Category: April 2014

The trials and tribulations of a marathon runner’s wife – first published 6 April 2014

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While Commando was running the Manchester Marathon, I’d been enjoying a spectacularly beautiful walk around the hidden gems of Manchester with my friend Yas. All morning there’d been a little nagging worry in the back of my mind. Race days are always a little like this. I go off for a walk but, no matter how lovely the setting, I can’t quite stop worrying about Commando and how he’s doing. There are so many things that can go wrong. I’ve seen the runners collapsed at the side of the road being treated by paramedics, or limping along with injuries. Then there’s the worry about time. Commando always sets off with a target time, if he doesn’t make it he’s not a happy bunny. With a marathon the possibilities for disaster are magnified. These are the trails and tribulations of a marathon runner’s wife. Continue reading The trials and tribulations of a marathon runner’s wife – first published 6 April 2014

the hidden side of Manchester – first published 6 April 2014

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Once Commando had set off on the Manchester Marathon I rang my friend Yas. She said she was only a few minutes away so I passed the time watching the runners setting off and checking the clever tracking app I’d downloaded. This was supposed to work with the timing chip on Commando’s race number and tell me where he was on the course. It would be a boon on our walk, letting me know when we had to start making for the finish line. It showed he’d passed the start mat so I was fairly confident it was doing its job. I wasn’t quite as confident about meeting Yas. We know each other through WLR but had never actually met, would we recognise each other in the flesh? Continue reading the hidden side of Manchester – first published 6 April 2014

The Manchester Marathon – first published 6 April 2014

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In April 2014 Commando was running his second marathon, in Manchester. We’d travelled up on the train the day before and checked into the Premier Inn at Deansgate Lock, an area bursting with bars and nightlife on the surface with the Rochdale Canal hidden away below street level. After a little rest we went out to stretch our legs and have a look around.  Continue reading The Manchester Marathon – first published 6 April 2014

Manchester bound – first published 5 April 2014

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April 5 2014 and we left home in fine drizzle, although the morning had started with a promising sunrise. The taxi, driving as close to my river route as a car can, took us past a park shrouded by thick fog. The windscreen wipers slap, slap, slap as we passed through Woodmill then Wessex Lane close to the green bridge, blue bridge path and I could just make out the shapes of half bare trees through the gloom. We were bound for Manchester. Normally we’d leave from Southampton Central Station but weekend track repairs meant we were starting off at Parkway, next to the airport. It might have been easier to catch a plane. Continue reading Manchester bound – first published 5 April 2014

smog on the water – first published 3 April 2014

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April 3 2014 and, for some reason I couldn’t work out what day it was when I woke up. Maybe the Saharan sand smog that had hung over the city for the previous few days had got into my brain. When I woke up I thought it was Tuesday. Then I remembered the day before had definitely not been Monday so I thought perhaps it was Wednesday. It wasn’t until I was eating my granola and opened my iPad to catch up on a blog or two that I saw the date in the corner telling me it was Thursday. How did that happen? Continue reading smog on the water – first published 3 April 2014

Goodbye to fluffy the cat – first published 2 April 2014

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If March 2014 was the month of new beginnings, with a new job for me, April was a month for endings. On 1 April the lovely little black and white cat who thought she belonged to us even though she didn’t, was run over. Sadly, she died. She may not have actually been ours but we were all devastated. Continue reading Goodbye to fluffy the cat – first published 2 April 2014