April

[marathondan]

A pleasant lunchtime offroad run yesterday in the sunshine - definitely the best day of the year so far (and far better than Tasmania for once ). It was a short jaunt along the Grand Union Canal and around the parkland of Horsenden Hill. Rather stop-start, since firstly much of the canal towpath was closed for essential Digging of Random Holes, and secondly because in an attempt to find a nice path up to the summit I found myself on the golf course more than once and had to backtrack.

The Wembley arch has been visible around these parts for some time; yesterday the grandstand roof was clearly shimmering in the sunlight like an oasis - you know, one of those things that promises so much but never quite materialises. Let's hope the Olympic project follows the model of the new Arsenal stadium rather than Wembley. Personally, I think moving Wembley to Birmingham or Manchester would have been the best idea. (I mean the stadium, not the borough - although that's a thought...)

The run was a reminder that as soon as spring arrives, the focus suddenly shifts from keeping warm to keeping cool. I could have done with a water bottle, even for just three miles, and even in a t-shirt I was warm. This gives rise to a golden rule of running attire: If The Sun Is Direct, A Vest Shall Be Worn. Maximise that surface area for evaporative cooling. This excludes winter months, and sunburn considerations. Terms and conditions apply. Pace may go down as well as up.

PS - thanks for the good wishes guys. I did Reading last year, when it was in early March - hat and gloves weather. Should be a bit nicer this time.