Monday 14th April 2014 to Sunday 20th April 2014

Monday 14th April 2014
Morning after the day before.  Knee hurts, quads hurt even shoulder hurt but .... not as much as in 2010.  So must be getting better at it.   Up at crack of dawn, shaved and what have you before boss and daughter woke up.  Down for breakfast at 8.30 - had a bit of a fry-up, croissants and some pancakes - a bit different from the day before.   Got packed up - checked out - had a bit of an argument with Emilio the reception man as he wanted me to pay more for meals that were part of the deal (we weren't overly impressed with Holiday Inn - probably we were a bit spoiled with Hilton Euston in 2010).  After we were checked out we left baggage with the concierge and went to the Science Museum - mum, dad and Lucy went in - me and the missus sat outside with a coffee - it were grand.   Lunch at the pub over the road from Holiday Inn and then we were picked up by Bryn the taxi man.  Home for 6.30 and walking Lily the dog by 7pm!

Taxi up to 8 seater -  Bryn Jones, Great Longstone, Bakewell, Derbyshire. T: 07818 432345.
Tuesday 15th April 2014


Tuesday 15th April 2014
What an odd day.  Back to work and the pressure is sort of gone and the disappointment of not having another marathon to look forward to is setting in.  Who'd have thought I'd say that.  Anyway, up at 5:30 dog walked, breakfast - in the office for 8.15.  Meeting at 10am.  Lots of donations today and some while I'd been in London. Good stuff - got home had tea, did some potting and plant moving to make some more space.  All good stuff.

Wednesday 16th April 2014
Up early.  Dog walked.  Moon very low this morning. Frost as well.

 Got to Selston for 8am for an appointment with the Osteopath - her advice is not to train for marathons as it will accelerate the damage to my knee so that's that.  Won't be putting my name into the hat for next years marathon.  She said I could do shorter runs that involve less training if  I wanted or triathlons (if I upped my swimming ability!!).  She also said that cycling will do my knees lots of good and thoroughly recommended that so at least there's some light at the end of the tunnel.   Did a bit of pottering about.

Thursday 17th April 2014
Up very early after a late night battling British Airways' crappy website.  Took Lily a walk up town first thing to get papers.  Got home, a little bit of breakfast then off to Belper with the bike. 54 minutes is a bit crap but couldn't be helped - knee twinged a bit at the start but felt fine when I  got to the end. Did some buttock stretches at the office as the Osteopath recommended.

Hard going on the way home.  Seems I'm always riding into the wind.  What a pain.  Never mind got home in the end.

Good Friday 18th April 2014
Up at 4.20am to get Phil up as usual.  Back to bed then up at 4.40am as Phil's car's brakes have kaputted.  So as was up we took Lily, came back had a coffee then up town at 5:30am to fetch papers.  Moon nice and full again - should be fishing is what that tells me.  Such is life.

Bike loaded up and then off to Belper to Cycle2Work from there.  Took over an hour and felt again like I was in the wind all the bloomin way.  Legs feeling tired as well but hey-ho I was running 26.2 miles less than a week ago.  Into the office for 8.30am, queue for shower so went and had a brew and got cracking on the day ahead.


Saturday 19th April 2014
Up early.  Dog walked, paper fetched.  Very average 16 holes of golf.  Few pars, no birdies not even the one below:

Sunday 20th April 2014
Up early.  Dog walked.  Baking bread and cake.  Off to Burton, shop shut even though email said otherwise marvellous.  Back home jobs at allotment - can't do as Phil can't get his tools.  Marvellous.