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Miles 24.15; Bike miles 0; Units: 25

A week of three halves as far as running goes. I had to drop Monday circuits as my cold was still in full swing, and the voice had not quite returned. Many saw this as a real boon, of course, to hear me croaking! I ventured out, carefully, in the snow on Tuesday, in my trail shoes. What a lovely evening run! There is something great about getting back out there when you have had an enforced break. I managed a slightly longer run on Wednesday, with a bit of speed, so I felt properly back in the swing.

A very different activity on Thursday - out with Ian my coach, to video my running style! It was of course cold and slightly drizzling, to make it a great all round experience. We worked our way to the floodlit football pitch at the local School, and thankfully they were not using all of the ground, so we could take over a corner and use the excellent light. The gods smiled and stopped the rain too (though not the cold - can;t have it all I guess). It is amazing what you find out when you then watch it back in slo-mo...all those tiny nuances of running that you didn't know you did!

 
The third half of this strange week was a lovely Sunday run with the club - not, as intended, a 20 miler, rather an 8 mile steady jaunt around the sports grounds in Eastleigh - and great it was too. We even saw the little santa train go by..and you don't get that very often.

Wine-wise, a most busy week. On Friday I ran a tasting for 30+ work colleagues. 6 wines to give an all round intro to tasting, and cover off grapes, styles, countries, and make it relevant to Christmas! All of the wines were excellent, I think, and all under a tenner from Majestic:

Knappstein Riesling 2010 Clare Valley £6.99.
Lime, floral aromas, honeyed palate, lingering dry finish.


Pouilly-Fumé 2009 Domaine des Rabichattes, Grebet Père et fils £10.99
Flinty, grassy, nettles, gooseberries on the palate. Crisp, dry.

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2009 £8.79.
Gorgeously rich Chardonnay, tropical fruits, subtle oak, lovely complexity

Wither Hills Pinot Noir 2008 Marlborough £9.99.
Medium-weight, ripe red berry fruits, great richness. Just so easy to drink!

Antony's Yard 2008 Graham Beck £7.99.
Classic S. African 'Bordeaux Blend'. Ripe currants and plums, great balanced palate, gentle oak. Yum!

Crozes Hermitage Les Jalets, Jaboulet 2006 £9.99.
Bit of age on this one - benefits from 3 hrs decanting. Beautiful berries and spices, rich, warming

As I said - I would be happy to serve any of them.

Enjoy.

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