December 2017

[Sweder]

Well, how did I get here?
Letting the days go by ...

There's not been too much to report, but I did manage a 5k in Abu Dhabi, my 5th consecutive IDF/ Novo Nordisk race in a ten year span.
Bonus points for persistence, and for turning up.

So upset was I by the monumental effort it took to lug myself round that odd, partly indoor course, that I took myself off for a punishment run before first light.
Wind, sleet, mud, leaves, murderous tree roots, slippery flint, zero degrees. I loved it, as did the dogs, for a while, at least. Barely three miles, but it felt good to be out there.

As I battled back through the sheep field, freezing rain pelting my numbed face, the Beatles, of all bands, came to mind.
I glanced down at the dogs, loyally trotting along beside me, soaked.
We three fools on the hill, heading home for breakfast. 

Before the dawn of the day, alone on the hill

The man with the foolish grin is perfectly chilled
Only his dogs want to know him
They can see that he's just a fool
But they know he'll give them breakfast soon 

And the fool on the hill
Sees the sun's not quite up
And the eyes in his head
See wet leaves on the ground

Well on the way, feet in the clouds
The man with as many layers as is allowed
Nobody ever hears him
Or the rasping sounds he makes
And he never seems to notice

But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun is still down
And the eyes in his head
See the breath of the hounds