Seconds out, round 2

Survived the night with 2 quilts on the bed, while the little W's were all tucked up into one bedroom with all their blankets, quilts and soft toys to keep them warm.

But now onto the main event.

In the blue corner we have a British Gas engineer

In the Red Corner we have our central heating system

"Ding Ding - round 2"

True to their word British Gas came this morning to fix the boiler, except the today's engineer couldn't get the thing to work at all,even with the boiler isolated. I couldn't believe it we were further away from an answer than last night. Eventually after 2 hrs and having taken very piece of the control circuit apart the problem was found. The frost thermostat on the boiler was shorting to earth.

"I don't have a replacement" says the engineer ", but I've turned it down so far that it won't cut in so your system will work, while I go get a replacement". Quick check that the pipes are heating and he's off.

It was then that MrsW and myself noticed a problem, the bolier is on, there is hot water but why are the radiators not getting warm???? Was just about to place another call to British Gas when the engineer re-appeared to fit the thermostat. I'm pleased to say this problem was very quickly traced and fixed, so we now have central heating. YIPEEEEEEE

Oh yeah - also went out running, was the only way I could get warm this morning. Another comfortable run where I started to get my thoughts together for going back to work next week. I didn't even bother to catch my average HR for my mile splits or pay too much attention to what the Garmin was saying. Overall run stats where 5.12 miles in 43:35 with an AHR of 152, those figures most certainly brought a smile to my face, or is just the

The central heating is offline Captain

It was cold morning this morning and that was just the bedroom. No wonder the radiator was cold - Odd is the timer up the spout? Looked in the airing cupboard, timer not on. Ahh has the circuit breaker tripped? Oh that's in the garage. Struggled into my running kit and went and reset the circuit breaker, still no joy. Replace the fuse in the timer still no joy. Check the circuit breaker again, its popped. This only means one thing - I can't fix it!!!

Phone call (@9:00) to British Gas to come out and fix it.

BG: "Are you elderly sir?"
Me: "Um no, but I do have 3 children and no hot water or central heating"
BG: "Ok sir we'll put you on the emergency list for today"

Decide the best way of getting warm was to go out for a run, just a slow gentle recovery run but enough to warm me up. 3 miles in 29:29 with an AvHR of 141.

My PS2 stopped working last night, so took it back to the shop to change it, no bother. Go home plug it in and the new one doesn't work either GRRRRR. Back down to the shop, they're a bit surprised and check the machine, yep its not working. Get a new one, check it in the shop yes it works haven't connected it all up at home yet though.

In the meanwhile the gasman turns up at about 5 o'clock. 45 minutes later he's worked out that its the boiler at fault and he hasn't got the parts to fix it. He ordered a part, hopefully its right part and they'll come and fit it tomorrow morning, so no heating tonight never mind we can all look at the snow outside!

Better go now, MrsW has the fan heater downstairs and my fingers are beginning to freezeeeeee

What the Doc said

Today was the day I went to see the Doc again. Early morning appointment so no run, went to the surgery and said "Hi I'm Mr W with an appointment to see Dr G at 8:40". Sadly the response was "Not see to see Dr G you haven't", "but I'd made this appoinmtent 2 weeks and here its in my diary". "Sorry no appointment". Luckily she had a spare appointment at 9:30, so it was no big deal

2nd attempt to the Doc. Went in and had a friendly little chat with her. Talked about my restless nights. She thought it was just a part of the depression not quite settling down yet, but if they not giving me a big problem at the moment don't worry about them. We talked about going back to work, how I've got part-time working sorted out, how I can have my inbox deleted if its too much for me to cope with when I go back and that I've got a very supportive manager. I'm very pleased to say that we both agreed that I can go back to work. I nearly jumped for joy.

Went home broke the good news to MrsW then disappeared out the door for a quick 30 minute tempo run, before the entire family went out for lunch with some friends. One of the friends actually works with me and was telling me that everyone has been worried about me but will be very pleased to see me back.

Today was a very good day indeed. Thanks again everyone for your help

Post Turkey Trot

Phew - Christmas is over with for another year. Trained the kids into not coming down till at least 8AM. Was about one nanosecond after 8 when they went downstairs. We knew it wasn't going to be much after 8 when we heard the countdown coming from their bedrooms. They were really please with their presents, though I think they are more pleased with my present (PS2) than anything else, don't think I've had a go on it yet!

MrsW turned in her usual star performance in the kitchen, bringing the Christmas Lunch together like clockwork.

She even prodded me into getting out the door this morning. I needed a prod, not quite with it this morning. Had a good run all the same, one of these comfortable runs that are fun to do, fast enough to have the "I'm running quickly" feeling without been so fast that you start thinking "Why am I doing this".

Bit odd out and about, despite it being 9:30 it was very quiet even by the main road. Everyone was probably nursing hangovers or indegestion.

Mile	Pace	HR
1	8:38	147
2	8:02	155
3	8:02	156
4	7:46	158
5	7:38	171- yes it is an uphill finish
5.14	1:00(7:03)	180 - I did say it was an uphill finish
41:07	8:00	158

The run ended up reminding me why I run, because I enjoy it!!!

Sneaking out

MrsW went and secured the Turkey and Ham this morning. She wisely decided to leave the car at home and walk down to the town. Of course a Turkey and large piece of Ham weigh a bit, so there was this bizarre sight of her setting off with a 2 wheeled luggage trolley to bring it back on.

With her mission successfully completed and everything else under control I was allowed to sneak out for a run, well disappear for an 1hr and 40 minutes if the truth be told. First Long run in 5 weeks and by the end it was beginning to feel like it.

Mile	Pace	HR
1	9:31	148
2	9:22	144
3	9:10	139
4	9:21	140
5	9:24	142
6	9:19	145
7	9:07	142
8	9:23	147
9	8:44	147
10	9:54	151
10.2	9:41	140
1:34:55	9:20	144

Rest day tomorrow - oh its Christmas Day anyway.

Everyone have a happy christmas

Not so proper training

This week has been the usual pre-christmas fayre. Took the kids to the Isle of Wight to see Father Christmas at the Steam Railway. Used the MPV to its full capacity and took MrsW's brother and his daughter as well. I think everyone had a good time, except maybe middle-W as he didn't like his present. Only downside was I didn't get to run.

Thursday was run-less as well. Had an electrician coming in the morning to fit some new sockets and had to clear things away. Then a coffee with the boss at the Starbucks near work - he won't allow me on site while I'm off sick, probably frightened I'll log-on and try and read my e-mails. We had a good chat about this and that, am I happy with the work-up plan, looking forward to coming back etc etc. Couldn't run at Lunchtim either as (and I'll have to say this quietly) I was invited to the Quality Assurance Christmas Lunch. I hasten to add I'm not in QA but I do make sure people obey the rules, which makes their lives a lot easier.

So that brings me to today. Good run this morning. Supposed to be Steady run, Which I'm pleased to say it was, though I'll let you play spot the hill!

Mile	Pace	HR
1	8:42	145
2	8:04	154
3	8:14	157
4	8:03	157
5	8:14	160
5.48	8:51	166
45:34	8:19	156

Unfortunately just found out that tomorrow's run may be at risk. For some reason MrsW has to go and collect a Turkey and piece of Ham in the morning. She's even been given a timeslot to go and pick it up 9-10. How is someone supposed to fit a long run in before then?? I'll just have to be determined and go out when she comes back.

Proper Training

Today is day 1 of Hal Higdon's 18 week Advanced-I marathon training program, so proper objective running. Well that was the intention anyway. The schedule said comfortable pace with the following quote "Feel free to punch the acceleration button if you're feeling good, particularly toward the end of the workout". I think I punched the acceleration button the moment I went out the door. Good news was I did actually feel quite comfortable - well sort of.

1	8:34	148
2	8:17	157
3	8:18	161
4	8:12	167
5	7:46	172
5.47	3:26 (7:23 m/m)	180
44:36	8:09	162

Now some worrying news, over the past couple of nights my sleep has become disturbed again. Waking up at 4 or 5 in the morning. Fortunately I'm able to get some more sleep but it is a symptom of depression which I haven't had for a couple of weeks now. Apart from that I feel OK but its probably worth mentioning to the Doc when I see her next week.

End of Term

Busy couple of days.

Returned to interval training yesterday - something simple, 3 * 5min at 1/2 Mara pace. Well what used to 1/2 mara pace - probably more like what I would be capable of for a 10K at the moment :-(

Back at the school in the afternoon for mince pies - sort of thank you from the school for everyone that has helped them in some way or other. Got roped into doing some governor work while I was there. Got told that MrsW has a new job - as a Lunchtime supervisor (Dinner Lady in old speak). It seems this kind of staff is a little difficult to recruit so even mentioning the vacancy gets the response "OK to start tomorrow?"

Took my new shoes out for a run today, quite tired this morning so kept a lid on it and only did 3.5 miles. It was then time to do some food shopping. MrsW had a list specially designed for some money off vouchers we had - well that was the plan! Came out having spent about double what we had planned, at least we got the money off was MrsW response.

The little W's have now finished school for Christmas. I can now expect to field a lot more questions and resolve border disputes on Multi-player Age of Empire, maybe I should go back to work for some peace and quiet.....

Christmas Trees

No run this morning as I had an early appointment with Q the counseller. It turned out to be a fairly brief session. We talked about what I had been up to, how I was feeling etc etc. Came to the conclusion that I was well on the way to be mended. He believes that the depression was kicked off by a succession of minor things culminating in a mini-crisis a few weeks ago. Now that I'm under the care of the Doctor and on medication there is no need to probe further. I agree with him, life was tough for a while, not bad, just tough. It happens to lots of people and is merely a chemical imbalance in the brain, which Prozac corrects.

Enough of the physco-analysis.

Spent the afternoon looking at Christmas trees. I've never had a real tree and MrsW hasn't had one since her father died 20 years ago, so we decided to have a real one this year. Went to about 4 different places (MrsW can be really fussy sometimes!)before finally settling on a nice 6 ft tree. Well we thought it was nice until we got it home!

Put it in a bucket of earth and manovoured it into position in the lounge, still wrapped in its mesh covering they put it in for transport. So far so good. Then we cut the netting off. It didn't look that big when we bought it.......

Listen to the Doctor

Back to running today YIPEE- its been 10 days since I last ran. Easy 5 miles just to make sure everything was OK after my cold (and curry the previous night!). 5.1 miles in 50min 10, good base training stuff I suppose.

Tried to make an appointment to see the Doc but was told that she was fully booked today and then out for the rest of the week. Bit of a problem my sick note runs out Wednesday. Explaine the situation to the receptionist who said not a problem and made a telephone appointment for this afternoon.

Called the Doc at the given time and had a chat. Although I'm feeling a lot better, her professional judgement was that I should not go back to work yet. Her reasoning was that I've only been on Prozac for 2 weeks and the first week can be really horrible ( I noticed!!), she would rather I gave it a couple more weeks to really settle down before doing anything else. I really wanted to go back to work, but she is the expert so I decided to follow her advice. I'm now on sick leave until 3rd Jan. I've to see her between Christmas and New Year and we can make a start/no start decision then.

2 weeks ago when I was told to stay off I was gutted and felt really down. Today I wasn't too bothered. I'd like to go back but not at the risk of the making things worse. Phoned the boss to tell him - his words where "That's an opinion I fully support". We've arranged to meet at Starbucks near work this week to have a chat about this and that.

See I do listen

Looking forward

Another couple of good days.

Went to see middle W in his Christmas performance at school. You could tell a lot of hard work had been put in by the children and staff and it was a pleasure to watch.

Finally decided what I wanted for Christmas and went out an bought it. I'll now need to start reading game reviews to work out what's the best.

Had a telephone conversation with the Boss. I'm feeling a lot and I mean a lot happier now and am actually looking forward to going back to work. Hopefully the Doc agrees with me next week. It seems that as I've been off for 4 weeks I have to be seen by the company Doc before I can start back at work. I think they are just satisfing themselves that I'd be really fit to return. The Boss has a work-up plan for me when I go back. Basically start off with 20 hrs for the first week, then up by 5 hrs per week until I get back to the full 40 hrs, that sounds very fair.

Had dinner last night with a couple of Work colleagues from the States that are over. We didn't actually discuss work (I suspect they were told not to!), but they brought lots of well wishes from people in the office. People at work are genuinely worried about me, but this causes me concern. I don't want to wrapped in cotton wool, yes I need to be careful but I need to get back to performing a useful role. Perhaps that's running before I can crawl, need to be passed fit by the Doc first....

Back to school

Much better sleep last night so I was feeling a lot better this morning, which was fortunate as I was helping out at the school in the morning.

Mr G (the teacher) had asked me to listen to some of the children reading their books. What was a bit odd was he phoned up in the morning to tell me to put a vest on. It seems I was to be spending some of the morning outside!

Turned up had a brief chat with the office staff, grabbed a coffee and was presented with a reading folder and a digital thermometer/noise measuring device. It was then the evil plan was explained.

As part of their work Yr 3/4 where looking at their school environment with a view to putting a quiet area in the playgorund. What they had to decide was where to put the quiet area. Things to be considered where warm spots in the playground and noise readings. My job was to take a group of them outside during class to gather a set of readings. This turned out to be quite a bit of fun.

The reading was also good. I got a real sense of pleasure from helping out the children when they struggled with some words and discussing what the story was about. When I went home at lunchtime I actually feel as if I had achieved something worthwhile and for the first time in a while I remember smiling just because I was feeling happy. :>)

Exhausted

I was at a real low point yesterday evening. Sleep has been a real problem for me the past couple of days waking at 2 or 3 in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep. This in itself is depressing but the constant tiredness it brings is worse.

Last night at 6 o'clock I was done in. I was tired,irritable and on the border of tears. Managed to hold on till about 10 then went to bed. Woke up with a coughing fit from my cold at 1 in the morning and felt like screaming. I can handle being woken in the middle of the night by the kids, because once they are sorted out I can normally get back to sleep, but when I wake up of my own accord I just can't get back to sleep. I opted to get up and get a bottle of water and bring it upstairs and sip it. That seemed to calm the cough and was able to get some sleep albeit in 90 minute chunks, before the next coughing fit and sip of water.

I felt better this morning, not great but better. The cold is receding quickly so hopefully tonight will be a better nights sleep. MrsW cheered me up by taking in me into John Lewis at Southampton for some Christmas shopping. Good trip, got MrsW present and a couple of things for the boys, but not mine. I have a choice to make my main present needs to be a gadget but what?

We looked at DVD recorders but I want one with an inbuilt Hard Drive and they cost too much. Tea and Coffee maker - MrsW liked that because it was programmable so the drinks would be ready in the morning or and this was a MrsW suggestion, a PS2! I'm not a great game player but MrsW thought it would be fun for me and the boys would like it as well. Something for me to think about

Bacon Butties

Busy day today and all of it revolving round rugby.

Gran and Grandpa W had the Little Ws last night, so we got what passes as a lie-in. Well when I say lie-in I mean 8:30 before we had to get up collect the Little Ws and head off to Rugby training. Todays training was extra difficult as it was Big W's age groups turn for Kitchen Duty. Somewhere along the line I seemed to have gotten the reputation as being the kitchen expert so I get to sort it out and serve a couple of hundred bacon butties. I suppose I can be forgiven if I wake up in the middle of the night shouting "2 Bacon butties, 1 coffee, a tea and a hot chocolate".

I did mange to escape out long enough to see Big W play a match where he attempted to break some kid that upset him into pieces on the pretext the kid had the ball and Big W wanted it.

Quickly home stuck big W in the shower and then Me and Big W where off to Reading to watch London Irish v Cardiff Blues (middle and small W had a party to go to with MrsW). First time I've been to Premiership Club game but it was a great game was even on the TV! BBC's presence was quite useful because when the game was the other soide of the pitch we just looked up at the big screen and watched it there. :>)

Big W really enjoyed and was jumping up and down shouting "Irish!, Irish!" wearing his England top - Hmm will have to work that one out later. We are however making plans for Me and all the Little W's to go up and watch the game against Wasps on New Years Eve - that could be fun.

Depression

I'm sufferring from Depression. There said it!

Its only after the last couple of days that I have come to realise that this is not something to be ashamed of. Something like 1 in 6 people suffer from it. In fact I've been astounded by the number of people I've spoken to that have actually suffered from it themselves.

Went to see Q the counsellor on Thursday. And we just talked about this and that. He seems pleased that I'm making all the correct noises and looking on the positive side of things, planning things like my Lochaber weekend. Got another session in just over a weeks time.

Helped with the School christmas fair last night. First time its been tried on a Friday, it seemed to raise just as much money as when its run Saturday except its a lot less hassle. Was speaking to one of the teachers that I get on well with (He taught Big W for 2 years and is now teaching Middle W - poor man). He offered me the chance to come in and help out at the school, either sitting with the children listening to their reading or perhaps even helping with some ICT classes. I think this would be a great idea. It allows me top put a bit of structure back into my day , have social interaction and do soemthing worthwhile.

Running has had to come a temporary stop again as I've had a recurrance of the cold (or caught a new variant) This one is being a pain as I'm not able to sleep properly with at night, making me tired during the day at least I hope its cold causing it not the depression (as its one of its effects). Nah got to be positive its the cold.