.

I ran about 8 miles with Mike and Ian at a decent pace. You'll just have to take my word for it though won't you?

Family Business

Not much running this weekend, Easter and the end of the University term meant that a visit from the parents was in order. I don't think my constant excuses about being too busy writing essays and reading increasingly ridiculous screeds about international relations really washed so they popped down for the duration.

Running comprised of a quick five miles on Friday morning along the canal with the added incentive of making it back before they arrived. I needn't have bothered, a combination of Bank Holiday traffic and Dad's admirable refusal to pay for the toll road meant they arrived long after lunch. 

As they left on Sunday evening, I decided that Bank Holiday Monday morning would see a reasonably long running effort. In the end, several milestones were reached - not only did I manage 10 miles feeling in reasonable shape (which I wouldn't have expected after last week) but also went out in just a T-shirt for the first time this year. Spring has definitely arrived.

So overall, little running but much pleasantness. As a northerner, I am obliged to hide my feelings but there is something to be said for just sitting around and having a catch-up - even a long Sunday walk to Cannon Hill was nice. One of my great failings is not making enough time for friends and family - particularly as I owe my parents more than I could, or the above mentioned general northern taciturn nature would allow me to admit. Hopefully this weekend went some way to remedying this. 

Back in the Saddle

I haven't been down to a Monday night session at my running club for the past ten weeks, mainly because of my other hobby, so I was looking forward to tonight and a good catch up. It is slightly odd  making friends through running, after all the conversation tends to dry up after the first few miles when the effort kicks in!

Sadly the weather put paid to my reunion plans as there wasn't a particularly big turnout and none of my usual crew put in an appearance. Thankfully, just as I was contemplating a lonely run around the Harborne Hills, Jon Hammond made a late appearance giving me someone to run with.

The run itself was just what I needed, nice and steady at around 8 minute a mile pace giving me a good recovery after the weekend. I even managed to put a slight kick on for the last mile and passed a few others from the club. Most importantly I felt good afterwards and ready for a harder workout tomorrow. All is good.

Although I'm not sure about the new flowerbeds outside the Pavillion - an accident waiting to happen...