“What is the reason? Soon the ‘why’ and the ‘reason’ are gone and all that matters is the feeling. This is the nature of the universe. We struggle against it, we fight to deny it; but is of course a lie. Beneath our posed appearance we are completely out of control.” The Merovingian, The Matrix Reloaded.

19th Jan – Days to go on 100 days dry: 83. Days until the Dartmoor Way: 116

So, my recent ‘I’ve been sleeping like a baby’ post made me a liar. I reveled in the announcement that I was sleeping better on the evidence of just two nights sleep. It was heavy sleep no doubt, but only as a reaction to a new exercise regime that I just wasn’t used to. As soon as I strapped on the watch with bits and pieces for sleep analysis I tossed and turned, so in reality, I was sleeping like a baby with colic. They say that the measurement of a thing changes its outcome^[1], well this was most definitely the case. It took two nights for me to get back into a rhythm. But I am back there now, so all is good.

These are new patterns, different ones to be sure, but not comfortable ones right off of the bat. But the good news is that I seem to be adapting a little better. Now I am taking notice of what I eat and am still alcohol free after 16 days. That’s got to be a good thing.

The walk at the weekend was horrible. For two especial reasons.  The first is the hill at about half distance of the Uley circle, the second was the bloody #dogbeast. Fit as a tick and raring to go, every time I stopped to catch breath, he whined and bounced and was keen to resume. Git.

However, the weeknight running is currently easy to commit to, so I need to watch that when it gets more difficult. The actual cycle of an interval training approach (run, walk, run, walk) is working out well for me, the only downside is that my shins are starting to ache during the run, so will look into possible causes of that. I am following the NHS #couchto5k and it seems OK. I have treated myself to a Petzl headtorch which arrives at the weekend, because I notice that the real runners out there use one, and I want to fit in.

The soul searching hasn’t started yet. I am still able to motivate myself to follow the course, which is a good sign. But, I have just found out that there are three social events coming my way in the next 6 weeks. So I need to put some thought into my routine, make sure that I stick to the plan and avoid a drink.

“To find something, anything, a great truth or a lost pair of glasses, you must first believe that there will be some advantage in finding it.” Jack Burden, All The Kings Men.

^[1]Observer effect (Physics)