Great Winter Run

It's been a good week for running.

I didn't manage out until Thursday night, when AB and I did the Ravenscraig run at a fairly easy pace.

Most significantly though, it was probably the longest run I'd done for a couple of months - just under eight miles.

No problems with the knee but as a precaution, I'm wrapping it in a Vulkan ice pack after every run.

Friday was a big day because we entered the Amsterdam Marathon! Even though it was the third time I've entered a marathon, there's no mistaking that nervous thrill when you hit the button to confirm the entry.

It all becomes real after that!

Yesterday was the Great Winter Run in Edinburgh. It was bone-chillingly cold but a beautiful day.

It's not the easiest of 5ks because it's a hard slog up Arthur's Seat and even though people reckon it's easy to run downhill, I don't find it so. I was probably guarding my knee as well on the way down.

I'd have settled for anything under 25 minutes. In the event, I did 24.28, which turned out to be 12 seconds faster than last year (mind you, it was a howling gale in 2007).

The down side was that I left my bag containing my event tshirt and race number on the course. It's now the only number I haven't got from a race I've run - and that's really pissing me off.

This morning, I'm about to venture out in the rain for a wee run with the other Amsterdammers. 

I suppose we're about to find out how much we irritate each other by blethering shite while running.

Nah, only kidding (Alex and Michael).