The Virtual Runner Running Blog

It’s a horrible word meaning “surplus to requirements”, and that’s what I might be!

We had a bit of a discussion at work this morning because we were told last night that we all had a meeting today with the MD of our company.  We all thought this was a bit worrying considering our company recently bought another company that does that same things we all do!

My colleague who works with me was telling me to be “positive” and that it might not be that bad.  This goes against my (so-called) cynical view which is to expect the worst and hope for the best.  Personally, I believe this is also the realistic way to view a lot of situations or potential out-comes.

Scenario 1:  I think that if I go into a meeting expecting to be made redundant (but hoping otherwise), then if we get the bad news… I’m not surprised.  If we get good news (anything other than redundancy) then I’m on a high instead.

Scenario 2:  If you go into the meeting being positive that everthing will be fine and you find out you’re being made redundant then you’re on a big downer.  If you get good news (anything other than redundancy) then you’re just… the same.

All-in-all, I think my scenario (1) is the best way sometimes and it was what I did today.

We were all told officially in a meeting this morning that the company is “restructuring” and we are all facing potential redundancy.  Overall, 9 positions of about 30 will go but there could be more (or less).

So, not a good day at work…

As for running, I can’t post my splits from this morning because Garmin Connect is down for maintenance or something.  So, you’ll have to take my word for it that I did 400m repeats with 400m recovery in between.  I did four of those with 1600m warm-up.

Tomorrow I’m off to the gym to do some exciting cross-training…

intervals, non running, training

People often start running because they want to lose weight. Running is a great way to lose weight and I’m proof of the fact that you can lose weight through running without actually trying to lose weight.

At the moment, I’m consious of the fact that I am not following a runners diet.  In fact, I seem to be doing the opposite of everything you need to do to eat properly.  I’m taking in more calories then I’m actually burning… not good!

I know I’ll be okay after the holidays, but that is a long way off.  I think I need to sort myself out now for the few weeks up to xmas and then again after xmas.

That means that I go back to attempting to eat more sensibly.  I don’t necessarily stop eating loads, my thing is that I eat too much crap.  I’ve had a thing for sweets a lot lately and that’ll have to be cut way way down and some alternatives found I think.

I suppose I’m making it sound harder for me then it actually is or will be.  I know I can do it if I just put my mind to it.  It’s mind over lots of matter… no problem!

I wonder if there are many other “larger” runners out there like me?  I mean, a lot of the blogs I read (you can find them under the best running blogs in the menu above) are by runners who are all much fitter than I am.  Many have that runners body… you know the one I mean.

It’s a shame the Fat Runner (see the best running blogs) doesn’t post very much because I actually look forward to reading things that I can relate to.  Although, I don’t consider myself fat.  That’s important to point out because I think that word is quite negative and on top of that, I seriously don’t feel fat.  I feel the best I’ve felt my whole life… I just want to feel even better!

I’m really looking forward to pushing the training after xmas and increasing the mileage a bit at a time.  I’m curious as to how I will function on a long run that lasts more that two hours!  Jeez, can I actually do that?  Hell yeah…

food & diet, non running

Really.  I am!  I may not be considered much of a blogger by many, but I promise you I’m still a runner.

If you check out my current running log here:-

http://thevirtualrunner.org/blog/about-me/run-across-canada/

You’ll see that I have definitely still be running and maintaining a steady and non-exciting training regime.  That’s the thing, it’s non-exciting at the moment.  I mean, I know I’ve got a half marathon and full marathon next year but in my mind the real training won’t start until after xmas.  Is that wrong?

Santa Dash

There is only another two weeks and I will be off to the Look Out in Bracknell, Berkshire with some work colleagues.  We’ll all be dressed as a very pathetic looking Santa and walking/running to raise money for the Thames Hospicecare.

My Fundraising

I haven’t really focused on it yet, but my total fundraising at the moment is a whopping zero.  That’s right, nought.  So, feel free to donate.  I mean, even £2 is nice!  £2 is nothing?  I’m done begging now…

Traumatising Movie

I watched The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas the other day with my wife.  Very, very, very good movie.  I give it 10 out of 10.  Would I watch it again?  Never.  I simply found it way too traumatising.  If you haven’t seen it then I won’t ruin it for you….

Visiting Family

We had family visit from Belgium for a week.  It was really nice seeing them and we had a great time.  We even took them to Legoland with us for my son’s birthday! 

Growing Up

Not me, my son.  He’s three!  I can’t believe it.  We took him to Legoland for the whole day and stayed for the fireworks display in the evening.  He loved all of it.  He’s such a good boy and he was so tired by the end of it he was falling asleep on my lap during the fireworks.  Happy Birthday little boy!

Swine Flu

I’ve seen a lot of people in Canada posting things about the swine flu and everyone seems to be doing a bit of mild panicking and scare-mongering when it comes to the flu and the jabs.  Frankly I think everyone should just calm down.

As for me, I’ve been invited to have the swine flu jab because I’m considered “high risk”.  I have asthma.  So, I’m off this coming weekend to get jabbed… I’m not looking forward to it at all.

I’m very annoyed that my wife or son won’t be having it but there isn’t much I or anyone else can do about that.

This week

Some usual running going on, however I’ll probably be making an appearence back at running club with my mate Tony on wednesday.  It should be interesting, as long as it doesn’t pour down with rain!  Drizzle I can handle…

Top Gear

I’m off to watch the rest of it…

asics kayano, canada run progress, long run, non running, running club, running log updated

Just a few pics from the game we went to on Sunday, 25 October 2009 at Wembley Stadium, London.  The rest are on Flickr here.

non running