After London, I mused about trying for a sub-3h45m in 2023 for marathon #3. That was the goal this weekend, as I headed to Leeds for the inaugural Rob Burrow marathonI travelled up the day beforehand, mid-afternoon because of rail strikes. I checked into my hotel and walked the route to the start line, so I'd know where I was going the next day. ( Read more... )

The death of HM Queen Elizabeth II is an event we've known was coming for some time. She was 96, in frail health and increasingly stepping back from public life. Her Platinum Jubilee celebrations this summer felt at the time like a goodbye party. She lived a long and amazing life, and died in her favourite place, surrounded by her family. I ( Read more... )

It's perhaps tempting fate, with a relatively unknown new covid variant now circulating, but I want to record how good it feels, now that social and entertainment events have been starting to get back to normal.

Friday pub socials are now happening two or more times a month, and we're getting a pretty good turnout. It's great to be able to relax and ( Read more... )

I went onwards to London last Saturday for charity run number 3, the world's biggest marathon.

I expected registration on Saturday to be stressful, and it was. Unlike other events, where your bib number is posted to you beforehand, for this one they posted out kitbags. You then had to drop these off at the ExCeL Centre, choose your finishing t-shirt ( Read more... )

Yesterday was the second event of my charity fundraising triple, the delayed 2020 Sheffield Half Marathon. (Look out for me crossing the start line at the very end of the video at that link!)

This was logistically the easiest of the three, being my local event, so no need for an overnight stay - just a 5k warm-up jog from home to the start line in ( Read more... )

On Sunday, I took part in the 40th Great North Run. I joined 57,000 runners, including the best in the world. The run was broadcast live in 127 countries and was the first major event of its kind anywhere since the pandemic began. It was a brilliant experience and the most fun I've ever had running a half marathon.

I'm really glad about that, ( Read more... )

The death of Prince Philip today is a sad moment.

It should hardly come unexpected - after all, he was only two months off his 100th birthday and had recently spent a month in hospital. But it feels somehow like the passing of an age. As a public servant, seeing Operation Forth Bridge launching into action really brought home to me the significance ( Read more... )

I watched the Meghan and Harry interview last night. I know a lot of people aren't interested, and I'm not completely sure why I am. I guess I'm a bit of a sucker for royal news and all things constitutional. The following are a few reactions I had (expanding on a comment I posted earlier on That Facebook):

My overall impression was one of ( Read more... )

England takes its first step back to normality today. Outdoor "recreation" is allowed again. Care home residents are allowed contact with one regular visitor. And, of course, schools are starting to go back. I hope today went well for all the students and teachers who returned, and best wishes and good luck to all those returning later in the week ( Read more... )

It's been nearly 7 months since I last did one of these. With Cineworld closing again and other cinemas probably not far behind (the Bond film delayed again being the final straw after every other major release was also put back), it could well be another 7 months or more before I do another. But I have enjoyed going back to the cinema, however ( Read more... )