infoxicated

Myself and workmates Graeme, Chris, Steve and Althea completed the Liverpool Santa Dash at the weekend.

Steve had started nearer the front of the 4000 odd people dressed as Santa and ran it by himself, while Graeme, Chris and I had wandered to the rear of the throng before the start and ended up being stuck behind slower people for much of the first half.

Once we had some clear air, though, Graeme and Chris picked up the pace and it was all I could do to keep sight of them. I’m glad I did, because I’d have missed Graeme‘s trousers falling down otherwise – that was pretty funny, I can tell you. :o)

I’d woken up the previous morning feeling quite unwell, so I’d filled myself up with medication in order to do the event, but I ended up struggling on an up hill section due to the pace we’d been keeping. With my heart rate monitor going crazy at me I pulled up and walked for about 50 yards or so, as it was a fun run after all, so there was no point in flogging myself to go for a good time. Fortunately Graeme and Chris waited for me at the top of the hill and that kept me going once I’d caught up with them – at the end we all finished together at just over 36 minutes.

Thanks to generous donations from friends and family I’ve already made my original target of ?100, so I’ve raised it to ?150 in the hope of making some extra for the doggies. If you’d still like to sponsor me or make a donation to the Dogs Trust, my Just Giving page will be up until early February.

All being well I’ll be back for another attempt at the Santa Dash next year to try and raise some more cash for charity.

This Sunday I’m doing the Santa Dash around Liverpool City Centre – a 5k fun run in a Santa suit.

I’m running in aid of the Dogs Trust, the UK’s leading dog welfare charity.

If you’d like to sponsor me then visit my Just Giving page – all donations will be gratefully received – do it for the doggies! :o)

It seems to have come and gone in a flash and, although there’s nothing major of note, here’s a summary of what’s been going on for a month bereft of updates.

At the start of the month Fliss‘ dad Ted came to stay with us for a few weeks. This was slightly less of a strain than beforehand due to him finally getting a pair of hearing aids sorted. Sadly they weren’t quite set up right, so at times we had to shout to be heard like all the other times he’d visited in the past.

Still, I’m glad he’s done something about it – when he has them working right it’ll be more fun too have him visit, as there’s nothing worse than having to raise your voice and repeat yourself all the time.

On the day that Ted departed, Cousin Iain came up to stay for the weekend. We didn’t do much, really – just played a lot of Pro Evo and watched a lot of football on the television. It was a shame that Iain had to leave mid–Sunday afternoon, as it would have been cool to make some hot dogs and watch the NFL together later that evening. Still, it was good fun, although I don’t think I can bring myself to play Pro Evo again – I’ve had just about enough of it.

I signed up with the Lifestyles gym again in order to keep myself in shape over the winter, and to train for the Santa Dash run I’m doing this Sunday. I’ve only managed a couple of 5k runs on the treadmill thus far, but the one I did on Monday was almost the exact same time it took me to do the Joan Barr 5k Memorial back in June, so at least I haven’t dropped off too much.