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…

Somerset House Ice rink December 2008 (2)

Originally uploaded by Andy Waterhouse

Blurry dynamism of skating action. Impressively festive. Sumptuous settings prevail.

Somerset House Ice rink December 2008

Originally uploaded by Andy Waterhouse

Tree gets the boot (many times over!)

Now with only just over a week to go until Christmas, I’ll take a moment to consider my live music highlights of 2008. Admittedly I do have one more gig this year booked so far (The Bluetones) but based on my selective, biased and misguided memories of 2008 here are my present personal top 10.

1. Natalie Merchant at Hiro Ballroom in January

2. Anthony and the Johnsons with the LSO at the Barbican in October

3. Bjork at Hammersmith Apollo (twice)

4.George Clinton at Royal Festival Hall

5. REM at Twickenhma

6. Goldfrapp at Cecil House as part of the Electric Proms

7. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at the Troxy (and Hammersmith Apollo)

8. Stevie Wonder at the O2

9. Massive attack at the Royal Festival Hall

10. Laura Marling at Koko

It truly has been a great year for live music. I have had the pleasure and privilege to witness some magnificent and life-enhancing musical events.

Laura Marling proved to be an exceptional and unique talent. Her debut album was a mini-wonder. Live the depth and vision of her work truly shone.

Massive Attack’s performance whilst curating the Meltdown festival reaffirmed and refreshed old classics whilst providing hopeful indications for their new material.

Stevie Wonder provided a mixture of era defining soul and a familial pantomime. When he was on soulful form (mostly sixties seventies and early eighties focused) he defied gravity and warped reality. He was simply sublime. These moments were, however, often punctuated with decade spanning versions of schmaltz and jazz funk eternities. Overall a wondrous hodge podge of the brilliant and the banal.

Nick Cave and the Bad seeds dispensed almost entirely with crooning and he became a ferociously swaggering, old testament preacher. They rocked and bellowed in a sublime parody proof manner that is the preserve of the ageing and the rageing.

This year Goldfrapp reverted back to the pastoral and the psychedelic. The interplay of folk fusion and glam electro performance art provided an irresistible combination. Their set at the Electric proms was exemplary and cosily special.

On the opposite end of the venue scale spectrum, REM proved that they could turn the huge (Twickenham) into the intimate. Promoting the raggedly bounteous Accelerate and playing an impeccable array from their back catalogue they were masterful practitioners of stadium rock. A furiously impassioned “Country Feedback” was staggering, meriting the entrance fee alone.

George Clinton’s slot during Massive Attacks Meltdown brought the funk into the raucous forefront. In spite of ragged vocal talents, appearing like a cosmic hobbo and his shambolically honed ensemble antics, this was easily the most riotous and joyous audience of the year.They shouted “We want the funk” ad infinitum, and we still do…

Bjork was so monumentally great that I saw her twice within 4 days at Hammersmith Apollo. This was so much more than a concert. The rich pallete of musical convergence, plus Bjorks vocal prowess made for a delightful evening. From brass to pounding dance beats via the introduction of Antony, Toumani Diabaté and a trumpet wielding Einar (alas no lobsters tonight) this evening was joyously incongruous and yet somehow utterly complete.

Antony also provided a startlingly life affirming evening at the Barbican in October. With the LSOs lusciously primal orchestration Antony’s voice fused in a movingly incandescent synergy. Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” never sounded so yearning and bleakly compelling.

Natalie Merchant’s residency at the Hiro Ballroom in New York was both intimate and universally charming. Mixing older material with Shakepeare sonnets, childrens poems and promising new songs, this was a literal carnival of delights. There were moments of political and emotional overload mixed with vocal and musical transcendence. From tears to comical repartee this was a spellbinding event both in concept and creation.

Moments like those highlighted in this top 10 remind me of the glorious and inspiring nature of live music. Here’s to an equally inspiring 2009…