Well that was hot work….

The day had arrived, I had been dreading with a wash of excitement, and it’s funny how I hadn’t realised how much it had taken over my being!
In the last 4 days, I couldn’t think of anything else! Good job we were having a new kitchen fitted to take my mind off things!
I have got quite a normal routine now when going on a long run, the only difference with this one is that I get to eat breakfast before I go out, so I'm up at 5.30, tea, breakfast and then checking once, twice then a third time that I have everything I need!
Just before I left Felix came down stairs, he is normally the only one up with me in the mornings! He’s such good company for a 5 yr old! Just as I was leaving, he asked whether I was going to win today? I explained, as he was coming up to watch, that I won’t win but I will win by finishing and raising all this money for the charity! And although he didn’t grasp the concept of me not winning, he then went on and to ask “will you try your best? And hand on heart and a lump in my throat, I said I would!
I'm off on the 7.08 to Londinium to win the London marathon…ish!
Travels go really well, and always amazes me the amount of kitbags gaining in qty as we stop at stations en route, were all here for the same reason, same nerves, anticipation, excitement…everyone giving the newbies tips and advice, the only semi-worthwhile tip I could think of was don’t go off too fast! Pace, pace and pace again! But its so difficult, you get so carried away in the moment! That will come back to haunt me I know!
Got across to Greenwich and to the Red Start, same as last year, so I knew what to expect!
Met with a school friend, who was running for the 1st time, Clare, she and her friend, who she had trained all winter with, had been split up and her friend was on the blue start, so it was nice to catch up, albeit briefly!
And so off to the start, pen 4 I'm in this year, and already I’m nervous as the talent in this pen looks immense, coupled with the 3.30 runners marker (guys that run with a sign to pace you).
I'm in the pen, then need the loo, off out the pen, join the queue, and back in the pen..
And we are off, I started ok, I had 2 targets in mind, sub 4 hrs, or worst case, beat last year 4.13,
So I know I have to run worse case scenario 9 min miles, which is more or less my normal pace….but for how long does the A) Tendon stay pain free B) fitness hold out.
I have everything planned, drink water regularly, little amounts, energy drinks x 2 10 and 20 miles, and energy gels at every 5 miles.
The first 5 miles went past very normally, no real problems, after 5 miles I guestimate I was 90 seconds down to sub 4hrs, but didn’t want to give too much too early happy to stay with that pace, all felt comfortable.
10 miles and all going well still, my ankle felt thick which made me feel apprehensive, but still just a couple of minutes down, on sub 4hr.
Truth be told, I got a bit bored at this stage, and lost concentration then that lead to me feeling tired. All of a sudden Felix’s question sprang to mind, and that certainly got me going….
I was looking forward to halfway for obvious reasons, but also because my Brother Paul was going to be there, and judging by how I felt I could do with a friendly face….he would have been delighted to see me, as I him, but it wasn’t to be, over the bridge (London) I go and I am close to the left, but at mile 15 going onto the Isle of Dogs I realise I missed him, I hear my phone ring, and I know damn well who it is!
At about 15 miles I can see my time starting to slip, but I felt so strong at the pace I was going, I really didn’t want to speed up and burn out, I still had 10 miles to go, and am feeling very aware of my ankle, but its ok!
I am taking showers on course, dousing myself in water and drinking little and very often…I felt ok!
It was certainly warming up!
20-25 seem to drag, at 25 I know I have all my children to see, Feralyn, Her Aunt (Ganty) brother and sister in law.
My quads/glutes I don’t know (the muscles at the top fronts of your thigh’s) really started to cease up and tighten, I had read an article that it isn’t soft to stop and stretch as this is what they will need! Well I pulled over so to speak, pulled my foot to by bum to stretch, well my leg went in to a massive cramp…well that won’t work, so I squat down as if looking at an 18 footer on a green,(which I would miss) and just bounce a little to stretch…boy it felt really good!
My time for sub 4 hours had gone and I realised that, but I was still on track to beat last year, and let’s face it 4 weeks ago, I couldn’t run 6 miles without pain!
On I go, grinding out mile after mile, it’s at this point you really need support, and it was phenomenal, due to the great weather, a huge turnout, an impressive number of spectators egging cheering you on!
The embankment is fantastic, running down there I felt strong, my ankle had just stayed feeling thick./tight since mile 10, no better, no worse, my family are just 1.5 miles up the road, I'm sure I actually speeded up!
Embankment station, London Eye, Cleopatra’s Needle, and I see them, all my little lot waving, cheering clapping…an absolute tonic! I don’t stop this year, time is against me, and even at this point I'm convinced I'm in under last years’ time!
Houses of Parliament and up birdcage walk, its tight…I know it is…a bloody chicken comes flying up the inside, to huge applause from the crowds, he’s having a ball, while some of us are giving it our all!
I think it’s the 0.2 of a mile I hadn’t worked out, the 26 miles was no problem( as such), I crossed the line in 4.15, just 90 seconds over last year!
Between you and me I was gutted, I picked up my medal, and burst in to tears, bloody emotional things marathons you know, all I could think about was what Felix had asked me….Will I try my best?
And I think I did him proud!....bloody annoyed about missing my times though!

Theres always next year! I'm still running!

Thanks for reading!

Here we go!

After 4 months of training, and about 400 miles run! this is what its all about! I have acheived 1 target for my sponsors and that is over £1000 raised for Pepenbury. This weekend I am mostly eating carbohydrates and drinking lots of water, The weather looks like it could be kind, 16 and sunny! My other target to break 4hrs...I honestsly have no idea, with the problems i've had with my tendon....but who cares, i'm up for agood day out, and I've got loads of people on the course to come and cheer me on! I will obviously let you know how it goes, Im off to pick my numbers up! 51315 thats me! Thank you for reading these, I hope I've raised a small smile somewhere along the way...its all for charity dont forget, and its not too late to sponsor me! and win 1 of 8 fantastic prizes....

1. Dinner @ Thackerys


2. Lunch @Rendevous


3. Over night stay @Hotel Du Vin Tunbridge Wells


4. £600.00 of home decorations


5. Indian Meal At The Spice Tunbridge Wells


6. Parking Sensor Kit for a car


7. Annual pass for a family of 4 @ Hever Castle


8. Cosmetic Hamper from Fenwick

Race Week!

I am feeling mixed emotions, I love this weather, but I want it to cool down rapidly for 1 day next week!
This is the week I have mostly been looking forward to, after 16 weeks of training, albeit on and off, fundraising on 2 levels, it comes to a head this weekend.
I have achieved my target for Pepenbury, over £1000 and still going! So a massive thank you to all of you who have so very generously donated, I will think of all of you as I plod around the course on Sunday.
Your money will make a huge difference to the project!
This weekend I did 2 runs, a little 4 miles on Saturday morning, and then an 11 miler on Sunday. Again I went out early at 6.15 and I can’t believe that I am even saying this…I sound like such a Dad! It is the best time of the day, no doubt, birds are making an incredible racquet, light but Sun not up, with a beautiful red glow from the high cloud, and god is it peaceful! Absolute joy! Then the sun rise and it is glorious, makes me want to stop and take it all in……can’t stop….must run……
The run was fine, I mean my tendon, a little spasm type thing every now and then, but the exercises are working fine!
So this week, diet is key, and I need to drink water…lots of water, breakfast all week will be high fibre museli, lunch, fish based pasta dishes, dinner-something else but you get my drift….
So I can comfortably do 11 miles, double that is going to be tough , then add another 4 or so miles that is crunch time!

I will post up a few more writings this week, so do come back and have a look!

If you would like to sponsor me you have until 2pm on Sunday to be in the Draw….
www.justgiving.com/jonathanhodge

See you soon….gotta run!

Not Long....

Well at least the suns out!
Makes for nicer training…I have been running again, and a lot of cross training, I’ve only had 2 days off training in the last 10 days…I think?
Today is going to be a 10k run maybe more, my ankle seems absolutely fine, I had a session with Kirsty on Monday evening, and she strapped it up with some oxide tape, just to keep my tendon straighter.
Not looking forward to ripping it off….
I am still very apprehensive of how fit I am….26.2 miles is a bloody long way, and although I have already run over 20 miles 6 weeks ago, and 2 x 18’s and countless 13/14’s I'm still intrigued as to how I am going to feel at mile 18-22, that’s wall territory!
Well there’s only one way to find out!
Positive mental thought! Keep calm and Carry on!

In other news…
• Kitchen is being fitted this week
• No news form either Elliot in Peru or Imogen Skiing in Italy
• Felix is going to School as Superman tomorrow, (Hero’s and Villain’s Day)
• Ottilie is looking forward to the Dentist this afternoon
• And my potatoes are in at the allotment!
• Feralyn is looking forward to 2 weeks off next week….she has been flat out!

13 Days to go

I cant help but feel that I have cheated, I did so much more training last year, but due to this tendon thing, I haven't been able to do as much as I would have liked.... Saying that I have managed to do a big xtrain session this weekend (2hrs and forgot my headphones which was bloody annoying)! and a 14 mile run.

In an ideal world I would like to do another 20 miler, but I think its too late for that, now its just short runs and trying to stay fit and making the start line. I decided, slightly unprepared to go out very early on Saturday morning.

I woke at about 5ish, and mentally went through my weekend, as you do..... and felt with all thats going on, its easier just to get up and get it done! It was cracking! the weather was glorious, I did 2 10k laps with a little bolt on at either end, on the tendon pain scale it wasnt even a 2, it felt just slightly thick!

Fitness wise felt ok too, could of carried on a while, and all things considered, no drinks or energy gels, just running, I was pleased. This week, I have xtrain sessions, and short steady runs, I am seeing the sports physio, (kirsty) on Monday evening, and will see her 2/3 more times and once after too. Its really not long to go, under 2 weeks

Sponsorship has done well, but would love to hit £1000 before I run... well worth a look if you fancy winning some prizes.

Prizes are listed below....

To Donate/sponsor me please click the Just Giving Link to your right....



The charity for which I am running this year is a local cause.
http://www.pepenbury.info/


The Pepenbury Community is a residential and day care services for adults with learning disabilities. This includes a community of 70 people on the edge of Tunbridge Wells, in the unspoiled countryside of the Weald at Pembury as well as serving others in the West Kent area.
I run here all the time, its beautiful!

The actual project I will be supporting or focusing on will be updating the coffee shop/seating area and garden centre/nursery area, so the residents who run and work there can better interact with the general public, and gain confidence with the outside world as such, then hopefully give them the interpersonal qualities needed to be self-sufficient living in the community.

So……..
As I hammered a lot of people last year for sponsorship, I have decided to raise monies slightly differently, and have a prize draw for sponsors, £5 will get a ticket and the predictable £26.20 sponsor will get 6 tickets!
I have the following prizes which have been kindly donated; there are also more to add.
I will draw the winners on April 17th in the evening, following the run…so please dig deep and be lucky!

1. Dinner At Thackerys Tunbridge Wells (Beautiful)
2. Overnight stay At Hotel Du Vin Tunbridge Wells
3. Dinner at Rendezvous French Brassiere
4. Cosmetic Hamper from Fenwick Tunbridge Wells
5. Indian Meal or Takeaway at The Spice Tunbridge Wells for 2
6. Family Ticket to Hever Castle and Grounds for a Year!
7. Dolphin Parking sensor kit Brand New worth over £100.00
8. £600.00 of home decorations (you choose) donated by Gisela Graham

Thanks for reading, and rest assured I will do my best!

Stretch...

So as instructed, Ive been told to stretch and stretch and stretch again, which has helped no end.I have also been given permission to go out on a substantial run, which I duly did. Crept out early before work yesterday and did a standard 10k loop. I ran very aware of what I might feel, almost imagining a feeling of some sort. Got to about 4 miles and realised I wasn't imagining it, there was defiantly some tightness, but nothing like it was, it stayed at that same level. When I was going through with Kirsty (Sports Therapist) my issues, she asked me on a level 1-10, 10 being terrible, what level was the pain? before I would have said 4-5, yesterday I hit 1-2. Its becoming physiological I'm sure! Today I am going to attempt a 2 hr cross train session and a small run on the treadmill, in prep for a 12-18 miler at the weekend. In other News.

• Imogen is off to Italy tomorrow skiing.


• The patio doors are in at home.


• Felix and Ottilie are doing very at school following the open evening last night


• Feralyn has been to school today making a crown with tissue paper


• Elliot is going on an Inca Trail in Peru this weekend.

What a difference a week makes

I can’t believe that last Wednesday I thought that I was never going to run again before the London Marathon, now, I have just been told to take today off of training, and go for a gentle 5-6 miles tomorrow, but to listen to my body, and take it real easy… I'm thrilled and nervous, if all goes well, then I am going to attempt either 6/12/18 miles at the weekend. But I’ve not been slacking at all…..

• Friday- x Trainer for 45 mins


• Saturday – x trainer for 45 mins- 1 mile run and weights


• Sunday – x trainer for 1 hr 1.5mile run


• Monday – Outside 1.5 mile run


• Tuesday – 1hr.15mins on the x trainer plus 2 mile run


• Today off


• Thursday 6 miles


• Friday x train and gym


• Saturday Off


• Sunday 6 - 12 - 18 mile very slow run

Will quite literally keep you posted……..

Tedster

Sadly we had to have our lovely Ted put down at the weekend, he wasnt getting any better, but was a happy cat.....

Pesky Ankle.....

Not long to go now, but I am being plagued by this acute tendonitis.

Let me tell you…...it has been niggling me for a while now, and I have been giving it various amounts of rest between runs, not too much benefit though.

Sitting on a train and after doing some internet research, I came up with the miraculous plan of an ankle strap. I had seen them on line and realised I was going past a Runners Need in the West End, or “Up West” as they say in East Enders, not that I watch it!

In I go, guy very helpful, sells me strap, I'm very happy and feeling very optimistic….off I go in the evening, (last Wednesday) for a little 5 miler just to see, knowing I can double back if I need to. Well I limped home, after running the last 3 miles thinking, I’ve 2 choices here, defer my place till next year or don’t run until Marathon day….needless to say it really hurt!

The next day it was still stiff and swollen, so I made my mind up to talk to a few runners, and via twitter found an injury Clinic in Tunbridge Wells, above a café and lifestyle place called Achieve More. I phoned, made an apt and went to see what I could see see see.

Kirsty was great, cracking coffee as well! Do try if you’re in town. I have never had any type of massage or treatment like this before, so I wouldn’t say I was sceptical but what can she do that I could not! Going through all the gory detail, she told me the strap I brought was the worst thing I could have done, and that she felt that with a few treatments, and stretches, I should be ok to run. She rubbed, squeezed, pinched, slapped, poked and massaged my lower leg, ankle and foot and although I don’t think I will be breaking records this year, there is a real possibility of me running well again. Under 4 surely…please!

My only problem now is training on a dodgy ankle, I have been feeling a bit nervous, as although I have been doing the weekly runs and fitness regime, not to speed mind you, I haven’t been able to do the “Long Runs” the endurance stuff, I have missed 4 now, and realistically I'm not going to get another one in…too close on a bad ankle.

So my plan is to use a cross trainer as my main form of exercise and increase the runs very carefully. I have already done 3 big cross train sessions and have started to run again on the treadmill slowly to begin with, I'm up to a heady 1.5 miles at the mo…but the good news is that I have not felt anything from the tendon at all! Which compared to where I was last week, a ruddy miracle! So onward I go,

Sponsorship is going well, lost count a bit but I'm nearly up to £700…so thank you to all who have supported me thus far, it’s a real joy when I get an email from Just giving saying someone has donated.

In other news…

• Elliot is having a fantastic time in Lima

• Feralyn keeps walking around the house singing “Carmen” I reply “I Love You”

• Imogen was in Carmen last week, and thoroughly enjoyed it..so did I!

• Felix helped me build a frame to keep the Deer out of my strawberries this year

• Ottilie looks very French in her new fitted navy blue coat! “Says Ottilie in French accent”

• Hopefully the new patio doors are going in this week?

• I am busy……

Thanks for reading; let’s see how I get on!

Jonathan.

4 weeks....

I'm running again, albeit tentatively and when I can, I seem to have so much on at the moment; I really need to have a 36hr day.
As far as training goes, I am regularly going out, I have had two weekends off long runs, (1 resting and 1 away on business) in the hope that my Achilles may settle down, which it has to some extent. However I am well aware it’s not right, so….one day I run early in the morning and the next day I run in the evening, to try and give it some rest.
Now it doesn’t hurt yet, but it makes me nervous for 2 reasons:

• I can’t run the London Marathon if it gets worse, which quite frankly makes me shudder.
• Getting stuck out somewhere on a loop and have to walk home, all deflated and pathetic like.

My game plan is to train as normal this week, gently, not too fast, and at the weekend attempt a 14 mile loop, followed by a 6 mile loop. if I feel I can finish it. There is also an option to come back after about 8 miles should I need too.
It really annoys me, because I feel fighting fit elsewhere and its really nice to run at the moment…am I going on about this…..sorry!

If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated….

In Other News…

• My dad has been given the all clear and has to go and see the doctor in 3 months!
• Elliot seems to have settled in to life in Lima, Peru, met nice people, good accommodation and nice food!
• Imogen is singing in the choir this week, with her school, they are performing Bizet’s Carmen
• Felix and Ottilie went to the Natural History Museum on Monday to see the Dinosaurs.
• Feralyn has a very important meeting today, which she painted her nails for!
• Ted the Cat still poorly, but still eating and purring, am watching closely.
• And I am organising kitchen fitters and builders…ha! As if they listen!

Thanks for reading, I know some of you are, I’m aware it’s a flaff to leave a comment, but I know from verbal feedback, some of you find it vaguely amusing! Either that or your good!

You know I am raising money for the charity Pepenbury in Tunbridge Wells; I have put a target in of £1000 which I will achieve, no doubt.
But there are also lots of prizes for you to win, I'm not just taking the sponsorship, I'm giving back as well!
All of these have been generously donated, and you can go to the relevant website by clicking the links on the right!


1. Dinner At Thackerys Tunbridge Wells including wine (Beautiful)
2. Overnight stay At Hotel Du Vin Tunbridge Wells including breakfast.
3. Dinner or lunch at Rendezvous French Brassiere.
4. £600 pounds worth of home decorations donated by Gisella Graham
(Chosen by you from their showroom in London)
5. Cosmetic Hamper from Fenwick Tunbridge Wells
6. Indian Meal or Takeaway at the Spice Tunbridge Wells for 2
7. Family Ticket to Hever Castle and Grounds for a Year, yes a year!
8. Dolphin parking sensor kit Brand New worth over £100.00, for all you rubbish parkers out there!

www.justgiving.com/Jonathanhodge

http://www.pepenbury.info/

Hope you are all well, and enjoying the weather!

Speak soon

Jonathan

Back on track....

I had a great run tonight! Feel brilliant for it, 5k up hill all the way! Wasn't the fastest, but not a niggle from my tendon! Tres happy!

Non Runner!

This is my second marathon, and this weekend was the 1st weekend that I couldn't run.
When running last Thursday, I felt a niggle on my Achilles tendon, well I think it was about that area, any how, I decided that the long run at the weekend shouldn't take place. Listen top your body I thought, I was due another 20 miler.
With "Operation Run Abandoned" in place, I took the option to rest it completely, which added to my social life no end.......
Movie premiere in Tunbridge Wells Friday night, followed by a full day with the Children on Saturday throw in a night with Dreadzone at the Forum, finished off with a leavers lunch at ours for Elliot!
I am shattered!
To cap it off I'm cooking for Ferlayn and 4 of her friends tonight!

Did I mention I was up at 4 this morning for an airport run.......night nightzzzzzzzz

A note to my sponsors, Normal service has been resumed, I will be running 1st thing in the morning!

In other News.

• Elliot (pictured) has become our South American Correspondent, and embarked on charitable work in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
• Ted the Cat is very poorly and it has become a metter of time..
• Felix has discovered the joy of digging with me at the Allotment(How long will this last)?
• Ottilie has discovered she is warmer if she sits on the deckchair in the shed at the Allotment.
• Imogen is a peach and is getting very excited about Skiing, and her leg is much better.
• Feralyn is busy planning what colour to paint the units of the kitchen.

Thanks for reading, sorry for the grammer!

Weekend Long Run Abandoned

This weekend I am supposed to be running 20+ miles...now I'm not, my achilies in my right leg is sore and feeling....well not right!

so I have made the decision, no running today at all, to do gentle runs every day, till Thursday next week, but take every run as it comes...

Then next week, Im off to Italy, so I hope to resume normal training a week Monday!

This is my first setback in two Marathons, so I'm not too concerned at this point!

On Target

This week I am mostly feeling confident about London 2011.....I have a little niggle on my right Achilles Tendon, but apart from that, I'm feeling fit!
Sponsorship has done well this week, and am also pleased with the comments coming back from my blog.. Nearly 500 hits...will I crack a 1000?
Training wise this week I am on target, 4 runs during the week, a gym session, a long run at the weekend, no Alcohol, and a sensible diet.

In other news...

• Elliot has had a haircut and is T- 3 days till Peru.
• Imogen's leg is a whole lot better, and back at Gym.
• Feralyn went off to work with very pink lipstick.
• Ted the Cat has a check up at the VET in the morning...not great :-(
• Felix and Ottilie are going to school tomorrow in Pyjamas for Comic Relief.
• I am decorating Felix's bedroom and he will be in by the weekend!
• My dad goes back in to hospital today for his nodules....

Beaten...

What can I say...gutted!

Change of Plan

Having my long run on a Sunday morning is wrong….it takes so much of the weekend, the planning, diet the low profile social life, I felt this week that I was going to try to do it on Saturday Morning, the only drawback is that I have to get back for 9.30am which means an extremely early start.

Mentally Prepared....

Alarm goes off at 5.30, drag myself downstairs for a cup of tea, Felix decides to join me which is nice, I have someone to talk to, we talk about what’s happening in the day, while I get ready. Party talk....

I have a bit to carry today, so I opt for my bum bag…attractive eh! carbo gels x 4, gum, plasters, phone (I’ll come back to that) couple of drinks, 1 to stash and 1 to carry.
Ready to go at 6.27am and off I go…..I’m not going to give you a blow by blow account, but it was a good LSR (long slow run).

1 loop of 14 miles and another of 6 miles and then just bolted on a long cut home, so I am thinking it was about 21 miles in 3hrs 10.

It’s really nice having the weather and light in the morning…Spring is definitely here, flora and fauna is bursting at the moment , crocus, snowdrops, Forsythia are blooming, even a few Daffs are out! And the buds on the shrubs and trees are getting fatter every week!
Loads of wildlife out also, few late to bed foxes, young deer, birds, squirrels and rabbits that rustle in the bushes as you run past, always make me jump.
It’s a nice time to be out…shame I got to run!

Now whether it was the fact that at 9.30am on a Saturday morning I have finished my run for the weekend and I can relax a little….or the prep for the run (Have run 50 miles in 6 days) that I feel so good, I'm not sure, but it’s done for another week, and I'm feeling like I'm quite organised, injury free and another 3 runs at least of 20+ miles, last year I only did 1 20+ and felt I should have done more.
Back to the phone, as I was taking my phone for safety (20 miles is a long way) I decided to have another go at the music thing, not that I would race with music, but training is ok for company, I opted for 3 albums, 2 x Beatles, White and a demo album and a Badly drawn boy (feed the fish).
It worked really well, it was like having the radio on the background…much better than last week, the house music must of sent me in to a sickening trance!

This week I have 4 runs midweek and another long run next weekend funnily enough! (Saturday though).

Fundraising for Pepenbury is about on target , Nearly half way I have been extremely fortunate with the prizes that people have donated that you can win by simply following the link to my justgiving site on your right!
Pepenbury Community - residential and day care services for adults with learning disabilities.
This includes a community of 70 people on the edge of Tunbridge Wells, (Where I run) in the unspoiled countryside of the Weald at Pembury.
The actual project I will be supporting will be updating the coffee shop/seating area and garden centre/nursery area, so the residents who run and work there can better interact with the general public, gain confidence with the outside world as such, then hopefully give them the interpersonal qualities needed to be self-sufficient living in the community.

In other news:
Imogen has had her stiches out, which is good!
Elliot is on T- minus 7 days till his South America trip for 5 months
Felix and Ottilie have been to 2 parties this weekend, and love balloons!
Feralyn has had Saturday off…and believe me that is news! (Did work Sunday though) Boooo!
I did lots of jobs done on the Allotment, with much help from little helpers.

Thanks for reading…..

A Rendevous...

Had a lovely meal last night at Le Rendezvous in Tunbridge Wells. it was our annual Residents assoc dinner, Tom Carmichael organised it, and he was on fine form, had me chuckling all night! he had this sound gadget which had about 15 sound effects on it, ranging from wolf whistle, tills ringing, breaking glass, farting etc, he kept it in his pocket and added sound effects to everyone conversations! Tres Funny!
Staff there are fab and food brill, great wine too Tom (waiter) very knowledgeable, and Mark (Chef, Owner)came and said hi! starters ranged from a Chicken Liver Parfait- Battered squid with chili dressing and mango....Beautiful!
This place has it all, Great food, freshly cooked, great staff who don't get moody if you only want to pop in for a cup of tea at lunch time, and the atmosphere is very relaxed, true brassiere style...highly recommend!
good fun had by all.

Rendezvous have generously donated a prize (dinner for 2 with a carafe of wine) to my sponsors that you could win should you click the link on the right (just giving) and sponsor me.
Back to business, rested my ankle today and will be running tonight, and tomorrow, with a 20 miler planned for Saturday morning, with a bit of luck i will be off at about 6ish!

In other news.

• Got back to back meetings today


• Felix got himself dressed this morning


• Ottilie didn't want to get up


• Imogens stitches have been scheduled to come out on Friday


• Elliot has got the right hump over Manchester United Losing last night


• Feralyn is in London today with a Fenwick


• And I am going to start decorating Felix's room tonight.

Thats it for now.......

That was hard...

• 
  6 am this morning, dragged myself up, had a cup off tea, pulled my trainers on! brushed teeth and went for a run.
  My Achilles was sore, sounds so knowledgeable...that bit below the calf...feels like a tendon. So I just jogged, around the block, and past the allotment, a little 25 Min's, but mentally felt strong...I bloody did it! Its hard work getting up and going out 1st thing before getting the kids ready and getting to work!
  
  In other news,
  
  Residents dinner this evening.
  Imogen starts the Carmen rehearsals tonight
  Elliot starts malaria medicine
  Ted the cat has cancer and is on steroids
  Ottilie brushed her own hair this morning
  Feralyn has a big meeting at work
  oh and we are having french doors fitted....soonish

Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon

The Tunbridge Wells half marathon this weekend, 2200 entrants, and what a difference a year makes!
Last year howling a gale, and pouring with rain versus sunny and blue skies this year.
I had been pinning a lot on this run, when I did this last year I had never run this distance before.. So I should be well ahead of the game.
A had a few targets.

1. Beat last year 1hr.51 mins
2. Run 1hr.4?mins
3. Maybe 1hr.3?mins

I actually ran 1hr 45 mins. So I am happy with that.
For a change I decided to run with music.,. Which quite frankly did my head in! I nearly had a white out. I had to turn it off and slow right down for a while!
Once I had composed myself I felt fine and finished strong. I came 708th! Get in!
I have a lot of running to do this month. Five long runs to go every weekend of over 20 miles each run. And in the week, I will be running 4-5 times, whether that’s mornings or evenings…the light helps now!
I'm going to try and write a little more on the blog, so keep em peeled!
Thank you to my sponsors who have donated prizes for my sponsors to win…
Let me explain. You donate £5.00 to my charity Pepenbury, (click the link on the right) you get a ticket to win one of the prizes below
You donate £10.00 you get 2 tickets and so on
You donate 26.20 (marathon miles) you get a bonus ticket = 6 tickets….etc
Prize List kindly donated by each business
1. Dinner At Thackerys Tunbridge Wells including wine (Beautiful)
2. Overnight stay At Hotel Du Vin Tunbridge Wells
3. Dinner or lunch at Rendezvous French Brassiere
4. £600 pounds worth of home decorations donated by Gisella Graham
(chosen by you from their showroom in London)
5. Cosmetic Hamper from Fenwick Tunbridge Wells
6. Indian Meal or Takeaway at The Spice Tunbridge Wells for 2
7. Family Ticket to Hever Castle and Grounds for a Year, yes a year!
8. Dolphin Parking sensor kit Brand New worth over £100.00, for all you rubbish parkers out there!

For a chance of winning one of these fab prizes donate my going to the Just Giving link on the right of this page
http://www.justgiving.com/Jonathanhodge


In other news…..
Feralyn survived half/term,
Elliot is going to South America in 2 weeks time for 5 months.
Ted the Cat is ill, and under a VET (new Mortgage applied for)
Imogen fell off a treadmill and in to a glass cabinet- Chelmsford A&E and emergency services are fantastic!
Felix is enjoying his new Yo yo
Ottilie is brushing her hair to within an inch of its life for stars on her star chart.
Our house is a lot tidier now the builders have gone, for now….
And Arsenal disappointed me yesterday!

Did It!

A little run this morning, really didnt want to go out, I was sittiing watching the news and the terrible earthquake in NZ. We have family in the North Island, Aukland, but im sure they have many many friends in the south!

Any how went running 1st light didnt want to go, didnt want to come back! one of those runs...cleared the mind....I have a bloody busy week, and Im feeling shit, that Feralyn is at home with the kids in what can only be described as 1/2 building site......#musttryharder