Fifty-five not out by Nick

So how much snow did you get?  We have had a good few inches here in this corner of Surrey.  Normally I don't like to see the snow arrive as I know it will interfere with my training ...but as I am currently not doing any training, I am not too worried about it!  I have had a good workout this morning nonetheless shovelling snow off the drive.  I live down a little side road, which is never reached by the council gritters, so unless I clear it myself, I am stuck!  I went out for a walk this afternoon and took a few photos, most of which are on my Facebook page.

Time for what's up and what's down this week!

Going up

Hendrick Rammaala  The South African marathon star qualified for the Olympics last week by running 2:12 in Dubai.  Nobody expects him to challenge the Kenyans and Ethiopians any more but to qualify for a fifth Olympics at the age of forty is a remarkable achievement. (Story here)

Paul Roberts.  Ironman.  There is a subculture in the marathoning world which combines running with ironing (picture below)  Paul Roberts from Worcester hopes to take this to a new level by completing the Marathon des Sables (150 miles across the Sahara) with his ironing board on his back and a supply of crumpled clothes to iron!  We wish him well in his quest to continue the tradition of great British eccentrics!  (Story here)

Newcastle girls.  As you try to come to terms with the cold and snow, bear in mind there is one group of people who are immune to the cold - Newcastle girls!  I've been in Newcastle on a Saturday night and have enjoyed seeing groups of young people heading out to enjoy themselves.  Amongst the girls there seems to be a competition as to who can go out in public wearing the skimpiest clothing!  Not even a little thing like hypothermia is going to stop them!  I take my hat off to them (though not much else!)

Going down

Madrid.  The economic problems in Spain and Italy have not deterred Madrid and Rome from applying to host the 2020 Olympics.  In fact they rather hope the Olympics will lead a revival of their economies.  Madrid hasn't got off to a great start with its logo though as it seems to suggest that the games will take place in 20020.

Greek athletes.  When the Olympics open on July 27th, the first team to march into the stadium will be Greece.  Greece is one of the few countries that have been present at every single Olympic Games.  The recent economic problems in that country however have made life difficult for Greek athletes with nearly all sponsorship for sport being cut.  Some of them are receiving aid from the IOC, but most have seen their funding cut to nothing.  I guess you could say that the Olypics were always intended for amateurs and up to comparatively recently, Olympic competitors received no remuneration at all, but it has been a hard blow for Greek sport.  (Story here)

Tesfaye Sendeku.  Was leading the Miami half marathon by a large margin last weekend and was heading for a victory and a large cash prize.  Unfortunately he followed the lead car out on to the route for the full marathon and so missed the finish.  He only realised when the thirteen mile marker went past and there was no sight of the finish line.  The rules state that each runner is responsible for knowing the course, but you have to feel sorry for him!  (Story here)

British journalism.  I had a dig at Australian journalism last week, so I thought I should point out that British papers can come up with some interesting headlines!

Okay, I'll stop there.