A MISS
Today is the 20k, the famous 20k of Brussels which I've run for five consecutive years. Even though I'm registered I won't be there this year. Things at work (mainly, two abduction sagas and a trip to Pakistan) have made me miss almost two months of training. Trying last week to do 20k in a very slow pace and finding myself unable to continue after 13k, I decided I have to give the big race a miss this year. I feel sad about it, but I know the decision is the right one.
Instead, I will probably sign up for the Brussels half marathon in September. It's held for 95% on the same circuit, and as a bonus has a finish in the historic city centre. But it lacks the standing and atmosphere of today's run.
In the meantime, the idea is to train three times a week (two of which should be 10k or longer). And do a series of races varying in length between 10 kilometers and 10 miles.
Sunday 31 May 2009
Thursday 21 May 2009
THE WORKS (4): Bounce
The facade, including front door which I still dutifully locked every night, disappeared too. But what comes down must go up, as they say. The first signs of bounce have started to appear; the construction of a new facade has begun.
Today is a public holiday, but two of the builders still showed up for painting upstairs. They have promised that Sanna's new room will be all done come Saturday night. Photos will appear in this space.
The facade, including front door which I still dutifully locked every night, disappeared too. But what comes down must go up, as they say. The first signs of bounce have started to appear; the construction of a new facade has begun.
Today is a public holiday, but two of the builders still showed up for painting upstairs. They have promised that Sanna's new room will be all done come Saturday night. Photos will appear in this space.
Sunday 17 May 2009
THE WORKS (3): Roofless
Being lately about something else than it used to be, my blog suffers from identity crisis. So here's a quick update on the running:
1. I set up a Running for Beginners group at work and ten people signed up. Seven of them joined for the first training Friday at lunchtime.
2. I ran the Ninove 15k today and got proof of just how out of shape I am. I'm sure I finished last in the "Men Who Still Have Their Own Teeth" category.
3. The Brussels 20k is only two weeks away. I should not run it, but then it'd be my first absence in five years. Also, I may lose my pre-registration spot if I don't show up, which is a big thing as the 20k sells out in just a few hours nowadays. I guess I'd rather make a complete fool of myself than forfeiting.
Back to the renovation. Earlier, the builders started taking the roof of. That same day it started pouring, leaving us with a pool.
The following day, they took away the rest of the roof. The rains did not really stop. Now they will heighten the walls (for the masonry they need dry weather...) and do some other stuff. There'll be a new roof in a fortnight. Hopefully.
Being lately about something else than it used to be, my blog suffers from identity crisis. So here's a quick update on the running:
1. I set up a Running for Beginners group at work and ten people signed up. Seven of them joined for the first training Friday at lunchtime.
2. I ran the Ninove 15k today and got proof of just how out of shape I am. I'm sure I finished last in the "Men Who Still Have Their Own Teeth" category.
3. The Brussels 20k is only two weeks away. I should not run it, but then it'd be my first absence in five years. Also, I may lose my pre-registration spot if I don't show up, which is a big thing as the 20k sells out in just a few hours nowadays. I guess I'd rather make a complete fool of myself than forfeiting.
Back to the renovation. Earlier, the builders started taking the roof of. That same day it started pouring, leaving us with a pool.
The following day, they took away the rest of the roof. The rains did not really stop. Now they will heighten the walls (for the masonry they need dry weather...) and do some other stuff. There'll be a new roof in a fortnight. Hopefully.
Tuesday 12 May 2009
THE WORKS (2): Demolition Day
Did I say demolition?
Of course, this is the stage of the nasty surprises. Some of the support bars for the roof are rotten and need replacement. Such are the extras (not foreseen and not budgeted, I mean) that reveal themselves when the builders start breaking. Emergency meeting tomorrow morning at 7:30.
Did I say demolition?Of course, this is the stage of the nasty surprises. Some of the support bars for the roof are rotten and need replacement. Such are the extras (not foreseen and not budgeted, I mean) that reveal themselves when the builders start breaking. Emergency meeting tomorrow morning at 7:30.
Monday 11 May 2009
THE WORKS (1)
In the absence of anything noteworthy to report on the running front, I'll focus on the renovations instead. There, at least, should be major progress in the coming months.
Today the builders started on the past-garage-then-dining room-future entree hall and lounge area space that separates the old house from the kitchen. They are stripping everything bare before doing some major demolition before rebuilding the place into a grand space. We both (Chui Hsia and I) have images in our heads of what it will be like, though not necessarily exactly the same.
In the meantime, the builders are piling up an intimidating volume of debris in the carport. One day, they will bring in a container, load it all up and ship it out to Eternal Debris Land. I hope much of it can be recycled.
In the absence of anything noteworthy to report on the running front, I'll focus on the renovations instead. There, at least, should be major progress in the coming months.
Today the builders started on the past-garage-then-dining room-future entree hall and lounge area space that separates the old house from the kitchen. They are stripping everything bare before doing some major demolition before rebuilding the place into a grand space. We both (Chui Hsia and I) have images in our heads of what it will be like, though not necessarily exactly the same. 
In the meantime, the builders are piling up an intimidating volume of debris in the carport. One day, they will bring in a container, load it all up and ship it out to Eternal Debris Land. I hope much of it can be recycled.
Monday 30 March 2009
Sunday 29 March 2009
Sunday 18 January 2009
THAT AIN'T HALF BAD
Was hoping to finish inside one hour, on the 10.4k in Kortenberg. It was very windy, pretty hilly and at times extremely slippery on the mud tracks. Yet I arrived in 54:46.
That's good, certainly good enough for now. The trick will be to train twice or trice weekly from now on and bring my 10k time down to well under 50 minutes.
It's coming back; I feel it.
START AGAIN
Okay, enough. I've been not particularly motivated and very lazy since Amsterdam. The odd training was typically short. Twenty minutes on a treadmill in Port Dickson, that kind of stuff. And two days ago finally again the first office training loop, 35 minutes.
So this afternoon I'll do the 10 (point four) k in Kortenberg, a stone's throw from home (for someone with an exceptionally strong arm, but still). It will be hard and I'll finish in a time that will be extremely unsatisfactory. That'll teach me for procrastinating.
Stay tuned.
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