Welcome Distractions

Running is still off the menu. What on earth did I used to do with my weekends?! There's only so much bike riding on the spot I can take. To avoid spiralling further into a running-less depression and to distract from the absence of the long run today, I've immersed myself all afternoon in re-organising my music collection. This began with the creation of a gym playlist to keep me sane whilst exercising indoors. It then got a bit out of control and I'm now another 9 albums richer (or poorer depending on your perspective). Anyway, I came across this gorgeous video during my virtual travels...

Friday Night Fever

As always, time off school has flown by and its now nearly the weekend before going back to work. M is feeling miserable with a cold & I'm trying to be very Zen and 'in the moment' but I can't help but feel all depressed and distracted by the looming miserable Monday back at the office. To distract myself, I've gone for the cheap fix. Yes, a bit of Internet shopping.

I'm a massive music lover and have to avoid going into shops that sell music of any kind (or books, or cameras, or exotic foods, or ice cream for that matter...) I get a bit overwhelmed by the endless list of stuff I want to listen to and have to come away with nothing or risk spending a whole year's earnings. Anyway, I have since discovered a new way, a 'Third Way' of approaching the whole 'too-much-choice-paralysis' that leaves me frozen like a frightened rabbit in front of book shelves, CD racks and Indian restaurant menus. M sent me a link to an Internet site that has a comprehensive range of music for download even for my less mainstream tastes and it is really very reasonable indeed as well as being totally legal (I really don't feel too happy engaging with the illegal download market). Anyway, Xmas has come early in Runningbear's house. The idea is I buy it first on MP3 format cheap, have a good listen before I decide if its worthy of a CD purchase. I am old fashioned and like a good album sleeve and something tangible to stack on a shelf. So far this week I have bought 17 new albums. Yes, 17! Including one by a band called F**k Buttons. Sadly, M doesn't share the same tastes so they are confined to my Cowon D2 and earphones for now. I'm so excited to have so many new tunes to listen to. The blow of Monday's commute is now softened a tad...

Anyways, back to running. I'm in a funny place reflecting on my training this year and plans for the marathon next year. I think I'm in a bit of a rut and am wondering whether my approach needs a review or whether I'm still slowly adjusting to the building mileage. I just don't seem to be running as well as I should after all the hard work over the summer. M reckons I'm being impatient and that it'll all kick in very soon. The main thing to avoid is doing more in a panic to see improvements. An easy run was welcome today after a steady 9m on the trails yesterday. The legs are feeling a bit niggly so I may not be ready for the shock of a 3k XC race tomorrow. Gulp. That just sounds so wrong, 3k is just too short.

A Certain Yearning

Am truly pooped after two hefty nights of training this week. After my heavenly hill session on Tuesday night I then joined M for a steady 10 miles on an old route fondly named the Beamsley Bash. My heart rate was a bit high confirming my instincts that I'd bitten off a bit much and should really have stuck to my plans. Anyway have been extra good tonight and kept to a very easy 5m on the grass in the refreshing rain whilst a bunch of lady cricketers cowered under the pavilion porch. Legs feel heavy and tired (serves me right & will I ever learn I hear you sigh) so will have a good stretch tonight in preparation for the relay tomorrow.

Aside from grimacing as these old pins grumbled into action I spent the remaining 4.95 miles of tonight's run fantasising about a revelation in gadgets. Yesterday a friend at work loaned me his gorgeous toy to help me cope with my entire day of desk work, glued to my computer doing all that work I promise to do in all those meetings I go to. The awesome Cowon D2 is an amazing little box of tricks. For any music lover this is an incredible piece of kit. I've managed to avoid the pull of Apple marketing and abstained from any 'i' purchases but have been truly taken by this little machine. It has an incredible sound so deep & fruity that it puts my home system to shame. I'm now sitting on my hands to stop any naughty mouse clicks on that well known Internet shopping site. My basket is overflowing already. On other hand, if music be the food [cake] of love...I want a big piece.