Nice flight pity about the airports

I've now made 9 trips to the states on Business in the past 4 and a bit years, so I've racked up some airmiles, not a lot by some peoples standards but enough for the occasional points upgrade into Business Class. Last nights flight was one of those trips where I treated myself to an upgrade. When I called to make the change I was told by the operator to go buy a lottery ticket as I had just got the last seat in Business.

Went off to the airport (Dulles @ Washington) after some last minute shopping at one of the big Malls. As my company puts a lot ( and I mean a lot - think large American Corporation ) of business United Airlines way everyone gets a silver card which means we get to check-in at Business desks instead of at the economy desks -saves queing well thats the theory. For some unknown reason it took me 15 minutes to check-in by the time I'd checked in it was was 35 minutes before boarding time and I was so looking forward to the Red Carpet lounge. That was until I saw the queue to go through security - another 25 minutes down the tubes.

Dulles has a really weird way of moving people around the airport, its gates are like islands in the middle of the airport away from the main building and you reach them by these funny looking bus things, another 5 minutes wasted, I actually reached the gate as they were calling the plane to board. So I just walked straight onboard. It was at this point things started looking up - now I'll warn you now, If you have only ever flown by cattle class then you may want to stop reading.....

So get on the plane sit yourself down workout what each of the half dozen seat adjustment controls do when a stewardess comes round bearing a tray of drinks (btw we are still at the gate)

"What would you like sir?"
"Oh I'll have the champagne"

Just after take off another stewardess comes round
"Mr W - what would you for dinner?" Note she calls me by my name
I peruse the menu and decide on the shrimp and parma ham starter, followed by the Chicken. The menu also lists the 8 different wines on offer.

Then drinks service
"What would you like sir?"
"Do you have a single malt?"
"Glenlivet ok sir?"
"Yes please"
"Be careful of the bowl of peanuts sir, they were in the oven slightly too long"

10 minutes later

"Another Glenlivet sir?"
"Perhaps not 2 before dinner but maybe after dinner"

Dinner Time, Stewardess comes and asks me to pull out my tray from the seat arm, after I do this she then puts a minature table cloth over the tray and asks "What dressing would you like on your salad - Ceasar or Balsamic?"
A very nice tray with real crockery arrives in front of me with just the starter and salad. Another stewardess arrives and asks which wine I would like and proceeds to pour it from a proper bottle rather than these horrible minatures into a proper wine glass.

The main course was also very nice, and then it was time for the ice cream or cheese board. The stewardess with the pre-dinner drinks reappears " Would you like that Glenlivet now sir?" "oh yes please" Proceed to polish that off, watch the end of "Master and Commander", set my chair to near enough horizontal, extend the leg rest, put in the ear plugs and put on the supplied blindfold and go to sleep.

Wake up a good few hours later with a full glass of water by my side (I'm sure it was half empy when I went to sleep) and was served a very nice fruit salad and croissant. There is also an invite to use the Fast Track through immigration oh yes no queing I think.

Arrive at Heathrow a little early and scurry of to immigration, hand in my invite for Fast Track and join the queue of about 15 people. 10 minutes later I'm still standing there. Finally decide that I'd be quicker going through the usual channel which it was - so much for Fast Track!!.

Finally get to Baggage to find my bag sitting by the side with its nice bright Prioirty tag while everyone else is waiting for theirs to arrive on the baggage belt. Then off to met the taxi driver off home a very pampered Rob.

I did some counting First and Business class on a United 777 has a total of 61 passengers, we had 7 or eight cabin crew to look after us. Economy has 197 passengers with 5 or 6 cabin crew no I understand why a Business class seat is about 5 to 6 time more expensive than economy!!

Orange Suits and Shackles

Well I watched "The Game" last night up to half time, but I was falling asleep. Not sure if it was the jet lag or the couple of beers that I had. I think it was the jet lag myself.

Didn't go swimming as it seems that the outdoor pool has been shut down for the season and couldn't quite bring myself to go running either.

Due to National Security projects that my company carries out at head office, I have to be escorted everywhere I go and I mean everywhere!! In fact if the company had its way they would dress me in Orange Suit and be shackled with a man walking in front of me shouting "Dead Man Walking!" To say it causes a bit of resentment/embarassment is a mild understatement!

Rant over time to go, meeting a work colleague for some drinks and dinner.

Foreign Lands

Well I've safely arrived in the Good ole US of A. Flight was fairly uneventful except for the 5 minutes of bad turbulance just as I'd been given a cup of coffee by the Cabin Crew. I'm sure it'll come out of the carpet. Suffering from a bit from Jet Lag went to bed about 22:30 local (03:30 BST), woke up at 03:00 Local arghh "time to get up" says the body - "no its not" says the brain, "tough I win" says the body. I probably pay for that this afternoon, when I try and avoid falling asleep during a meeting.

I did pack some running kit, through the treadys in the hotel look a bit naff. Following the advice from Cath and Pix, I'm wearing in my ortho's today in an older pair of running shoes so far no problems. Don't think I'll go for a run today but the outdoor swimming pool looks nice as long as it doesn't rain.

I plan to do the Homer Simpson thing this evening. Get a couple of beers and sit in front of the TV watching "The Football Game" that will put me to sleep if anything does.

Running with orthos

Managed to sneak out early this morning to try my new orthos. As promised I kept it short 3 miles. I started off being aware of soemthing under my foot but as the run went on I became less aware of it. 3 miles was about right though left heel was begin to feel as if it was going to blister. This is probably because I had to loosen my lacing right off to get my foot in with the ortho in place, and my heel was being allowed to slip up and down in the shoe. Couple more gentle runs will allow me to sort out the tightness of the laces.

Apart from that it's been quite quiet in the W household. Took BigW to a weekend cub camp this morning and MrsW was working this afternoon. That left me and the 2 smaller W's to occupy ourselves. Decided to make use of our new English Heritage membership and took them inside the Keep at Portchester Castle. Climbed all the way up mostly through these very tight medieval staircases. Nice view from the top though.

Orthos are here

I've got my orthos. The instructions say break them in gently so that the body can make the adjustments it needs. Other good news is the Chiro is quite happy with my pelvis. It's been back in line for about a month now without the need for any adjustments, so I don't need to go and see him anymore.

I'm planning a short run tomorrow morning with the Orthos. After that its a week of work imposed rest, flying out to the USA on Sunday. Fortunately nowhere near Texas or Louisiana. Given the high tempratures and humidity with a bit of jet lag thrown in I decided running would be a seriously bad idea. Of course its going to be a tough trip, so far I have one lunch meeting and one evening drinks sessions organised with colleagues.

Quick Edit

This post is only 10 minutes old and I got 3 bits of comment spam, so I've turned on Word Verification, if anyone wants to leave a comment Blogger will ask them to type in the word it displays.

The Guantlet has been thrown!!

Speaking to one of my work colleagues that ran the New Forest Marathon on Sunday, He recorded a time of just under 3hr 47min. Thats almost 35 minutes faster than my FLM time (OK I wasn't great on the day). What's worse was he wasn't even that stiff afterwards perhaps a good job as he then spent the next 3 days in Paris on business. He's even thinking of running London, well that's that then I'm even more sure about entering London. Tha brings the total FLM ballot entrants to 3, me, "The Master" (mr 3hr 47) and Big Boss.

I took the opportunity of making a suggestion if we are not successul in gettting into London, why don't we have a lads weekend in Paris the week before? I could see the idea grow in their minds, Lets see what the FLM ballot brings.

BTW Thanks for the encouragement folks. My running rehabilition continues, 4 miles on the tready at lunchtime. Wore the HRM to see how bad things were. In the end it turned out quite well. 4 miles in 36:35 with an Ave HR of 145. The HR started to climb in the last mile but I put that down to the fact that Gym Babe (sorry for being a red blooded male) came into the gym and started using the Tready next to me. Distractions distractions.

Comparing

Looked back at my running log for last year and was pleasantly surprised.

This time last year I hadn't quite started running again after a long time off with a bad case of couldn't be bothered. I was also 5lbs heavier than I am now ( and I feel fat just now ). I was however able to build this up to 40 miles a week by the end of the year and 5 lbs lighter than I am now.

That little comparision tells me a lot, I remember what I felt like when I started running again last year and it was a lot worse than it is just now, yet I went one to be able to do some serious training and enjoyed it. All I need is to enter a BIG race, something to focus on, something to strife towards. Well thats got to be a marathon, now where did I put my FLM forms?

Let battle commence!!

First Day

Yesterday was LittleW's first day ( or more precise morning ) at school. He looked so cute in his school uniform. I had decided to work from in the morning as I wanted to walk him and the bigger 2 to school. As usual bit of an odd experience, we go into the classroom, find where his reading packet and jumper should go. He then sat down and we put his little name badge on him and leave him to it. He gives a little wave and then sits and watches what is going on around him - aaawww.

Picked him at lunchtime to find that he was a bit disappointed to find that he wasn't staying for lunch - full days don't start until next week.

So with all that I didn't manage to fit a run in yesterday but I did today, more or less a repeat of Friday except just a little further (3.28 miles) in exactly 30 minutes. The PF gfave me no bother at all, it was just the general lack of shape that gave me the problem. I'll just have to steadily work at that over the coming weeks. I'll aim to do the same session on Thursday with possibly another on Saturday. With a gentle build up of the number of runs and mileage I should be back to normal service by the end of October - just in time to start a marathon training programme again. Problem is I haven't entered any yet!!

No ill effects

So its the morning after. PF was a little sore yesterday evening but has calmed back down overnight. I'm not out of the woods yet but I think the trees are clearing. With a bit of luck my orthois may arrive next week as well so that will help.

Thoughts are now seriously turning to racing. I've still got next years London Marathoin entry form do I or don't I? I've got 4 weeks to decide. I'd like to do the Gosport Half in November but I don't think I'll get myself into good enough shape in the time left to do it justice. The Victory 5 in early December is a better bet, my base fitness will be able to cope with distance and 12 weeks is ample time to get some spped work done.

Hmm Where did MrsW put my Runners World race diary??.....

I've been running

Yes its true I've been able to go for a run!!!

Very controlled circumstances - 3 miles on the treadmill with a maximum pace of 9 min/mile. The PF was OK couple of twinges and grumbles but nothing too bad, in fact I had more problems with reflux than the PF.

Next couple of hours could be telling for the PF injury and my return to running. If I don't get a severe reaction then I'll schedule another 3 miler for Sunday or Monday.

Fingers crossed.

Sleeping easier at night now.

I used to play cricket when I was a kid in Scotland and can remember Bob Willis spraying some poor Austrialian wicket all over Headingley and looking back to the umpire to ensure it wasn't a no-ball. Then there has been the hell of the past 5 days! What a way to go, look as if we were going to throw it away on the last day then in steps Pietersen. What a performance. Anyway the upshot of it is that last night was the best night's sleep I've had in a week!!

Now that if done the Ashes bit what else have I been up to?

Last week was very busy week for the Social Diary

Saw King Lear at Chichester Theatre - not a great Shakespeare man myself just about made out Lear was going mad the Daughters were scheming what not's and that most of the cast were dead by the end of the play. Anyway enjoyed that.

Comapny BBQ, Pitch black by the time food was served, but then what can you expect for an evening in September - food was great, the free wine was even better. Locally produced as well, need to head back out to the vineyard and get a couple of bottles.

LittleW turned 5 - Party at the local leisure centre using their bouncy castle and play equipment. Due to some refurbishment work the party room wasn't available so they gave us a squash court to have the eating part in. Hopefully they'll give it a good clean out!!

Still not run though I joined in briefly for BigW's bleep test training at Rugby. Foot was a little sore but held up. In fact I was quite pleased, pleased enough to pack my running kit for work. Short 1 mile or so on the treadmill is planned at luchtime. Fingers crossed!

Lunchtime Update
No Run :<( Got dragged into a meeting which didn't finish till 12:30 then realised I had to eat in the canteen as there is no meal service on offer this evening (MrsW out the night)

Stop - your scaring me

This should have gone out on Friday - Saved it to drafts by mistake....

Bumped into a triathlete friend of mine in the coffee lounge at work and asked him about what sort of training I should do for a duathlon. I was expecting the long slow bike runs to build up endurance with a couple of speed reps thrown in. How wrong could I be. He recommended that I should do all of my cycling as relatively short but fast. OK I thought could just about handle that. Then he told about the best session which he called the "Brick" session. This was a 20 min cycle followed by a 10 minute run - this is supposed to help with the transition phase of going from cycling to running. Seemed like a good idea - then he let me into the gory details. The cycle was to be really hard only a beat or 2 off maximum and at the end of the 20 mins I should be working so hard that tunnel vision should be starting!!!!!

It was at this point I thought I'd better stop talking to him as he was scaring me.

Been to see the chiro again. He is very pleased with my progress so much so that he didn't need to give me any treatment. We did however go through the gait scan which was interesting as you could see the pressure and movement of my foot. The orthos should be ready in 2-3 weeks. I can't wait for them to arrive and start get back into running starting with some nice short jogs on the treadmill.

In the meantime I'll have to satisfy myself with some severe oxygen deficit training :0)