Grrr. More training problems! I'm thinking about bailing out of the Washington Marathon at the moment, partly because I haven't got enough time to train properly, and partly because I'm not mentally prepared to do another marathon yet, and I can't see myself having a hope of achieving my sub-4 hour goal if I don't want to run it in the first place.

Which is annoying, I have to say.

Part of me wants to have a reasonable couple of months getting back into shape in a you-don't-have-to-do-any-20-milers type way, and part of me wants to prove to myself that I really can get under 4 hours.

But the White Rock was one of the worst sport experiences of my life, and I don't want to risk doing a repeat if I'm not allowing myself enough time to prepare.

Gah! - dilemma!! Ideas on a postcard please!! ...

Eurgh. Training is awful. Somebody invent a way to get fit without having to do any training pleeease!!

Or perhaps the real problem is the 37 miles of running I've done since Sunday (31 of which were done with a 10lb pack) after doing ... ur ... sweet FA for the previous 5 weeks. Perhaps this may have been something to do with having to stop THREE TIMES this morning to pant like a loony and act as if I've never run a step before in my life.

Sigh.

Anyone got any bionic legs they can lend me?

... (pause while I pick myself up off the floor) ... yup ... it's live. I finally got my wotsits into gear and launched my site ... very scary business actually - the most public expression of myself that I've ever made.

Anyway ... feel free to rip it to shreds if you want, but bear in mind I'm only a humble web-author deep down! ;)

Must go run home. Starving.

Exactly three months since I wrote here. I know. It's ridiculous. But I finally launched the NYARA site so my every waking moment is not filled with thoughts of nyara. Which is a relief, I can tell you (sorry nyara!!)

So I'm working on two things. First a redesign for this, which is stupid of course, since it never even launched in its original form, but I really don't like the original 'design' (loosely speaking it is a design I suppose), and want to do something a bit softer and less conventional.

The second thing is starting a photo of the day section, which for the time being is going to be on the holding page, but will eventually be on the site as a main section. This is mainly to encourage me to use my camera ... and learn to use it properly, but also will hopefully form a bit of a visual journal of my time here in New York (and wherever else I venture). I'm embarassed, up to now, at the lack of photos I have of our time here ... and know I will regret it later ...

Meanwhile, what's happened in the last 3 months (apart from nyara!)? I guess Christmas is worth a mention - an excellent 8 days spent with family in the UK (excellent apart from having to put up with my stinking cold). It was fab to see everyone, even though Olly wasn't there :(

One of the highlights was visiting Sven and Charlotte in Richmond. I hadn't seen Sven's house for the last four years or so (at which point it was definitely a bachelor-pad), and it's transformed into this really nice home ... they've got great taste and lots of nice stuff and they're so organised. Our place is a bit dull in comparison.

Visiting family at Christmas made us realise that taking the North Carolina job was not a good idea. The North Carolina job was an excellent opportunity offered to Roj in November sometime which would have meant tons of cash and a great chance for him to get high up in the business world. Up until Christmas we were seriously considering upping sticks and moving there, despite a possible commitment of 5 to 10 years. But we realised (or were reminded) that we're both home people who love our family and enjoy being around them. It would be hard for both of us to be so far away for so long ... especially if we decide to do the little Taylors thing during that time.

New Year is definitely not worth a mention since our jet-lag forced us into bed at about 10. Well it was nice waking up on the 1st Jan without a hangover anyway!!

And since then, I managed to finish the goddam nyara site (only 3 weeks late!), and get over aforementioned stinky cold. I've now signed up for the Washington Marathon on 24 March, but am dubious as to the possibility of achieving optimal fitness in that time. I'll just have to see.

Which reminds me ... the Dallas White Rock Marathon was AWFUL (9 December). From the first mile I knew I wasn't going to make it ... it was a running-through-treacle day from the start. The first 16 miles were good though, and I began to think I'd be able to blag it until mile 17 at which point I went from an 8.47 pace to a 12.30 pace! OOOPs!!

And the reasons? Well I went off too fast, I was dehydrated from flying the day before, I hadn't slept properly all week and hadn't eaten properly the day before. And I was 6lb heavier than I should/could have been. I think that's most of my excuses!! Better luck next time Lara!!