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.

Monday 7th April 2014 to Sunday 13th april 2014

Monday 7th April 2014

Woke up at 4am, got Phil up,  Up proper a bit before 6am.  Took Lily out in pouring rain.  Got papers. Got as coffee and off to work for 8am as might need to get off early today.   Trying to sort Phil's visa application out - think we need to rebook it and cancel the old one.  Less than a week to the Marathon now and am more and more conscious of what a slog it will be.  Knee is not happy at the prospect and apparently I should have done a 2 hour run at the weekend.  I might do an hour on Wednesday morning but that will be absolutely all.     Went to osteopath and she said I should have done some running too so stuff it - did a six mile slow run (all of em are slow).   Should have took a few pain-killers before setting off really as I run funny and end up with my calves tightening up like you wouldn't believe.  Before doing run went up to see me mum and dad, took em some Aldi tea-cakes - bloomin magic them babies are!   Bed for 10:45

Tuesday 8th April 2014
Must ring me mum up to wish her a Happy Birthday!  Up at 4.10am to make sure Phil got up.  Took dog up town and got papers all good stuff.  Today is only day I'll be able to cycle2work so got stuff ready then found out the Urban Mountain Bike had got a puncture - as usual in the back wheel as it can't ever be an easy one to fix can it.  So thought stuff it we'll have the road bike out so loaded that one up and did the ten miles from Belper.  Coming home was not as much fun - no matter what direction I seemed to be riding into the wind and there was tons of traffic and lights for some reason - rarely does it take longer to cycle back than to work.  Potted the San Maranzo 2 where there were two plants in the same pot. Used some smaller pots that I got from Aldi and they enabled me to get 6 pots in one of the trays on the heated propogator.  All good stuff!

Wednesday 9th April 2014
Up early to get Phil up but he was already up at 4.20am.  Back to bed for an hour or so.  Got up, took dog walk, fetched papers.  Watered the estate, fed the tomatoes.  Went for a three mile run - this should be the final run before the marathon.  Good day at work, involved in 60th Birthday presentation to our M.D. Caryl Richards - think we got the tone right (hope so anyway).  After work went to Hollie's Belper Slimming World group for final weigh-in before London Marathon.  Am 2.5lbs heavier than when I did it in 2010 so that's it - we are where we are complete with osteo-arthritis in one knee.    Four days to go and then the running shoes will be hung up for good!

Thursday 10th April 2014
Up dead early to make sure Phil gets up - set alarm a bit earlier after he caught me out yesterday!   Took Dog for walk to fetch papers and got back home for 6.30.  Had shave etc and then got missus up so could whizz down to lotty and get a row of spuds in.  All good stuff.

Friday 11th April 2014
Up at 5am, dog walked.  In car for 6am and off to Luton Airport Parkway.  Caught train into London - breakfast with Phil in McDonalds then on the tube for Grosvenor Square and the US Embassy to get his visa sorted out.

Waited for hours outside then off to Excel to get marathon number and stuff.   Bought a £14 knee support (which in fairness worked ok).  Show was more like a big Adidas shop which was a disappointement.  Got home for about 8:30pm.  Long day

Saturday 12th April 2014
Up at crack of dawn.  Dog walked. Papers fetched.  All stuff ready and packed up to go for London.  We used a chap from Bakewell to taxi myself, Janette, Lucy and mum and dad down to London.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury for a small fortune.  It was quite average for the money but there you go.  The one saving grace was that they let me have a place on their bus to the marathon start (well Blackheath anyway).  Anyway, we couldn't check in until 2pm so we went to the Pret a Manger round the corner and had a very expensive almond croissant and coffee.  We then went for a walk up the little food market.  Then while Janette and Lucy walked round the market - me and me dad went to the pub across the road from Holiday Inn - me dad has a pint, I had a lovely diet coke.   Evening meal and bed was the order of the day - watched a tiny bit of golf on the telly but wanted a good kip ahead of a 5:30 start.

Sunday 13th April 2014 - Virgin Money London Marathon Day
Up at 5am.  Shaved, showered, breakfasted by 6am (toast and porridge). First two paracetemol of the day taken. Vaseline applied liberally (didn't stop all the blisters but did a good job), 12 hour voltarol gel applied to knee and expensive knee support on after that.    Outside for coach at 6:20am and on way to Blackheath.  Met up with Ursula Van Leeuwen Hill (SW Marathon cheerleader and Platinum Consultant) and Kathryn at a little coffee shop at the bottom of the park. Got back to Blue start for about 8:50.  Loads of loo breaks and took another 2 paracetemol at  9am.  All part of the plan.  2 Bananas and into pen nine for 10am - got to the start and off running by 10:16. Was amazed to see people walking before mile 3 - didn't any of the Marathon information sent out sink in at all?  Anyway - I set off quite nicely and was doing sub 11 minute miles for first five miles, stopped for a leak at mile 10 (I remembered a good spot from 2009 and 2010).   Was still ticking along nicely at 13 and there was a really good dance music band on a lorry there - I picked up 2 gels at this point and carried on, then I remembered that I had to do another two paracetemols so stopped for a few seconds to take another two paracetemol.  Had a gel at 15 miles and another one a few miles later then picked another 2 gels a bit later too.   It all went a bit bad at mile 23 (13:39) and got worse at mile 24 (16:16 slowest mile) when cramp in my left quad really got me.  I had to walk it off a bit in both cases but the thing about London is the support is immense - there is no other run like it!   Anyway, the crowd had me running again until I saw the family at mile 25 and that got the tears rolling.  So after quick hugs I was off again on the last 800 metres and was proud as punch to get over the line a fraction under 5 hours 10 minute - I went like hell for the last 100 yards to make sure of it too.  So overall, pleased with the final result - shame about mile 24 and the cramp but that's the consequence of having a dodgy knee!

Really would love to do just one more... Anyway Osteopath appointment on Wednesday.

Took a long time to get back to the hotel after we ended up walking all the way to Victoria Station so we obviously went wrong somewhere.

15/9

Monday 31st March 2014 to Sunday 6th April 2014

Monday 31st March 2014
Up very early (or at least it felt very early and was still dark).  Took dog walk and fetched papers.  Got Phil up.  Polished shoes for household (should have done that yesterday but was a bit jiggered.  Shave, shower, breakfast.  Watered plants in mini-greenhouse.  Took Doug six tomato plants. Into office for 8:30.  Long day today though - going to a group in Kirby-in-Ashfield after work. Got to work and learned that Geoff Whitworth has passed away on Friday night - such a shock, lovely bloke only in his early 60s as well.  After work normal I did a group visit up to Kirkby - got away about 8:30 and learnt some useful stuff.  Three bowls of cereal before bedtime wasn't a good move but such is life.

Tuesday 1st April 2014
Up at 5.45am.  Dog walked, papers fetched, Phil got up.  Watered stuff. Got bike stuff in car to ride in from Belper. 10 miles in a second under 54 minutes (with stops at traffic lights, roundabouts, junctions all over the place). Never mind can't beat cycling to work.  Cycled back - got held up all over the place, took a smidge under 52 minutes but not end of the world.

Wednesday 2nd April 2014
Only 10 days and a bit to go to London Marathon 2014 and weight is not coming off in time!  Yikes.  Will get it done whatever but it's going to be closer to six hours than five I fear.  Never mind, reap as ye sow and all that.  Got up at 5:50 - really had to drag myself out of bed - could do with an early night!  Took dog up town and got the papers.  Got shaved, showered and into work for 8.20am - lots to get done. Group after work - another 1.5lbs gone but tough work - this final week is going to be 100% commitment - no rubbish just back to the old ways!  Could really do with moving 4.5lbs to get me to where I was in 2010 marathon - that would be a real confidence booster but a bit unlikely!

Thursday 3rd April 2014
Up early dog walked, papers fetched - the usual.  Then off to Diane Copley's group in Kirkby-in-Ashfield to sort some tech problems out.  Then back to the office in sunny Alfreton.  Lots of good stuff covered off and home in goodish time too.  Good day food optimising-wise, I hope anyway.

Friday 4th April 2014
Up at silly o'clock as Phil's phone alarm went off downstairs, thanks very much Phil.  Dog walked, papers fetched did I mention nine days until the marathon - yikes! It will be fine and when it's done the running shoes will be hung up for all eternity (actually might sell em on eBay!!).  Anyroad, loaded car up and then cycled into work as I like to do from time to time.  Got stopped at every set of lights along the way - what a pain. Got there for almost exactly 9am but enjoyed the ride and that's what counts.

Saturday 5th April 2014
Up a bit late as waited for missus to come back from hospital as brother-in-law has gone back in.  Got up took dog walk.  Got Lucy up and ready for football.  Went up town to get Phil a photo for his Visa application.  Taking him to US Embassy in London for his visa interview next week.   Noticed over last few days that there is some work going on up at top of road for BT Openreach - hopefully they're uprating the exchange with fibre - we'll see.  Current bandwidth is a bit over 3mbits.

This is a new cabinet, you can see the old one in the background, I think it's still in play.

Sunday 6th April 2014
Up early. Dog walked. Fetched new loo seats from Homebase.  Fitted the beggars. Watered stuff.  Went up in attic to find receipt for toaster failed.  Took dog on another four walks over the day.  Visited me mum and dad for tea with Phil and Lucy, bosskat at Derby city Hospital.



15/11.5

Monday 24th March 2014 to Sunday 31st March 2014

Monday 24th March 2014
Went to bed really early last night and consequently woke up silly o'clock but I had to as was absolutely bone tired. Anyway, up at 5:20am (made sure the lad was up at 4.20 too) took dog up town -4 degrees centigrade the car said this morning or bloody cold in layman's terms.  Got papers, got back, watered the indoor estate and off to work early.  Have another visit to the Osteopath's this morning to get the knee lasered.


Am umming and ahing about another big run this weekend - there are some who say should be tapering down from now on in but would sooner have the confidence of having done a big run in my head.

However, I've also had a bit of a think about the difference between my training runs and the actual Marathon course.  These are the gradient profiles from my last training run and from the London marathon:

This is my 23rd March training run gradient profile with scale going from 500 to a 1000 feet

This is London Marathon gradient profile with the scale going from 0 to 50m 

I wonder whether I should stop panicing and just relax a bit? It's going to be pretty damn flat in comparison to where I've been training.

After normal work I went to Diane Copling's group in Kirkby-in-Ashfield which was good - found some problems and have recommended some solutions.   Got to bed at 10pm so all in all not too bad a day.


Tuesday 25th March 2014
Up at 4.22 to get the boy up, then up at 4.30 to make him get up.  Then up at 5:45 to take dog out and fetch papers what a miserable sort of a day.  Got to work for just after 8am - all going fairly well so far. Few jobs at home in the evening but not much to report.  Bad day for solar generation.

Wednesday 26th March 2014
Up at the crack of dawn to wake Phil up.   Back to bed then up at 5:40.  Dog walked and papers fetched by 6:40.  Changed and ready for a quick run and quick run it was.  The Jantastic target for March for me was 3 miles in under 30 minutes and I've been struggling with the iffy knee but I gave myself a mental kick up the back passage and went for it.

Managed to get round in 29mins 39seconds so mission accomplished!   Arch of my left foot hurting a bit but stuff it - it's marathon time in just over a fortnight so it might as well get used to it.  Into the office for just after 8.30 so everything ticking over nicely. Good day at work, meeting with IT Team in the afternoon, off to Hollie's group after work - 4.5lbs off, if could get a similiar result for next week I'd be in a much happier place for the marathon - keep on boring on I reckon!


Thursday 27th March 2014
4.23am woke Phil up so he could get off to work.  Back to bed, 5:30 and Lily started barking so got up got walk done and papers fetched early doors.  Got back, got changed, got out for another run.   This was just a bit of a jog round at a steadier pace but again better than it's been of late so well-pleased with it.  Pace was 10:25 miles which I'm happy with.  All good stuff. Feeling better about things now - have just had a look at my weight record from 2010 and two weeks before the 2010 Marathon I was only two pounds lighter than I was at group yesterday.  Therefore, I just need to put in another two good weeks and I might just be able to get to where I was on April 25th 2010!    It would be even better if could get a little bit lower which would be a cracker of a confidence booster!

Friday 28th March 2014
Day off work, up early, dog walked, papers fetched, car loaded, off to Anglesey. Got settled. in fire burning, bait dug, ready to fish!  First night caught a whiting and a dogfish, our Andrew had a coalfish, a rockling and a few whiting.  I had a whiting and a first for us from Church Bay - a bull buss (which is a greater spotted dogfish).

Winter storms made a mess of the slipway.

The Bull Huss what I caught!

L'il Rockling

One of many wee whitings

Saturday 29th March 2014
Exactly a year since we lost Pippy D, miss that wee dog so much.  Up fairly early - 6am'ish and then off running.  Only did 17.28 miles as was sick of the damn rain and not knowing quite where I was!

Traditional Windmill near Llanddeusant

Wind turbines a couple of miles on!

We went for a rock climb to a mark near Porth Dafarch - not the sort of place I'd usually climb down to and not great when you've got a knackered knee.  Such is life!  Me and our Andrew both caught small whitings but nothing else - still a nice spot - I should have got a picture.

Fished the usual beach from 8:30 until a bit after 11pm - more whiting as well as a rockling for me and a pouting for our Andrew - a first for us on this beach.  No bass though which was a shame.

Sunday 30th March 2014
Up at 6:30.  Stuff tidied up, stuff packed away.  Walk down to the beach to ring the missus.  Said goodbye to Church Bay again for a bit.  Our Andrew up about 10am off home by 11.20.

Saying ta-ra to Ynys Mon!

Back home by 2:40pm.  Some tomatoes potted, some dried out - should have got bosskat to water em - never mind.   Dog walked round the 1.5 mile loop




15/13

Monday 17th March 2014 to Sunday 23rd March 2014

Monday 17th March 2014

Up early. Dog walked, papers fetched, off to the office nice and early. Loads done. Left work at 5.15.   Got to allotment in time to unload weeds from a trug and the barrow into two more bags I'd got from home and then get the whole lot covered up ahead of the anticipated rain.  Visited osteopath at Selton at lunchtime.  Found out have got osteo-arthritis in my right knee which explains the pain I've been having since last September - ought to have had it looked out earlier.  At least I can retire from running with a proper excuse so there's a silver lining, I suppose. Had some manipulation and laser treatment on it.  

Tuesday 18th March 2014

Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched. Bit of breakfast.   Car loaded up, cycled in from Belper - felt like every traffic light was on red, what a pain in the backside they are.  Any way actual cycle time was 53 minutes which is a bit quicker than the other week and starting to get something like. Reported a stray alsation to Amber Valley dog warden but someone had got in there first so that was good!  Cycled back nice and steady - again, seem to be hitting all the lights on red - very odd.

Wednesday 19th March 2014
Up early, dog walked, papers fetched, into the office 8:30. Group after work. Was going to go for a run this morning but couldn't find knee support so will leave that until tonight.   Good day at work with just three meetings.  Went to group after work - just a pound lost - could do with more than that, really.  After tea I took dog out then put together a new mini greenhouse.  In bed for 10am

Thursday 20th March 2014
Got up at 4.20 to make sure Phil got to work, back to bed then up at 5.50.   Dog walked, papers fetched, still a bit of time so have moved the sweet peas out of the cold frame and into the new greenhouse, move the coldframe and put the patio furniture back where the cold frame was.  All ticking over nicely. Into work for 8.20, clothes in gym ready for next cycle2work.

Friday 21st March 2014
Started taking Glucosamine Sulphate again on advice from the osteopath.  I also got some glucosamine gel yesterday so gave that a go after a three mile run - ran about 11 minute miles which is probably as good as I'll get these days. Got papers and took the pooch out first,  Phil was on a normal so he went about 6.30 looking forward to muck spreading (crazy fool).   Into the office on time and got a parking space at 8:50 which I think is rather good.

Saturday 22nd March 2014
4am Phil's alarm on his phone goes off - downstairs - great.  Back to bed, up around 6am as can't get back to sleep proper.  Dog walked papers fetched.  Potting tomato plug plants, sweet peas , general sorting out.  More stuff gone into heated propogator - couple of pumpkins gone into an unheated propogator - rest will follow if they get going.   Allotment - shifted five bags of weed and banged some lime down for the brassicas,  Golf at lunchtime - very average but a couple of birdies on 6th and 8th was nice, odd par here and there too so not bad considering how little I've played of late.

Sunday 23rd March 2014
Up at 5am.  Dog walked.  Going to go running - it's hailing and chucking it down, great.  Finally got off at 6.45, very slow affair, knee is a bit on the knackered side it's fair to say 20.58 miles in 4hrs 41m - very slow.  Can't be helped.

A rainbow over Thorpe - this was taken coming up the big hill out of Mappleton towards Thorpe

Looking back at massive scaffolding project held down with IBC tanks on Darfield Lane coming out of Tissington

Looking over to Bradbourne - wind turbines in distance

Bradbourne Mill Ford - saw a BMW come through this which was a bit mad at this time of year.

Geese in field near offcote - seen a lot of geese of late?

16/3.5

Monday 10th March 2014 to Sunday 16th March 2014

Monday 10th March 2014
Up early, dog walked, into office early.  Lots of good stuff done.  Out of office, Lotty before it's dark - row of onions in and more plans mentally made - going to put a row of leeks in near the onions, going to put peas and some more beans where the brassicas were when we got the plot last year and going to put brassica between where they were last year and the new bean pit.  Home, tea, dog walked, got some sharp sand for my heated propogator - that's tomorrow night's project.

Tuesday 11th March 2014
Lily's birthday, one today bless her.  Took her a walk up town early doors as always and got the papers.  Was all set for cycling in today but as usual something went wrong - got everything ready to go and then found out I'd got a puncture so going to do a five mile run tonight. Feck it.   When all done will be getting the heated propogator going.  Of course, that didn't pan out.  Purchased a heavy-duty tomato mini-greenhouse which will put some of the staging from the dead mini-greenhouses that got blown to bits.  Hopefully it will last a bit longer than they did.  Also bought a bag of compost - going to revive some of the tubs (also going to take another one down to the lotty for herbs I think.
Anyway, found out in the afternoon that Phil has got the job he went for in America, bless him.  So proud, of course he's playing it cool but I bet he's dead chuffed really.  So did his passport application when got home, might have to go down to Peterborough to get his passport if we can't get it back quick enough.   The company that he got the job with is called Haynes Custom Harvesting.

Was going to do the puncture but I think the problem is the valve more than anything so ended up putting the damn wheel back on after pumping it up to see what would happen - should really have put a new tube in and possibly even have replaced the tyre as well - am going to end up doing that tomorrow.  Such is life.

Wednesday 12th March 2014
Up at crack of dwan to make sure Phil got up.  Back to bed than up at 5:50.  Dog walked, apers fetched.  3.5 mile run, slow, no knee support - okay.  Stopped off at the lotty on the way round and watered the two rows as we've had three summer-like days in a row, it won't do no harm I reckon.   Into the office for bang on 9am.  Which I'm happy with - stuck behind a line of traffic behind a livestock truck that barely got above 40 mph for most of the way then a tractor!  Awesome.  Anyway, not a bad day in the office, left about 5.20 got to group in Belper about 5:45, 2.5lbs off so quite a good result all things considered.   Finished off the bourbon when got home so now am on a month's solid weight loss up to the Marathon.

Thursday 13th March 2014
Up early to make sure Phil's up and off to work.  Back to bed then up at 5:50.  Do walked, papers, fetched, bike tyres pumped up, cycle2work is the plan.  Not fixed the slow puncture yet so will need to pump it up before I set off home. No great hardship.  Anyway cycled in nice and steady.  Am pleased that on both occasions so far I've got up the Pentrich hill with no pushing (although I did stop today to pick up a bungee cord - as you do). Anyway 55 minutes again so a bit slow but not bothered it's about picking up the level of fitness in a month and shifting a stone in a month at the moment!  Cycled home in about 50 minutes so not too bad.  Did a little bit of work in getting the heated propogator ready to go - it will be switched on tomorrow without fail.

Friday 14th March 2014
Up early to get Phil off (will miss that when he's Stateside!!).  Got up 5:40, took the wee dog out and got the papers.  Two mile run in new Marathon shoes (Gel Kayano 19's - got them £15 cheaper than the Gel Kayano 15's from 2009!).  Was about to go to work on bike when noticed the slow puncture in rear tyre has got a  lot worse so that bugger is getting fixed tonight.  Will also get lights put on the road bike so I've got a spare for next time.  So went to work in car.  All good so far.  Home from office got rear tyre for Boardman UMB sorted out - why on earth I didn't do that from the off I don't know - bloody idiot.  Heated Propogator loaded with sand (as per Titchmarsh advice) and switched on.  So two little jobs done.

Saturday 15th March 2014
Up early as usual. Dog walked papers fetched.   Got the heated propogator going - loaded up the little trays with tomatos, sweet corn and something else that has escaped my memory.  Up town to piccy Bs for breakfast for missus, me and Lucy (Phil fetched his own the miserable bugger).  Golf in afternoon - have renewed subs like an idiot.  This year though it will be a case of assessing whether I make it value for money.

Sunday 16th March 2014
Up early.  Dog walked - 1.5 mile the farm loop is.  Then togged up and off for run 18.5 miles in about 4 hours - really not in shape need to work on fitness big style - 2,500foot of ascent though whereas London perhaps has 100ft - will have a look later..  Lawns mowed then down the allotment to work on the sections. I think I did two and a half hours on the lotty - digging out a sort of grass pathway - the reason being to make a bigger section so that there are four more or less equal sections to allow for crop rotation.  All good stuff.  Walked back from allotment - .95 mile from the lotty gates to our house.   Dog walking and in bed before 10am slept quite well.

Monday 3rd March 2014 to Sunday 9th March 2014

Monday 3rd March 2014
Up at 6am - lie-in!! Phil going to work in tractor.

Walked dog, fetched papers, about to have a shower and Phil rings.  His rear window on tractor has shattered can you come and clean up the glass.  Marvellous.   Still, into work for 8:25 best I can do.  Lovely views coming into work so stopped and took a snap or two but ought to carry a proper camera really.

Jantastic score for February not 100% but best I can do with the time I got and the troubles I seen (violins please)

Got home just before 6pm as had to take missus and a couple of friends to see some bloke out of Westlife at Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham.   Got home for 11:40 and into bed by 12.30 after a little snifter.


Tuesday 4th March 2014
Up early(ish), well a bit of a lie-in, really.  Out of bed for 6am, dog walked, papers fetched by 6.45am.  Into the office by 8:25 all good apart from some knob pipping at me for letting someone out of ther junction near the Excavator pub - must email Beresford Flooring later.


Wednesday 5th March 2014
Woke at 4am, didn't get up til 6am.  Dog walked, papers fetched.  Managed to get Lily back home without her bringing a stick with - which is a good result in my view!!

Into the office for 8.30, no-one pipping at me today. Good.  Lunch at Head Office for first time in 23 years!!  Went to Hollie's group a bit early as she'd had issues with the machine she's trialling for us - no issues when I'm there though - bit of reassurance goes a long way though so all's well that ends well.  Was surprised at only having put on 1.5lbs in the three weeks since last weighed - have been totally off track but am pleased with that!   Back home, dog walked, got cycling stuff ready as am Cycle2Working on Friday as we have visitors at the office to impress!

Thursday 6th March 2014
Up at 5.45 (only cause neighbour's dog was barking).  Got Lily walked, papers fetched.  Fruit'n'Fibre for breakfast.  Aldi before work to get some dog food.   Into the office for 8.40  Home in good time as had to go to see the Dublin Legends with the missus - this is 3 folks out of the Dubliners and a super-sub fiddler/banjo player called Paul Kerry - Irish Folk isn't really my bag but have to say they were entertaining and the atmosphere was fantastic.

Friday 7th March 2014
Despite getting back later last night I was up early and dog was walked by 6:15.  We have visitors from the public health arena visiting Slimming World so I thought I'd better Cycle2Work - bloody weather peed it down all the way in - still enjoyed it but will have very wet clothes for the ten miles back to Belper later. Such is life!  Anyhoo, Paul James let me put clothes in the boiler room and they were spot on by time was on way home!  Shoes a bit wet but you can't have everything.

Saturday 8th March 2014
Up at 5:25, took dog up town and fetched paper quick.  Got ready, put a couple of crumpets in and set off for the (well my) last ever Grindleford gallop.  Set off at 8.15, took 5hrs 25m to get round but get round we did,  left quad hurting but think that's from 20 mile bike ride day before.   Had bath when got home and left quad went into mega cramp, talk about painful.   Tony Audenshaw who plays Bob Hope off Emmerdale was there again - nearly bumped into him (literally) at Great Yorkshire Run last September.

Sunday 9th March 2014
Didn't sleep well - legs aching all night, at least no more cramps.  Got up at 5:55, took pooch out.  Nice time to be out too - dawn, streetlights blinking out, cockerels crowing etc.etc. Lil Dog picked up a massive stick and carried it all way home too.  That's commitment for you!

16/6.5

Monday 24th February 2014 to Sunday 2nd March 2014

Monday 24th February 2014
Up at crack of dawn.  Phil delivered to work.  Up town.  1.6 mile walk with dog to kill time, fetched papers.  Into the office for 7.20.  Had to get away early for the kids.  Got home.  Made tea for kids then meself.  More dog walks then bed early knackered.

Tuesday 25th February 2014
Up at 4.20 again.  Delivered Phil.  Took dog up town, papers fetched.  Slow three mile run, into office for 8.20  Off to St Neots tonight with new IT Director so not in such a mad rush today.  Back home for 10:45 off to bed.

Wednesday 26th February 2014
Took the boy to work.  Went up town.  Dog walked, papers fetched in the office for 7.25.  Knackered.

Thursday 27th February 2014
Mad rush day.  Up at silly o'clock.  Boy to work. Dog walked, papers fetched.  In the office early.  Home for 4pm and got stuff for trip to Bury St Edmonds for Phil's interview tomorrow.

Friday 28th Feberuary 2014
Bosskat's birthday but taking the boy down to St Edmonds for an interview.  So Dog walked and papers fetched then off darn sarf.  Took hours to get there and hours to get back but interview only a bit over a half-hour - what can you find out in 30 minutes?

Saturday 1st March 2014
Up early.  No golf - am still not sure whether to continue membership but am leaning toward not doing so. 3 mile run, did a bit down the lotty.  Garlic coming up great guns.  Very pleased.

Sunday 2nd March 2014
Up at 7am - too late.   Went out running at 8:30 did 12 miles in 2.5 hours - too slow but knee is dodgy and need to be getting into some sort of shape.  6 Weeks countdown.  Grey and miserable day too.  At lunchtime we went to Cherry Tree Farm - a food pub near Burton - absolutely rammed it was.

Like this farm over towards Thorpe

Lovely treelined lane into Tissington Estate 

Monday 17th February 2014 to Sunday 23rd February 2014

Monday 17th February 2014
Up early.  Took Phil to work. Took dog out.  Got papers. Up in attic to finish it off - almost there.  Put another light up so it's got two 75 watt equivalent eco-saver bulbs going up there which if I leave em on by accident will only consume 28 watts!   Went a small run in the afternoon down to the lotty and back to do some measuring up for shelf in shed.

Tuesday 18th February 2014
Knackered.  Took Phil to work for 5am start.  Did some more work work on laptop waiting for Lucy to get up.  It's 10:37 and she's not up yet!  When bosskat came back from town went up to the allotment and made a cloche (is that the word?) and got some garlic planted, apparently Garlic needs a bit of a cold snap to get it going.  Hopefully birds won't get em. We'll see.

Did a bit more in the attic almost done now!

Just needs screwing down when the neighbours are out and then job done.

Wednesday 19th February 2014
Funny old day.  Up early, Phil delivered to work.  Pad back in hospital - missus in hot pursuit. Waited for Lucy to get up.  Out for a run.  6 miles of knee pain to so turned back rather than doing too much. Took Lucy to see 'Frozen' at the flicks - crikey that's two hours I'll never get back. Got back, fetched Phil.

Thursday 20th February 2014
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched. Phil delivered off to work, in office for 7.45.  Need to get out early doors. Back home for 5.10, fetched Phil from work. Did Lucy and Phil's tea, thought I did a damn good job too. Took wee dog a lil walk.  Bed about 10.20

Friday 21st February 2014
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched.  Phil to work, me to work for just after 8am.  Lots to do, car in for a service, got to get away early too, hopefully. No run again - will have to do one tonight.

Saturday 22nd February 2014
Up early.  Dog walked, papers fetched.  Off to that London with the bride.  Took her to see the Commitments Musical which is very highly reviewed but I felt a little bit shortchanged by it - particularly as it's the only musical I've seen that has about 20 minutes of encores - most peculiar.  Never mind, JAS loved it and that's what counts.  We went to the M+Ms place which the missus likes (Lord knows why - they're only yankee doodle dandy smarties when all is said and done.   Back to the hotel - nice dinner and off to bed.

Sunday 23rd February 2014
As usual woke up at silly o'clock.  Went back to bed and waited.  Up at about 6:30, showered and what have you then down for breakky about 7.40 - good job too got busy while we were sat down there.  About 9am we set off out.  Went to Green Park and walked back to Fortnum and Masons which is what the missus wanted to do. Found out it doesn't open until noon - internet diddled me.  So we went to Covent Garden where there's a market which the boss likes - what she don't like is using the stairs - mainly as there's 193 of them which is equivalent to 15 floors according to wikipedia!  Anyway all good stuff.   We left London about noon and got home for 3.30 so not bad time all things considered.  Took the dog a walk and then went a nine mile run at a right slow pace.  Need to get my knee working properly as it's getting on my nerves now.   Did anout a mile or so on the rec on grass and it was okay there so might do a session or two on grass to see if it strengthens it.    Drinking stops tomorrow - had a week of silliness need to get back on track big style!



 

Monday 10th Feb 2014 to Sunday 16th February 2014

Monday 10th Feb 2014
Woke tired and achy at 4.20am to make sure the boy got off to work. Back to bed til 5.30.  Then up and out with the dog.  Slightly longer walk as no run planned and didn't need to get the boss up in a hurry.  She was already up anyway as I'd not turned the alarm off properly.  Such is life!

Good day on the solar generation front.  5.69 kWh today is best we've had so far and it's only Feb!

Have been thinking about what to do with the attic space we've created.  Many options available - put a set of drums up there was one of my early thoughts.  Have a bit of a home office up there.  Ebay despatch room even.   Am thinking now though that a mini-gym area might be good.  Get an exercise bike and a weights bench up there perhaps?


Tuesday 11th Feb 2014
Up at the crack again.  Then up at 5:40.  Then walking the dog and fetching the papers.  Then getting changed and doing a lil three miler before going to work.  Got round in under 11 minute mile pace for the first time in a while -  I'm going to consider that progress!  Got into the office for 8:50 so not too bad all things considered!

Last day of dog training - Lily has progressed - okay, she's not a show dog standard but she's progressed and we've got a foundation to work on and I've got a bit more knowledge to fall back on.

Wednesday 12th February 2014
Up at 4.20am, Phil upped and off to work.  Back to bed for a bit.  Up at 5.40am.  Dog walked, papers fetched.  Another three mile run.  Just a smidge under 11 minute miles - it'll do as my legs feel knackered after Sunday's exertions.  At least I'm ticking off the weekly runs requirement.  Long day at work then went to group.  Only lost a pound - miffed at that but what can you do.    Back home.  Tea. Dog Walked. Fixed an Advent Vega by putting the initial setup image on it.  Could only do it on son's Pc as the usb drivers only work on 32 bit operating systems.  Never mind, put the image on and it sprang to life again.  Very good.

Thursday 13th February 2014
Woke Phil up at 4.20, back to bed.  At 4:50 I'm woken up by someone in a hoodie in the bedroom.  Can you give me a lift to work dad, car battery's flat.  Marvellous - set off down Sides Mill Lane only to find a tree in the way so back half a mile and took a round trip through Snelston Village.  Got home about 5:15 so took dog walk and fetched papers.  Back home, first job find battery charger. Second job get flat battery out - would be easier if could find a socket ratchet but that would be way too easy.  Found something to do the job, got battery out - charged two hours, fetched Phil at 8am.  Put battery in sparked when connected terminals, flat as fart when he turned key and no spark when disconnected terminals.  Conclusion - knackered battery.  Took him to Shenton's Garage to get new battery - got to order one in.  Not to worry - this is how it's going.   Got to work for 9.45am  Marvellous - no run either due to no time at all.   Never mind - nice day so am sure we'll be generating nicely!

Friday 14th Februry 2014
Up again to take child to work.  Brillianr. Cards and stuff done and dusted.  Dog walked, papers fetched. Day off!   Bit on the allotment then off to Uttoxeter for lunch with the bride.  Back and onwards.  No run.

Saturday 15th February 2014
Up at the crack.  Dog walked. Papers fetched.  Bit of work in attic.  Phil car still rubbish, taking and fetching the boy.  All good stuff. A bit of tidying in the attic.  Six(!) holes of golf at lunchtime - could have done 10 but wind blowing a hoolie and mixed with lashings of rain I was happy to come off for a coffee.  Little 2 mile run to make sure I get the requisite number in for Jantastic.me!  Fish and chips night.  Bed early.  Oh yes, had a beer and a couple of whiskys after 6 weeks of nowt.  So what.


Sunday 16th February 2014
Up early.  Phil delivered to work.  Dog walked.  Breakfast. Did a bit in the attic.  Over to Uncle Peter's memorial took some tulip bulbs ready for spring - can't believe three years has passed.  Then nipped down to me mum and dads for a coffee, very nice.  Then back to Ashbourne to take Phil to work.  Then 8.5 mile slow run with loads of hills.

Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough miles as I'd set the Jantastic target as a nine mile run each week, however had forgotten this and thought I only needed to do seven!!

16/5