I Drink, therefore I Run

A good running week. I planned for 4 runs, however only 3 resulted as the Saturday run fell to the combined demons of ice, cold and shopping (!). I thought I might be able to nip in a cheeky 3 or 4 miles after we had returned from the delights of the first batch of Christmas shopping (oh, and buying a new telly...so it was not all bad) but it was not to be. And a rather nice bottle of La Tour du Mons 2000 (Cru Bourgeois Margaux) called too.. This week, I managed a hill session in the cold on Wednesday, which did not tax me too much, a steady 7 on Friday, and then a challenging and hilly 18 on Sunday. This was a great run in the cold air - just splendid to be out there when it is so quiet and cold. Just really wonderful. The temperature hovered between -1 and +1, no snow in sight, and a bit of occasional ice. Just really good. I was reflecting as I ran on one significant change in my attitude since running - and that is my approach to artificial fibres. Before running, it had to be c...

Well, there are a number of things to flag up this week: 1) I cracked 30 miles for the first time in ages 2) I ran 4 times for the first time in ages 3) miles exceeded units - hurrah! - for the first time in a long, long while. so..all of these prove that I am clearly on the marathon training track. 20 weeks to go, and this is a good start. I have also been reminded, however, how much work marathon training is, the long runs especially. So I am far from complacent, rather, nervous.. A curious long run today as well - I went to the usual venue for the running club informal Sunday run - and was the only one there! So, I decided that I would head out on my own from St. Catherine's in Winchester, in spite of not really knowing where to go. I wended (good word!) my way towards Twyford, and then found a delightful stretch of the Itchen Navigation - a wonderfully rugged flood plain along the banks of the Itchen, an oasis of medieval byways on the outskirts of Winchester. For sure, the sou...

Well hello again, dear reader, after my two week break. I am especially delighted to have been able to post to you from Mauritius, if the wine choice was a little bit tongue in cheek! Running-wise the holiday has been a great success, largely due to the excellent gym facilities. Now, I know a number of you will be saying 'holiday', 'RUNNING?' so let me reassure you that it was appropriately balanced as part of the week. In fact I especially liked going for a session in the air-conditioned gym, then watching the sunset with a Caipirinha, still in gym gear! Yes, I was a bit mad, however I loved the spinning classes with the mad instructor Adriano 'you have to focus!' and the cool gym. I tried a beach run but the slope was too much of a strain on the old ankles. The locals clearly did not mind, however, as we saw a daily procession of runners from the local school as we settled down at about 11am. So, my Sunday run this week was back in the UK, and I really enjoye...

Hello there - couldn't resist this opportunity to use my new Macbook Air and give a not-so-subtle holiday reminder...you will be delighted that I also posted 20 miles last week, mostly on a treadmill!

..so, a wine for wintry times..Lirac Roger Sabon, Chapelle de Maillac, 2006, from the Southern Rhone Valley. Marvellous with rich foods! Wine Society £14 ish, available in a few other places