Stunning winters day with boys playing in shorts and tees. Go figure. Nipped into Bromley with younger two then Palace with the big Tom followed by Stevie's party in Peckham.
Palace were average today with injuries taking their toll and could only muster a 0 - 0 draw at home to Swansea. Gilt edged chances missed by Bamford and Zaha. They need to break the bank to keep Bolasie. No coincidence that no goals in last two games with him out injured. Incredible stat that our forwards have contributed the grand total of one goal and we are still 5th!
Up real early for boys to smash open their pressies. Then straight back to bed. Rolled back out at midday.
Headed over to my mums and dads with my Sis, Paul, my Bro, Tirana all the grandchildren plus Tirana's mum and uncle Jeff. Jacqui's gynormous turkey was the best I have ever had.
Nice day with extended family time. I am always super quiet over Christmas, always been like that. Day #5 of self imposed rest. Hammy fractionally better.
Took the whole family into the office so that they can see where I have been for the last 12 months and to prove that have not been making it up. For me it's always a nice way to close out the year.
Uncle J arrived this evening.
The hammy is still super sore and have left the strapping on. Hoping it's a 3 week thing and not anything more otherwise my April plans are dashed.
Today was a case of accepting that I had nothing more to give. After a gruelling year I am officially worn out. Had planned to run home and test the gluet but am simply done for. I cannot ever remembering feeling so mentally and physically fatigued. Physical fatigue is something I have been able to deal with but overlaying that with mental exhaustion is trying.
Nothing much of note today other than team lunch and more grenades to catch.
Need to take it easy over Christmas. Notwithstanding the general tightness on right side the gluet is much better thanks mostly to yesterday's massage.
After all the boozing the body is creaking. I rolled out of bed to jog the block to meet Messi. I knew I was struggling after 400 meters. At 14k I even had to stop with the right gluet pinching my hammy. Managed 17ks in the end around Norman Park and no way near the 25 I was hoping for.
Got home and jumped in the car to Bromley to get me some acupuncture which has helped a little followed by 2 viscously hot baths.
Melissa and the kids (another old Manly family) said their farewells this afternoon. She has fighting spirit in a horribly tough situation. Admirable is an understatement.
Decidedly groggy this morning. Ryder was at my mum and dads last night with his cousin Freddie (for Gruffalo concert) and the house seemed very quiet. Packed the boys off on their bikes and J and I went to grab coffee.
We stopped into see my old mate Latesh who told his unbelievable lottery story.
Last week one of his regular old boys came into the shop and whispered in his ear that 'he had cracked it' (he had the winning Lotto numbers). Latesh sent him home to recheck with his Mrs to be on the safe side. 2 hours later he came back and whispered again that 'he had cracked it!'. Latesh has seen this 80 year old gent every day for the best part of 40 years and for the last 20 years he has religiously bought his weekly lottery ticket. Then all of a sudden he disappears. 2 weeks go by and then today the National Lottery company came by and presented him with the winning certificate for his shop. Turns out the old bugger won £5.7m (about 200 million aussie using current rates!!). Latesh is still none the wiser if he is ok - and hopes he did not have a heart attack.
Managed a hungover 10k in the late arvo and then as soon as I got home I checked the footie scores. The pre-game ritual of sticking Timmy's Stoke dvds in the bin worked!!!! 29 points after 17 games. Champions League here we come.
And no better club to support evidenced by Pardew out drinking with the Palace fans after last week's win. Tell me where else does that happen?
They call this back eye Friday in the UK. When people bash each other ahead of Christmas.
Out with Jeremy. I have not caught up with him for months. Basically drank wheat beer after wheat beer in Covent Garden. Then stumbled out to get UBER home. I love fact that I have not seen this guy properly for months but because I have known him for 30+ years it does not matter. He is in a good space as always.
Managed 7k at lunch. 5k at 4minks then 2 @3.29.
Worn out from a truly crazy year on all fronts.
Pic from UBER on way home at 1am of family (incl boys the age of my lot) eating fried chicken. Only in South London.
Standard day in office but found a window at 2.30 so legged it downstairs to the gym. I literally had 50 mins to get back to my desk so hammered out 5 x 3.38 ks and then 2 k jog followed by another 3k at 3.38s. Got back to my desk drenched. Left adductor still really tight but has loosened a little with stretching. I have been meaning to go see my Chinese needles man (acupuncturist) but had zero time.
* The ginger shots sorted my cold out. It is incredible stuff.
** Work is relentless.
*** Boys are hanging for Christmas. Jeff their uncle (J's kid bro) has bought us tickets for Star Wars on Boxing day. I am a little excited.
Left side still sore but ran at lunch. More sore than yesterday. An easy 35 mins in 4.08s. Last night with the Letchfords before they leave for Switzerland in the morning. Ryder in morning.
Lunch 10ks at 3.45 and then ran the 17k home in 4.15s. Nigh on 27ks for the day at a clip just over 4 min ks. After my kop out yesterday it was my substitute long run.
Up late and then ran to Jack's game. It was the best he has played for a little while. Lots of dribbling and scored sweet free kick. But they lost 4.3. 11ks in 4.30s.
The Letchfords arrived in the afternoon from Australia, one of the Manly families where we lived in Sydney. Great to see them.
Another huge day.
1. Park Run. @2 place in c.17.50. 2 very muddy sections. Pleased with that. Simon Fox who ran 240 at London last year was 10m in front.
2. Christmas shopping (and x4 haircuts for boys) with all 6 of us.
3. Palace vs Southampton with Lukie. Bolasie on fire. He is my favourite player by a country mile and was unplayable. He always plays with a smile on his face. Was a really nice afternoon with all of the Highfield school dads and boys (pic of boys below). Had a few beers in the season ticket holder bar 'Crystals' before game with Graham and the other dads.
4. Mia's 40th family dinner at pizzeria with all siblings, mum and dad and all grandchildren. More beer and wine...
5. Jeremy's Christmas party in Peckham. Everything started getting a little hazy at midnight.
Exhausted.
Messi keen to run long in the morning. Will need to skip.
