Contender READY

If you remember the TV show Gladiators, you may recall one challenge involved 'running the gauntlet'. A timed event where the contenders had to get from A to B, while four burly individuals bearing ramrods tried to stop them. This was my run this morning. Only instead of ramrods, my nemeses were carrying Christmas trees. That's what you get for running on the pavements instead of the heath. Mind you, it was excellent fun and with all the leaping, dodging and commando-rolling, I got a great work-out. Just as well as I'm planning to run with my brother next Saturday and the gap in our fitness levels is becoming wider. Perhaps I can hamstring him with turkey. He is quite greedy.

(Stats:4.34 miles; 44 minutes; 10.08 minute/mile. Also, 41 tricep dips; 11 press-ups - yep, core strength regime is on day 14 and still going. I'm as surprised as anyone.)

In its place...

It's cold. Which means every run is accompanied by a searing, spasming pain in my sinus regions. I'm not a fan of pain in any region, which means the running is currently off. In its place is a hard core upper body strength regime. And by hard core, I mean how many tricep dips and press-ups I can do before I get tired. The new regime was implemented by my coach (i.e my friend who's a physio) when I complained about resembling a flying squirrel. Every morning, I now do tricep dips and press-ups 'to fatigue'. 'To fatigue' presently means 35 tricep dips and eight (ladies) press-ups. I really hate press-ups but I can feel my stomach getting tighter so that's good. Actually, I haven't done them today as my flatmate was holed up in the gym (front room) early doors and I didn't feel this was something he'd like to witness. Especially not before breakfast. Consideration. That is the key to a harmonious household.