Snow: drift

Was on a course with Dave in London on Wednesday. Had travelled up night before and was able to experience the first snow to fall in October in London since 1934 whilst walking from our Hotel on the Strand to the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey and back. (I am interested to find out why Richard I's statue is outside the Abbey - will research this)

Had packed my running shoes with me and actually got up and went for a short run on Wednesday morning. Did an even shorter run this evening (30/10) - I am just trying to do some exercise 6 days a week to maintain habit (but conscious I need to start doing something more...).

Spoke to Si tonight and he has confirmed 'up' for trip to Norway - so all set for Norseman registration on 1 November.

Shooting star (a sign?)

Was getting indecisive about Norseman last weekend; combination of doubts on money, logistics etc.

After a lazy (but enjoyable) day watching Arsenal and Liverpool on TV, I forced myself out of the house early evening for a short run. Was really glad I did - it was a lovely clear sky night and air was fresh. Got onto beach and ran towards sea's edge. Looked up from my thoughts to catch the tail end of a shooting star.

I am taking this is a sign that I should strengthen my resolve towards Norseman - entries open 1 November.

From Adams to Grimandi: Apologies all round

Played 2 games of 5-aside yesterday.

In the first I scored: a goal that reminded me of Tony Adams' goal against Everton in title clinching game of 1998 (to me anyway!). We won 5-3.

In the second I was a complete idiot. We lost 8-1 largely due to my 'bull in a china shop' (nice expression for the way I behaved) non-performance. Spent first thing this morning sending emails apologising to both my own team and the opposition.

Should also apologise to Giles Grimandi who I thought of when thinking of Arsenal player in terms of my performance in second game... Obviously not a fair reflection. Sorry Giles.

Lack of resolve takes me through 2 red lights

First day of a 'new me' went the way of many other first days of new me... By 10am (at the latest) my 'no coffee' resolve went; with Dave who had made the coffee to entice me commenting that I had 'no resolve'. This was further demonstrated when I was still in work at 5.40pm.

(On a positive note:

1. I did cycle to and from work and


2. I was not eaten by zombies... a dream I had last night)

Super Swim in Thermo Vest.

Had a fantastic sea swim on Saturday: in Newquay Bay, from off the harbour wall to Tolcarne and back. Bit cold and arms ached so much towards the end I could only do 4 strokes of front crawl at a time. Si led the way...

Had 'thermo vest' on for the first time since the summer and the slight extra weight in the arms was more than compensated for by the extra warmth. Whilst my feet felt that a tad cold when I got out the rest of me was 'ok'. Si did say after he bought his vest that it was the best £40 he had ever spent and this was more than sufficient endorsement for me to purchase one.

Traffic Lights

Time to start changing my behaviour. I am going to experiment with a traffic light system and shortlist of behavioural changes for forthcoming fortnight are:

• RED: Not to work past 5pm (unless imperative to do so)


• GREEN: Blog at least 3 x week (makes me feel better - exercising creative muscle!)


• GREEN: Swim at least once during week - Thursday? Need to sort membership of pool.


• AMBER: Sell Endowment? Look into


• GREEN: Keep track of money spent/ log all expenditure AND make expense claims


• AMBER: Research costs etc for Norseman (to conclude by 27/10)


• RED: Coffee + cake during the week


• RED: Stop personal emails to work address etc


• AMBER: Friendships, start by returning emails, reading Blogs etc (Monday nights?)


• GREEN: Out with Simon M for bike ride on Saturday morning

Two week experiment: prompted by running through red lights earlier in week. Was feeling a bit low after work on Tuesday and drove past line of what I assumed was parked traffic; only to see traffic light on red was cause of queue as I drove past last vehicle...

Maybe should add: GREEN: be more alert to whether stationary cars are parked!

Caught in a rip: behavioural change and the 'last packet syndrome'

Spent some time in the sea at the weekend: lovely weather. Admittedly, I accurately described my swim on Saturday as 'prating around' to 2 surfers I was close to when I stopped to tred water. I think they were impressed that someone would be out in '2 metre swell' - their exaggerated description - but I was not doing anything structured; particularly in the context of Norseman next year. On Sunday, I made the effort to be more swimming and try and concentrate of technique, which was progress. Did get caught in a real (as opposed to just a metaphoric rip) that resulted in me swimming and Si on his board paddling for 10 minutes (Si counted 250 strokes) with no progress...

I posted a comment on a friends (Jason, I hope you will allow me to use that description!) blog, which has made me think more on 'changing behaviour' or, to put it in the scenario of sea swimming, 'escaping the rip tide'. Jason has of, almost, 2 days ago given up smoking and started a blog as part of discipline of stopping - http://ciggiesbegone.blogspot.com/ - (which I recommend for excellent prose as well as enabling you to post supportive comment). Anyway, I questioned the need for the 'last packet' - on reflection I feel that maybe I need my own version of a 'last packet' to stimulate me to change behaviour. My own syndrome 'I will do it tomorrow' syndrome does not seem that effective (it is a good few weeks since I posted my 'can a leopard change its spots' blog...)

Date for change now set for 20/10: need to define objectives this week.

P.S. From recollection, if you are caught in a sea rip current:

1. Do not panic
2. Do not try and swim against rip
3. Try and gauge which way the rip is going and swim at right angles i.e., across the rip until you are out of rip and then head back towards shore

(As a more comprehensive guidance http://www.asrltd.co.nz/downloads/Reefs/reef%20safety/RipBrochure.pdf appears useful)

Crocked and curse of the weaver fish

5 a-side football last night -may be for the last time as I turned my ankle, which is still sore and swollen today; thus preventing me from:

1. attending 'Abbey Road' photo shoot (more of which in subsequent blog maybe)


2. running or cycling (today should have been a cycle day)
   

I thought talk of my retiring may have engendered a 'no' or 'please do not' from team mates but it did not... Lost both games last night.

Was keen to get back in 'Boltons' and do some more running but may have to wait for a few days.

Anyway, when I was trying to elicit some sympathy by constantly referring to sore ankle at work today one of my friends countered by saying that had stood on a weaver fish, which to be honest was much more interesting. I learnt today:

1. A weaver fish buries itself in the sand on the low tide mark and if stood on will 'sting' by injecting protein
2. The sting is very painful and apparently can feel like a vice being tightened on your foot
3. For best immediate relief: dip foot into warm as you can bear water (dissipates protein apparently)
4. Some beaches have 'waver fish buckets' with aforementioned hot water
5. One time Tom had to interject in a exchange between crying boy and his mum to explain that the symptoms boy was describing were indications that he had stood on weaver fish as opposed to sharp stone

I honestly do not know how much of the above (re weaver fish) is true but some of it is consistent with http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/surfing/sites/features/pages/marine_life.shtml and I do believe Tom.

P.S. Have just scanned wikipedia entry for weaver fish, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weever, and note that the weaver fish sinks if it stops swimming, which apparently is quite unusual for a fish!

These shoes are made for fell running

Bought some awesome running shoes whilst on holiday.

Made in Bolton by real people apparently, I did not know anything about them before I purchased but now see Walsh fell shoes have websites/ sections to websites dedicated to them (including http://www.alpineworld.com/trail/walsh.html) and feature on various forums.

I have bought them to have a go at 3 peaks race - hopefully next year as part of build up for Norseman.

Have just been for one short run in them so far but really liked them - comfortable and so light. Feet felt a little flat but anticipate this is more due to walking 39 miles in Dr Martins in last week than lack of support in Walsh shoe.

My itinerary for next year is beginning to take shape. In addition to 3 peaks race it will hopefully include Endurance Life's Cornish Coastal marathon and North Cornwall Tor.

P.S. Having just seen the date of North Cornwall Tor it could work out really well or that event could be on same day as 3 peaks race (still trying to track down 3 peaks race date for 2009).

In God's own country: walking with Jesus

Just back from fantastic holiday in Yorkshire Dales, where much to my surprise I found I enjoyed walking! We did all 'three peaks' - although not in one day.

On Thursday (2/10) we did Ingleborough and Whernside. The next day we did Pen-y-ghent. I am full of admiration for those who manage all three in one day ('all those' include my sister-in-law - respect).

Our Thursday walk Julie were joined by Richard Morgan, a 65 year old walker who became our guide for the day, leading us down from fog bound Ingleborough across Simon's fell and Peak Fell and onwards. Julie and I were running to keep up with Him at times and one time I could have sworn he walked on water... And all the sustenance he appeared to take on board during the 15 miles was 2 pieces of cake and a pint of beer. (Julie is currently waiting to see if a picture we took of Richard comes out or if he was just a figment of our imagination!). Whilst walking Richard also informed us he had a goal of walking (or 'bagging' as I have now read on Internet) the 500 Munros in Scotland: he had 50 to go...

The next day we briefly chatted to a 69 year old, who again we would have struggled to keep with.

Walks/ countryside inspired me to:

1. Have a go at 3 peaks race - as part of training for Norseman
   
2. Buy some fell running shoes
   
3. Go walking more often

P.S. Also read God's Own Country by Ross Raisan whilst away - very good if very unsettling!