Round-up of Week 13

Haven't had a moment to update these last few days. Thursday managed a brick as Chris had an early finish and Friday just scrimped a run due to timing out for various reasons including making the first First Friday at the pub with the girls in ages. Pushed the boat out with my Lime & Soda at 40p a pint. Better than the Student Union!

Then, some rare and welcome news on Saturday that Chris was looking potentially at the weekend off. Could hardly believe it! The timing was great as big bro and wife home so they were headed to Mum's. So it meant the family all got to meet up. Managed to get out on the bike on Saturday but hadn't fully appreciated how 'undulating' the Northants roads are. Was supposed to do 3 hours but didn't want to miss all the fun so managed 2 hours 20 and feel OK about it as if I swap the hills for the Greater London traffic stop-starts, the quality of the ride probably adds up to the same. Was also a beautiful sunny day and the route pretty steeped in history.



Cycled past both the Naseby battlefield and Althorp House and what both had in common were cheeky, cheeky hills. Ground up those at about 6mph and got a new top downhill speed of 29.8 so that gives some idea of the gradient!

That evening, everyone was hitting the town. I was pretty tired from the ride and a lonnnng week so I opted to drive. I still can't decide whether that was a mistake or a good idea. Being sober and driving (and exhausted) when everyone else isn't is never the greatest idea. But it was nice to wake up with a clear head. The Goose Bar at least made for immense people-watching though. Every microcosm of provincial Britain was in there that night and I felt very old and very boring!

Up early on Sunday to support my friend, Liz, at her half marathon - her first race since her baby was born just before mine. She did really well and Chris kept reiterating how much more smiley she was than I ever am during races (must remember to smile in Austria...).



Then got home and went for the Sunday run (1hr 15). Didn't feel quite as bouncy as usual but then had had a late night and a 5.30 wake-up thanks to Miss D.

So, all in all a funny and long old week. Didn't stick fully to plan and drifted into self-doubt but picked up towards the end. Looking forward to early bed tonight though and guess what? The ironing STILL isn't done. Aaaaaaagh.