I celebrated my 60 years on the planet by bustling my way through the lumpy crowd at the Morpeth Park run to claim 5th place and a new 20.25 p.b. on the testing course.
It was all going swimmingly. I was up, then, for the 4 miler at Keswick (Latrigg) on the Wednesday night, but I had a niggle and felt tired, so I opted for a pint and an early night. We were all set to then do the Eildon 3 Hills on Saturday. Money had changed hands - you can't seemingly rock up last minute anymore - you have to enter online and pay the money well in advance. This means that if youre knackered before the event, you lose your money. As Speedy joe was crocked as well, this left Mrs Mac to carry the torch. However, she said it was pointless going up for just her, so we didnt and someone else won. Mind you, that said, it was another Colin Donnelly appearance so I wouldn't have got near him, even if I had tried for the M60 prize.
I had been going out on the bike recently to assist Speedy in her ankle recovery, and I should know by now that when I do this, I almost always end up injured within the first week - not sure if its different muscles or what; sure enough, after a 6 mile run I developed tendonitis and my left calf was so tight you could have invited the GB trampoline team in to train on it. Its eased over the last week and we sent the team away; this weekends trip to Fort William to do Melantee and then a recce of Nevis seems back on the cards. I may have to take it easy however, as I really don't want to miss Snowdon in just over 2 weeks.
Ant meanwhile has got me an entry into the Bridges of Tyne 5 miler; so next week I should see how things are going. My weight was right down and I was feeling like a righteous dude. Hopefully this short setback will only be a blip. Regardless of how I do, I am assured that wherever I come in the next few races, I will be able to provide a full on 'scottie-beam me up' smile, having spent what seems to be half my pension on a new front tooth (implant). Even the temporary one they put on is better than the last one, which died when I was 7 after an accident and started going brown. I really wasnt looking forward to having an upper incisor pulled, but it was not too bad (after half a gallon of anaethestic) and both dental nurses in attendance were impressed by its length as it was withdrawn, so good to know my roots are up to scratch!
I will try 2 miles today after my fishnchips lunch, cut up smally, slowly and carefully masticated and eaten like a sleepy 2 year old. Its been mashed potatoes, mushed weetabix and yoghurts so far - no apples or raw carrots for a fortnight or 3. The good news is I might be allowed a shandy on Friday though at Tyndrum. I'll keep you posted.
