An uninspiring bicycle ride along the Trail towards a very inspiring Colchester Park Run.
The Trail was damp and dull; at the other end I found light, lycra, and love.
Anna was there as well.
My chest is causing me more problems that hers. I’ve been coughing beastly things up all week.
She told me not to run, but I thought that 5km around Castle Park might sort it out.
Anna is a Doctor.
I am a middle-aged obsessive runner.
It wasn’t a perfect Park Run, but it certainly gave me a pick me up.
The whole point really is just to get out there on a Saturday morning, and share in the hippy shit love of communal exercise.
There was a slight change of route once again to accommodate the Christmas Fair being set up.
The elite runners at the front of the pack probably didn’t pay too much attention to the pre-run instructions. They legged it around the first bend, took the wrong corner and left me leading the race.
It lasted for about 30 seconds.
But what a GLORY, Jase.
I was aware that the chest issues would make a PB unlikely. I was happy with the official race time of 22’20” - almost 40 seconds slower than last week.
We had a bit of business in town, and then cycled off to the pool.
Anna once again gained two lengths on me as we both ticked off 40 lengths.
We arsed around in the steam room. The bike tech conversation with a fellow steamer was much like the steam - way over my head.
Next up on the agenda was a stop off at the University. Jimmy Caughty’s Aftermath Dislocation Principle had rolled up on to campus.
I saw the original exhibition earlier this year back in South London. It’s bloody brilliant, and I wanted Anna to share in the confusion.
There was a little symmetry as well, with the KLF being one of the key bands on campus when we were both young Rave pups.
#AdpRiotTour @ArtExchangeUoE, innit. ACE pic.twitter.com/ebViFuhGNh
— Jason_Cobb (@Jason_Cobb) December 10, 2016
I always feel uneasy on campus, whenever I return some 26 years later.
But we decided to hang around in the SU bar and grab some lunch. Chilli, chips and a large cup of tea was just the treat.
We watched the first half of the Watford Vs Everton match, and then cycled back to catch the second half at home.
A gloomy Saturday afternoon was spent on various admin duties, with a little Chet Baker to brighten the mood.
And then Saturday evening was all about… work.
Hey hoe.
But that’s fine.