First Run Of The New Year

Saturday 23 January, 2009

For the first time this year I woke up feeling like a run on a Saturday morning. I was taken by surprise because so far 2010's been sluggish and I've had to force myself out of the flat even to get the gym.

Not wanting to scare off the resurrection of my enthusiasm and concious that it could start to wane at any point, I dressed for running and made my way outside as quickly as possible. This took a while, since my running kit's been redundant for several months and was scattered about the flat and buried in different drawers.

I stuck to my normal route, down Avenue Louise to the Bois de la Cambre and around the pond, clocking up four easy miles. It's not the prettiest time of year in Brussels. Those who criticise the city for being grey should avoid visiting in mid-January, when it is cold, rainy and composed singularly of shades of grey.
















The woods look stark and unwelcoming now the snow has melted. On the upside, all of the pathways have been redone and are fresh with yellow sand.

A restaurant has opened on the island in the middle of the man-made lake: Chalet Robinson, linked to the shore by an electrical raft which looks precarious... Apparently it was first built in 1877, but was destroyed by a fire in 1991. There's a Belgian restaurant on the ground floor - which I'd like to check out - and a ballroom on the first floor.

www.chaletrobinson.be

Ran: 4.1 miles
Time: 38 mins 45 seconds
Average pace: 9:40 per mile
Calories: 467

Then It Snowed

January 10, 2009


Beautiful weather here in Brussels over the weekend, lots of snow.














I was using it as an excuse not to run and went on a long walk in the forest. What shocked me was the number of runners who were out in the cold, decked out in hats, gloves, scarves and trainers with special grip, lolloping through the forest. And loads of them where wearing STABILicers.

Made from steel, STABILicers strap over your trainers and provide extra grip so you don't skid over in the snow. They cost around £30.

I wondered if I should get some, wrap up warm and get out there, but I settled for a snow fight, building a snowman and a hot chocolate while watching Mad Men series two instead!

For those of you who are more keen, there's another blog about running in the snow here



http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=115725&sectionid=351020605

New Year - No Incentive

4th January, 2010

Day four of the New Year, back in Brussels after a long time away and an amazing holiday. No runs yet, no desire to run yet.

Another toe nail has fallen off, but I grossed so many people out with the first set of pictures that I can't blog about it. Still, it made a good Christmas present for one lucky person.

Need a new challenge for the New Year. A friend suggested Everest, I suggested no. Another friend suggested a triathlon, I suggested psychiatric help.

Got to thinking another marathon wouldn't be too much. The pain, knee anguish and lack of time for anything other than running are all a distant memory.

Berlin 2010? Sub four hours? Need to find something better to do with my time...