Trouser troubles

I held on as long as possible but inevitably have succumbed on the trouser front. I've been a size 32 for a long, long time and in late 2008 / early 2009 had to tighten my belt (literally rather than figuratively) as my heavy training meant size 30 was the order of the day - I know, I looked emaciated but I was as fit as I'd been in 20 years and could eat and drink all I wanted! Claudie went shopping last week and brought back two pairs of size 34. I wanted to hold off in the vain hope that I could shed some lbs, but it's not going to happen; I have to say it is good to be able to have trousers that now fit.

Since deciding not to drink in January, I've hardly touched alcohol (plan was to refrain for one month only). I've become virtually teetotal which is a great worry, not least given the thought of all those wonderful wines maturing in my cellar (aka cupboard under the stairs). I guess the only good thing is that the decent clarets will get time to properly mature for real depth of flavour rather than be tasted too young - all assuming I start up again. Otherwise, keep your eyes open for an exciting auction with bargains galore.

Not much happening on the running front, apart from working hard in helping out a few people, although am getting out for a few easy 15 minute potters just to break up the day at work. Adductor muscles in particular just won't ease. Will see how Jeremy B gets on following his dosage of pamindronate administered in January. I'm not really inclined at my age to go down this avenue (see 7 Feb blog), especially as Dr Rod Jaques made it clear that the evidence of improvement is only really anecdotal at present (and with younger, healthier athletes?), but if Jeremy, a sensible guy and decent athlete, genuinely feels that it has helped him then I may go down the same route.

As not much happening and this is a running blog, which I want to keep going (not least because of some interesting feedback from some very unlikely sources all over the world), I will talk next time about my training routine in the 80's. I warn you it was pretty unscientific (coaches were unheard of and my knowledge only evolved later) but mighty effective, involving, as it did, lots of miles and lots of pints! Life was good.

Best of luck to all those in heavy training for a spring marathon. Hopefully the hard work has been done and you are now nursing yourself through to the big day, perhaps with some shorter sharpening up runs (DH, in your case, perhaps it's time to start building up the mileage!).

PS David R, if you read this, rest assured I haven't forgotten you want to borrow the LM '87 video. I'll bring it up next time I'm in town.