Training 2.3

It's June but cold, windy and raining ... where else could I be but in good old England!!!

Having sweated blood on Monday because of the heat and wheezed my way through a hay fever blighted session on Wednesday, tonight was the night when I got pneumonia. The rain started lightly in the late afternoon and steadily got heavier. The wind got stronger and the sky got darker. It didn't get any better and when rolling up at training there was only Mr and Mrs Fat Lad waiting for me. Had H given up so easily? Had Zico chosen a snuggly blanket in front of the tv?

Not a chance! They were beaten to training by one of the newest Assistant Referees for next season's Premiership ... Mr Robert Madley aka Chuckle Junior! He had trained hard last night and thought my plans for tonight's session would be a nice little loosener. H and Zico turned up shortly after while Mr and Mrs Fat Lad continued with their own programme. Fat Lad was staying loose for Sunday's fitness test while Mrs Fat Lad (Hi Lynne!) is still getting ready for her Race for Life a week later.

Tonight's session was the one which reduced me to my hands and knees in late June last year. Run one side of the field, jog the other three; run two sides of the field and walk the other two; run three sides, walk the fourth; run all way around and then rest. On the four sides run I couldn't breathe running down the second touchline and stopped for about 15 seconds to get my breath before setting off again.

The rest was only a minute or two then reversed the whole thing, starting with the four sides run; walk one, run three, etc. We finished off with repeating the first set and that, while tough, seemed just a little easier than the first time. It was time for a warm down and some stretches before heading home for a warm bath and some grub!

Calories burned 1152, average hr 81%, max 98% (what a slacker!). Monday's session will be light on bodies as Fat Lad will only be doing a recovery session after his fitness test and Snails, Chris and Titfer (yes he's still around) have all already cried off for one reason or another.