Dim's plan to be Good for Age is to grow older by Dim

Time for an update do you think? Stop groaning at the back there, you're going to get one whether you like it or not.

First a quick summary of the past few months. I've continued my training but at a level to attempt to maintain my fitness rather than increase it. However I generally manage 3 or 4 runs and 25 - 30 miles in a week so not too shoddy. Melanie (wife) has also started to come out on some runs and is at the moment working up to being able to run 5 miles.

Now onto the subject of today's activities. - The Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon. What a great event this is. None of your high tech stuff like timing chips on this one and your mobile phone is no good to you either unless you are on the Orange network so you might as well leave that at home. It very much has the feeling of a village event and the weather always seems to be fantastic too.

After parking the car I wandered over to Race HQ and met up with John from work and his partner Laura who were both running in the race. Shortly after, I spotted another familiar face (well to be accurate she spotted me). It was Chris Green from Blogland and Paul. It was so great to see them again. This time it was Paul who was running and Chris watching as last year it was Chris's turn to run.

I had also been looking out for Lou (Lou21 - Don't stop me now or ever), from here as I knew it was a favourite race of hers for the scenery, the event and also some very special other reasons too. However, unfortunately she couldn't make it. We missed you Lou but from what Chris was saying you are in the middle of a rather busy time moving house etc.

We'd all arrived a little early so there was a bit of standing around to do before the start but it was pleasant in the sun and before long we were lining up.

After an initial uphill mile you get to cross the dam, a beautiful piece of engineering and construction and to help us across Chris was waving and taking photos from the side. After the dam you get to run around the lake in the dappled sunlight under the trees. The first 7 miles is a very slight gradual downhill which is hardly perceptible, before you start an equally gradual climb back along the other side of the lake. Although again it is hard to see the hill as it is that gradual, you do still feel its affects.

John, Laura and I ran the whole race together and we also crossed the finish together in 2:09:55 with Chris once again cheering us on just before the end. Sorry I didn't get to catch up with you again before I left Chris but I had to get back home to do some work.

This week I guess I'll have to try to do most of my training on Monday and Tuesday as on Wednesday evening I'll be playing badminton. On Thursday and Friday I'll be in Plymouth for a couple of meetings and an awards event, so I'll be nicely refreshed (not) for a 230 mile drive down to take Hannah to move in to her university accommodation in Sidcup on Saturday.

Okay that's enough for one update so I'll just leave you with a few photos of the run today.

Paul and Chris

 Chris and me

 John, Laura and me

Laura checking that John still has a pulse