Why?

I ran today. Which was a surprise. I was hoping to get around my 5km run without my calf ‘pinging’, but no such luck. It’s been under a week since I strained it and over the past two days I’ve managed long power walks without a problem – so I was feeling confident. The issue for me is that walking doesn’t exercise my lungs in any way near the same level that running does. And as my lungs have always been a bit problematic, running it is. So, I set off today at a steady pace, trying my best not to overstretch the calf. It was sore pretty much immediately. And then, at about 3km, it let me know it wasn’t happy, so I walked/hobbled in. It’s not as bad as it was first time round, because I stopped quickly, but it clearly needs more time. Ho hum.

nice hat …

And I’ve been busy. I’ve had a report to write for an MOD team based on someone else’s focus groups, plus some of my own investigation. I hope I’ve added value – because I made a number of recommendations. I’ve also got ongoing coaching with a couple of schools with some planned bigger chunks of work in the next couple of months.

Which is a good job because books sales, which were buoyant in February, are poor in March (I think I sold about 10 books so far this month). It does make me re-ask the question – what is the point? – but I’m hoping that sales will pick up again, as they do, and put that to the back of my mind. Of course I could spend some money on marketing. Now, there’s a thought.

Just now, as I was hobbling past the skate park, with overcast clouds and a cool wind, I did ask myself the perennial question: why am I not walking back along the promenade to our apartment in Spain? Well, we don’t have an apartment in Spain, which is one reason. The other is that we still have absolutely no idea what’s best for us in that department. But it doesn’t stop me asking the question. The perennial one. Of course, it wouldn’t be in Spain, would it? It would be in France? And if it was in Spain, which particular part? And why buy somewhere. Surely we have the van and can park it on a decent campsite with facilities and make do? Or we could rent somewhere over the winter?

Whatever. I want to know why I’m running in the cold, with no views and a cloak of unburnt diesel, when I could be in a singlet with Mrs Sun browning my shoulders?

nice flower …

Knowing us it will remain a perennial question to which the answer will be – dunno. And once covid restrictions are lifted and we feel safe to travel again, it will probably become quieter and quieter. Hope so …

In any case, I hope you are well. We are fine – really. C is now knitting for next door’s little girl. She’s taken to running every day and I think the slight upturn in weather is helping in that regard. I think the slight negative effects of the vaccine which affected us last weekend, have well and truly gone, although I continue to suffer with sinus issues. I keep saying that I’m going to press the NHS to sort this, and then I never get round it. It’s like the Spanish question, I guess. Perennial … and unanswered. Ho hum.

Keep safe.

grumpy Henry