Why do I run?

Was just posting my runs to my NikePlus site and seeing how I'm doing - just over 150km to go to hit the 1000km milestone so that should be my year end goal! 8 weeks less than 20k per week seems acheivable right now- although the dark nights might prove otherwise.

Also got to thinking about why I run and how sometimes it's so easy to just get out and run and feel the freedom of running and other times it is just so damn tough.

I need motivation sometimes, guilt factor sayings like this one help....
"Right now, someone, somewhere who is busier than you is working out."

and the poster I had on my wall as a teenager which I think we got in Florida...

Why do I run?
'Tain't no mystery --
Wanna have a good
Medical history.
Doctor told me
Runnin' is great --
Helps them blood cells
Circulate,
Great for the lungs,
Great for the ticker,
Can't nothin' getcha
In better shape quicker.
Feels so healthy,
Feels so sweet,
Pumpin' my arms
And flappin' my feet,
Moldin' my muscles,
Firmin' my form,
Pantin' like a pack mule,
Sweatin' up a storm.
Keeps me youthful,
Keeps me loose,
Tightens my tummy
And shrinks my caboose,
Beats bein' sluggish,
Beats bein' lazy --
Why do I run?
Maybe I'm crazy!

by Ed Cunningham

But my main reason for keeping fit and healty is not to live longer but.....

"To really live while I'm alive!"

Chicago Trip - Oct 19-26

Another work trip to Chicago for 2 weeks. England made it to the RWC finals amazingly so I had to seek out somewhere to watch it. After some chinese whispers around work I was matched up with Matt a Welshman in Supply chain and we met in Downtown at Fado's an Irish pub.
We got there at 11 for a 2pm Kick off! I was shoulder to shoulder with South Africans and the banter was flowing. Well we were robbed of a try and a penalty so the result was disappointing but the match was great until then.

Rest of the trip was excellent work wise and also getting to know my work colleagues better in social outings and finding my way around the 'burbs. Thinking of waht life would be like if I relocated.

Probably the last trip this year now.

Welsh Weekend - Oct 5-7

Took a few days leave starting out with babysitting Cal who had chicken pox on Thurdsay. Actually was great fun playing cricket and kick in the garden on a beautiful sunny day with him.

Friday I hit the road to Afan Argoed and camped at Glyncorrwg, it was glorious sunny weather and ideal temperature shorts and T-shirt not too hot but not at all cold. I rode the Penhydd trail on my own, the views were fantastic and the trails were dry, fast and sweet-perfect. Only slight issue was my drivetrain- having changed the chain and cassette I needed a new chainring, but could not find one with 5 bars. Chilled on the sofas in the cafe with a good meal a beer and watching MTB movies- cool I love this.

Next morning I went to the cycle shop in Cwmcarn and managed to get a titanium chainring but they did not refit my inner chain ring. I finally got to Cwmcarn and joined Tom et al on the uplift, thankful to be able to ride downhill all day. Finally reunited with my inner ring at the end of the day. Tom had the worst mechanical ripping his wheel out and bending his rear disc rotor- amazing he survived unscathed and even more amazing missed just one run getting a replacement disc on!

We camped at Glyncorrwg and had beers and grub in the cafe while watching France beat NZ in the RWC quarter finals- wow, and then heard England had beaten Oz- double wow!

Sunday another group joined us and we hit the whytes level trail- a few mechanicals amongst the group made for slow going but the company was good and the riding great espesh the wooden sections and the last DH fast and skippy. Home made cake in the cafe and hit the road home.

Great Long weekend.