The London Marathon is underway today, 26th April 2009, on a sunny day.

Some runners are going slowly. They received the commendation of the commentators. David Coleman once advised runners to ’start slow and go slower!’

Modern sports scientists have realised that running long distances is not especially good for you. Limiting possible injuries by running slowly is good advice. You might not win the race but you may live longer!

The British hope, Mara Yamauchi,is running with the leading group and is exceeding her personal best. She is in the 2:21 range.

Nearly all the top women Marathon runners are well over thirty. Mara has gradually been improving in each race and has gained the confidence from her improvement to be a front runner. Irena Mikitenko of Germany was followed closely by Mara in second place. Irena created a bit of a gap after about two hours.

Steve Cram commented that the more you prepare for the race the more you enjoy the experience. Some hardy souls, of course, just turn up on the day and hope for the best! I salute them. At least, they have the guts to attempt the race while I sit at home watching them struggle on TV!

The runners probably tick off the main milestones in their minds as they pass them – the Cutty Sark (under repair after a fire) is one of them.

The Isle of Dogs is another. Steve Cram, a mine of useful information, told Brendan Foster, his fellow commentator, that Henry VIII kept his hunting dogs on this island.

Brendan showed his appreciation: “I always learn something when you are here, Steve!”

Mara is running in second place and is aiming for a personal best time. She is over two minutes ahead of the pursuing group. Hopefully, Paula Radcliffe, will have recovered from an operation in time to run with Mara in the World Championships in the summer.

In the men’s race, the three Olympic medallists were leading the marathon. Samuel Wanjiru eventually won the London marathon in record breaking time.

2 hours 22 and 11 seconds was Irena’s winning time
2 hours 23 and 12 seconds was Mara’s personal best.

Meanwhile in Bahrain, Jensen Button won the Formula One Grand Prix. One interviewer asked Ross Brawn, the head of Brawn GP (the former Honda team)what the difference was between Honda F1 and Brawn GP

“Confidence” replied Ross Brawn. Nothing other than confidence can turn a team or an individual around. So far Jensen has won 3 out of 4 races and Brawn GP lead the constructors’ championship. They have about 50 points. Ferrari have only 3 points so far.

Today Wednesday 8th April 2009 I took my usual walk round the neighbourhood. Nothing was happening. It had already happened!

Two men from Maidstone had arrived at about 9.30 a.m. to install a new washing machine. This is almost like a television set as there is a screen showing you what is going on. It will take me a few days, if not years, to learn how to operate it!

If I run into a problem I might well take St Jerome’s advice:

“Solvitur ambulando. To solve a problem, walk around.”

Not many people in the UK take St Jerome’s advice. The following quote describes the typical British pedestrian:

“A pedestrian is someone who thought there were a couple of gallons left in the tank.”

Today, Friday 3rd April 2009, I set out to drive to some local shops. Almost immediately my path was blocked by cars queuing up to get along a road which had been narrowed to prevent lorries and other heavy vehicles crossing a weak bridge.

I turned round to take a different route. Soon my path was blocked by another queue of cars. I parked my car nearby and set off for a short walk. After a few minutes, the pavement disappeared and I had to climb a steep slope to access a parallel pathway.

Soon another steep slope came into view but this time steps helped me up. The road ahead had no pavements and was being tarmacked. The only people on the road were workers in helmets. I realized that the path was probably closed.

I continued my walk anyway trying to look as if I had every right to be there! No one questioned this right and I reached the end of the road. I walked through a gap in the barriers and spotted a notice saying

“PATH CLOSED!”

My sister commented that most people would have given up the journey long ago! I was probably helped by the fact that I did not realise that the path was officially closed. Sometimes what we don’t know can help us achieve goals we would otherwise have given up on.

Today’s drive and walk were a parable of life. You seldom fail to meet up with obstacles of various kinds en route to any destination or goal.
Keep going regardless and a path will usually open up even if it is officially closed!

The G20 summit met today in London on April 1st,2009 – April Fool’s day. The protestors so far have been non-violent except for a very few.

I walked round the neighbourhood in what felt like a summer’s day. One of my neighbours was laying bricks on a pathway not far along Marlings Park Avenue.

I passed on to him a great quote I found today in Bob Proctor’s ezine:

“”It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.”

Al Batt
Writer and Speaker

I was complimenting his bias towards action. Although he has retired he is always busy but not too busy. He just takes on jobs and tell people they may have to wait to get them completed. He is never short of a job as people value quality work.

When I returned home I spoke to my next door neighbour’s son who has been doing some tiling work with his dad. Their work was also quality work. However, it was so good that it made the other tiling look shabby by comparison!