Only 5 weeks to the Silverstone Half-Marathon!

OK - I have 5 weeks left to train for the Silverstone half-marathon which is on 15th March 2009.
So far my training has consisted of 2 x 30 minute runs in the past week; and I can't go running today due to snow and ice. I know - I could go swimming; go to the gym; or do a Pilates video as an alternative to actually running...but no, I think I'll wait for the snow to melt!
I actually did the same race with no training last year...but I was determined to train this year. You see, as I get older and heavier - it get's a lot more difficult. And, I was rather embarrassed by the number of people aged 60 and above that kept overtaking me last year!
I'm never going to be a Paula Radcliffe - I am a 'plodding' runner...but I would like to complete the 13.1 miles in less than 2 hours.
I'll keep you posted.

Colour on a all-white day...

Just thought I'd add a photo from my trip to Marrakech last year. A bit of colour to warm us up on this freezing cold, snowy day.

Waiting to hear about interest rate cut?

I am waiting to hear about any potential cut in the interest rate today - apparently we may see 1%! And there is talk that we may end up at 0%... putting that into perspective - on a £150,000 Interest Only Tracker Mortgage .55% above base rate - that would mean a monthly mortgage payment of only £69!
That's great for any first-time buyers who managed to get a tracker product last year...but is it making any difference to the economy as a whole? It seems to be a bit of a lottery...as all those who opted for fixed rates, or those who have trackers with banks who have a 'collar' are not benefitting at all.
I'm guessing the other big winners will be 'buy-to-let' landlords who have a tracker mortgage and continue to receive the same rental payments.
Gordon Brown made what was possibly a freudian slip yesterday by referring to a 'depression' rather than a 'recession'. I am certainly beginning to feel the onset of recession depression... as I feel I have been hit from all angles!

Jade Goody's Battle With Cancer

I have never been Jade Goody's biggest fan to say the least, but I cannot help feeling gutted for her, now that she has been told the cancer has spread. Even if you do not care for celebrity gossip, or watch Big Brother... If you live in the UK, you know of Jade Goody whether you like it or not, thanks largely to Max Clifford. Because of this fame and noteriety - somehow the average Joe can connect with her on some level. She is truly 'grounded' and doesn't pretend to be anything more than she is. And, with two young children to consider - her 'rags to riches' story isn't a happy one at the moment. I, for one, would like to wish Jade and her loved ones the best of luck in coping with the treatment of her cancer.

T-Mobile Dance

However unoriginal this is...I cannot help but enjoy this viral ad...
Flashmobbing eh? They didn't have that when I were a lad!

Free Leather Wallet with purchase...

I have just been told about a freebie offer on a website selling men's underwear...they're giving out a free leather wallet with orders over £50...seems like a fairly good deal to me. Not sure about some of those Bjorn Borg designs though!
It seems they've got a YouTube channel with a comedy video as well. Because of that I'll add this site to my favourite links on the right...I'll keep you posted with other recommended sites.

Blimey - I am now a Blogger!

What a weird feeling - waking up as a Blogger.
As a 30-something bloke in the UK, I have always been slightly behind technological trends. Personal computers were 'Tomorrow's World' when I were a kid. While the geekier kids in my school class raved about the ZX81 and Spectrum, I was more interested in my BMX.
Blogs have been going for years now...and I have only just 'got' it.
One step at a time though...I think this 'Twitter' lark is one step too far for me at the moment!

I know I don't have any followers of my blog yet, and so what do I write about in this open diary? Well, I intend to just write about what comes into my mind as life goes by. I guess that is likely to centre around my interests initially...until I get braver.

By the by...I am now on day 30 as a non-smoker. After 18 years of being a smoker, I have given up (again) - and this time I have gone completely cold turkey (no gum, no patches, no hypnotherapy); I just stopped.

The Blog Starts Here

Photo courtesy of jo-h

The blog starts here...but hold on, the heavy downfall of snow is severely affecting the UK's productivity...perhaps I'd better go home now before I'm snowed in? If transport links have been restored after today's 5cm deluge of white stuff, perhaps I'll begin in earnest tomorrow?