Christmas is cancelled

and so is this blog.

The global credit crunch means I am working too hard and have far too many other things to worry about than keeping this blog up to date. I cannot be arsed to think about it anymore.

I may be back if this blog is not deleted by some Google bot.

Until then, or not.

Bye

T

Running in August

My running in August has been ok. Mostly 6 miles runs at lunchtime in London and a few more through the lanes in Suffolk.

I did a great 6.5 miler in Dunwich, round the castle thingy, up to Minsmere.

I did a 7 miler last Wed in London with Ian; we got lost. Ended up in Swiss Cottage and ran back to Kilburn passed Abbey Road and all the toffs.

But yesterday, my first run of September was the worst I have ever done. No energy and my lower back was aching like never before. I had to stop every 10 mins / mile. And then Ian accidentally elbowed my Forerunner and shattered the screen. I was somewhat upset..

I have been taking it easy but then Friday was a bit of a bender at CJ's wedding. I have no idea why I couldn't run yesterday.

T

Is It The Sea ?

We've been away for the last month in Southwold in the caravan. Back at work today though. I love being back at work. I am writing this post on my phone on the 0819 to Liverpool St. I'm listening to the new Verve album.

Whilst away I've been listening to a lot of folky stuff that, I realise now, has a kinda nautical type theme. Maybe it was the rain and the sea, or the distant white noise of the A12 like a constant cresting wave whilst we slept in the van but I played loads of Waterboys (everything), Bonnie Prince Billy (new live album, Is It The Sea), Van Morrisons (Irish Heartbeat) and yet more James Yorkston (new album).

Here's a track from the James Yorkston album. Titled 'Midnight Feast' it's got this raucos sea shanty thing going on but then it's almost krautrock in its endevour. The cymbals are the ocean..

http://rapidshare.com/files/141865771/06__Midnight_Feast_.mp3.html

T

Noel G - "Guardian spotty herberts piss me off"

Sometimes in all the chaff that Noel Gallagher speaks there is a little wheat. I found this on the Guardian site - http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/08/noel_guardian_spotty_herberts.html


"After backing down from his Jay-Z dissing, Noel Gallagher has found a new name for his pain - and it's Guardian and Observer journalists whose parents 'voted for Thatcher'"

T

Been doing running

I have been running. I started this blog really as a log of my running, for my own usage and perusal. But I seem to have stopped doing this. So, here's a brief update -

Been running. Mostly 4 - 5 miles at lunchtime with Iain in London. A couple of early morning 3.5 milers along the river in Chelmsford through the 'nature reserve' before going to the gym.

I had a new injury for appx 2 weeks (with no running); a kinda groin / abdominal strain. I now stretch my hip flexors and do this kind of arching abdominal stretch and it's ok(ish)..

At the weekend I did 4 miles in Dunwich with Amanda from our campsite at Hawwood Farm to the beginning of the track to Walberswick. And today 4 miles with Iain in London.

I love running. However, it does mess me up.

T

James Yorkston - Woozy With Cider

This blog is a year old and I inadvertently mark its first birthday by posting a Youtube clip of the Muppets..

To redress the balance here is something as magical and perfect as music can ever be. James Yorkston's 'Woozy With Cider', remixed by Jon Hopkins (who is Jon Hopkins ??).

For me, the words of song did not matter as much as the sound and vibe of a song. But as I get more discerning (I do not get cynical about music) and with my head stuffed full of music for most of my life the sentiment and thus meaning of songs have come to mean more and more. And for me James Yorkston just about nails it. He writes of a life similar to how mine possibly was once or could have been. He find romance and the grit of life in the details and waste of our daily landscapes. He pulls you in. Well, he pulls me in.

Although this track is not entirely representative of his oeuvre it is very great. The original, and more electronic, version is so good you need to buy it and is posted here in the You Tube video.

He has a new album coming out. It's called 'When The Haar Rolls In' and is out in September; which I think is the perfect time to listen to a new James Yorkston album..

Anyway, James Yorkston's 'Woozy With Cider' (as remixed by Jon Hopkins) is here -

http://rapidshare.com/files/130628356/05_Woozy_With_Cider__Jon_Hopkins_Remix_.mp3.html

T

Feist on Sesame Street

I like this. And I don't care.

T

Coed Y Brenin on mountain bikes

Yep. Keef, Joe, Scott and I went to Coed Y Brenin in North Wales last weekend to ride our mountain bikes. We left on Friday night and returned on Monday. We therefore had two full days of riding.

It was farcical, thrilling and hard work. The conditions were muddy, humid and occasionally very very rainy.

Saturday - We rode the Tarw trail at Coed -
3 broken chains (Scott / Joe)
1 busted rear mech hanger (Scott)
Appx 7 crashes (Scott and Joe)
Rocky rocks, big steps, me at the back on the way down, and at the front on the way up..


Then we did the Temtwr -
Less rocky - the swoopy bit at the start was great.
A massive climb.
Then, as we were slowly getting used to the rocks, a faster descent for me and only a couple of crashes on the 'Beginning Of The End'.>


Sunday - We rode the Red Run at Llandegla
It was great. I think we all preferred Llandegla. Not so rocky for us Essex men. Fast flowing, hairy and with a few big climbs.
The others did the Black Run diversion; I didn't. By all accounts it was hard and great.
We then did the Blue run and went 100mph on the berms at the end.

I award myself 'King of The Mountains' (sorry Joe, but I was always first up). 'King of the Downhill...' goes to Keef. 'Stunt Man' goes to Scott and Joe gets the 'General Classification'.

A great weekend. A weekend I shall remember.

Back to Danbury this Sunday.

T

(Could Be) A Country Thing, City Thing, Blues Thing - Richard Ashcroft

I think I used to love the Verve. They kind of came at end of an era for me. The britpop thing was happening. Libby and I were living in Camden. And the whole Oasis thing became very boring very quickly. But I can't really remember much about those times to be honest. We were in the Serious Road Trip. It's all a blur. I kinda knew at the time that it was our last gasp of youthful ways. It was fun. And we were there..

Listening now to Urban Hymns is great. Especially as I don't think I listened to it much when it was released. Anyway... I heard the new Verve single (it's on their Myspace site) and I've decided it's great. And then I remembered this track; '(Could Be) A Country Thing, City Thing, Blues Thing'. It is a B-side to, I think, the first solo single by Richard Ashcroft and it is fantastic. I love it.

Get it here -
http://rapidshare.com/files/125463211/B-Sides___Rarities_Could_Be__A_Country_Thing__City_Thing__Blues_Thing.mp3.html

If you like it (or not) leave me a message, please.

T

Too old to rock n roll ? / Please excuse my gay mate

So we went to Barcelona for the weekend. Mike bought me my flight and got the room in our hostel for my 40th. We spent the weekend with our Spanish friend Carl Duffy. It was rather unhealthy - I still feel somewhat 'out of sorts'.

What we did on our holiday -

1) Got wasted
2) Got ill (not me, Mike)
3) Went to the beach.
4) Had a splendid lunch.
5) Nearly got mugged.
6) I missed my kids, and wife...
7) I did a very hot 4 mile run - I think I must of had some performance enhancing drugs still in me.
8) Turned gay (not me, Carl)
Blablablah

On the way home I decided that the best album I have heard all year is the MGMT record 'Oracular Spectacular'. This here is 'Time To Pretend' as originally featured on an ep from 2005. The latest version from the album is *much* better but you can get that anywhere. The lyrical sentiment of the track seems apt to me given me and my two mates are now middle aged dads with wives and mortgages when once we thought we were rock n roll stars...

Get it here -http://rapidshare.com/files/124994343/01_time_to_pretend_time_to_pretend_ep_2005.mp3.html

T

Blister on foot is doing my head in

What a great picture this is ? This is a 'Study for Head of George Dyer' by Francis Bacon. After seeing this image reproduced in the Metro this morning I have decided that Francis Bacon is my 'new favorite old artist'. How did he paint this ? It seems almost alien in its execution..

I have a whacking great blister on my left foot. It is precluding me from running.

I am going to Barcelona at the weekend with Mike to see our Spanish friend Carl Duffy. I want to run in Barca; I am resting my blister.

Frances Bacon would have painted a good picture of my blister.

T

One More Kilometre And We're In The Showers

I've been reading 'One More Kilometre And We're In The Showers' by Tm Hilton. It's a really great little book. A kind of mental sketchbook of cycling. I wish someone would write something similar about running.

The following is a short passage from the book. I wanted to transcribe it here before I take the book back to the library..

"We (cyclists) have quasi-spiritual memories that come to us when we traverse roads we have known before, quietly gliding between hedgerows, changing rhythm with the lie of the land or the strength of the wind, rising a little from the saddle to catch a glimpse of a stream. Pedestrians do not know these experiences. Neither of course do motorists. Only cyclists know what I'm talking about and it's useless to try to explain it to anyone else."

He's right. When I dream, I dream of the roads and woods of my childhood; I don't dream of people or events. It's me in a place. My psyche is kinda grounded by the landscape. And when I run or cycle it is the road, or the woods, more so than the people I'm with or are nearby, that I am running or cycling with. Anyway..

T

My Pillow Is The Threshold

I rode my bike to Ingatestone early this morning. I spent the day working in peace and quiet at my dear mother in law's house. The trains to London are screwed so I elected to 'work at home'. The fact that I could get to ride to Ingatestone via some bridleways and Galleywood Common was also a factor. I took an hour to get there.

However, I got a little lost and rather than double back I waded across a babbling brook (see the bad pic above). The mud was deep and a I saw a fish. I took my shoes and socks off and with the bike over my shoulder I 'waded' into the water. It was the perfect temperature. I am hard.

Last night I got the new Silver Jews album. This track, 'My Pillow Is The Threshold' is my initial favorite. If it wasn't for this song I probably would not listen to it again. But this is a good one. I had the song buzzing in my head since I woke this morning (and did a 4 mile run with Morgan - I almost take my own breath away).

Get it here - http://rapidshare.com/files/121728056/04_my_pillow_is_the_threshold.mp3.html

T

Thetford Forest - Red and Black

View Larger Map

Keith, Scott and I went to Thetford yesterday to ride our bikes in the woods.

It was a tad muddy. We rode with our 'heads down' and did the Red Run and the Black Run. We did 22.7 miles in 2 hours 26 mins.

To anyone landing on this post from Google looking for conditions of the waymarked routes at Thetford I have the following to report as at 8th June 2008 -

Red Run is more knackerd than the Black Run.

Red Run has more mud than the Black. But the Black has more puddles, I think (it all got kinda desperate towards the end).

Both Runs are fairly knackerd. The Beast is knackerd and is not scary. But... It is still a great place to ride. At the moment it's more about endurance than enjoying any 'swooping singletrack' - which is fine for me.

The bacon rolls at High Lodge are good (08 out of 10).

If you see anyone dropping litter pick it up and give it back to them.

Anyway, we're going to Coed in 4 weeks. I need to get some miles in, as they say.

T

The Sopranos - Made in America / Fred Neil - Dolphins

For the last 2 months I have been mostly watching The Sopranos. Last night I finished the final episode (season 6, ep 21).

How good was it ? Pretty damn good. The Wire beats it, just. But like the Wire it ended in the nick of time.

It is often said that the Sopranos is about the family; Tony is the average working guy, with the mafia used as a device to raise the pitch of his life to create a show worth watching. But regardless, Tony Soprano is a psychopath; and I've been I rooting for him to get some kind of justice ('natural' or otherwise) since the beginning. But in the final scenes the balance of my emotions were somewhat upset. The tension and ambiguity of that final scene were simply perfect for me. I thought I knew where I was in the show and then it confounded me, not just by Tony's fate but the place where the ending left me. This is what made The Sopranos the 2nd greatest ever show on TV - it pushed the boundaries of what you expect from TV. It broke rules and played with the viewers expectations. It toyed with us and in the process changed TV and thus, in some small way, made things better.

One of the most perfect things about the show was the relationship between Christopher and Adrianna. I loved the way it was clear they were the 'soul mates' they naively referred to each other as. Their fates were sealed the moment they met. Doomed from the start.

The violence and the implications of Christopher's relationship to Tony Soprano closed in on them. And the moment it came with Adrianna taken to the woods by Silv you knew Christopher was also damned.

One of Christopher's last scenes is of him at a fairground out of his head on smack and as he slides into oblivion he is joined by a stray dog. With his arms around the dog Fred Neil's 'Dolphins' is played on the soundtrack. As the sentiment of the song implies Christopher is looking for something out of reach. This was undoubtedly Adrianna and the dog a metaphor for either his own death and/ or his true love of Adrianna. Stirring stuff and a fantastic song now made even greater.




Download Dolphins by Fred Neil here - http://www.mediafire.com/?v4wjzdmiuyc

As the blood rushes through my veins and my heart beats faster...

I may not really know why I occasionally write in this blog. But I do know why I run.

In fact there are a number of reasons I run. These are -

1) I eat far too much cake.
2) I don't want to die, just yet.
3) To sweat and push myself for an hour or so a day is the least a man should do.
4) I love to get into this zone that I can only ever enter when I am running.
5) I enjoy doing something some people can't..
6) Occasionally I'll have one of the 'golden runs', as I call them. These are the runs when everything feels great and the endorphins peak.

... I just had a golden run. Lunchtime run with Iain to Brondesbury Park, over the High Road, up to West Hampstead and then back to the factory. 3.47 miles in 30.15 mins. Average pace of 08:43.. Not fast, not far. But I know I could easily have gone faster and further. Maybe, that's secret; holding stuff back. Knowing you can run better than you are, when your legs feel strong and your heart and lungs are working.

Fantastic. I loved every second of that.

T

The most pointless thing I have done so far today is write this post..

What to write about...

Been runnning every other day; in London at lunchtime (5k in 26 mins) and at the weekend home in Chelmsford (4 miles), which was really nice.

Been biking in Danbury last Friday night, but my chain snapped.

Rode back from Ingatestone this morning on the Phantom after dropping Patsy's car off (11 miles.

Going away this weekend in the van to Walberswick.

Erm...

Why do I do this blog ?

T

Rich Kid Blues

I am not really a fan of Jack White. I find him relatively humorless. And with the kind of music he makes I think a sense of humour is kind of essential.

However, I do simply love this Raconteurs cover of Terry Reid's 'Rich Kid Blues'. I cannot stop playing it. It's so good I don't think I've ever played it just once - I allways repeat it.

I love the drums at the start and the way the voices work in harmony with the guitars. It ducks and dives. It sounds like the Who and Zep. I always say you need to play these tracks loud, but really this time play it LOUD.

It is here - http://www.mediafire.com/?wi2idg3dcsl

Goodbye

T

Back running

I've said this before - I am back on the road running.

After a week of gentle 15 min jogs on the treadmill, last Wed I went out at lunchtime in London and did 3 miles with Iain. On Friday, we did the same and then today Tuesday we did it again. 3 miles aorund Brondesbury Park, across Kilburn High Road and back to the factory. Great.

Last Wed it was cold and raining. Today baking hot. Friday was the hardest.

It's hard work. I am not sure I could do more than the 3 miles. We were fast though (for us) - an average 8.17 mile pace today.

No real problems with the legs. A slight twinge in the right calf and ankle. But we are stopping to stretch after the first 10 mins and then I stretch like crazy once we get back. My cardio is coping, just. And my aching back is getting better. Running is just so much more demanding than any cycling you can do.

However, I did a 15 mile road ride on Saturday and a 13 mile 'off road' ride on Sunday (Galleywood, across the train line to Hylands and back), which was fun.

T

Been Riding

View Larger Map


With my mum staying with us for a week, and with Libby at work at the weekend, I thought I'd go biking both days (my mum had the kids)...

Saturday I went out on the Phantom (the '£9.99' road bike). I was going to do just 15 miles, but with the glorious weather I doubled back at Writtle and ended up doing 25 miles. My average speed was 16.5 mph. It was great. Hard work, but really really great. I left home at 0830. The sun was up and I was almost whooping for joy as I flew down the country lanes from Highwood to Writtle. This was the first time I've been out on the road bike on my own and I rode as hard as I could. It was quite a workout; the hill by Galleywood on the way back was a killer. I particularly enjoyed observing the 'proper' road bikers out with their Lycra and carbon bikes. I am sure I was as good as them, in my Morrissey t-shirt, Humvee shorts, Stan Smiths and the Phantom. The route / map is above.

Sunday, I went to Danbury with Joe, Keith and Jason. We did appx 11 miles. We did Joe's route with added bits from Explosive Pete's routes . Much drier than last weekend. Beautiful morning - no rain.

And I've been running... On the treadmill every other day at the gym (including 15 mins before the ride on Saturday). It is truly great to be back running again. But I am only doing 10 / 15 mins runs, with no real incline. Hard work though. After all my hours and miles last year. It is a somewhat distressing to have to start all over again. It's no so much the cardio that is faltering, it's my back and aching legs. At least I am running. I am going to do a 20 / 30 min gentle jog in London on Wed...

T

Listen to this loudly -

Powered by Podbean.com

Go here for more - http://goodheads.wordpress.com

Good eh ?

Pogues - Rainy Night In Soho

I will always love Shane MacGowan and the Pogues. And it's a special kind of love.

As I get older and the space between what I initially loved about them (London, alcohol, romance, a rural idyl out of reach) and where I am now (home, kids, trains, and telly) grows and will never meet again, I realize I love them more and more.

They have become as integral to my internal psyche as the vertebrae in my back is to my spine. The occasional words of Shane McGowan rattle round my mind on a daily basis. But this song, 'A Rainy Night In Soho', is one of my faves. I particularly love the simple refrain - "You are the measure of my dreams".

Get it here http://www.mediafire.com/?mn9pzpli9nr

T

Ps - this is bonus track version from the remastered / packaged version of 'Rum, Sodomy and the Lash'.

You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes And You Get What You Deserve

This is Johhny Boy doing 'You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve'.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zdmghvwxygc

I post this as the lyrical sentiment seems relatively apt as we spiral into economic oblivion. It is also a 100% guaranteed spectacular song. It is 'Phil Spectorish'. It needs to be played loud. So. Play it loud. And stop feeling sorry for yourself. It wont be just you losing your house; we're all going under.

T

Podiatrist - VIdeo Gait Analysis Result

I saw the podiatrist on Friday. This is what I have wrong with me -

Forefoot equinus
Nigh angle of inclination of calcanus
High angle of declanation of meta tarsals
Limited ankle dorsiflection
Disrupting mid tarsal joint
The wrong trainers - I was sold pronation trainers; I have neutral feet. I do not over pronate.

This means I -

Premature foot load
Early heel raise
Flex my knee, when I shouldn't
My gate is short (short step length)..
Have overly increased cadence
Externally rotate legs

In conclusion -

I have tight claves, tight hamstrings, tight gluteals and a bad shaped foot. This means I have tight ankles which means my running gate is restricted and is damaging my legs / ankle/ feet.

I therefore must stretch my hamstrings, change my trainers, put heel raises in the back of my trainers and take it easy. This week I will do some gentle running on the tread... And go back to the podiatrist in 6 weeks.

T

Danbury Common - early Monday morning

Joe and I did a nice 10 mile ride on the MTB at Danbury this Monday morning. We started at 0630 and rode for appx 2 hours. Thence to work.

Good to be back on the MTB. We're going to do it all over again this Sunday. But this time I want to do it twice.

I've been out a few times on the Phantom (my £9.99 road bike - pic above) with Simon. In the last two weeks we did a 15 mile and a 20 mile route in Billericay, Ingatestone. Our average speed was 17mph. However, during the 20 miler on Sunday the Phantom's gear cable snapped and the handlebars came all lose. But did that stop me ?

I'm thinking again about getting a nice road bike. But do I need a a £500 road bike ? The Phantom is maybe good enough. I think I'm doing a good speed and it's comfortable (I can beat Wellsy). And on Sunday in the driving rain, with the dodgy handlebars and half my gears gone, still kinda perfect. It was quite fantastic actually. I think I had a bit of an epiphany - road biking is quite great.

Anyway, here I hope is a link to the Danbury off road we did on Monday -


View Larger Map

T

Black Hole Sun - Steve and Eydie (Dirty Reissue)

Listen to this - http://rapidshare.com/files/106364975/06._steve_and_eydie_-_black_hole_sun__dirty_reissue_.mp3.html

It is a cover of 'Black Hole Sun'. Originally a fantastic track by the once mighty Soundgarden.

My mate Mike and I loved the Soundgarden album this came from (titled Black Hole Sun) back in the early 90's. It was refreshing to us, I think, to listen to guitars, bass and drums again after years of having our minds mushed by orrible rave music.

This version is a kinda 'lounge' style version. I have no idea who these people are. I don't know where it came from. I heard it on the mighty Sean Rowley show on BBC London; found it online and now play it most often.

I always thought the song was about Kurt Cobain.

And please, if you download, leave a comment (who are you ? Why did you look for this track ?).

T

Music time - Weird Fishes (partition version)

Enough of bikes, fingers, ankles and etc etc etc. Music time.

I am going to post music on here each day for a week.. And, so, in no real order....

This is something I found last week(ish) on the Atease message board. It is 'Weird Fishes' from In Rainbows (that's the last Radiohead album). However it's been put through some software by the geeks at Atease which has separated elements of the recording using the stereo partitions.. This is the "centre mix". Not sure what all this means in theory, but in practice you get the original track sounding kinda different. It is "ghostly" and the guitar sounds great.

Get it here - http://rapidshare.com/files/105666869/04_-_Weird_Fishes_Arpeggi__center_.mp3.html

Go here to meet the people at Atease. The Atease board is probably the best music message board in the world (click through to Message Board. Go to the Music section. And the TV / Film bit too)- http://www.ateaseweb.com/

T

Bad hand and bad leg

Right hand -

I have broken my finger. I had an xray and it shows I fractured my right little finger. I spent 4 hours in A&E and then 4 hours at the Fracture Clinic. It's OK though. I just can fall on it for 6 weeks from when I did it (6th March, on the bike at Danbury).

It's Thursday night (3rd April) and I've not ridden my mountain bike for a month. I have to wait another two weeks. I cannot risk damaging it some more.

Ankle -

I saw the physio last week. He has given up.. He is not able to fix me. The injury has now switched to the other leg and is more severe. I cannot run for 15 seconds without having a limp for 4 days. When I run I can almost feel it grind in my right ankle. The physio no longer thinks it is ankle impingement but is now saying I have bad bio-mechanics and has refered me back to my GP who has now referred me to a orthopedic consultant and supposedly a podiatrist. In the meantime I am going to see a private podiatrist next Tuesday..

Great eh ? No running for 2 months and now no mountain biking.. I am going to get a new road bike.

T

The Clash - Ghetto Defendent (Rat Patrol version)

Since I got the album of Rockabilly covers of Clash tracks three weeks ago I have also been playing a lot of the Clash.

The Clash and the Beatles are, in my mind, similar. I am not a huge fan of either band; but I somehow know every note of every track each band has produced. Both had a spectacular song writing partnership at its core, a mercurial talent in the wings (Simonon/ Harrison) and a relatively uninspiring drummer(s). Both started their discography with amphetamine white boy rock n roll, got more experimental, produced a genre busting mid career masterpiece (Revolver / London Calling) and split up just after releasing a sprawling masterwork (White Album / Sandinista).

Most would say the Beatles changed the world, and that therefore makes them better. The Beatles did change the world. But what they mean to anyone else has no bearing for me on how they sound in my ear today. And today I have been listening to the Clash.

I have always loved Combat Rock. An album that is not that well regarded. But how can anyone not love the ambition and romance of that record ? Suffused with dub, funk, hip hop and spoken word. It's like a soundtrack to a lost film. There's some kind of faded Vietnam war / Americana going on that was quite a feat for 3 lads from west London. It's really unique. There is no album like Combat Rock.

I got the 'Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg' bootleg last week. This is the original version of Combat Rock as produced by Mick Jones. It's great. I am especially taken with this take of 'Ghetto Defendant'. You can hear Allen Ginsberg much clearer on this version. It's longer than the 'official' release and Joe Strummer's voice is rougher and looser. In fact this is probably the best vocal Joe Strummer ever did, in my humble opinion.

Get it here - http://rapidshare.com/files/99267049/07_-_Ghetto_Defendant.mp3.html

Danbury Common Mountain Biking with Explosive Pete

I was 40 years old at the weekend. Libby and I went to Swaffham, in Norfolk and stayed in a hotel. It was very nice. The kids were with the in-laws; it was just me, Libs and my sore hand, and aching legs..

Sore hand ? Yep. A busted hand. I am now middle aged and past it. I have damaged feet, ankles, calves and now fingers. I fell off my bike at Danbury Common on Thursday and dislocated my right little finger. I snapped it back into position and rode back to the car. I had an xray today. I wont know for sure till end of the week but I dont think it's fractured just really torn.

Danbury - was great though. I met Explosive Pete on the forums at Bike Radar and he, together with his brother Jonathon, offered to show me round Danbury. We did appx 15 miles in 2 or 3 hours (punctures, picnics - the usual necessary stops). What a great ride.. Big climbs, fast steep descents, miles and miles of tracks. Better than Epping. And with the bombholes, and jumps and sweeping tracks at Blakes Wood really quite hairy.

Pete and Jonathon rode faster than I am used to but I kept up, just. Great day out. Pity I can't move my right hand properly.

T

The Pistoleers - Bank Robber

The Pistoleers - 'Bank Robber'.

I heard this track on Radio 6 a few weeks ago when Andrew Weatherall (remember when he was Andy Weatherall) did the Queens Of Noize show. He played some great rockabilly and more 'modern' stuff.

'Bank Robber' by the Pistoleers is from an album of called 'This Is Rockabilly Clash'. A compilation of Clash covers by rockabilly bands. It's a great record. Some tracks are better than others but the whole concept works really well. It also highlights what great songwriters the Clash were (but what a dismal lyricist Joe Strummer occasionally was).

This is my favorite from the album. Listening to rockabilly nowadays seems one of the most 'alternative' music choices you can make. However, it kind of sounds somehow perfectly modern. I've been predicting a rockabilly revival for years now. Not that anyone is listening.

Go here for the track - http://www.mediafire.com/?yded8sjynjl

T

Breakfast in Thetford

What did you have for breakfast yesterday ?

I had 20 miles of Thetford Black Run for mine. That's 20 mile of off road mountain biking in Thetford Forest in 1 hour 50 mins, all before 10 in the morning.

I had a meeting in Woolpit in the morning, so being the obsessive I am, I saw a gap in my schedule drove to Thetford at 0600 in the morning and was in the forest at 0745; it was pretty damn fantastic. I was the only person there. I saw loads of deers and at one point some kind of boar, maybe. The riding was good. The tracks are bedding down and the mud is drying. It was warmish, and at some points sunny.

I rode hard and as fast I could at some points. I was only going to do the route once, but within site of my car (and at the end of first lap) I knew I was going to do it again. The 2nd lap was faster; I'm kinda getting the hang of the Black Run now. I can even recall sections of it. Usually, I cannot recall anything as during the ride I'm concentrating on what's immeadiatley happening, my breathing, aching back and the bike.

Next time I'm going to do the Red Run properly. I'm hoping this route may be more flowing, so I can really get some speed up.

So, yeah mountain biking, I love it. But, I want to run.. To get an equivalent buzz from biking for me takes 2 hours of riding. Running is so much easy to organise but like 4 times harder. Anyway, still no running for me. The other leg has gone now. I can't bring myself to write about it.

T

Epping Forest Mountain Bike - King Of The Mountains

We went to Epping Forest on Sunday for a morning mountain biking. Myself, Scott, Keith and Joe met at Tesco's in Chelmsford at 0730 and were on our bikes in the Forest by 0830. I loved it. I just love being on my bike.

We followed a couple of routes we found here (http://eppingtrails.co.uk). Using Joe's new GPS system we covered about 15 miles. We rode for appx 2 hours and were not riding for just over an hour. This does me in, as I want to ride.. But with stopping to adjust bikes, have picnics and check our routes, I guess we had no choice. But next time I want to go faster...And I don't want to stop.

The Forest was in good condition. Not too muddy and at some points nice and sunny. I think we are slowly getting the hang of Epping and looking on the map above (which outlines our route) I think we have covered most of areas in the Forest. There is singletrack all over; I need to go back. No one really came off. We did some downhill bits but mostly just following our route through the trees. I can still feel my back wheel skiding gently into the corners. It really is ace.

T

Mark Ronson is dreadful

Hey. This is live blogging. I'm watching the Brits. Mark Ronson has just won Best British Male. And what a horrible little posh boy twat he is. God I hate him. Little tousle haired public school boy. Who does he think he is ? And his horrible rich looking parents sat there like cardboard cutouts; sun tans and hair styles. God he is despicable. The man has no soul. Fucking twat.

Anyway. Here is a Amy Winehouse track remixed by the Rumble Strips. It's Back To Black. It's great. Amy's great.

http://www.mediafire.com/?1m0vyngzyge

T

Thetford Forest Mountain Bike black route

So. Whilst I have not been running I have been mountain biking. I've not been 'off roading' on a bike in like 20 years. But last December I got myself a brand new Specialized Rockhopper MTB on the goverment Cycle To Work Scheme, and I love it.

Over Christmas I spent a couple of afternoons trying to hack my way from Chelmsford to Ingatestone via bridleways and tracks. Then I went to Epping with Lee; freezing cold and fucking great. Two weeks ago I went back to Epping with Keith Scott and Joe. Where we did 11 miles in 3 hours, got covered in shit and had and equally fantastic time. Scott and I went to Danbury Common where we scared the crap out of each other. And for the last two weekends Scott, Joe and myself have gone out early on Saturday morning for a 2 hour hack from Galleywood to Hylands (where in the woods to the west of Hylands House is a fantastic mile or so of track that when I rode it yesterday I was going so fast the wind was whistling in my ear).

But on Saturday I went to Thetford Forest (High Lodge) and did the Black Run and half of the Red Run. I did just under 18 miles in 2 hours. I did the Black Run in an hour. This is pretty good for a big lad like me, but as all runners know, biking is for poofs. So for me 10 miles of black route cross country is a piece of cake.

However, I am told that despite the Thetford Black Run being labeled such it is hardly considered a real Black Route. It was technically challenging but there was no real risk of breaking any bones. The Beast section is good, but I must say, not as hairy as Danbury. There are no real hills, just loads of mud and churned up singletrack. Winding through the trees though with the sun like a strobe in my eyes, I was as happy as I could be. I ate a Cream Egg, drank my bottle of water, and just did not stop. I think I'm a natural. I want to race now..

T

Ankle Impingement Syndrome

I have been diagnosed with Ankle Impingement Syndrome by my physio.

This condition is usually found in ballet dancers and very occasionally runners. I basically have something which is stopping me pointing the toes fully in my left foot. This 'something' is the impingement. The impingement is at the back of my heel, right in the 'hinge', as it were. The impingement is usually scar tissue or, in the worst case scenario bone. If it is bone then the usual procedure is to have surgery..

The physio is asking me to stretch my ankle and cease running until I get better flexibility and go back to him for a weekly prognosis. I am following this and the associated tightness in the calves has gone and the ankle is becoming better and allowing me greater flexibility. But I am concerned I may end up in surgery with this problem.

I go back to the physio this Thursday. I am hoping he may allow me to head out on a short run on Thursday night. But I am not going to push it again.

So, there you go. It's taken me 4 physios to get to this diagnosis. But running is such an important thing for me; it has become central to who I am. I am not going to give up. If it means I cannot run for a year, two years, so be it. I know I will run again and will now allways run, when I can.

I have a load of runs to log from just before this recent injury. I need to upload these on here and will do soon. It's just so difficult to get my head around not being able to run but then write about it. In the meantime I have been mountain biking. I will put some details of these session up here soon also.

Details Ankle Impingment Syndrome can be found here - http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic5.htm

T

Am I my own worst enemy ?

I'm injured again.... I can't believe I'm writing that. I have the exact same injury in my calf as before. I ran Weds before last at lunchtime and I didn't stretch. It was tight the following day but on the Friday I went out, again at lunchtime, and I've not been right since.

I spend good money on physio. I am online conversing with other runners. I buy and read books and magazine and yet... I don't listen. I don't stretch properly and I ignore the subtle signs my body gives me. It is doing me in. So why do I do it ? I do it cos I love to run. But next time, in like 1 months time when I am back I WILL do as I am told. I have learn't my lesson for the 2nd time. This time, the next time, I will do it right. Running is about self discipline. I used to think it was about sweat and the taste of blood in my mouth. I now know it is about that but it is also a more gentle and subtle thing. I am may have a heart made of iron but my aching legs are aching for a reason. I am getting old.

If you reading this as a runner, who is still running, you are being gifted. Enjoy it.

I will be back.

In the meantime I am on my bike.

T

Radiohead - Scotch Mist - Videotape

Here is an audio track from last nights Radiohead webcast. The webcast was called Scotch Mist and this track is 'Videotape'.

Get it here - http://www.mediafire.com/?bmt1clk05jy

Videotape is probably my fave track from 'In Rainbows'. This version, although I've only heard it today as background to our kids incessant squeaking and shouting, sounds more urgent than the album track. Thom Yorke's arcing voice tip toeing through the music, graceful and yearning.

It's New Year. I did a quick 4.3 mile run this morning at 0830. It was hard. I'd only had 4 hours sleep and I'd been rolling drunk as we fell into bed. The sweat poured off me and I ran as fast as I could; chasing the new year in. I ran through town but one half of the park was closed by the police. There was police tape all over the park with a police person at at every entrance. They wouldn't tell me what had occurred. Only that it was 'very serious'.

I cannot wait to get these bloody Christmas decorations down.

T