The Wall

I hit the wall this morning. Even with my mass, it didn't move..

It's aptly named too. It was around the 15 mile mark and within seconds I went from relative comfort to a sense of being hollowed out. The last few calories had been thrown on the fire, and once burnt I was reduced to staggering around in the manner of someone who's been hit over the head with a mallet. Or indeed, someone who's just run into a wall.

This comes on the back of a) A 10 mile run a couple of days ago, and b) an empty stomach. I had neglected to take some of my gel packs with me and paid the price. Never again, it was a very long slow walk back home. I hope very very much that I pre-empt this on race day, those that say the distance beyond 13 miles is in your head are mistaken - It's very much in your legs..

On other unrelated matters I have installed a new door bell at home. Stay with me.

I fitted it up, test fired it and selected a suitable tune. Well, OK then, the least disagreeable tune which in fact was "dogs barking". Since it needs to be played quite loudly the idea of "Banjo on my Knee" every time someone came to the door was quite disturbing. For all parties I imagine. So in the absence of a "Bing Bong" selection the dogs it was.

At first I was amazed at how many people came to our door. I had left the old one in place and not working for many months, leaving many a Tom, Dick or Harry pressing the duff bell and waiting patiently before finally giving up. I just thought our lack of visitors was reflective of our local (un)popularity.

Apparently not so. I was thus also amazed at the persistence of the Tom's, Dick's or Harry's who not put off by their previous experiences are still pressing the button and vying for our attention. Postmen, Local Village Groups, Newsletters, Youth Groups, Charities, Pizza delivery companies and Burglars checking if you're in. It's all very new and very exciting indeed.

However, after 48hrs or so the bell started to randomly cycle through the tunes every time someone pressed the button. It's now settled finally, permanently, and irrevocably, on "Banjo on my Knee". Which is played at full volume, until I appear at the door usually dressed in my underwear.

Strangely, my number of visitors is going down again..