Greg is not working tomorrow, and neither am I. Both the boys are back at school. Will we have enough energy to do anything besides nap on the sofa? That remains to be seen.
Maybe we can take a ride somewhere. Or a run. We're slightly behind in our training for the half marathon. Although we haven't decided which one we're going to do yet, so I suppose we can't technically be behind, and even if we were, were not as behind as I thought we might be by now.
Mycroft and Sherlock did some training with me in the park once or twice. Mycroft keeps a steady pace and he's fit enough, but I think he finds running terribly boring (which, to be fair, it sort of is, in a way). Sherlock will run circles around me (literally) and then flop down, exhausted, in the grass. I think the dogs could outrun all of us.
I was looking at that one in France again. I find myself unable to deny that it is very definitely in the mountains. Up some of them and down others. Also, on a trail and not on a road. Perhaps something different for our first race. Something shorter? Maybe something that the boys could do with us if they want to. Anyhow, it's good to have something to work toward.
Perhaps we could just go to France and not run at all...
Maybe we can take a ride somewhere. Or a run. We're slightly behind in our training for the half marathon. Although we haven't decided which one we're going to do yet, so I suppose we can't technically be behind, and even if we were, were not as behind as I thought we might be by now.
Mycroft and Sherlock did some training with me in the park once or twice. Mycroft keeps a steady pace and he's fit enough, but I think he finds running terribly boring (which, to be fair, it sort of is, in a way). Sherlock will run circles around me (literally) and then flop down, exhausted, in the grass. I think the dogs could outrun all of us.
I was looking at that one in France again. I find myself unable to deny that it is very definitely in the mountains. Up some of them and down others. Also, on a trail and not on a road. Perhaps something different for our first race. Something shorter? Maybe something that the boys could do with us if they want to. Anyhow, it's good to have something to work toward.
Perhaps we could just go to France and not run at all...
64 comments:
I'm not sure I have enough leave to run and then recover from running...ever.
Have you seen that Everest has, essentially, been 'closed' for the season, after that avalanche? Not that I'm saying the mountains you want to run up are Everest-like...they'd just feel that way.
They would feel that way, I'm sure. The avalanche would be us rolling back down the trail.
I find it staggering that you can just...pay to get to the top of Everest. I don't know why, exactly, but I do.
Maybe we should go and run up a hill tomorrow. Ally Pally or Greenwich? If Maf leaves me with enough limbs to run anywhere.
It is odd. Although I suppose the money doesn't help if you can't physically get up there - having watched various documentaries, I'm not sure I'd want to try it.
Yeah, that sounds good. Let's try it.
I couldn't. I'd want to...if not bring all the corpses down, at least bury them properly.
See, when you say things like 'sounds good' I question your sanity. Do you mean 'sounds horrible, but we should probably do it anyway, or we'll never get anywhere'?
I probably would too.
I think I meant 'it sounds better to do it now than die horribly while running up a hill in France later on.'
Fair point.
You going to even try and put her ladyship in her own bed tonight? Given the affronted look you got from her last night?
I'll try. I do slightly worry I'll roll over on her in the night and crush her.
With summer coming, you better hope you can convince her, or it's going to be quite uncomfortable for you! It's always shocking the amount of heat a tiny body can produce....
I'm fairly sure you'd get a quick swipe across the chops with her razor-tipped paw. Or I would, because she'd somehow blame me for not leaving her enough space to escape you...
Although you don't seem to worry about crushing me in the night! :)
AK - Yes, she will be surprised by how warm John gets ;)
I don't worry about you sleeping on my head either.
She wouldn't let me :)
I'd say the real question is, are the French mountains high enough that altitude is going to affect you? Having gone very mild, aged grandma style hiking in Colorado feeling quite fit in my usual environs and getting my ass (or cardiovascular function, more accurately) kicked, that is the question that occurs to me.
Enjoy your time off together tomorrow. I imagine it'll be even harder to come by if you go to working two shifts a week, John.
fA
I ran on a treadmill for the first time the other day. At first it was way easier than running on the road, but at some point, it became way, way harder, I think because I couldn't vary my pace, and because it is completely boring, so I have nothing to do but think about what my body is doing. On the road, I pay attention to my feet, and that takes attention away from the fact that I'm out of breath or whatever. Somehow I went less far on the treadmill than I go on the road, when I thought the opposite would be true. I tried sort of run-meditating. Mixed success.
If you do go on a run through legitimate mountains, maybe consider going a few days early (at least 3) to acclimate. That should make running at a higher altitude easier.
fA, maybe I'll enroll for my first half-marathon at sea level. Coming from Colorado I'll be miles ahead of everyone else. ;)
Ella
Ella - my daughter who lives in Colorado and is an off-and-on triathlete finds it is a training advantage. Though she says the much higher humidity where I live creates compensating misery.
I mostly run (or, really jog/walk/jog/tiny burst of running/walk) on a treadmill because that removes so many excuses. A running trail is an occasional treat. (I no longer run on paved surfaces voluntarily. My knees have enough problems already.)
I vary incline & pace a lot on the treadmill but I actually find it can be meditative - I go the same place in my head and count things as I do during prolonged pain or anxiety. I am not sure if that comes across as a good thing, but I find it . . . cleansing? When it's over?
fA
You are all scaring me a little. I've just set myself up for one of those "Run a 5K in 8 Weeks" programs. I hope I survive!
fA--Yeah, there's a reason so many American Olympic athletes train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. :)
Kestrel--Good luck! That's the app that I just finished last week. I found it really easy at first, and then when I hit the 20 minute mark it was no fun, and then I got through some kind of wall and at 30 minutes it suddenly became really fun, and now I actually miss running on days that I don't do it. If you need encouragement at any point along the way I'm sure we'll all be happy to oblige. ;)
Ella
I just started exercising. My mom and I joined a gym, and got a trainer. We were in sooooo much pain the next day, but we're going to keep with it. I don't have any plans on EVER running a marathon, but I'm excited about getting healthy.
I'm not sure if you guys have heard of Jackson Galaxy, but he's a cat behaviorist. He has a show called My Cat From Hell, and he helps people with problems.
I saw this question and answer segment and thought of you guys. Not sure if it will help with Maf, but it might help you sleep a bit better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umngBzK0j2Q
I watched a "My Cat From Hell" marathon yesterday! That show is awesome.
Kestrel - go you! I've never been able to keep up with any of those training schedules. As I've said I was once capable of half marathon distances & want to get back there. I'm up to a really slow 10K now, but will never even attempt a marathon distance.
AK - My experience is exercise is trying a lot of things & finding something that works for you. I enjoy weight training more than jogging - honestly I dislike the feeling of running/jogging, always have - but I really, really am addicted to how jogging makes me feel after I'm done. The mood elevation, the places that get sore, the process of stretching through that. That's what keeps me coming back.
fA
The thing that helped me finally make it a habit was signing up on a relay team to run a leg of a marathon. Having a goal and having people I don't want to let down was the magic formula.
Ella
Started the day with breakfast in bed. Even Maf, who licked some Marmite off my toast. Lovely.
Thanks for the encouragement folks.
Greg and John, I hope you are having a wonderful day off together! Breakfast in bed sounds like a good start.
At least Maf has good taste ;)
And more sense than us. I'm dying. Shes probably asleep in the sun at home.
Don't die. That is strictly not allowed.
Ella
Can we just lie down and sleep here?
Yes. Excellent idea.
...are you still in the park?
ella
Were hills a bit much gentlemen?
Good luck with recovering in time for Sherlock ;-)
Yeah, in the park. Going straight to fetch Sherlock. Or just thinking this is a fine place to be buried...
I'm about to go running myself. Parks everywhere will be littered with the bodies of over-achieving runners...
Ella
I'm fairly sure we under achieved...
Still, Sherlock is absolutely full of energy...which is nice .....
Under achieved? Next time let Sherlock set the pace. He'll lose interest before you collapse. Probably.
fA
If today had been an Alp, not a slight slope, I would have been removed via stretcher.
John is terrible for getting me stretching warming up and cooling down. A complete liability, he is. I shall ache tomorrow.
You'd think both of you would find the stretching part the best part of the runs...you know, helping each other, or just watching.....
Didn't Sherlock give you two a workout plan and tell you to be careful and not die?
AK - the problem is, his stretches are very distracting and I forget to do mine.
I'm sure your husband will prescribe something to help compensate for your irresponsibility about stretching earlier. Hot showers, massage, closely supervised stretching . . .
Since his concern for your welfare exceeds your own, obviously.
fA
(Of course, you'll still ache tomorrow. But with pleasant memories of your concern for each other's well being.)
fA
It's not my irresponsibility! He's responsible for it...
He's trying to get Maf to do that think where she kneads you with her paws. She's looking at him like he's gone mad.
Between training Maf and Sherlock to massage, I'd still go with Maf. Seems safer, somehow.
< whining >Boring conference presentations are boring. I have work to do. Why am I here.
fA
Would you two be free to meet up for a coffee (or herbal tea, in my case...yuck) this weekend? I'm big as a house and bored of staggering about like an elephant. Although I wouldn't mind a trunk to reach down and pick things up with.
Sherlock, you can feel the baby moving, if you want? I don't know if you've ever had the chance to do that before.
That would be good - I think we're free on Sunday? I'll have to check with the people who make plans (Well, person...Sherlock!)
I'm sure you're not like an elephant. But if you start to scratch against a tree I shall run away!
YES! I want to come we can have cake.
Watching an officer on Crimewatch describe what it's like when you find out your suspect has killed more people. It hurts.
Some things are so huge you can only describe them with an understatement. I think the situation you've outlined is probably a prime example. I can't imagine 'hurts' covers it, but cannot imagine any words actually capturing it. I wish nobody had to feel such things, or find ways to explain them.
yeah, ouch.
but, it will be fun to feel the baby kicking! that's very exciting!
I've been flat out getting everything ready for May Day. New vests and hankies for the Morris men, some new things for the new dancers on my garland team, making sure the garlands have a ride to the dancing-the-sun-up on Thursday, sorting out breakfast (they found a big enough venue for us all to eat together again, one of the dining commons at the university!). practicing getting up earlier and earlier in the morning. I'm getting excited, anticipating. plus the yard is full of daffodils and hyacinths and crocuses blooming!
S
Are you back at work today Greg? Good luck with it if you are :-)
I hope you're having a good day John whatever you're doing today :-)
Yeah, back. Dealt with road chaos this morning because of the tube strike, and have now been told I'm possessed by the devil. A good start to the day.
Being possessed by the devil sounds quite fun, certainly more fun than the tube strike ;-)
We'll it's a good thing they told you. Otherwise you might not be aware...
Ella
I definitely wasn't aware. But I'm certain it's Maf's fault.
Happily Sal was cleared as unpossessed, so she carried on with the interview. I was sent away.
have now been told I'm possessed by the devil.
...by whom? (Not a colleague, I hope! ;))
Too bad for Sally. Not only is her boss possessed, but she has to interview the crazy person. Our Public Servants put up with a lot.
In this case though, maybe this person IS detecting Maf's attempts to establish unholy dominion over you. But I don't think you're possessed yet. You haven't ceded your spot in bed to her, have you? Just shared it?
fA
RR - by someone helping us with our enquiries. Sorry, was busy.
On way home, Danger. Hoping all the morons have already left...
S'all right, L--when I posted the question, I was in a doctor's waiting room (just a checkup) and the previous two comments didn't load, so I hadn't realized you had already answered it by implication. Good luck on your return journey!
Sherlock, is your school doing anything for May Day on Thursday, do you know?
John is cooking dinner. Maf has decided to lower her standards and sit on me.
Are you brushing her?
Yes we're doing maypole dancing again and it was really fun last time and we're doing some after school too so John can come and see it.
Oh, excellent! I remember that you enjoyed that and I was hoping you'd have another go at it!
I've never gotten to do anything like that. Sounds like loads of fun! Will there be snacks and treats too? Are you bringing anything?
glad to hear there's may pole dancing at school! will any Morris dancers visit? all the teams around here will tour after sunrise and breakfast, to local schools, usually places we have connections as parents, or where we practice. (I wonder how many sides there are in the city of London though... plenty out in the country!)
I'll be away from the computer a lot over the next few days, so Happy New Year, everyone!
S
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