Go!vember

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Well thanks for the best wishes everyone. Sweder and Seafront Plodder arrived safely and have already begun an impressive assault on the beer supplies of both the local pub and Chez MLCM. And I'm afraid to say Antonio, that your best and wisest words of advice re not drinking too much received merely silent nods of the "He's right of course" kind as they toasted you with yet another Coopers Pale Ale.

Regrettably, moi has not had such a pleasant time of it, having strained a disk in my lower back that has at times left me with excruciating back spasms and this afternoon had me in the hands of a sports physio who - thank God - is an ultramarathoner and so assured me he would do what he could to ensure I had at least a sporting chance of starting the race on Sunday.

The race for me is still a 50/50 proposition at best I would think, and I'll reserve the final decision until warm-up time just before the race, but at least I'm feeling more confident now of starting than I was a few hours ago when it seemed unlikely I'd even be able to get on the plane to fly down there.

Whatever happens for me personally on race day, a good time for all RCers in attendance is assured. In fact "official" pre-race hydration starts in just under an hour ... although Sweder and SP as I write this are at the local doing a little unofficial hydration strategy of their own. Apparently it also involves playing pool, an often-overlooked part of race day strategising here at RC I think.

I leave you with a look at my lower back, currently resembling the remains of a mummification convention...