Daily Streak 282 (Wednesday Oct 12th): It's all in the preparation

Daily Streak 282 (Wednesday Oct 12^th): Walk 2 miles Time 40min Weather blue skies

Another three element photo. This time it shows that behind the tree in the middle distance the sky was deep blue. Huzza the battle of the clouds has lifted and there is some clear autumn light. In the foreground are red berries. I wanted to show them because I have been struck this autumn by how bright the berries have been. Almost everywhere I have seen brighter, redder berries this year. This year, this is turning out to be a wonderful season.

Other than that the exercise was at a minimum because of chores. There is decorating to be done and all sort of preparation before that. I enjoying painting - there is something satisfying about seeing the colour change and feeling the smooth resistance of the paint as you stroke it on, but the preparation is tedious. it takes me longer than it should because I get bored.

But just like running you only get a good result if you do the preparation. Somehow I cannot escape that life lesson.

2011 Streak Day 277 (Friday Oct 7th): Noticing wind

2011 Streak Day 277 (Friday Oct 7^th): Cycle 16. 42 miles, Time 1hr 12min, Weather overcast with wind

My picture today should be of Homebase, as that was my destination, but tin retail sheds are rather boring and I just could not be bothered.  Strange then that I find plastic bags full of leaves more interesting. I have no real explanation except that for some reason they amused me and set me wondering how many plastic bags you would need to contain all the fallen leaves in Hemel. There is no answer apart from 'lots'. But it leads on to the more interesting question about how much effort is put into tidying up leaves - something else I don't know.

it was an enjoyable ride today that also illustrated the great truth about the cyclists attitude to wind (i.e. we only notice it when it is against us). When I started out I was really impressed with my form. "Wow!" I thought "I can't be such bad shape after all. This is nice and easy." As I bowled along I was impressed when I looked at the speedo to find I was going faster than expected. What a good day!

Well it was until I turned round to find the wind made the return journey far harder.

Conclusion: I am exactly as fit as I thought I was.

2011 Streak Day 258 (Sunday Sept 18th): New term

2011 Streak Day 258 (Sunday Sept 18^th): Walk 1 mile, Time 20min, Weather patchy

Every year, at around this time I look at this wall and admire the way the leaves, which only a few days previously were green, have turned lustrous red. Very soon they will fall and the brickwork will show bare. It is a marker of autumn.

Although some of the most beautiful days of the year are in autumn it is the season of decline as plant growth slows or stops, leaves fall and we move towards winter. Paradoxically I still think of it as a beginning. I have not attended school for many more years than I care to admit but still burnt in my psyche is the idea that the new term (new year) starts in September.

I like to continue with that idea by having the idea for some new beginning, project or challenge to offset the coming gloom of shorter, colder days. September/October marathons (or halfs) might be a culmination of work done over the summer but their execution is still something to anticipate as a good achievement. Unfortunately there will be none of that this year. Not only have I pulled out of Folkestone I have no desire to try and replace it with a later race as I feel far from fit.

But I cannot be lolling around like this, feeling sub optimum. This day must be a marker. It must be the last day where I barely raise my heart rate. Once more I must start doing things that feel more like exercise.

These red leaves are a reminder to start making plans

2011 Streak Day 246 (Tuesday Sept 6th): Autumn leaf

2011 Streak Day 246 (Tuesday Sept 6^th): Walk - 1 mile, Time - 25min, Weather - variable

After yesterday's exertions I felt tired and so there was only minimum exercise. The Streak is more or less been kept going in name only.

On my way back I saw this leaf which had fallen onto the pavement and immediately thought of autumn and how the seasons have now turned. No great insights just a fleeting "Oh autumn already".