2011 Streak Day 283 (Thursday Oct 13th): Another indulgence

2011 Streak Day 283 (Thursday Oct 13^th): Walk 3 miles time 1hr Weather pleasant

I am sorry about this. We walked around Winchester and  I took a load of pictures of what is a very attractive town but this is the picture that pleased me the most.

It has nothing to do with exercise or being out and about in Hemel but there again I have never been very good at keeping on topic.

2011 Streak Day 253 (Sept 13th): A slight indulgence

2011 Streak Day 253 (Sept 13th): A slight indulgence
Walk - 1 mile, Time 23min, Weather - changeable, some rain interspersed with blue skies and sun

This blog is concerned with running and what I notice when out and about. It is not a diary and is only indirectly personal and there are no pictures of me or my family.

But I want to make an exception with a moment of self-indulgence. My elder daughter and her new child  had been staying with us for the past 4 days and it seemed appropriate to mark this with a picture.

There certainly wasn't much scope for an outdoor alternative as the exertions of the last two days  left me completely drained and only able to do the minimum.

What Marathon?

Sometimes I am amazed at the connection you can find. This is picture bizarrely contains a number of family relationship.

Running is a way I mark out my territory. If I cover a route enough times I get to know the landscape and feel an association. This is a photo from a familiar run it is therefore part of my territory. So that is me

The totem pole was carved in British Colombia and shipped out to a timber merchant who used to operate from this site in Berkhamsted. My sister now lives in British Colombia. So that is my sister.

In the background is a pub called the Crystal Palace, an area of London I know well, not only because my elder daughter currently lives there but because my mother's family come from nearby in Croydon. My mother was a girl when the Palace burnt down in 1936 and she once told me of her memories of watching the flames dominating the night sky. She also supported the football team. So that is my mother and my daughter.

What other relationships can I find? Oh yes... the totem pole was actually carved on Vancouver Island and in two weeks time I am going to visit my sister. She and my brother-in-law are going to run the half marathon, my wife is going to run the 8k and I am going to run the marathon in Victoria, Vancouver Island.

So that is it. There is no way I am in good enough shape for a marathon but I have to try. I have to follow the connections in the photo.

More Cheers From The Sideline

So a short time after celebrating the performance breakthrough of Plodding Hippo I really must do the same for my sister and brother-in-law. Last Sunday they ran the Vancouver Sun Run in 54 and 46 minutes. Last year they completed the run in 63 minutes so their improvement is brilliant and even more satisfying is that they did it together and could feel good about themselves and each other.

I am full of admiration because I know of their whole-hearted, honest approach and desire to do things properly. The schedule they followed was the Sun Run's run faster schedule and it shows what can be achieved by being disciplined enough to follow good advice

I am on the sidelines cheering and thinking again of that poem read out at last Saturday's wedding

All the happiness in the world is caused by wanting the happiness of others
And all the unhappiness is caused by wanting happiness for yourself

Now you could logically argue this is not totally true but it does contain a fundamental truth. The great thing about mass runs like the London Marathon or the Sun Run is that they are celebrations of endeavour. Thousands and Thousands of people are wanting or working for the happiness of others. Not only should the runners be saluted but also the supporters like Beanz, who travelled down from Derby to cheer on her Runner's World friends.

Yes it is good to cheer on the achievements of others.