One week later and all is forgotten: the bruises have faded and are barely visible; the aches and pains have gone; and even the smell of whatever was at the bottom of the lake is no longer clinging to the skin.
The 20 miles. The 200 obstacles. It all seems like a dream.
It was a great experience. If you are considering taking part in one of the ever increasing selection of alternative runs about, I would recommend the Rat Race Dirty Weekend. It is 'the world's largest assault course', and if you're going to do something stupid you may as well just go for it. There was plenty of crawling, wadding, climbing, jumping, pulling, swimming, pushing, balancing, falling, swinging, as well as quite a bit of running. You can sign up for 2015 now.
Yesterday's run, with next Saturday's Rat Race in mind, was a leisurely jog around the woods. Although I was very aware of the impending 200 obstacles that are approaching very fast. In fact, they are approaching faster than the need to get out of the front room when the new episode of A Game of Thrones is on when you are still plowing through the first season. 200 obstacles!? I feel I need to say that again: 200 obstacles. All in the space of 20 miles. Yes, 20 miles. Let me just recap: 200 obstacles, 20 miles. So with that in mind I attempted to throw in a few obstacles into my 'leisurely jog'.
First up, a fallen tree across the path, not exactly an 'obstacle' in the whole Rat Race sense of an obstacle, but an obstacle all the same….
My second obstacle was unplanned. Picking up speed downhill through a particularly overgrown path I got snagged on some rather aggressive brambles. Resulting in me performing a 360 deg pirouette whilst trying to avoid getting pulled into said brambles.
Third obstacle: a run of fallen trees. Please note the dangerous looking spikes, making this a life or death obstacle…
Next up was the biggest test to date: a log stack. You could argue that it actually isn't a 'stack', although the forestry commission sign located close by stated: 'Do not climb on the log stacks'. Suffice to say I did climb on the log stack, nearly breaking both ankles in the process. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS.
The final obstacle of the run was a dangerous over hanging branch that required me to slightly duck under. Done.
So, five 'massive' obstacles completed during the 5 mile run. I'm ready!
Yes, you're right! I have managed to drag out yet another blog post all about some 'stuff' my Mum had given me. We began with some Charlton related bits and pieces, then moved on to some primary school reports, and yes, you've guessed it, we now have my secondary school reports.
My secondary school education was in the early 80s, lots of things have changed. Not least fashion. No longer are you forced to wear leg warmers and walk about in big trousers saying 'you can't touch this!' – or was that just my old school? I think the first thing to say is that there are no predicted grades, just an effort grade, an attainment grade and a postion in class…
Bring back class positions...
Year 7….Form 1N….1982….
My form tutor was Mrs Warren, I vaguely remember her. She was a 'home economics' teacher and always wore a white tabard. I seemed to work pretty well, “…worked hard….worked well….satisfactory….works with interest..” Although I had a few issues when it came to exams, “…examination was disappointing…result lower than expected…does not do himself justice in examinations…”
Year 8….Form 2R…1983…
My form tutor this year was Mr Richards, Art teacher. After a disappointing first year in secondary school I think I began to get the hang of it, although still a bit up and down: “…shown improvement…improved this year…begun to do some work…relaxed his efforts of late…” Mr Richard's comment sort of summed the year up….
Think what he could achieve with greater effort!
Year 9…Form 3R…1984…
A few selected comments…
English – “could work harder…needs to set himself a higher standard”
Biology – “does not take his work seriously”
French – “satisfactory but unremarkable”
Physics – “casual approach to learning”
I'm hoping having picked options at the end of this year my reports will improve.
Year 10…Form 4P…1985…
I think the teachers have been a bit harsh….
“Philip needs to make greater effort”
“He would do better if he put more effort in”
“Philip has a lot of hard work to do to improve his standard from this unacceptably low level”
“Room for improvement”
This end of year report had As and Bs for effort and As and Bs for attainment. So slightly disappointed to have so many negative comments. Final year coming up, it's not too late to turn it around!
Year 11…Form 5P…1986…
I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that things didn't get any better. My Chemistry teacher summed it all up pretty well:
“Philip's apathetic attitude has produced predictable results”
I left school with 9 O Levels: 4 As and 5 Bs. But it probably could have been so much better….
It is finally here. No longer will you have to sit huddled in front of the screen eagerly clicking refresh. No longer will you have to stare at your Twitter timeline hoping for the update. No longer will you have sleepless nights. After the first episode just a few days ago, Part 2 of 'My Mum had a clear out' is here…
Just to recap my Mum gave me a load of stuff that she had collected over the years. There was a lot more but Mum had done a cull of items over the last couple of years. What we have left is a collection of 'stuff' that makes for interesting reading: school reports, school projects, old certificates, drawings and various other bits and pieces.
Being a teacher I was looking forward to seeing my old school reports. I've written a fair few about various 'little darlings' I have taught so was interested in what my teachers said about me. Below is just a flavour of what a 'fabulous' pupil I was.
First year primary school…class 1L….July 1978…..I think it works out year 3….
“Philip is making good progress…communicates well….his written work is beautifully presented….interesting and imaginative….tries hard.” The phrase, “written work is beautifully presented” made me smile because my handwriting is pretty atrocious. But my favourite part has to be this….
...enjoys learning new things...
Second year primary…class 2TW…July 1979….year 4…
“Philip is a very competent reader….methodical….natural aptitude…good positive attitude to school…very helpful in the class.” It all seems to be going very well so far.
Third year primary…class 6W…July 1980….year 5…
“Philip has made progress but not as much as I had hoped for….lack of concentration…easily distracted and readily talks for the remainder of the lesson…lacks imagination.” I think this teacher may have got me confused with someone else! Although I particularly like the following phrase….
...it wouldn't hurt to use a few adjectives...
Final year in primary…class 8B…July 1981….year 6….
Class 8B, Mrs Bickers, she is the only teacher I remember from primary school and from what I actually remember she was nice, so expecting a good report. “Philip has continued to make progress…his written work has matured…speaks well…pleasant responsible boy….I have enjoyed teaching him.” Glad to see I finished my primary education on a high. Although it is interesting that the head made a comment on the report, “He is still rather shy and quiet, I hope he will grow in confidence next year.”
What is also interesting is that there is not a level or grade in sight in any of the primary school reports. But as enter the world of secondary education that is all about to change. And in a cliffhanger style you will have to wait for the next part of 'My Mum had a clear out'…..
With the prospect of completing 20 miles and 200 obstacles less than a month away I decided that I needed to get some miles under my belt. So this morning I ran 16.3 miles. It was a lovely morning. I was even feeling strong up to about 14 miles but the last couple were a struggle. A simple stile at mile 15 felt like a mountain and even kerbs were requiring a big effort. Not sure how I'm going to cope with 200 obstacles.
But I'm glad I've completed a nice long run. Plan is to complete 18 or so miles next weekend, with a few days at the gym in between.
Recently my Mum told me she was having a clear out and she had lots of stuff from when I was younger: old school reports, stuff I'd made and some Charlton bits and pieces. So it wasn't unexpected when I arrived at mum's the other day for her to hand me some 'stuff'. Loads of old school reports as well as 'projects' I'd done and some examples of my handiwork. But also some Charlton stuff.
I've been a Charlton Athletic fan for as long as I can remember. In the very distant past I remember my Dad taking me to watch Millwall – that was his team – but for me it was always Charlton. The scarf and hat have seen a fair few matches. When I was a 'cool' teenager I don't think the bobble hat would have seen the light of day too often, although today it is the height of fashion. During the 70s and 80s the scarf was a must wear. Everyone had one on. I'm not sure if the scarf is held as dear in today's 'must have a replica top' world. I was forever thankful of the scarf. The times when I was proud to show my colours: the 5-0 mauling of the mighty Manchester City in 1986 – how times have changed – it was the only match where I can ever remember singing 'we want six'. Or the times when it was used to hide my face: an apathetic performance against Cambridge United – they were then bottom of the league – resulting in a heavy 'home' defeat. I even remember a phase when I wore it tied around my wrist in a 'Showaddywaddy style'.
I think this may have been the first 'official' Charlton top I was given – although I'm not sure it was 'official' or even if such a thing as an 'official' kit existed. It may have just been purchased down the market, or from the club shop, but for me it didn't matter. It was Charlton. But as you can see I wore it out….
They say what goes around comes around. Never is that more true than in fashion. At school the lads all have these retro bags, and they don't believe that I once had a bag like that, and that I was actually 'cool'. Enough said….
Coming soon: My Mum had a clear out (Part 2) including old school reports and lots more.
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