The Incredible Shrinking Man by TISM

Well I certainly have a new 'first' to report! You are sitting at home just looking forward to a whole evening of work on the computer on a stats report, and the door rings. WTF?? #3's BF Ollie  - "Can I come up and have a chat?" WTF x 2!! He's driven 20 miles in the evening to 'have a chat'...????

He's only come to ask 'for #3's hand' ...

Not only is this fantastic, but it's really, really wonderful that there are still people like that who know how to go about things 'in the right way', (and I have to take it as a huge compliment).

10 minutes later he drags her up from the car as well, and we see off my remaining stock of anti-oxidants celebrating their ENGAGEMENT!! But then I am sworn to secrecy as no one else knows, and it'll take them a couple of days to get round everyone they have to tell personally. Plus he had the ultimate common sense not to buy a ring in advance, but take her into town the next day and let her choose. Why do blokes EVER think they can choose the right ring on their own?

Any other news pales into insignificance...........

SMILING??? I'm around 5-Nil up on the world's largest Cheshire Cat breeders..............

TISM

I just got my entry for the Athens Classic Marathon confirmed!! WOO HOO!!!!

Sunday 31st October. THE 2500TH ANNIVERSARY RACE. AWESOME IN THE EXTREME!!

Who cares if I can't run, lol. I've entered the POWERWALKING option...

Anyone else got what it takes to do it?? This has got to be an incredible one to do. why not get on there and get in THE BIG ONE, while entries last........

Sponsorship opportunities abound - PM me if anyone is interested....

Also, looks like I'll be on Radio Five Live on saturday night - I'll be in the studio with Stephen Nolan, apparently between 11:30 and midnight, if all goes acording to plan.

Right then, off to find out about powerwalking, and set up a training plan. What's the betting I can walk it faster than I ran it in 2008?

BIG SMILE tonight!!

Mike

Hi folks - another long time without a post...

I noticed Way Too Slow had posted a pic of us together at Dorney Lakes last weekend. It was terrific to actually meet up and have a proper chat at last, too good an opportunity to miss as I was virtually in his back yard.

It had been a truly awesome weekend - I was totally awestruck the whole time being in such illustrious company. Firstly, especially for the Ladies, I have to report that, without a shadow of a doubt, Miss Ruby Rose Yelling is a total charmer in every sense, and will break hearts wherever she ventures.  (Although I will also be slightly un-gallant and say her surname is uttely suitable - from the perspective of having spent the night in the next room at the hotel....!!!)

As for her Mum and Dad, what can I say - lovely lovely people, and also her auntie, Hayley, who pitched up to assist all on the Sunday.

But I think the 'bright idea' that Martin Yelling had for the start of my 'motivational (????) talk' will have to go down in history. In many ways it has produced what is probably the most iconic photo of my varied collection. If you think about it, it probably sums up almost the whole of my last 5 years, from start to finish, in one single photo.

This photo, just for the record and with a detailed explanation for anyone who might not recognise them at first glance, is a simple photo of

On the left, Hayley Yelling, current European Cross Country Champion, and on the right her sister-in-law, Liz Yelling, double Olympic Marathon Runner (Athens and Beijing) who wrote the foreword for my book.

And they are standing in a pair of my old trousers!!!!!!!!!!!

It was actually hilarious watching them try to walk out into the front of the hall at the appropriate moment in my talk. They were barely able to control themselves from laughing so much....

Anyway, I thought it might be fun to share....

I may have to come over to visit my Mum and #1 next weekend, so if anyone in the vicinity is free for a catch up and a small anti-oxidant at some stage get in touch in the usual way. I might be involved in a little media thing at the same time, so I'll let you know if it looks like actually happening...

Finally, on the 'ankle' front, it seems like I may have acquired a referral to somewhere special for a 'second opinion'. Absolutely NOT getting my hopes up, but never say never... Still keeping an eye on the Athens Marathon website for entries to open...

which reminds me, I haven't checked today yet, so I'm off for a look....

Keep smiling

Mike

Hi Folks - long time no posting....

As I've just finally got 'Project 1' up and running, thought I'd let you know. this one was the big work project, and getting this going will finally give me the opportunity to take some time to consider the other projects.....

The work project can be viewed at  www.thebps.co.uk

For any of you that work in teaching, at any level from Juniors right up to the very top of Universities, or in the public sector, or marketing / advertising, this might just be worth a little look.... quite revolutionary...

Worth mentioning also that I met an old blogger friend at the weekend, as I had to 'do a talk' at the Cambridge Festival of Running. Maija was looking good - as ever...

Also met Charlie Spedding who was there too - a real blast from the past, to be sure. He had his book with him too, so we swapped copies....!!

Later this month I have to do a simialr thing down at Dorney Lakes for Virgin and some people doing the London Marathon ...should be fun, to say the least....

Hoping everyone is in good shape for High Legh and things to come...

and don't forget entries for Athens open the first week in March...

take care all

Mike