It comes out of nowhere..

Well it does.. I am a self confessed follower of the rat race and you think that you are doing all the right things, your priorities are in the right place and your direction is of most benefit to everyone around you. Just when you least expect it something comes out of nowhere and makes you realise that you were wrong.. Occasionally you can travel so far down a tunnel that you can't actually see any other perspective but you just keep going until you reach the other side, step back and realise this wasn't actually the planned destination.. and I'm not really that happy to be here.. Sometimes it's just easier to carry on anyhow as it's what you know and in some ways a lot less hassle..

If you're lucky something left hooks you across the jaw and realigns your thought patterns, reminding you of the grand plan, if not, you may just carry on with normal service..

You only get limited chances, so take 5 minutes and make sure you're digging in the right direction. The funny thing about the rat race is that whether you win or lose, you're still a rat..

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

The last race of 2009

The Whinberry Naze Dash held on December 26th in Rossendale was the last race of 2009 and 140 people turned up to run in the snow.. the 4 mile fell race was pretty much 2 miles up and 2 miles down and a large amount of people did the event in fancy dress.. I hadn't realised that was the preferred code and felt like scrooge in normal attire..

Straight up a steep ice covered tarmac lane for the first half mile and the juniors all took off like hares, only to go backwards from that point onwards! I was climbing well and in third place at the summit, I didn't let the fact that a green elf was leading dampen my spirits..

Round the trig point and Santa (the real one) handed me a tube of smarties, as I started the descent I lost a place and dropped to 4th as I fumbled with my zip pocket, trying to get the smarties into a safe place. Running back down I was trying as hard as I could not to give up any more places and as I reached terminal velocity the 118 man came past clinging onto his wig..

This did not dint my confidence as the 118 man is very fast downhill so I continued to let loose through the snow with no thought for personal safety.. suddenly.. I slipped and 'BANG' i'm down.. the pressure of impact blew the lid off my smarties and they exploded into the snow..

Get up.. get up!!! (voice in my head).. I'm on my feet and just about to start running when the Green Cross Code Man roars past.. for some reason I feel as though I have to look both ways before starting off again.. this loses another place!!

Onto the road and the icy descent to the finish.. I come home in 9th.. having lost 6 places on the way down, but I'm happy with the run and a fantastic way to see out the year. As I watch the fancy dress runners complete, one young chap finishes wearing only a leather thong and fell shoes.. he turns his back to me and exhausted, bends over to put his hands on his knees.. that totally ruined my day and potentially scarred me for life..

Here endeth theenduranceblog

Sometimes it feels like I'm flying..

Some days it really does feel as though I'm flying.. hills are no challenge, I'm breathing comfortably and covering the ground at a gallop. When you have spring in your stride and things feel effortless it the greatest feeling ever.. those days when everything seems to come together, the planets are in alignment and your bio-rhythms collide to make things perfect. Unfortunately those days are few and far between and generally the next day feels totally different.. I can't understand it, I wish I could bottle it and I certainly can't guarantee or even predict it!!

Make sure when you get it.. you enjoy it.. don't dismiss it.. appreciate it, could you never know when you'll next get it and you may spend the next month or two trying to find it again. On Saturday.. I had it, by Tuesday it had gone.. but it'll be back, I'm just not sure when.. for now I'll just keep going out and doing my thing, enjoying the scenery, taking silly photos and waiting for the next day when I feel like i'm flying..

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

Wanna buy a letter 'S'?

Sesame Street is currently celebrating it's 40th birthday. We all remember the various characters that were part of our childhood but did you know that Sesame Street was developed by some of the greatest educational psychologists of that time? It was an experiment which studies how children learn and incredible time and resources were applied to making each series.

Children were studied and eye patterns were mapped.. were they watching the word which was appearing letter by letter or were they too busy watching 'oscar the grouch'?

It was this intricate detail which made the programme so popular and captivated children around the world. You may think that sesame street has nothing at all to do with triathlon training.. you'd be right, but I haven't been thinking about much recently..

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

It's a dogs life..

I'm really enjoying being lazy in Autumn.. don't get me wrong.. I'm training but I'm doing what I want to do rather than what I 'have' to do on the other 9 months of the year.. Fantastic running in the Dales and Lakes at this time of year, colours are incredible and just being out there is great.. but inevitably.. I've already started thinking about next year..

The topic of Ironman came up again, I had swore that I wouldn't but I'm tempted. I checked the websites and made sure that my credit card was well hidden beforehand.. the usual argument started in my head.. "it's nearly full.. you'd better enter.." "But I don't want to do it, why would I enter..?" Because it's nearly full stupid..! Get your card.."

I managed to restrain myself.. but Bolton is no yet open and that's home roads..

I did toy with the thought of doing another marathon but I don't know if I can take the mileage! I've only done one which followed yet another 'spur of the credit card moment' booking a trip to chicago a few years ago.. as that was my only real marathon then the 2 hours 36 minutes clocking stands as my pb.. perhaps time to knock that down a bit but I'd need to pick a nice trip..

A friend of mine did 5 marathons this year for charity, he ran Barcelona, London, San Fransisco, Berlin and this weekend runs NY to finish the adventure.. what a great year which has seen his pb tumble from 4:50 ish to 3:40 ish.. now that's improvement, take a look: http://www.fivemarathons.com/

For now myself and Sadie the 105 year old wonder dog are happy with another coffee.. the radiator is on and it's raining outsite.. let's crack open the hob nobs and go wild..

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

Cream Crackered..

Great weekend in Yorkshire Dales, Saturday was a long run over Whernside and Ingleborough and Sunday a horrendous ride for 4 hours in rain and wind.. on my return I had to sit in the base of the shower for 20 minutes as I really couldn't face standing.. The weather was a bit rough to say the least but when the rain did cease the autumn colours made it all worth while and my thoughts turned inevitably to Basecamps..

In recent years we have encountered a few 'adventures' during Basecamp weekends, mainly involving big hills, snow drifts (and snowball fights), tough routes, long days and all generally followed by large amounts of food.. Things which particularly stick in my mind are Brian Mullan (Man Tri) setting the all comers record for 3 jacobs crackers which still stands today at 1 minute and 13 seconds.. I have to say, the video footage is hilarious.. pure concentration..

Perhaps the best thing about Basecamp is the cameraderie and the social phenomenon which occurs when a group of triathletes descend on Ambleside with 3 specific goals: 1) to train hard 2) to experience great countryside 3) to eat, drink and be merry.. I think that those 3 things combine to make the best weekend you could possibly ever experience.. at least in my mind they do.. but i'm biased

See you at Basecamp

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

Winter is approaching..

Is it me or has it suddenly got bloody cold! I'd like to think that my body fat is slightly lowered leading to less insulation but I feel that's unlikely and perhaps the temperature has dropped a few notches.. doesn't help when the boiler breaks down! So.. training for winter.. what to do.. well I'm just back into running and cycling after my argument with a bridleway and already looking forwards to a few winter rides in'th lakes and dales not to mention the lancashire countryside.

Digging into the back bedroom boxes, trying to find mudguards, overshoes.. (found one so far, other must be down back of the shelving), lights.. batteries not great in back one.. not surprising, it's accidentally been flashing since March.. goretex socks which seem to have stretched beyond belief since waching them on hot temperature now don't fit unless I've been on a plane for 43 days.. I'll hang 'em on the fire place at christmas, I could fit 4 tangerines and a bag of wallnuts in them easily..

I found my essential mittens.. gloves are useless, the cold air gets between your fingers but mittens are great. Only problem is I can't pull my brakes.. but my hands are warm when I ride into walls and other obstructions put in my way..

The trusty fixed wheel which it's various creaks and squeeks which somehow appear harmonised has been removed from the shed and once again Sundays will revolve around cafes, coffee and whatever cake is on offer.. see you out there!

Here endeth theenduranceblog