Is this a mad way to start?

Local SW tri clubs, remember Cassie Patten our Olympic open water swimmer? Well she now offers her coaching services particularly to triathletes, if you are interested PM me and I'll put you in touch.

Well that was the ride from hell, Kali had his neurotic head on this morning and freaked at a tractor, and a baby vole (yes you read that right) and a woman with a very pink top on (everyone's a fashion critic). You can call a horse every name under the sun as long as you do it in a calm reassuring manor.

We had words and I think my thighs are going to ache tomorrow, he's put on weight too!

Ha, more hay bales have appeared on the farm, instant child entertainment and I seem to end up with other people's children too.

Busy weekend, we have to be at the grammar school at 8.30 tomorrow morning for the 11+ (well the first half of it). We haven't had E tutored at all (as is the rage) as I don't want her to go there unless she can comfortably get there easily. Well that's the shortened version, I won't bore anyone with the long one. I might be happier if she didn't go there for a number of reasons, I don't know I'm really divided.

Then off down to Cornwall.

I'm going to get back in the pool next week, I'm actually missing swimming. Never thought I'd say that!

Swimming and cycled KK? There be dragons down that path.

We all the did the 11+ at school, twas mandatory.

IronCat5 in the Hat wrote (see)

Swimming and cycled KK? There be dragons down that path.

We all the did the 11+ at school, twas mandatory.

I know! I'm a runner, let's not bastardise that with these other strange elements (yet again)

The school system down here is still old fashioned and we live in a very affluent area; bucking the trend by being very unaffluent ourselves. Basically the bright kids go to the grammar schools, the moneyed but thick go to the private schools and the rest go to the comps.

Ok the moneyed and bright also go to the private schools, or the grammar schools.

Although, intelligence in my book is multi-factored, so some of the best kids go to the comps.

I like comprehensive schools generally, having chosen never to work in private or grammar schools for a reason.

Not that I'm opinionated at all.

Ok, I might have made up a word, I'm not sure unaffluent exists. Which makes me wonder what the opposite of recyclable is? Uncyclable?

kittenkat wrote (see)

The school system down here is still old fashioned and we live in a very affluent area; bucking the trend by being very unaffluent ourselves. Basically the bright kids go to the grammar schools, the moneyed but thick go to the private schools and the rest go to the comps.

Ok the moneyed and bright also go to the private schools, or the grammar schools.

That's the system back where I was brought up; it worked and it fed in to the University system where necessary, and not, again where necessary.

The system we have here confuses me. No 11+, but plenty of schools will allow you to take an entrance exam. Or the local comp, or church school. Too many options!

IronCat5 in the Hat wrote (see)

kittenkat wrote (see)

The school system down here is still old fashioned and we live in a very affluent area; bucking the trend by being very unaffluent ourselves. Basically the bright kids go to the grammar schools, the moneyed but thick go to the private schools and the rest go to the comps.

Ok the moneyed and bright also go to the private schools, or the grammar schools.

That's the system back where I was brought up; it worked and it fed in to the University system where necessary, and not, again where necessary.

The system we have here confuses me. No 11+, but plenty of schools will allow you to take an entrance exam. Or the local comp, or church school. Too many options!

We have to put down 3 options, our third is the only local(ish) CofE secondary. We have a slight chance because she will come from a CofE primary. Our nearest secondary school is only about 4 miles away but that's not an option for us as we are Teignbridge district council, not Exeter. So our options are a half hour bus ride away and a 3/4 hour bus ride away.

Planning at local level is great isn't it!

Well that is it, this bit is out of my hands.

There were hundreds of girls there.

Bon chance!

Thanks, what will be will be!

Said we'd go to Maccy Ds after

Came 5th female person in my half marafun today, 1st in age group. Well sponsored city race so nice bling won and very hilly so lots of club runners; sick masochistic bastards.

Also tech tee and a bottle of beer from one of the local breweries for all finishers.

It was my second slowest half marathon time, but it was good because I didn't set out to race it, but as a fastish training run (as running guru instructed). Very good advice because I kept my head and just had a very comfortable run with fuel left in the tank at the end. It also meant that I didn't blow up on the hills at mile 9 and 10 like a lot of people did.

All milestones to actually getting a good marafun run in London in April.

I saw more people barf in/after this race than I have to date. Well marshalled and organised, prize giving was late, but when isn't it. Now I have an idea of the course, will probably go back next year.

I say city race, but it went out of the city and was multi terrain; those that know me well know I like tarmac through and through.

In other news, so many other races on this weekend for forumites and other friends, need to go catch up...

Well I thought I had another week off but they've asked me to go into work. Tis all dosh and I wasn't planning a big training week, given it's JW weekend next weekend.

still waiting for our third runner to confirm.

Ultra AJH wrote (see)

still waiting for our third runner to confirm.

Do you know anyone else if he can't?

not at present

Do you think it's likely that he can't?

I'm not sure he's just useless at getting back to me. I will chase.