Monthly Archives: June 2005

A few months back Graeme suggested that I join him in training for a 5k run. At the time I thought it would be no problem – it’s not so big a distance that I wouldn’t be able to get myself in shape for it, even if I was a little lazy.

Turned out that I was a lot lazy; managing maybe only one run a week for the first month, before maxing out at two a week by the end of June. Even then, all I managed to do was a lap of Sefton Park each time, which is about a kilometer short of 5k.

So it came as no surprize last night when I found it tough going, ending up with a time of 28 minutes 26 seconds, while Graeme went off like a robber’s dog, finishing five minutes ahead of me, and a minute ahead of workmate Steve.

I said before I started that I’d be pleased with anything under 30 minutes, but for some reason I wasn’t really mega happy. I could and should have done it in a far better time if I’d applied myself, so I’m regretting not showing the discipline to train a bit harder.

At the end of the run I felt quite good, strangely, and it was fun in a weird way, too. I guess it’s kind of cool to see where your limits are, even if I didn’t really push them. For the full results of the Joan Barr 5K memorial run follow the link: http://www.lps-athletics.co.uk/promotions/results/otherevents/joanbarr-5k.htm (n.b. it refuses to turn into a URL for some reason. Also, they spelled my name wrong.)

We’re now considering doing a five mile run on July 20th, although it’s quite a step up in distance and would definitely require a bit more dedication to training than I’ve shown thus far. I’ll take a few days to think about it, but I’m pretty sure I want to do it – having targets to aim for makes keeping fit a lot more purposeful.

We just spent a busy week up in Scotland before attending the wedding of Hazel and Ian at the weekend. As usual with trips back home, there was plenty of stuff we tried to cram into the week, so it never really feels like we’ve had a holiday when you get back.

As well as fitting in a night out with Cousin Iain and Crazy Uncle John, I had plenty of darting about to do during the day, including another trip to Scotkart with Iain and Andrew. Fortunately for me, Crazy Uncle John kindly gave me the old car to use for a few days, and that was a great for getting about while Fliss had the Jazz.

It was also a good opportunity for catching up with relatives whom I hadn’t seen for over a decade, plus a cousin that I hadn’t actually met before.

The main event proved to be well worth the two year wait since the engagement party, although after the ceremony the midgies outside the church in Luss ate everyone alive whilst we waited for the pictures to be taken. Thankfully the reception provided fine food for us to eat, followed by drinking and dancing into the midnight hour.

I was really happy for Hazel and Ian that their day went so well – if there was a hitch of any sort then it wasn’t obvious to me, so it felt like a perfect day for them and a great way to start off married life together. Not that there’ll be much difference, I imagine, as they’ve been living together for ages now, just like Fliss and I.

With the baby on the way at xmas we don’t have any further plans to go to Scotland this year, so it’s also nice that this trip ended on such a high note. Congratulations again to Hazel and Ian – take care of my wee sister, mate. :o)