More techie stuff and a 5km run

I really am getting back into this running lark slowly after the London Marathon. Ran 5km on a hotel running machine yesterday and as I got back reasonably late from a trip tonight did not go out at all today. I need to book myself into a half or full marathon asap to get some focus. It seems that the Sunday run is the one run in the week that I religiously still do. Thankfully that is also the long run. But I must try and get back to 35-40km a week otherwise I can see my girth slowly expanding. Not a pleasant site.

Also I was pointed today towards a great internet site that audits your PC. You name it, it checks it for you - IP addresses, security patches, internet speed etc.... A fantastic if somewhat scary site. In the next few weeks I am going to embark on an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) execise for this blog and will let everyone know how it goes. Sounds good in theory. We shall see.

The DELETE MY BLOG button

Playing about tonight on this blog and I went to the SETTINGS TAB to change my profile.

Can the people at Blogspot be aware that I was about half a centimetre away from the DELETE MY BLOG button, when in fact all I wanted to do was SAVE SETTINGS.

I wonder how many have actually deleted their blog without wanting to and whether it is retrivable? Can you imagine that.

BTW it's still raining in Holland.

Would all Business Class passengers board at their leisure

OK so a 17km run yesterday in my New Balance 1221 and all is (nearly) forgiven. They are not as bad as my first review underneath suggested. Still a little bit tight and a small blister started to appear around 15km but the shoes are redeemed for the time being. And as for my new toy, then blimey, these Garmin 305's are damm good. I know they look a little bulky on the arm but what they don't do isn't worth doing! The best running gadget I have seen. The next development must be a microchip that sits neatly in your ear and just reads out your pace, time, HR etc...

NE and myself are still discussing whether to do NY and buy a place through one of those International travel agents. One of the key deciding factors will be whether the travel company flys with KLM or not. You see I am not prepared to fly back from NY economy class after having run halfway round Manhattan. I am prepared to put up with the dodgy hotels that these companies choose for you, even prepared to share a room (only with NE) however, call me fussy, but if the travel company flys KLM then we can use our airmiles to upgrade to business class. If not, then no go. I may be able to fly economy out to NY but coming back, knowing how ropey I felt after Chicago there is no way I am flying back in anything but business class. Anyway, it shouldn't be called Business class as I so rarely see people in it doing any business - it should be called Bedders Class, something for the discerning traveller. Soft pillows, fine wines, full English Breakfast on demand and nobody who snores allowed on.

Anyone out there cabbed a Delta?

You know when you are becoming a nerd when you feel up for a debate on the merits of the New Balance 1221 v New Balance 857's. Sadly I have reached that point. Knowing that I feel an expert in this feels a little like declaring that I used to go trainspotting or even worse that I once went bird spotting. (But I have cabbed a Delta so anyone out there who wants to discuss the merits of the Delta v the 125 need look no further.........oh dear)

Anyway, now I have two shoes to compare then I am going to bore you and give you my "just had two glasses of wine" review.

New Balance 1221 - look good, feel narrow on the foot, good cushioning and feel pricey (if you know what I mean). However, not that comfortable and a tendancy to start rubbing on the foot arches. Blisters quite possible,

New balance 857 - less cushioning, not as soft as the foot hits the ground, but wider and no tendancy to rub. More of a stability shoe than cushioning but gets my vote over the 1221 and is considerably cheaper.

So after swearing blind never to use anything other than New Balance 1220 ( 1999 model) I declare the 857 my fav and therefore future marathon shoe.

BTW I wish it would stop raining. If UK is short of water then come over and set up a hose pipe here back to the UK and all your problems would be solved. We have water by the canal load.

New York marathon but not this year

Have just received my email from the NY Marathon people and was told that I had not succeeded in getting a ballot place. I am not sure whether to be upset or pleased. One of the main reasons for doing it would be to complete one of the "top 5" marathons of which I NE and myself have already ran 3. On the other hand, do I really fancy a third summer of marathon training?

Probably not. So, let's move the goals. A half marathon Bedders-record-attempt in Amsterdam in October followed by another Flora London Marathon in April 2007.

That sounds better........

Mr. and Mrs. B on Tower Bridge

Well worth a post I thought as although Mrs. B and I started on different start points for FLM, we actually met up on Tower Bridge (see post below). A kind photographer from marathonfotos just missed capturing the moment. But if you look carefully, on the extreme left hand side of the photo, you can just make out Mrs. B in a bright yellow CF running top. The chances of us meeting up were about 1:35.000 and the chance that we would be photographed together even less. Just in case the pic is too small I am the rather fit and hunky looking runner with the name Bedders on the t shirt looking as if I am leading the way. Check out here for more marathonfotos

It's back!

After a few weeks of resting the legs and resting the mind the Go Bedders! blog is back.

Quite a lot has happened in the last four weeks - in fact it's safe to say that just over a month ago I could never have predicted the roller coaster I would have been through. One day I'll blog it, but until then, I am pleased to say things are quickly getting back to normal.

In readiness for the next marathon I have spoiled myself and bought two new pairs of running shoes (I don't actually like either pair yet) and a new Garmin 305 watch that is just a great running toy. Nothing more and nothing less than a toy to put on your wrist and marvel at. A must for any runner who wants to know everything about the run they have just been on.

Family Bedders update - CB still loves her horse riding and KB has just finished a series of school tests. See pic of KB and fav. horse. Do you notice that they both have the same hair style for a fringe?

BTW KT has a new design for her web and it is great. Abit modern for me, but wait a few weeks and I am sure this blog will look similar. Click through here to see it

Due to a current lack of a marathon training program on the back of the fact I am not down for one yet, this blog may stray in to areas previously unchartered.......so let's hope I can find a marathon quick before everyone is bored to tears with my ramblings.

Go Bedders!