Yes, a mere 5 days prior to the big day, I now have my first international competitor to run against; uber-hack Gav has signed up for the New York leg of the run. He's apparently been pounding the cinders in Central Park for a few months now, working towards an eventual tilt at the New York marathon, so I imagine it will be a walk in the park for him. I extend the laurel wreath of friendship across the miles to you...
Meanwhile, I cunningly avoided (well - make that "was prevented from") training again tonight, leaving work at the most un-tattieish time of 8pm, by which time it was dark and I felt more like blubbering than pushing my body round the streets. Following a lengthy phone rant to my long suffering girlfriend when leaving, severe delays on the district line, and a return home to find my dinner cooked and a beer chilling in the fridge, I feel much better now. Thanks J....
I now have 1 transatlantic opponent, 5 workmates and 5 friends in the same Wave in London to run against on Sunday. Am facing not even making the top ten.
'Pounding the cinders'? 'A few months'???! I think you could go far in journalism with accuracy like that... A couple of reluctant laps round a 400m track in the last three weeks is a bit more like it. I wouldn't worry too much about not placing in the top 10. If I beat you, you really will have to hang your head in shame
ReplyDeleteDon't destroy my romantic notions... About running in central park, not you in shorts... Just had my first fag of the day. It's 8am
ReplyDeleteAnd i subscribe to the "embellished anecdote" school of writing, just so you know. I note you had no issue with your description as an "uber hack".....
ReplyDeletethat's cos i don't know what it means
ReplyDeleteUber:"Über is a gaming term for a player or object that is considered ultimately superior."
ReplyDeletehttp://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/uber
hack:
Noun
1. a writer or journalist who produces work fast and on a regular basis
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hack
I trust this clarifies. It was a compliment. At least it was meant as one.
It was a joke. I know what it means....
ReplyDeleteI know you knew what it means. I would have been surprised if not and it would have somewhat disproved my assessment of you. I was also trying to be funny, but obviously failing. How's the training going? I'm on my 4th pint.
ReplyDeleteI've pulled something. And it's not my girlfriend. Or my plonker. Maybe I should start drinking....
ReplyDeleteAs i wend my way homewards four pints and a glass of champagne to the good, i'd have to say i heartily recommend it. Not sure i'll agree when getting up for work at 6.30 tomorrow morning though. If it's any consolation, im's ankle's screwed, jennie has shin splints, murray has a cold, euan hasn't trained since contracting food poisoning two weeks ago and both my ankles feel, i imagine, like hydraulic shock absorbers with the oil drained out. The epitome of the athletic elite we are most definitely not.
ReplyDeletenot really. given that walking up stairs hurts, it does not bode well
ReplyDeletehonestly, the feeling you get when you cross that line tomorrow will be more than worth the pain. In fact, all the better for it. I'm just back from the pub about to have a kebab (the skewer sort, not a doner) and craving a fag. The first time I did this I was sat, monk-like, in my flat, stuffing pasta down my gob until I gagged. I miss that.
ReplyDelete