Jack's Birthday weekend

Jack was 24 this weekend - how old is that??

Jodie was down all weekend which was really nice and made it special for him.

Tash and I went out for a meal on Friday night with Clare and Greg, we met at The Store and went in their rooftop bar for a drink (non-alcoholic for me!) and then went to Quod for a great meal. Felt a bit awkward not having a decent drink but I was disciplined and kept to only a glass of wine. We did got for a pint next door at my suggestion and it was a really nice evening.

Even though we started around 5.00pm we still didn't get home until after 11.00pm.

Saturday was Jack's birthday, he went out for a run and then we got up and going, he didn't know what we were doing.

Stopped at Jeremy Clarkson's pub (Jack, Jodie, Tash, Me, Charl and Miles) - 10.55am and people were queued at the door for 11.00am opening! We explored and sat out in the sunshine of the garden and had tea and pasty which was so good. 

We then told Jack what we were doing and we had a bit of time to kill (Jack was hungry too!) so we stopped in Burford, that was very busy, and then carried on our way to North Leach for our "Scenic Sauna". Great little set up and location with loads to do there but we were there for the sauna and were not disappointed - other than it would have been good to be there for an hour longer - 55 mins was just a bit quick.

We relaxed and used the sauna and the cold plunge pools - I wimped out on those - the wind was cold enough for me! But fair play to all the others - they went for it! When our time was up we had coffee and cake and it was nice and relaxing.

After a bit it was time to go home - Jack and Jodie were going out in the evening for a meal (and a few of his friends were surprising him) and I had this long run I needed to do.

So we went back home and I slept for 40 mins and had a bit to it (not enough!) and then I set off for my 20 mile run. I originally was planning to do the Ring Road but as it was 5.00pm I thought I didn't want to do a part of it in the dark so I decided on 3.5 laps of the Wolvercote/Cutteslowe/St Giles triangle.

I did okay for the first 8-10 miles but it was hard and then it only got harder still. I didn't have enough water or gels and I'd not eaten enough food in the day so I was lacking energy. Charl and Miles drove past and so did big Thommo and tooted. I slowed down of course and soon I was struggling with 14 min miles, at 18 I tried to throw up, retching the lot but I had nothing to give. Tash then turned up and I was jogging at her walking pace so I think just walked and then by First Turn Jack drove past going home to get changed and stopped and I had to get a lift home - 19.67miles! Big let down!!

I keep telling myself that with proper prep and food/fuelling I will do a lot better so we'll see. I did get a few niggles and stopped a couple of times to stretch or wee, but that was only a couple of mins in total so not bad.

Bath at home for 45mins and then bed - didn't sleep a wink though!

Sunday I was up and okay to be honest, Jack went out for a run and we pottered around and then Tash walked Bess to Summertown but Jodie's not in good shape with her leg so I drove her there and we met with Jack in one of the coffee shops which was nice and relaxed. 

Back home we got all the food ready for his "party" with the family all coming round from 2.00pm onwards, sadly the rain spoilt it a bit and we were inside and out - more outside in the end so that was good. I did have a few bottles of Corona (about 4) but for 7 weeks now I've drunk very little alcohol!

Party went well and it was great having people over and we had a nice time and slowly they all left.

Didn't really do anything in the evening when it was just the four of us left, started watching a film but I was wiped out so went to bed about 9.30pm.

A good weekend - only two weeks now until this marathon

What is interesting though is that it is completely dominating all our conversations - literally 100%! I'll be glad when we have something different to talk about. We're talking about the accommodation, where to see people, what food, what driving, what to do afterwards, what runs we have left...and so on!