Progress - 4th March 2012

With a little help from my friends.

Cor blimey missus, did I really volunteer for this? Raving bonkers pal.

Its been a tough old week, a familiar tale of late, but I have finally realised I really am getting too old for all this. I have seen my times get further away from what they were a few years back and it does demoralise you. Self pity I suppose, because then you look at St. Georges work or hear a reference from someones first hand experience within the wards and you know its all worth it. I know I've said before that supporting a hospital in Tooting seems odd at first but I bet you all know someone who's been there. The specialist care given within the wards of this fine establishment deserves our support and whilst we can, we should and beware not to take it for granted.

I had a hard time of it on Tuesday evening, completing my normal routine run with the hill reps but at a slower pace and pains all over. [Its time for the knackers yard I reckon]

Time for a rest, or break at least and so on Thursday, after deciding to do nothing, I actually did an hours workout on the cross trainer. I feel I have to do something but am very tired, anyway it made a change and gave my knees a rest.

I had even resolved to not go out on Sunday, instead stay in bed and rest however an offer from Dixie. [The best portable appliance tester in the South http://www.surreyelectricalsafey.co.uk/ ]

Dixie has given up smoking and resolved a healthier lifestyle and as part of it he wanted to get out for some exercise around Virginia Water Lake.

A mutual goal and wanting to see him suffer like myself, [Joking mate] I agreed to meet him at 8.30 on a very wet, cold and rainy Sunday morning. I have a sneaking suspicion he had hoped I wouldn't go but no! an opportunity to have company couldn't be shunned just because of little bit of rain.

Deciding on 3 laps this week, a recovery from last week, we set off, Darren on his bike and me running beside - like a scene from Rocky. [Like, but more dusty than Rocky]

We were there though heading round the lake in the rain like a couple of escaped residents from an old peoples home[Sorry Dixie]. Its funny, but whoever I run with always asks how I feel after a about a mile, I obviously don't look good, my reply is always the same ''@~#!!<> terrible, what do you think''. They generally don't ask anymore.

I made the first lap quite well actually and with my enthusiastic company kept a briskish pace. Darrens hands had gone blue with the cold, frozen to his handlebars and the wind was whistling up his shorts but he went on. I personally would have said stuff this, friend or not and gone home but he stayed and we bonded, 2 silly sods who should have known better, on a mission.

The rain never let up but at least it wasn't snow like when Nigel dragged me around Newlands Corner in December. Not lucky with the weather when I have company. 

My race top displaying my name and Giving to Georges logo gaining quite a few remarks as we went along. We stumbled into the final lap and then seemed to find our pace, not too many people in the way this week, and with just over a mile to go Dixie has a moment. Off the bike he jumps and starts to run with me, I was well impressed and so should he be. We rounded the final corner past the waterfall and headed up the hill both running to the finish point of the tea wagon and we did it.

http://www.jogtracker.com/HistoryDetails.aspx?SyncID=164cc067-9f55-4457-9ecf-a4416e375ed7&UserName=alannelless 

A well deserved cuppa rosy lea and a photo opportunity of my mate and me.

I wouldn't have done it today without his help and despite the weather I think he enjoyed it too[fool].

See the photos from the link below or the one over on the right.

 https://picasaweb.google.com/112467635373245805567/StGeorgeSBrightonMarathon2012Blog?authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Z28HWi77g5gE

Who's coming next week then??

Any comments gratefully received, its easy to do, get interactive with me. 

Back to 1974 this week for 

ARGENT and ''HOLD YOUR HEAD UP''

 And if it's bad
Don't let it get you down, you can take it
And if it hurts
Don't let them see you cry, you can take it

Hold your head up, hold your head up
Hold your head up, hold your head high

And if they stare
Just let them burn their eyes on you moving
And if they shout
Don't let them change a thing what you're doing

Hold your head up, hold your head up
Hold your head up, hold your head high

        Alan.xxx

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