I Drink, therefore I Run

Miles were down this week for two reasons - firstly, resting prior to the Romsey 5 race at the weekend, and secondly a mysterious and as yet unexplained ankle pain that arrived, unplanned and unwanted, on Thursday, precluding a few steady miles. However...race result - delighted! Just under a minute off my PB, coming in at 30:48. Seems I was unduly pessimistic last week. That would predict a 2:54 marathon (don't get carried away yet, though). Great news too for Janet, who also blasted her PB by 20-25 seconds, after a less-than-perfect lead-in to the race. The weather was optimal - a bit cold, no wind, just right. It's a strange thing in racing - you can be at 2 miles thinking that you are ahead of your planned pace, not feeling too tired, and then by 2.5 miles you suddenly realise you are going to have to write a cheque from the Bank of Endurance. It is so quick, the move from on top of your game to hanging on. Is that a metaphor for life - or just running? Finally, I have to ...

A week is a long time in running, if I may use the political catchphrase. This week started with a slippery drive to circuits, then on Tuesday having to turn back on the motorway from a drive to Sheffield, and a treadmill intervals session on Wednesday to keep safe in the icy conditions. Saturday was a gloomy and wet run, though by Sunday it was shorts and t-shirt for the long run, in the balmy conditions of 8 degrees! The Long Run, by the way, was partly down the Test Way, where you run along the old railway branch line, now a track for runners and walkers. Some lucky people bought the old station at Horsebridge and have turned it into their home, and a wedding venue. A real touch of 'Oh Mr. Porter!'. A week of trying hard and not quite succeeding, alas, with all of the runs just failing to hit the mark. Not sure why. The Romsey 5 is next weekend, and I have just not got the quality sessions in I'd like to have done. It will be an endurance battle.. Wine of this week (stil...

A difficult running week, what with the snow and the ice. Tuesday was a beautiful evening for a run - on with the trail shoes, out in the crunchy snow. I felt magnificent and slightly mad, as I imagine did those drivers who saw me. The ice sent me to the gym for a couple of sessions on the 'dreadmill' which I never like. I braved the conditions at the weekend and managed to piece together a 16-miler across a variety of surfaces, and didn't actually fall over... Winewise, trying to come down off the high of Christmas (quantity and quality), however, a good selection of midrange, mostly reds, from a Wine Society mixed case. Wine of the week is Wirra Wirra Church Block Cab/Shiraz/Merlot 2007 - rich blackcurrant notes, nicely integrated, with tannins present, thankfully soft enough to drink. A big wine, not a blockbuster. 14.5% too, probably 15% if we did but know it.

A pleasing number of miles to start the year, with four short but fast runs and a 12.5 miler at the weekend (didn’t want to be too knackered for the work of ‘de-christmassing’ of the house!) Wine of the week has to be Graham’s 1983 - a superb port. Quite sweet in style, almost toffee-apple, with a lingering finish. Consumed over several nights from Wednesday to Friday. Ah, life can be good! Back to work tomorrow, so taking it easy tonight with a simple glass of Gigondas