Ran quicker and slightly more balanced in stride fashion tonight. Still only 2 miles. Still having regular knee clickety clack attack but getting better… you never know one day I may run further. Physio enforced regime appears to be working (hopefully)

Distance completed so far (cumulatively at that): 6 miles

It’s reassuringly easy to double the total accumulated mileage run at this phase in the training schedule. Hence the 2 mile jaunt around the park doubles the totality run. I have slightly mixed feelings about even crediting 2 miles as being a training run but at this stage everything counts no matter how small. Knee feels better with the underlying sensation being one of ‘awkwardness’ rather than ‘youch.’ A slight contradiction to EE Cummings assertion that ‘progress is a comfortable disease’ but progress nonetheless

Total accumulated mileage: 4

until the london marathon 2010 . Mood optimistic but realistic, currently have torn knee cartilage and (beyond physio endorsed stretches) unable to do very much at the moment. A mere 20 minutes running every other day is all I’m restricted to. Small beginnings, big hope, hope of cartillage repair… still 5 months and most things are possible… now where did I put those frozen peas…

Miles run so far in training: 2

A true return to form, functionality and hastiness. After being sidelined and injury ridden for the first half of the year, this was a pleasurably brisk encounter with an old friend, namely the 10K.

For some reason I had a negative recollection of the breathless, bloodboiling rapidity of this distance. Instead with near perfect late spring conditions this race was rather delightful. Mostly cloudy & overcast with the occasional rain drop is the ideal enabling environment. It also helped having ran the exact same course last year. Equally beneficial was the enticing regularity of the kilometer markers. These were the perfect beckoning beacons, drawing one onwards.

I commenced in the red C enclosure and aimed to complete the first 5k in 20 minutes (ie averaging 6:30 per mile pace) and then maintain, perhaps even enhance this pace for the remaining half of the race. Starting so far back helped to tether my initial burst of enthusiasm and constrain unrealistically speedy beginnings. Hence I could gradually and surprisingly effortlessly accelerate to achieve my half way goal…

The flip side to the welcome stalling of my pace was, of course, the uneven manner in which this result was achieved. Slowing, dashing, constantly changing gears made for a disorientatingly inefficient form of propulsion. It also needlessly distracted my focus away from the direct optimum route. Fortunately the 2nd half, was far less congested with obstacles. Feeling remarkably and resolutely fresh I managed to increase my pace and continue to gain momentum. Meandering and stop starting aside I flew home in under 40 minutes. Impressive particularly in the aftermath of a stress fracture & relative inactivity. If running sub 40 is my regression to mean then being average definitely has its recommendations.

Position:  109/ 4523

Gun time: 44:51

Chip time: 39:47

Average pace (Garmin based): 6:09 minute miles

Real distance run (Garmin based): 6.47 miles

Spot the difference from 12 years ago…

Vision (8/10): Welcome back to 1996. What appeared tuneful and stalwartly convincing has gained in stature and proved its longevity. Retrospective but beyond regression.

Ability to execute (7/10): As robust and sonorous (in a workman like manner) as ever. The standards of 1996 have been maintained and maximised. They realise they are beyond fashion and enjoy the fact they are still able to perform these songs to a receptive and welcoming audience.

Crowd symbiosis (8/10): The fervent power of a converted and lyrically word perfect audience lifted a mere “event” into the realm of “occasion.”

Would see again (7/10): Good and dependable with moments of greatness. Whether I would ever see the “Expecting to Fly” suite again is questionable but it would remain pleasurable another 12 years from now.

Homemade Hawaiian Pizza

Originally uploaded by Andy Waterhouse

A culinary turn to the fruity pizza. Strictly speaking an italian hybridisation (or words of slightly less diplomacy perhaps) but frightfully tasty and pineapple chunky. Overall (in spite of purist quibbles) yummy and scrumptious

Retford Market Square 28th December 2008 (2)

Originally uploaded by Andy Waterhouse

Somehow both welcoming and devoid of life. Illuminated to perfection…

Retford Market Square 28th December 2008

Originally uploaded by Andy Waterhouse

Two photos of hometown isolation and glory. Rather pitcturesque at night. Also contains an end of an era shot of Woolworths in the background. 9 days to go…

Impressively successful first ever attempt at making a pie. Shockingly good and dashed tasty. Behold the artistic criss cross motif in the puff pastry. Who cooked all the pies indeed…