Review of the Year (Running)

2008 was a bit of a mixed bag for me as far as the old running went. It started well with a good run at Lumphanan (and a new 10K PB) but then went downhill as I was hit by problems with gout, grump1, and panng2. I still managed a decent run at Balmoral, a PB at the Baker Hughes 10K, and an enjoyable run at the Ythan challenge, but I felt I couldn't get my speed up, and was a bit disappointed by my time at the Glen Clova Half Marathon. The year finished well enough with a good run at the Stonehaven 5K.
The other good thing that happened this year was that Vikki and I both joined the Stonehaven Running Club, and so met a whole new bunch of interesting (and fast) people, and started doing moonlit runs once a month.

About this time last year, I set myself some targets for the year. So how did I do:

• partial success; new PBs at 10K and at 5K, but missed by a long way at the half marathon
• sort of; the Ythan Challenge took me longer than an hour but it's not a straightforward 10K
• not really close to 50mins
  
• no hill races but I did do the Ythan which was something a bit different
• complete success; I'm still having fun.

So, that just leaves targets for 2009. Basically, the same as 2008: a PB or two, some decent times, a 50min 10K, participation in some different events, and keep on smiling. Vikki and I are already signed up for some interesting events in 2009, so we'll hopefully have some stories to tell.

Sorry if this post is a bit dull and self-indulgent. If I don't post again before them, I hope you all have a great Hogmanay tomorrow and have a fantastic time on 2009.

Chasing Vikki

2008-12-28 Splash n Dash Xmas 5k

Despite some cold and wet weather, a decent sized field turned out for the Stonehaven 5k Beach Fun Run (or whatever it's called) with a lot of runners in fancy dress. I really like this event - the handicap system and the course mean you get a chance to say hello to everybody and it's generally a very friendly race which is good fun.

The handicap system is based on estimated finish times and it worked out that Vikki started 30s before me (and Santa), so I spent the whole race just trying to gradually close the gap so we would finish together - I didn't quite make it, finishing roughly 10-15s behind her. Vikki's time was recorded at 22:14, but they didn't manage to get my time recorded properly for some reason, so I didn't get an official time. The first video clip (in album, click on picture above) shows Vikki at about half way, and you can just see me at the end of the clip.

As part of the fun run, you bring a gift and randomly take a different one away. The second video clip in the album shows one of the gifts we took away; a colour change candle. It's ...erm.... interesting. We also got some leaf tea: unfortunately we don't have the necessary devices, but will try to get a hold of them because it smells great.

So, that's it for running this year, at least as far as events go. Time for a break. Until 2nd Januaury when it all kicks off again at Lumphanan. Hurrah!

Christmas 2008

 

Rather than do a web album, I decided to play around with Picasa's collage function. I probably shouldn't have bothered but the result can be seen in all it's glory by clicking on the image below, and give a little indication of our Christmas day. There are more photos on Vikki's facebook page, so you can see more there if you're that way inclined.

It was a good day. We were first woken at about 4am by Magnus having a wee cry, then at about 6am by the bigger boys wanting to show us what they'd got from Santa and open all their other presents. I decided to escape from the chaos for a bit by going for a 5 mile run with some other club members (followed by mince pies and mulled wine), and then we all decamped to the in-laws for more presents, food, and just a little, tiny, drop of alcohol. Magnus didn't seem to know what was going on most of the time (much like his father) but the older boys had a great time and were just a wee bit over-excited. They seemed to get an awful lot of stuff, far too much to tell you all about, but the surprise hit (as in, I'd never heard of it before and everybody liked playing it) was a game called blokus. After the kids went to bed, the "grown ups" embarked on a game of Trivial Pursuit. Punctuated as it was by tangential conversations, cheese and crackers, and the occasional pouring and consumption of various forms of alcohol, it failed miserably to reach a conclusion and we gave up and went to bed at about 1am.

I just want to add a very big thank you to Rosemary and Andy for hosting Christmas at our old house, to Uncle Andrew for his very enjoyable company, to all the running club members who helped to make it a memorable morning, and to Vikki and the boys for being a great family to spend Christmas with.

Thank You

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everybody!

Our So Called Advent Blob - Day 24

Day 24. They said it couldn't be done. Well, they said it could be done, but probably not by that lazy sod shanksi. They also said it would be rubbish and no one would be interested. Well, they were wrong - on at least one of those counts.

Anyway, here's today's wonderful Lego gift. It's a good un, in my opinion so get clicking....

Thanks to everybody who has read the blog, clicked the pics, and commented. It's been fun - hopefully we'll be able to do something similar next year.
In the meantime, here's all the bits of this year's calendar, although somebody or something is missing. Blob points for anyone who can say who or what, and bonus points if you can tell me where he, she, or it is.

Our So Called Advent Blob - Day 23

Day 23. Almost there. And today's model is possibly the coolest yet. Click below to see what it is...

Our So Called Advent Blob - Day 22

Fight.....and another new guy - not sure what his intentions are.

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