27/02/23 13:04 

Who would’ve thought that I’d be back at a desk in a university, scribbling down notes before lunch?  But it’s true.  Not quite as it sounds but exactly as it sounds.  I’m at the University of Greenwich in some sort of IT computer study room.  It’s not totally the quiet room it claims to be.  When I was at brick Uni, and even at college, there was always that one table that overstepped the mark, crossed the line and pushed boundaries.  It does make a change for me not to be sat at that table. 

So, four more sleeps and we’re heading to St Pancras again.  All being well, this time will see the four of us – Nev, the boys and myself – taking the Elizabeth line to Liverpool Street, en route to the Eurostar.  The Friday will see us arrive, drop our luggage at Hôtel de Brabant in rue des Petits Hôtels and then head over to the Half Marathon Village in the 19th for a little while.  I’m not sure whether my existing running top will be flocked or if I have to pick up a new one but either way, I’ll have a flocked running top.  Which I’ll probably save for after I finish.  I did an eleven-and-a-half-mile run this morning, before the man turned up to turn the water off.  He’s installing a new sink and cabinet in the bathroom.  The pace of the run was good enough for what I need – which was just under the 10-minute-a-mile mark.  It helped me having my eldest on the phone with me for the last four miles or so.  That was nice.  What was also nice was explaining to him that “Daddy’s London Bridge was falling down.”  It may mean that I revert to the old old running shorts and not the new New Balance ones I bought a few weeks back.  I don’t know whether to risk the hot wash and fabric softener working or just take the slightly uncomfortable existing ones.  Maybe I’ll see what they have available from the village.  Who knows?  It’s almost similar to my new Hoka running shoes.  They sort of seem to work but they also sort of create a possible runner’s toe.  It’s the same one where I lost the nail before.  My gait is kind of okay in these but the fit appears to alter the health of my feet.  My On Running Cloud runners were a nice comfortable run except I’ve pretty much ran through the sole grips already.  What is that?  Like, 4 months, give or take.  I’m thinking of keeping them as a reserve although I’ll possibly take them with as my comfort shoe for the weekend.  Either that or I’ll be taking my ‘grandad shoes’ with.  My exceptionally comfortable Skechers are almost through the sole, so they won’t be much use at all.  If I see any new sweatbands whilst over there, I suspect that I’ll be buying them – both for practical reasons as well as souvenirs. 

Talking of which, I’ll be sticking to my own Lazy Parisian Days playlist on Spotify to start me off.  I’ll decide if I change during the run, during the run.  And after the run, I’ll be swapping the running shorts for my boxer shorts and tracksuit bottoms.  The running tops will change after a quick towelling down to the flocked top and that should see me through to getting home (with a jacket on).  As it’s my eldest’s birthday on Monday – the day after we return – I have it booked off as annual leave.  But I won’t be needing any major recovery time, chafing aside.  I may not go salsa dancing on the Tuesday if I’m suffering.  However, Nev and I have our anniversary at the end of the week.  Luckily, it’s sitting down at the theatre, but, it’s still our anniversary, if you catch my drift… 

My daily story posting on Instagram is still going with the subtle hints and humour connecting visual and audio.  I’ve also taken an interest in a chap’s story.  He’s having chemo, has young kids and got married on the 24^th.  I can’t make out who to as it feels like there is a story within a story, I’m sure.  But regardless, I wish @cest5612 the very best and the very best of health, now and for a very long time; as well as his wife and children.  I know as a dad how we always need to have an air of impenetrability and resilience for our kids.  This is one strong man, that’s for sure.