A run to my car
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I dropped my car off at Toyota in Panmure this morning as it was time for it’s annual service and Warrant of Fitness. Unfortunately the first thing I did when I arrived at the car yard was scrape one of their brand new vans that a customer was supposed to be picking up while parking my car. I hate to admit it but it was totally my fault. I just misjudged the length of the van.
Fortunately I’m fully insured so I rang up my insurance company (AA insurance) and within about 10 minutes they had arranged for my car to be repaired - it’s got a nasty scratch all down the left side - and they even organised me a free hire car to replace my one while it’s being repaired. I just need to drop it off at their collision repair centre tomorrow morning. And they are going to take care of the car yards car too. Full marks to them for their great service.
Anyway, the Toyota folks were obviously not too impressed but this kind of thing happens so what can you do? I left my car and I thought it would be pushing my luck to ask if they could drop me off at one of the satellite campuses my work has that is about 3 km away from the car yard (they normally do) so I decided to walk. It was a great morning for it as it was not too warm (it’s been alternating an hour or two of sun and then an hour or two of rain the last few days) and it didn’t take me long to get to the campus. There is a free shuttle bus that runs from that campus to the main campus in the city where I work so I was quickly back in the office.
I had decided to run back to get my car as the distance was approximately 10 km and I needed a run so once they called me up to say the service was done I headed off to the gym (on campus), got changed in to my running gear and then started running.
Conditions were close to ideal for running - the only niggle is that at times the wind would gust a bit. I felt great the whole time and really enjoyed my run. I haven’t actually enjoyed a run as much as this one for a while. Funny how sometimes the run is just right. I did 10.72 km in 58:54 at a 5:30 min/km pace. This bodes well for me breaking 1 hour in my 11K race on Sunday as I was not really straining at all.
I ate quite a bit more than I normally do last night as I got the munchies and I wonder if that is why my run felt so good. I suspect that I should fuel myself a bit better for my longer runs especially as the half marathon is only 3 and a bit weeks away. Or maybe I just want to justify eating more food. 
Who knows?
Speaking of food, my wife and I try to make a point of having lunch together at least one day during the work week (we do work at the same place after all!) and yesterday we tried a new place called Revive. It’s a vegetarian restaurant and I can highly recommend it. The food is great and while not cheap for lunch it’s not expensive either.
You’ll also be pleased to know that her neck is better now and she managed to get out for her first run since being injured today. 5.35km in 35 mins I’m told.
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I love how you are always looking for ways to get your exercise in! So often we offer the excuse that we have no time, but you’re showing us that we can integrate exercise into our daily lives. Thanks!
hanlies last blog post..It’s all about the hormones!
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Eeeeeee, I’m glad you finally tried out Revive. It always looked so good - I wish they had opened the Lorne Street store when I was at Uni (or they had one near my work, bah!).
I wish I could shake this back pain and get into running longer distances again!
Marshmallows last blog post..On the Offensive
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Good on you, Andrew. Glad to hear that your wife is feeling better.
I finished week 4 of the C25K program here in Cholet, France. Cholet is an industrial town, but like the rest of the Loire Valley, it is still a pretty town. My husband’s company is located here.
I went running in a quaint park along the Moine River. It was full of older people walking their tiny dogs. I got lots of strange looks. People do run in parks in France, but they generally don’t see Americans running in parks in France.
Generally, it is hard to distinguish me from other Europeans until I open my mouth to speak, but I look painfully American in my jogging outfit. On top of that, I am one of those people whose face become bright red with any exertion, so I also get a lot of concerned looks as if I might keel over any second.
It was a good run in any event. My husband and I are heading to Normandy for the weekend, so unless I find a good place to run, I will probably start week 5 on Monday.
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Oh man, I’m putting myself in the shoes of the poor guy who thought he was getting a new car. Major bummer! Glad you were able to get through it OK though. I love the idea of just run, run, run like this. It’s like you are Forrest Gump!
John’s Weight Loss Blogs last blog post..Creating a Health Decision Scorecard
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I love when exercise and real life combine! It always feels like such a waste of energy to run nowhere on a treadmill. Running outdoors is better. But the best is when I can accomplish something I’d need to get done anyhow (like you did) AND get my exercise in! Love it!!
charlottes last blog post..Good Touch Versus Bad Touch: Gym Edition
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Thanks for reminding me that I need an oil change! I hope all works well with the cars.
I did find that when I had the munchies there were two reasons. I wasn’t eating enough, and I needed more fuel for running. Well, I guess it’s only one reason, but what can I say.. It’s been a long day so far!
nancys last blog post..Random running thoughts
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Wow, a good experience with an insurance company is somewhat like the Yeti: we’re told it exists, but nobody’s ever actually seen it!
Nice work on getting the run into your schedule when dealing with car issues. Awesome pace too!
Vavas last blog post..Foot Pain, and Running Offspring
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the car scraping?
totally something which would happen in my life.
and I love how you and your wife seem to always *work* (key word huh?) to make time for each other and your relationship.
MizFits last blog post..WORDPRESS GLITCH FIXED. Nothing is ever password protected up in herre.
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Sounds like you are going to crush the goal of 11km in an hour. Good idea having that as a warm up race for the half - you can practice your “race craft”
Bad luck with the car but sounds like it worked out in the end.
Aarons last blog post..Midweek Tempo
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That’s no fun at all with the car situation, but definitely awesome regarding the run times!
Will @ 4XLTs last blog post..Reboot
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Good job with your run! Not so fun with the car but such as life.
I should do my blog post 
ps. it is 5.43KM in 35 mins
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Glad your wife is better! That’s so nice that you have lunch together once a week. What a great ritual.
Felices last blog post..Race Report: Albany Race for the Cure 2008
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I like it when I can work running into an errand, great job.
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That doesn’t sound good. I recommend that you don’t take the car arranged for you. Run to every place that you need to be at.
Usmans last blog post..The top 5 fat burning exercises
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AndrewE
reply on October 10th, 2008 7:50 pm:
That’s crazy talk.
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Ouch! Sorry about the car drama, but at least it’s all worked out okay and no one was injured.
Hope that itch is all better now!
Cammys last blog post..Holding On
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sorry about the car but great job with everything else! You’ve come so far since i started reading your blog… keep it up, and you’ll do great for your half
Melanies last blog post..almost like a first kiss
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