a new outfit

we're off to the lakes tomorrow for a week of hill fun. there's been little voice in my head whispering, 'it's not actually that far, you could cycle there....'. that same voice is also responsible for a recent purchase. i'm now the proud owner of a triathlon specific wetsuit-i know, i didn't realise there was a difference either! according to various tri forums it's still too cold for open water swimming but they also advise that you should start with sprint distance before working up to longer courses. fear not though, it's not all about heart rate zones, brick sessions and tri bars , i'm packing my fells shoes too. right, time to print off those google map directions.

doing what i say i'm going to do wk2

it's been a pretty surreal week. 70m on skinny tyres, 20m on fat, 11m of road running, 7m on the trail and an hour swimming. coupled with my first assignment being handed in (2 days early!!), our offer being excepted on a house and a little protest. exhausting and exciting. feeling very tired and very lucky at the same time.

march for the alternative

over 500, 000 folk took to the streets of london (even more showing solidarity on-line) to protest again the public sector cuts. there are real alternatives and we need to fight for those who's voices wont be heard. it's not just about protecting pensions and saving jobs. it's the most vulnerable of this 'big society' that are going to be affected. they're the ones i'm shouting for. a day of laughter and hope.

more info here and here.

**********morning after edit*****

why is pretty much all of the reporting (yes, bbc!) about "riots and violence". why are the issues not being discussed. there are alternatives, robin hood tax, creating low carbon jobs, stopping funding trident, chasing down tax evaders.-these are just a few. these cuts make no economic sense, it's just political ideology. an ideology that is eventually going to cost lives. i went to bed on a massive and have just woken up depressed. ...maybe i should just go for a run.

non-commuting

it's been 67 days since i rode on fat tyres. today the counter was reset. the trails are bone rattlin' dry and the sky a constant blue. not sure how long it will last but hopefully i wont leave it so long next time.

doing what i say i'm going to do wk1

it's too soon to use the 't' word but it's been a good week. 100m pedaled, a couple of short road runs, a lovely sunset trail run and an hours worth of swimming. what i need is five more of these then i can start operation ridiculous tri.

high peak marathon

i woke at 2.30 this morning, reached down the side of the bed, found the pizza box. had another slice and passed the rest to jane. this was followed by an ibuprofen chaser. within half an hour we were both fast asleep again. the result of friday's all nighter....42 miles of dark peak shuffling.

it's a difficult event to comprehend, even for those who run on the hills. yes, it's a long way. yes, it's in the dark but there's so much more. this year jo was our navigator and the other half of 'team marathon schmarathon' were vikki and jane- hpm virgins. this is for me, is what makes this type of race special, the journey the whole team take and i don't mean our route around bleaklow. it's the hilarious sleep deprived conversations, the two person bog extractions, the hourly force feeding, the chirpy windswept marshals, the sense that whatever happens your mates will look after you.

jo was blimin' brilliant with her compass skills. we certainly weren't one of the fast teams but we certainly took some of the best lines. considering it was either pitch black or dank clag, amazing stuff. it was a real privilege to watch both vikki and jane overcome bad patches, grit their teeth and push on. for the record neither of them has ever run a traditional marathon.

conditions under foot were tough, have i mentioned the bog... there were no inspiring vistas, no warming sun. just good friends, weak tea and an excellent spread at both road crossings. so, if you can find 3 other like minded friends the high peak marathon is one the best friday nights you can have without your dancing shoes.