The downside to having steroids injected into your bum is that steroids wreck your immune system and make you more vulnerable to infections such as The Corona. Having a good record of evading symptomatic infection and a recent vaccine, however, I didn't worry too much about this and when I noticed a persistent dry cough … Continue reading Italian Flu
Author: Suzi
Genealogist, slow runner and dispatcher of ambulances.
Farfalle parkrun
My first parkrun since my bottom injection, and can you guess what happens? Two days before parkrunday, I go out to see The Cure in Italy like the sad old goth I am, get absolutely trolleyed on cocktails with names like Paris Hilton and Julia's Strap On, and fall flat on my face, too drunk … Continue reading Farfalle parkrun
Back
I've not written on this blog for a while because a) every time I started writing it came out as self pitying blurb that was definitely not funny and of no entertainment value to anyone b) sitting on my ancient computer chair to write them was too painful (there are a few half finished draft … Continue reading Back
Bushy parkrun
On 2nd October 2004, the first ever parkrun took place in Bushy Park. At the time, it was known rather less invitingly as "Bushy Park Time Trial" and there were a total of thirteen runners, none of whom took more than 30 minutes to complete the 5k course. There were no tourists, no milestones and … Continue reading Bushy parkrun
Crane parkrun and Hackney Half
What happens when you're doing your best running in years and are on the brink of smashing that six year old PB? You get injured of course. I have developed a literal pain in the bum, otherwise known as piriformis syndrome. I don't know why I have this as I have not been doing anything … Continue reading Crane parkrun and Hackney Half
Burnham on Crouch parkrun
A couple of months ago I had a sudden burst of inspiration and decided to start a mission to run all the parkruns in Essex. Several of my friends are aiming for "Lon-done" but this doesn't appeal to be because there are a lot of parkruns in London which follow my strongly non preferred format … Continue reading Burnham on Crouch parkrun
Jesmond Dene parkrun
For many compulsive parkrun tourists, becoming an "alphabeteer" (visiting a parkrun beginning with every letter of the alphabet, except X, because there isn't one starting with X... yet) is a top priority. It's an enjoyable challenge which requires one to be a little creative. Some letters are easy (I've lost count of my Bs, Hs … Continue reading Jesmond Dene parkrun
Twin Lakes 20 (or 10)
Having resolved that four half marathons for the spring season was plenty and that I was under no circumstances to enter any more, I promptly set about entering ten mile races, because of course those last three and a bit miles make all the difference. Rob was doing a two-lap 20 mile race in Milton … Continue reading Twin Lakes 20 (or 10)
Hartlepool parkrun
There is, allegedly, more to life than running, and for the first time since the pandemic I packed my bags for a weekend away supporting my atrocious football team, Leyton Orient, in that underrated Northern beach resort, Hartlepool. I also managed to drag Rob along for his first live Orient Experience. Although I love running, … Continue reading Hartlepool parkrun
Surrey Half Marathon 2022
Last fortnight I came the closest I ever will ever come to running another marathon, which is running two half marathons a week apart. This wasn't entirely a deliberate choice, both were postponed from 2021 and weren't a week apart when I booked them, though when I learned of the new dates I didn't want … Continue reading Surrey Half Marathon 2022
Brighton Half Marathon 2022
The trouble with pouring your heart and soul into your half marathon training and not falling over or catching Corona in the days before is that you find yourself on the start line an absolute bag of nerves with no excuses for failure. There's no "well, I would have done better if I had trained … Continue reading Brighton Half Marathon 2022
RED FEB
After starting 2022 in my usual catastrophic fashion and flunking RED January at 9:20 on January 1st, I decided to try again with RED February. As February is a bit shorter than January I decided to start a bit early, on 22nd January, and therefore as of today I have run thirty days in a … Continue reading RED FEB
Harrow parkrun
Half Marathon training is well underway which is a good thing because I have already booked five for this year and it's only February. I can't work out if it is going well or not. On one hand, I seem to be able to run long distances very comfortably (no lying on floor groaning when … Continue reading Harrow parkrun
Sunny Hill parkrun
On Friday I had one of my bright ideas. These never end well. The bright idea in question was to do my long run on the running track. I thought this was a good idea because a) it was New Year's Eve and surely no one else would be there b) if something started to … Continue reading Sunny Hill parkrun
A Tale of Three parkruns
Isabel Trail, Stafford, 13 November 2021 Finally I'm in good form, the weather is kind, it's a perfect course (a flat out and back on a disused railway line). I'm going all out for a PB. I don't even care that I have a half marathon the next day because we all know I'm never … Continue reading A Tale of Three parkruns
South Coast Triathlon
"Did you sleep well?" asked Rob over breakfast on the morning of the South Coast Triathlon, the day of which had finally dawned after two cancelled years on the trot. No, I hadn't slept well. In fact I'd spent most of the night lying in bed Googling "how far are you allowed to push your … Continue reading South Coast Triathlon
Brockwell parkrun
I believe 7th August 2021 was the fourth date I set for my 100th parkrun. I can't be sure of this because like with everything in the last year, the endless cancellations and postponements got the better of me and I lost all grip on how many times things had changed and any faith in … Continue reading Brockwell parkrun
I just can’t wait to become a triathlete!
In three weeks and three days I am doing a triathlon. Considering I signed up for it on 23rd November 2018, nearly three years ago, you can hardly say this has been sprung on me, yet I still feel completely incompetent. Perhaps this is because I have had so many events cancelled that I am … Continue reading I just can’t wait to become a triathlete!
The Day parkrun Came Home
First of all it was going to be October. Then early June. Then late June. Then July. At first I missed going to parkrun desperately, but then I missed everything and everyone desperately. When things started to reopen I started enjoying the freedom of not having to get up and run 5k every Saturday morning. … Continue reading The Day parkrun Came Home
Clapham Common Chase the Sun
Last week, we had an outbreak of the other kind of weather. Hot, sunny, weather. Finally, it was time to turn off the heating, take off the woolly socks and go swimming without worrying about how I would get the feeling back in my fingers afterwards. The only problem with hot, sunny weather is that … Continue reading Clapham Common Chase the Sun
Hertfordshire Half Marathon
The Hertfordshire Half is to half marathons what Sunny Hill is to parkrun. Featuring hills, undulations, slopes, mounds, mounts, hummocks, bumps, heights, ascents, inclines and gradients, the only thing you can say for it is that there is no mud. (Except for that bit in the second kilometre where you have to go round a … Continue reading Hertfordshire Half Marathon
Still Alive
Thought I had better post something to confirm that I am still alive and have not given up running (or blogging). Recently there has been a deluge of races as everything that was postponed over the last six months finally stopped being postponed, leading to comedy moments such as me opening my post and realising … Continue reading Still Alive
Aintree Half
My first half back could have gone better, to say the least. The problems started pretty much as soon as I arrived at the racecourse and discovered that there was no queue for the women's toilets because apparently the vast majority of the entrants were men (378 men and 101 women according to the results … Continue reading Aintree Half
Non Cancelled HM Incoming
I know we've been here before but dare I say that I am actually running a real-life, timed, official HALF MARATHON this weekend. The train tickets and Airbnb are booked and I am curiously eyeing a square object with a zip lid that you can fill with clothes, shoes and toy cows. I think they … Continue reading Non Cancelled HM Incoming
Stryd Wind: disappointed customer
About a year ago I shelled out TWO HUNDRED QUID for a top level running gadget called a Stryd. This little footpod promises to deliver laser smart precision running dynamics data, facilitate power based training and - most importantly for me - deliver far more accurate distance data than GPS. Great, I thought, no more … Continue reading Stryd Wind: disappointed customer
Alexandra Palace 10km
Not just one RunThrough race this week but two! Given that my visit to Ally Pally parkrun a couple of years ago was a total horror I'm not sure why I thought it was a good idea to sign up for a 10k race at the same venue. I can only assume I did it … Continue reading Alexandra Palace 10km
Chase the Sun Olympic Park
The St Albans 10k was great and everything, but for me it didn't really feel like races were back until I'd done a RunThrough race! And the first back for me was one of my favourites, Chase the Sun at the Olympic Park. Even though I'm not normally an evening runner, I do really like … Continue reading Chase the Sun Olympic Park
Ouch
For the tenth (I think) time in the last year, I find myself horrified by the fact that I have a half marathon to run that looks like it isn't going to be cancelled. It's worth mentioning that every single one of those half marathons have been cancelled in the end, some with just days … Continue reading Ouch
St Albans Easter 10k
This is a running blog... and FINALLY I have a running event to write about! Restrictions on outdoor sport were lifted six days ago and I've certainly made the most of it with two trips to Victoria Dock for swimming, one to Charlton Lido, and two to Mile End track (one to run and one … Continue reading St Albans Easter 10k
This is a running blog
And therefore after this post I will only post about running. I won't go as far to say that I will never mention The Corona again, but I'm sick of talking about it, and sick of adding a caveat about not knowing what will happen next to everything I dare to wish or plan for. … Continue reading This is a running blog
Mark Keds
The moment I set eyes on Mark Keds for the first time was the moment I knew categorically that I was not a lesbian. I was fifteen years old and saw this picture of his band, the Senseless Things, in the NME. Mark Keds, standing with the sun in his face and the wind in … Continue reading Mark Keds
The End?
The coronavirus vaccine is nearly here. There's rumours it could land for us NHS workers in the next two weeks. And my current source of utter gobsmacked boggling bemusement is that some people who are able to have the vaccine are actually dragging their heels about it. It would make more sense to me if … Continue reading The End?
Two nil up at half time…
Random bleakness from today's run. It's all gone a bit Leyton Orient. Last week I ran my fastest 10k race (1:10:14) on Saturday, my second fastest ever half marathon as a training run on Monday (2:42:24) and equalled my 5k PB on Wednesday (33:53) despite being knackered and having a bit of a hangover. I … Continue reading Two nil up at half time…
RunThrough Olympic Park 10k
With the corona on the up again, I'm not sure how many of my running events will go ahead any more. I'm constantly expecting that email to drop telling me yet another has been cancelled. I'm over virtual medals and not-parkruns and ready to race, so I was extremely happy when the extravaganza at my … Continue reading RunThrough Olympic Park 10k
Velopark 5k
parkrun announced that they would return in England at the end of October, and of course almost immediately the coronavirus transmission rate went through the roof and an unannouncement swiftly followed. I'm very sad about this, but I do think it was the right decision - not because I think there is much danger associated … Continue reading Velopark 5k
Dock2Dock
One event that I had planned for 2020 that didn't get cancelled was Dock2Dock, the annual swimming race in my favourite swimming spot, Victoria Dock. The race has three options: 1.5k, 5k and 10k, and takes you all the way from the usual course under the Unreasonably High Footbridge, under Connaught Bridge into the next … Continue reading Dock2Dock
RunThrough Battersea 10k
The last six months have been like the worst marathon you can possibly imagine. Six laps of Shoreham Power Station. On the first lap everyone was stealing the toilet paper from the portaloos and stockpiling the finish water. On the second lap, loads of the runners died and you had dodge the dead bodies. On … Continue reading RunThrough Battersea 10k
Return to Racing
As the coronavirus related restrictions have eased, it seems like most of the British population has fallen into two camps: Camp One are still vehemently refusing to leave the house for any reason. They do not think schools, pubs, gyms, hairdressers or events of any kind should be open until the virus is completely eradicated. … Continue reading Return to Racing
#BLM day seven: George Floyd
Today is the final day of my challenge. I've completed all seven of my 5k runs, made my donations and here is my final post. Of course this one had to be for George Floyd, the man whose death has sparked the Black Lives Matter protests and, finally, got everyone talking about what we can … Continue reading #BLM day seven: George Floyd
#BLM day six: Michael Menson
As John Fashanu said, the only way for a black man to make money in the 1980s was to sing, dance or play football. Michael Menson chose the musical route, and those of us of a certain age may remember his work as a member of Double Trouble, as in Double Trouble and the Rebel … Continue reading #BLM day six: Michael Menson
#BLM day five: Daniel Adewole
Daniel Adewole was sixteen years old when he died alone in his prison cell. He was an inmate at Cookham Wood Young Offenders Institute. Daniel suffered from epilepsy, but had missed his last hospital appointment "because his family knew the date and place" and the prison were concerned this was a security risk. On the … Continue reading #BLM day five: Daniel Adewole
#BLM day four: Justin Fashanu
Justin Fashanu was the first openly gay professional footballer. The homophobia and persecution he received for this cost him his life. Justin and his brother, John, grew up in Norwich. His mother had placed them in Barnardo's orphanage. She was a single parent with three more children. The two boys were adopted by a white … Continue reading #BLM day four: Justin Fashanu
#BLM day three: Belly Mujinga
Forty-seven year old Belly Mujinga was a ticket controller at London Victoria Station. She was married with one eleven year old daughter. Back in March, Belly was understandably extremely concerned about going to work during the coronavirus outbreak. Not only did she have a respiratory condition which put her at higher risk of becoming seriously … Continue reading #BLM day three: Belly Mujinga
#BLM day two: Breonna Taylor
Breonna was an emergency medical technician and first responder, and had been working hard in a patient facing role at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, despite the fact that as a black person she was at far higher risk from the disease than a white person. She lived with her boyfriend in Louisville, Kentucky. … Continue reading #BLM day two: Breonna Taylor
#BLM day one: Stephen Lawrence
For the next week, I will be running 5km every day in memory of a black person who died too soon, writing a story biography of that person on this blog, and making a donation to a relevant charity. My first run is in memory of Stephen Lawrence. I am writing about Stephen first because … Continue reading #BLM day one: Stephen Lawrence
Positive
This weekend, the NHS started coronavirus antibody tests for all staff. These are the tests that tell you whether you have had coronavirus in the past (but not if you have it at the moment). Mine came back positive. It seems I must have been one of those "asymptomatic carriers" who apparently comprise approximately 30% … Continue reading Positive
Be Careful What You Wish For
I wished for (and still wish for) a beginning to the end of lockdown. But not like this. Here is a sample of things I wished for: Public transport to return to normal, in particular the reopening of Blackhorse Road station and the end of the "one way system" at Stratford which necessitates a five … Continue reading Be Careful What You Wish For
Pymmes parkrun
Pymmes parkrun is the second closest to my flat and the third different parkrun that I attended (after Finsbury Park and Hackney Marshes). Despite it's proximity I haven't been back since that solitary visit nearly three years ago and you might be forgiven for thinking that it was a horrible and unsuitable parkrun. This is … Continue reading Pymmes parkrun
Birthday Half Marathon
I've had some pretty shit birthdays. I was born on the 28th April, which usually coincides with the last match of the football season - rarely a happy day for Leyton Orient fans, and always a deluge of unseasonable weather after a couple of falsely promising pleasant weeks over Easter. My seventeenth birthday took some … Continue reading Birthday Half Marathon
Lockdown, Day 22
My alarm goes off at 4:30am, just like it did Before. I'm no longer the only person awake and online at that time; some people are suffering insomnia, some have lost all sense of date and time, others are enjoying a night out at Virtual Slimelight and others have deliberately got up early to go … Continue reading Lockdown, Day 22
Womblestow
Boris has spoken and the only reasons people are allowed to leave their house are for groceries, medical/care needs, work and exercise. Considering the first three are not a lot of fun (especially when the first leads to a scrap in the pasta aisle over the last pack of tagliatelle), it seems every fucker on … Continue reading Womblestow
Evicted in a Epidemic
When I returned from Chalkwell Beach parkrun, I failed to notice the large white envelope that had plopped through my letterbox in my absence. I failed to notice it until the next morning, just after I had finished ringing work to tell them that I was very sorry but my cold had turned into a … Continue reading Evicted in a Epidemic
Chalkwell Beach parkrun
If I were still writing my work blog, I would have given you an insightful piece about the thrills of working for the ambulance service during a pandemic, how the reaction of the public, press and government is doing far more damage than the disease itself, how at least twenty people who have no relevant … Continue reading Chalkwell Beach parkrun
Surrey Half Marathon
My friends often complain that I like to get to events, particularly running events, far too early. My general rule is to catch the train before the train I would catch to arrive on time. Next time anyone complains about this, I am going to cut and paste this post at them and explain THIS … Continue reading Surrey Half Marathon
Coronavirus Rigidus
Quick post because I'm off out to football (not cancelled this week) and have very little time! On Sunday I made it to the Berkhamsted 5 Mile "Fun Run" which, despite the sexist and non snail friendly announcer person, was a nice race. It was quite a challenging course with a full mile of uphill … Continue reading Coronavirus Rigidus
Stratford Park parkrun (Stroud)
NOTE TO FUTURE SELF: Do not EVER plan anything that involves leaving London during the month of February EVER again. Better still, do not plan anything that involves leaving the house for the month of February ever again. This weekend, Leyton Orient were scheduled to play Forest Green Rovers, the league's only all-vegan football team, … Continue reading Stratford Park parkrun (Stroud)
Limp
My Facebook feed was full of posts about the Brighton Half Marathon yesterday, which means my half marathon PB is now a mammoth four years old. It's past the toddler stage and soon it will be going to school, and before you know it, it'll be up and away and gone to university and then … Continue reading Limp
Valentines parkrun (again)
It's been a hard weekend. On Saturday I heard the very sad news that my friend Flash had died. I "met" her on the Livejournal group The Ladies Loos about fifteen years ago and she was very kind to me when all that bollocks happened with that horrible ex I mention from time to time. … Continue reading Valentines parkrun (again)
Wankle Woe
Chase the Moon Olympic Park 12th February 2020 - 35:06. My slowest run at this venue for god knows how long. I ran as fast as I could but I didn't even feel out of breath. My legs can no longer keep up with me. I am feeling very down at the state of my … Continue reading Wankle Woe
Castle Park parkrun
Having been confined to Sarf London for the last two months, it was finally time to break free of my shackles and head to the bright lights of Castle Park for the World parkrun Tourists meet up. Castle Park is in Bishops Stortford which is a place I know precisely nothing about quite close to … Continue reading Castle Park parkrun
Thorpe and Egham “Half Marathon”
To celebrate the start of Feet Up February, Rob and I entered a half marathon (each) and then proceeded to run precisely seven miles between the two of us. On the way to this feat of failure, we decided that whoever put in the worst performance would be entitled to the Tequila of Shame in … Continue reading Thorpe and Egham “Half Marathon”
How RED January Ruined My Life
At the time of my last entry I was thirteen days into run-every-bloody-day January, had done far too many miles up and down the squidgy trails of Beckenham Place Park, joined a shit gym in an effort to take pressure of my legs, not used it, done more squidgy hill miles, and got totally complacent … Continue reading How RED January Ruined My Life
RED January 2020
This is my second attempt to take part in the MIND initiative, RED, which requires participants to run (or exercise) every single day for a whole month in order to do something-or-other to do with mental health. You may recall last year's fell by the wayside somewhat when I caught a nasty disease from a … Continue reading RED January 2020
Greenwich and Bexley parkruns
Gone are the days when New Year's Day was a hungover write off, sacrificed unto the cause of downing multiple tequilas in a dubious establishment to toast the first hours of the oncoming year. New Year's Day is now the day of The Double, the only day of the year when one can record two … Continue reading Greenwich and Bexley parkruns
Mud Glorious Mud
It has done nothing but rain for months and I am sick of it. I can't even remember the last time I went out for a run and came back with dry feet. Even last week's 100% tarmac parkrun venue, Peckham Rye, included an unexpected water feature. The soft sarf-landaners of Peckham weren't as hardy … Continue reading Mud Glorious Mud
Thanet Alan Green Memorial 10 Mile
Ten miles is a great distance for a race. It's far enough to push you without getting into that "I've had enough and want to go to the pub now" stage that always seems to creep in during the last 5k of a half marathon. Unfortunately there are relatively few 10 milers out there - … Continue reading Thanet Alan Green Memorial 10 Mile
Hilly Fields parkrun
It's hilly, but it's not in a field! Hilly Fields parkrun (near Lewisham) has been bothering my to-do list for some time, and an opportunity to visit finally presented itself this freezing Saturday. With many parkruns cancelled due to Weather (of the slippery ice variety) I was very lucky that other than suffering from Loss … Continue reading Hilly Fields parkrun
Hertfordshire Half Marathon
I have been wanting to do RunThrough's Hertfordshire Half Marathon even since the first event in 2017 - in fact I was on the verge of signing up when I had a stress fracture related relapse and was confined to a hobble. Last year I was still traumatised from The Marathon and couldn't bear to … Continue reading Hertfordshire Half Marathon
The Hackney Marshes Massacre
With my half marathon looming, I decided to do the sensible thing and not run today. Instead I volunteered my services to Hackney Marshes parkrun, where I was placed in the rather nervewracking role of timekeeper for the second time. I know how disappointing it is when you get a great parkrun time and your … Continue reading The Hackney Marshes Massacre
Adidas City Runs Fulham 10k
This weekend was my second time taking part in an Adidas City Run. I did the Shoreditch 10k back in 2017 and it was ok, but not amazing, so I have not gone out of my way to do another. Fulham, however, fitted well with my half marathon training plan and is a fairly novel … Continue reading Adidas City Runs Fulham 10k
Alvaston parkrun
One of the many good things about parkrun is that it gives you an excuse to hop on a train and visit friends in far flung glamorous locations (like Derby) whom you have not seen for far too long. You shouldn't need an excuse, of course, but as we get older, busier and less prone … Continue reading Alvaston parkrun
The Ladies’ Pond
The Ladies' Pond on Hampstead Heath is a funny place. It reminds me of one of those impressionist paintings, full of women in a state of undress frolicking in a meadow and basking in a semi-delirious state of joie de vivre. I have mostly only visited in summer before, where the queue to get in … Continue reading The Ladies’ Pond
Great South Run 2019
I set out to Portsmouth with unfinished business from the 2017 race and, to cut a long story short, I'll be returning in 2020 with even more unfinished business. If you read the last entry you will know that despite suffering from an outbreak of Dodgy Ankle, I was hoping to recover in time and … Continue reading Great South Run 2019
1:59:40
In a great week for running, where Eliud Kipchoge ran the first ever sub 2 hour marathon distance, and Brigid Kosgei smashed the women's marathon record in Chicago, I am sorry to say that I have completely failed to make my own contribution. Last Wednesday saw the first Olympic Park Chase The Moon of the … Continue reading 1:59:40
Confident Contrapting
My employer (a well known ambulance service) has started offering free cycling lessons to staff, provided by our local friendly cycle responders. Obviously I snapped up a place on the "Confident Cyclist" course. Nothing makes you feel more confident about getting on a contraption than having a medically qualified person chasing you around. I was … Continue reading Confident Contrapting
Pacing
After five years of running, I think I might have finally got the hang of running at a consistent pace! I was extremely proud of my first Long Slow Run of the winter in which I managed to run for 14km with every kilometre between 7:48 and 8:00. Normally it doesn't matter whether I start … Continue reading Pacing
Milton Keynes parkrun
I parkrun in all the most glamorous locations. Paris, Devon, Milton Keynes. The latter was the doing of my friend Sam, who organises the Veteran Runners UK group - she set it up on a whim (I think because everyone was getting fed up with Single Pringles and wanted a less sleazy place to bore … Continue reading Milton Keynes parkrun
Accidental Step Class
Continuing my calamitous week, today I decided to go to a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class at my gym. I like HIIT, it is tough but uncomplicated and involves doing the same thing over and over to the point of collapse, then a short recovery, then doing another thing over and over again. The … Continue reading Accidental Step Class
Triathlon Curse
I think I am going to have to stop writing posts entitled "Trianoia" because it seems that whatever catastrophe I fail to worry about is the one that ends up happening. In this case, the Canary Wharf Triathlon was cancelled due to lack of numbers. I have to say I'm not very impressed with the organisers … Continue reading Triathlon Curse
Teignmouth Promenade parkrun
This weekend saw my first parkrun/football combo of the 2019/20 season, and what better way to start than with a sunny weekend and a visit to the Devon coast? Teignmouth Promenade appealed for two reasons: one, the lovely seaside location, and two, it starts with a T. Yes, I could have gone to Tooting or … Continue reading Teignmouth Promenade parkrun
La Parisienne
This time last year, I was in a taxi to the Gard de Nord, and the taxi driver explained to me that he'd need to take a diversion due to "feminine joggeurs". I researched this further, and found that the "feminine joggeurs" in question were taking part in a 7km women-only race through central Paris … Continue reading La Parisienne
parkrun de Montsouris
I was "accidentally" passing through Paris this weekend, on the way back from my uncle's house (a mere 480km away), so grasped the opportunity to take part in the second Paris parkrun, Montsouris. Parc Montsouris is an urban, landscaped park in the south of the city; the name (kind of) translates as Mouse Mountain which … Continue reading parkrun de Montsouris
Trianoia (Part 2)
It's official: I am all booked up for the Isle of Dogs Open Water Sprint Triathlon on 22nd September, and with that in mind, I need to update my list of worries as follows: Cycling Delete fear re: U-turns and replace with creeping resentment of the hours spent practicing said pointless manoeuvre all for sodding … Continue reading Trianoia (Part 2)
Weekend in Belfast
I've found it hard to get back into the swing of training after the cancelled triathlon. I had the rest of this month earmarked for relaxation and self congratulation but now I find myself with another six weeks of triathlon training with no spare time, no budget for open water swimming and an increasingly fraying … Continue reading Weekend in Belfast
South Coast Non Triathlon
Despite the disappointing news that the swim section of the South Coast Triathlon was almost certainly going to be cancelled, Rob and I set off as planned for Seaford on Friday morning. The weather was calm and clear and despite the weather forecasts to the contrary I clung valiantly to the hope that there would … Continue reading South Coast Non Triathlon
Southwark/Osterley/Shorne Woods parkruns
All the triathlon prep and stress has meant I've got a bit behind with my parkrun write ups so I am just going to write a quick paragraph on each of the above. I will probably have to revisit them all and give them a proper review when I have time! Southwark This parkrun would … Continue reading Southwark/Osterley/Shorne Woods parkruns
Triathlon becomes Duathlon
I have a lot to learn about triathlons. One of those things is that the level of Weather needed to cancel a triathlon is a lot lower than that needed to cancel a run, presumably because however weathery the weather gets runners are generally not in danger of drowning, and while race organisers don't care … Continue reading Triathlon becomes Duathlon
Contraption Calamities
I think the Contraption is trying to tell me something. It all started because I started getting complacent. Spurred on by trivial achievements easily accomplished by the average primary school pupil, such as Mounting With An Audience and Getting Over A Bridge Without Falling In The Water, I started to think I was Victoria bloody … Continue reading Contraption Calamities
Victoria Dock Race Night
You may recall my first attempt at proper open water swimming was a mini aquathlon held in Victoria Dock during the Triathlon Show. This was recorded as a DNF after my complete horror at the experience of putting my face in 10 degree water made me squeal, gasp, swear and flap about ineffectually trying to … Continue reading Victoria Dock Race Night
Trianoia
With just under three weeks to go until The Triathlon, I'm getting acquainted with Trianoia, the older brother of my old friend, Maranoia. Maranoia, as you may recall, is a state of pre-marathon nervous exhaustion where you become convinced that you are ill, injured or otherwise about to suffer a marathon ruining calamity. Trianoia is … Continue reading Trianoia
Plastic Free July
How am I doing? Hm. Well. I wouldn't go as far to say this challenge is impossible, but certainly I have found it pretty much impossible to do without spending a lot of time and money (that I don't have) and making sacrifices far more difficult than those I made to go vegan. I did … Continue reading Plastic Free July
Zielona Gora parkrun
Friday 5th July 2019 To think that three years ago I thought going to Chelmsford for the sake of a parkrun was excessive! This week I packed my bags and headed to sunny Poland to visit the parkrun tourist Mecca of Zielona Gora, one of only four parkruns to start with the letter Z. Since … Continue reading Zielona Gora parkrun
Plastic Free July
A quick post from my phone to say that I am taking part in "Plastic Free July". I do love a monthly challenge and the impact of plastic on the environment is something I'm becoming increasingly aware of. When you go vegan, you suddenly find your habits under scrutiny and even if you didn't go … Continue reading Plastic Free July
Fell Race
Somehow I managed to get myself talked into doing a Category A Fell race in Epping Forest. Category A Fell Races are as dangerous as Category A prisoners and Category A drugs. They must have at least 50m of climb per km (this one had more) and no more than 20% of the course on … Continue reading Fell Race
Tidal Thames Midsummer Swim
Another new experience this week: swimming in the Thames proper, rather than a dock. Tidal Thames Swims take place on various evenings throughout the summer according to the tides, in the stretch of the Thames beyond Hammersmith Bridge, where swimming is permitted but maybe not the safest thing to do on one's own. The sessions … Continue reading Tidal Thames Midsummer Swim
Mole Valley parkrun
As scenic parkrun locations go, you can't do much better than a Surrey vineyard in the shadows of Box Hill. Mole Valley lies a mile from Dorking station, in the midst of Denbies Wine Estate, the largest vineyard in England, 265 sprawling acres amongst the leafy Surrey Hills, adjacent to the North Downs Way. It … Continue reading Mole Valley parkrun
Idiots at the Beach
All this splashing about in Victoria Dock is all well and good, but the South Coast triathlon doesn't take place in a dock, it takes place in the actual sea. I have never actually swum properly in the sea (splashing about in Crete after a few pina coladas on multiple occasions doesn't count) so it … Continue reading Idiots at the Beach
Weather
There has been a lot of weather this week, weather of the cold, wet, grey, wet, windy, wet, wet, wet variety. This has not made me happy. On Wednesday I went down to the Docklands Watersports Centre for a bit of open water swimming. This is the first time I've been completely on my own … Continue reading Weather
Malahide parkrun
Some of my friends are obsessed with The Cure in the same way that I am obsessed with parkrun. They spend thousands of pounds visiting weird and wonderful locations, hours on Facebook discussing the peaks and pitfalls of various sets, and spend time outdoors getting sunburnt or soaked. One friend, Gary, even keeps a spreadsheet … Continue reading Malahide parkrun
Clair parkrun
Clair - in Haywards Heath - is a parkrun that rarely seems to get much attention from parkrun tourists, perhaps it's because it's so close to Brighton that people think if they've gone all that way, they might as well go to the seaside. Or perhaps it's because it has four and a half laps. … Continue reading Clair parkrun
7:07 