Way Blog

My Way Of Blogging
Well, I like

• Framework
• Unity
• Structure
• Stability
• Pattern
• Order
• Template

Also, I like to begin a sentence with “Well” - like Peter Jones on “Just a Minute”.

Once I wrote an essay at school that was praised for its structure - but lacked content.

Beginning - Middle - End
Preview - Content - Summary

This is how I like it. Short and to the point.  Up to a point.

Jounalism
Not suitable for a journalist. Their work is subject to random and severe editing - from the bottom up.

So they must:-

• Capture the whole story in the first paragraph
• Second can contain a bit more detail about who and what and where why and how
• Third and subsequent paragraphs can contain more background; “colour” that can me safely lost without changing the meaning of the story.

But the headline sub often writes something that says the opposite of the story.

Rule of Five
This blog is built in blocks of 5

• Ordered Lists
• Unordered Lists
• Website links
• Blog Links
• Pointless 5th

Except when it is not.  You had noticed.

Other Parameters

Each post to contain at least one of the following:-

• Text
• Listing
• Photo
• Cryptic caption to photo
• Quotation - with attribution

Except when it does not.

Subjects

• Running (jogging)
• Motivation
• Planning
• Life, the Universe and Everything (to which the answer is 42)
• Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

But you knew all this.

English Gothik - 5 windows but one too many chimneys

And gables

“Die Logik muss für sich selber sorgen” - Ludwig Wittgenstein

 

A Simple Pleasure

“The best things in life are free
You can give them to the birds and bees
Gimme Money!
    That’s what I want
Gimme Money
    That’s what I want
That’s what I want.
    That’s what I want”
Bradford-Gordy

Get Your Kicks For Free
After a year and a bit I am beginning to get the hang of this Enjoyment of Running thing.
In moderation, of course.

I have discovered the simple unsophisticated pleasure of just running out in the open air.  This arises from the following stimuli:-

1. Physical
2. Sensual
3. Aural
4. Visual
5. Mental

So here is the Bath Point 5 Guide to Free Running Pleasure.

Physical
Actually being able to run - well fast jog - over several miles is amazing. This is something I have not done since schooldays - when I was not very good and very slow.  How is it that I can do it now?  There is a smug satisfaction for this old git to discover that I can stretch my physical abilities and reverse the tide of age-related infirmity - even if it is only for a while.

Apparently our distant ancestors used to feed themselves by hunting game by running over long distances until the animal tired and was unable to continue. It is said that by doing this we evolved as bipedal runners and so it is in our nature to run.  In parts of the Kalahari a few people still use this method of hunting.

Sensual
The pleasure of running is said to come from endorphins released during extreme exertion. As I don’t do extremes I suspect I shall never experience this - when running.  The benefits of Fresh Air and Exercise may have become a cliché - but that is because there is an eternal truth in it.  Different surfaces - hard paths, gravel, mud, grass - all provide varying sensual inputs to be managed - and enjoyed.

There is a satisfaction to be obtained from cheating the weather by getting out for my runs when the sun shines and the rain holds off.  But when I do get caught in the rain the sensual stimulation drives me on to achieve something better in the way of time or distance. Running hard into a strong headwind in heavy rain requires determination.  I don’t go looking for bad weather - but if it comes to me I must deal with it.

Once-upon-a-time in Arizona I borrowed a bike and went riding with the local cycling club. It rained. None of them had ridden in the rain before. They loved it. Bought me breakfast. Stack of pancakes and maple syrup.  The next week I went to California.

It rained.

Aural
What?  The birds for a start. Running silently on my Asics the birds don’t hear me coming so carry on twittering as I pass.  Up at the top of the hill, where I run cross the grassland, the skylarks sing.  The cows all moo, the bull does too, down on Jollity Farm. The farmer on his quad-bike. The shooters in the woods.

I am sure twice I heard a turkey gobble.

Across the valley the cars and trucks are a distant looming boom. The trains hoot and growl - except sometimes when one comes along that is all whistle and puff-puff. Whoo-Whoo!  Planes aplenty - all shapes and sizes. And heights. Sometimes a biplane. The police and hospital helicopters.  The Chinooks or a Puma carrying the Big Cheese from MoD.

Why do Chinooks travel in pairs?

Visual
Trees, fields, brooks, houses, bridges - lots of bridges. A wet path reflecting the distant rainbow . Butterflies in season, grey squirrels all year. Soaring buzzards - and the rooks harassing them at nesting time. In their turn bothered by magpies, who are mobbed by the starlings. Once I saw a sparrow hawk dash into a hedge and grab a small bird. Deer in the field next to the path - remarkably close. The changing pattern of the skies.

Evening Cloud

Cow pats, horse manure, dog poo, dead leaves, fallen branches, shadows from a low sun.. In the spring - new growth and flowers. Bluebells in the woods.

Tins, plastic bottles, and bags (some containing dog poo), a broken toy, discarded tyre, graffiti.

Mental
Physical exercise gets the blood flowing more rapidly - including to the brain. So ideas often come to those who run. Also - I find the puzzles in the paper easier to do after a run. But - letting the mind wander on other things while running is not a way to improve on PBs. For this mental focus is required.

In order to complete the Bath Half Marathon I had to plan my programme of training and adapt it to my progress.  During the course of the race I had to think about whether I was ahead or behind my planned schedule. Another aspect was the mental strength provided by knowing what I could do, physically, and keeping myself on the task in hand.

Cost
Running free is not entirely cost free:-

• Shoes
• Shorts
• Top - short-sleeved
• Socks
• Tights - warm for winter running
• Top - long sleeved and shower proof

A little over £225. Less than £5 per week. Less than a couple of beers.

Cheaper than a trip on Route 66. But you don’t get to see the meteor crater.

"A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."
    - Definition of a cynic - Oscar Wilde

Blog On Other Blogs (BOOBs)

Other People’s Blogs

This post is about some Running Blogs that I like.
If you have been following this blog you will not be surprised to see that I have selected 5.

In no particular order they are:-

• Run For Your Life - by Old Running Fox
• Skeddadle - by The Knickernator
• Confessions of a Virgin Half Marathon Runner - by Kelly
• Hruns Random Ramblings - By Hrun
• He who trains trains.- by I Am Leg End aka Taffy

Why These?
Of all the millions of blogs out there in the bloggersphere why these five?

In outline:-

• Four of them cover other issues too - they are not just about running
• Three of them are “blokeish” (That is sort of the opposite of “Elvish” as in Lord Of The Rings)
• Two of them are particularly inspirational for me - either due to the age of the runner or the distances covered
• None are the same - all are different.

Run For Your Life
This guy is an inspiration. He only took up running in his fifties and is now in his seventies. He runs farther, faster, more often, and over hillier terrain, than me.

The quality of the writing as well as the content, the pictures and layout, make this a great blog to follow. The writer’s love of life and landscape shine through. Of Fox’s pithy comments I particularly enjoy “The older I get the better I used to be”.

Skedaddle  

Running and life from a young female point of view. I love the many asides into other aspects of life, the universe, and everything. The universe described is a gender-gap and generation-gap away from that with which I am familiar.

In some ways this blog is also "blokish" - but in the manner of the modern woman unconsciously and assuredly exercising her equality.  Another reason why I like the blog.

When I was a lad in order to understand what women want I had to go to literature. Nowadays it is all out there on the www - and anything is possible. No wonder these days young blokes feel inadequate! (Thinks - it was ever thus.) 

Confessions of a Virgin Half Marathon Runner 
This running blog has some clever training and mileage “widgets” for those of us who like to compare data - which leaves the text free of geeky stuff and with space for the literate bits.

The running gag of this site - sorry no way of avoiding the pun - is the A to Z of “Running Terms - Good and Bad”. Hours of fun reading these imaginative definitions.

The title of the blog reveals a pitfall that I too fell into. When the half-marathon has been completed should the blog be abandoned and replaced by an entirely new one? Or get Branson as a sponsor?

Hrun’s Random Ramblings
The running blog that contains cake. Well lots of them contain references to cake but this one has recipes for cake. The author is modern metro-man able and willing to take on housework and cooking.

Bicycles, swimming, and sports injuries also get mentioned - but not necessarily in the same post. Sometimes I find he has written something that I have been thinking.

“A gadget is defined by my dad as something you didn't know you needed until you got it, with a plug on.” 

And no - I am not his dad.

He Who Trains Trains
This is the blog that will run and run. Like the author. A bloke who has been battered by life and is fighting back by running - and running. Stopped drinking and smoking - just like that. Milestones, targets, benchmarks - he has set himself the works. And doing it. 5000 miles within a year - done! Heading for 6k.

Obsessive? Maybe.  Work-life balance appears to be “Run-Work-Run. This guy does two runs a day every day. Nobody can match him for mileage and not slow either. He tops the mileage for the day/week/month/year on Runners Forum. And in due course will top the highest ever. Unless a ‘bot gets there first.

It can be catching. One Monday morning I did a 12 mile run and so topped the mileage for the week. My record lasted until the evening by which time Taff had done his second run of the day.

So - a blog that inspires awe rather than emulation.

WYSIWYG

Taking The Long View

For a running blog this seems to have very little running in it.

Excuses:-

1. Back in August I said I would not post about every run
2. I have been travelling - so little opportunity to run
3. Working - for clubs (NOT nightclubs)
4. Gardening
5. Fixing the old car.

Running
In the past couple of months I have completed 17 runs - a total of well over 100 miles.
Distances - from a “quickie” 4 ¼ miler to a long 13 ¼ miles. Even one in the rain!

Travelling
Derbyshire, Isle of Wight, Cofton Park. Beautiful places.

Working
What is it they say about being retired?

Gardening
Mowing, hedge-cutting, weeding, watering, rain dancing.

Car Fixing
Done - head gasket, stud thread, tick-over.
To Do - little end, con-rod, clutch. And just about everything really.

 Mind the Gap

Blog-Offs
Other blogs go off topic too:-

This one includes cake - Hrun's Random Ramblings

And this one has cows Skeddaddle

"They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them."

Of Blogs
But surely all are equally valid in this post-modern world?

Mind The Gap

Blogging on Jogging

Blogging is the modern vanity publishing - without the expense and with the potential for a wider audience.

My interest in blogging was aroused when I found that others were doing it. So I wanted to have a go myself. My blog would be more informative, erudite and amusing than others.

Or maybe not.

Learning new things from books is still the way I prefer. And it must be for many others too - as shown by the vast numbers of computer-related how-to-do-it books. All instantly obsolete - in Somerset there is a warehouse full of them.

In the Library I found a new edition of Blogging For Dummies I knew I had to give blogging a try.

This almost coincided with my decision to enter the Bath Half Marathon. Doing one new thing encouraging the other. It did not take long to recognise the synergy between the two.

You don’t see it? Agreed, it is neither Auden and Britten nor Merlin and Mustang. But the blog needs narrative and my running requires motivation.

Thus:

• Metaphorical boat-burning in pubic - no turning back
• Support and advice - from friends and followers
• Record of progress - and regression
• Momentum and self discipline - the project has to continue to provide regular blog material
• Helping a charity - by seeking sponsorship.

Each feeds on the other and combined provide more than the sum of the two parts.

That is synergy.

Synergy in Action

Coming Soon:- Options for sponsorship. Help me decide which of three charities to choose.

Wrest Daze

This weekend was Rest Days.
One scheduled (SRD) and one due to very wet weather, so unscheduled (URD).

Post-modern "rest" is a relative term.


Garden Tasks

1. Move large potted plants from front terrace to back of house
2. Clear leaves from paths
3. Remove leaves from air vents in cars
4. Vacuum Mow front lawn
5. Dig over old potato bed.

Household Tasks

1. Walk to local shops to get paper and milk
2. Lay boards in loft and restack stored items
3. Final edit for e-newsletter - convert to pdf - mail out
4. Carry 2 x outboard motors down drive and load into a car
5. Install and set up new dishwasher.

Failed Tasks

• Seek Allen Keys to fix shower knob - unable to find
• Trim front hedge - battery flat
• Mow Vacuum carpets - ran out of time.

Ultimate Question

Mr Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft took part in Exercise Excaliber in April?
Mr Freeman: Forty-Two.
Hansard - 16 June 1986

Polruan. At the top of the hill!

Reasons Why

It is time that I examined why I entered for the Bath Half Marathon.

At first I was inclined to blame a list of others who had influenced me in different ways. But after a little thought I am now sure it was due entirely to my own best traits:-

1. Showing Off - a surprise bombshell for friends and relatives
2. Obstinacy - fighting back against the inexorable march of time
3. Wilfulness - deliberately doing something foolish and difficult
4. Auction Fever - bidding to get a place in the race
5. Controlling - a project over which I can have full control and am not dependent on others

Showing Off - There is much fun and satisfaction to be got out of a surprise. To step out from behind the stereotype. The gratifying reaction of friends. To have a new subject for conversation.

Or a blog.

Obstinacy - In retirement my intended regime was to include regular daily exercise of the mind and body to do battle against the decay wrought by time. In practice this has not worked out as planned. Wet days provide an excuse not to walk to the shops or work in the garden. Power tools take much of the effort out of gardening. Contrariwise the sunny summer has discouraged my project to learn PHP, MySQL and JavaScript and I have not got beyond Chapter 1. Also, I want to challenge my own settled habits and prejudices. My view that heavy exercise causes injury and is bad for you. My distaste for jogging in all weathers, and scorn of those who puff their way along slowly and agonisingly in the midday sun.

Now I shall discover for myself.

Wilfulness - My father had a joke that ran: "Go and find out what the children are doing, and tell them to stop." I loved his dry deadpan style. My mother, who claimed not to understand his jokes, said that I was a well behaved child. Or so she thought. 11th commandment - don’t get found out.

That was then this is now - time for me to join Peter Pan’s Pensioners.

Auction Fever - It was the Bath Chronicle that made me aware that entries for the 30th Half Marathon were about to become available. Affectionately known by locals as "The Chronic" the weekly local paper was promoting the Bath Half, encouraging readers to enter. I knew anecdotally that the race was usually sold out almost as soon as tickets were available and I had little or no chance.

Well, you know what it is like bidding against a deadline online.

Controlling - For the last 10 years of my working life I had to influence, cajole and pursued others to do things they and their managers were reluctant to do but which were necessary to enable me to do the tasks and meet the targets imposed upon me. In each of the 3 teams that I served during that period we won awards for what we did - even when we got no bonus. So we must have got something right.

Anyway, the point is that my Bath Half project depends solely on me. I set my own programme of training, my own milestones and targets to achieve. I do not have to do cold calling, organise meetings and presentations, cajole sceptical team leaders, chivvy their overworked team members, demonstrate and teach clunky software to reluctant users, prepare and analyse customer questionnaires, set up and run a help desk, or endure interminable, repetitive, irrelevant discussions without screaming.

Success or failure is mine alone. There are no excuses.

First Step

Everything in this blog is true. I should know, I made it up.
Only the names have been changed to protect the guilty.


It has started. I am committed. Perhaps I should be.
I have entered for the 30th Anniversary Bath Half Marathon to be held on 6th March 2011.
And my entry has been accepted.
So what?  Well that is 2 impossible things achieved in one day.

I don't do running. I don't like it. Never have. The alleged pain in order to gain trade-off has never appealed to me. Besides, I am not built for running. Was useless at athletics at school - never achieved the standard for my age.  Standard for age you note - not size. Discrimination!  Scarred for Life!  Excuses.

When I told She her reaction was "You've done what?  You are mad!  Why?"

Good question.  If I find out I will let you know.