Big set-back

It started with a sore neck on Monday. By tuesday, the pain had extended to my jaw and left ear, my lower neck was swollen and swallowing became a bit difficult. So I went to see my GP. Acute infection of the thyroid gland, he said. I have only seen this three or four times before. I was less enthusiastic than he was, particularly when my blood pressure proved very high (17 over 10). The doctor took two vials of blood and told me to stay at home for the rest of the week.

Can I still do sports, I asked. Nothing serious, he said. Maybe a one-kilometer walk in the mornings. A 1k walk??? Since when does that count as sports? Have I turned 95 or something without noticing?

I know this particular GP has a thing against exercise; he is more the soft yoga type. I'll obey him until the weekend, but I'm determined to go for a one-hour jog on Sunday. (Well, let's see what his colleague says when I see her on Friday night.)

Consolidate

I did all I planned. Short run on Tuesday, longer on Wednesday, another one on Thursday night, football match yesterday. Today, an easy 50 minutes. Did not lose weight this week. Score: 84.

I have updated my iPod playlist. Best addition: Milk & Honey's version of Myriam Makeba's "Pata pata".

A brilliant week for running

On Tuesday, along the shores of Lake Geneva, I already did 50 minutes, today's goal. In the course of the week I added another 110 minutes of gentle training. Today, I returned to my old 11k loop and completed it in 65 minutes straight. I am well ahead of my schedule now.

The week's score stands at 96, probably the best I will have (yes, I lost another kilo).

The coming two weeks are for stabilising at this level, with end-of-week targets of 50 and 60 minutes respectively.

Good stuff (week 2: 94)

Made my target, did all trainings, lost a kilo, felt good... I'm awarding myself with a score that will be hard to beat.

Much travel coming up this week, so no football but extra running along the lakes in Geneva and Luzern.