Run 5: a pictoral account

For something a bit different, I thought you’d like to see today’s run in pictures. The sun is finally shining and it’s much nicer to run without rain blasting into your eyes. What a great way to start the day…

The Last Thakur on DVD!

It’s out! It’s out! The Last Thakur, the film I co-wrote the script for, has now been released on DVD. If you missed seeing it in the cinema, you can pop into your local HMV and there it will be. Well at least the Oxford street shop has it. It’s very surreal that it even exists. You can buy it online on Play.com or amazon.co.uk.

And here’s a little bit about it:

This intense contemporary Western takes place in a remote village of Bangladesh and features breathtaking locations, and leading Bangladeshi theatre actors in a story of passion, jealousy and revenge.

The rhythm of the drum beats as dawn rises over the marshland. The celebrations are beginning, it is independence day… A mysterious man dressed as a private guard and armed with a rifle arrives in the town of Doulthapur. This stranger, Kala, soon finds himself caught up in the midst of a bitter and feuding community.

The Chairman, seductive, venal and ruthless putports to represent and defend his people - but one man stands in his way - Thakur, the local Hindu landlord, driven by his own manic obsession to commerate his family by reclaiming all land on which loans are unpaid. Kala and his gun become a vital asset that each side must have. Broke and hungry, Kala begins to bargain with them. He’ll take their money but what he wants is information. He has his own mission that brought him here, to find his father, the man who raped his mother, and take revenge.

Run 4: what’s with the weather?

On Friday, my friend made an observation. Starting to run in November is not an easy task nor is it something most people do. This morning, not only did I have to contend with it being Monday, but it was was raining sideways. Now I’m not intending to make all of my talk of running be also all about the weather (though it makes me feel rather British) but I’m rather proud that I got up and did it despite the weather.

As the start of the second week, my running time has increased so it’s now 1 minute running and 2 minutes walking. You do it 6 times, so 18 minutes total. I did a bit more running then in the plan - I found running in that weather much better then walking in it.

Going through Clapham Common I had an entire extended family of geese settling on the path in front of me. Like a little goose crossing. They scattered and didn’t fuss too much when I went by which was great - geese can be a bot snappy and tempermental.

Unfortunately once I was done I couldn’t do my yoga - during my internal debate what I should do about the weather (while um…lounging in bed), I didn’t leave myself enough time to do that and get to work. So off to work I went.

Run 3: sore legs in the rain

This is the third day of running and the rain was beating the window when I awoke. Too early and the rain is not making me want to put on my trainers and hoodie and go out there. So after procrastinating (ie pressing snooze), I got up and forced myself out the door. In some way, it was great that I waited because the rain stopped but it made me feel rushed for time. Legs were sore today which was a first this week so I thought more stretching was the perfect remedy.

I thought I’d try out the yoga feature on Wii Fitness training. I thought it may be a couple stretches after some cardio but it was all yoga. I didn’t realize that (maybe I should read manuals in future or actually try out all the features.) It was a great way to finish off a run and I’ll be doing it for the next one.

Run 2: a blustery morning

This morning I awoke to the wind rattling my windows and my body groggy with red wine memories of the night before. This wasn’t going to be a fun run, I could feel it. Well more accurately walk/run as according to the plan, I actually doing more walking then running.

The wind hit me as soon as I crossed to the common. Happily it wasn’t raining and most of Monday’s puddles had cleared up. Today’s No Doubt soundtrack brought me back to the 90s: all of the songs are upbeat and surprisingly motivational. I did my little loop of the park and instead of walking the last 3 minutes as outlined in my plan, I ran them. Woohoo! Run 2 complete.

Run 1: Running in the Rain

Of course it’s raining on the first day of my new running regime. All the other weeks I thought of running and then didn’t, this would have stopped me. Not today. On went the workout wear, the trainers and out I went.
Rain actually feels nice when running – if it’s not too cold or windy. Today was not too bad. One minute running. Slightly out of breath by the end of it. Embarrassing. Three minutes of walking I can do…then I round the corner to walk down a path cutting through Clapham Common and a woman collapses in the middle of it. Walking was cut short as I ran to help.

A man walking a dog beat me to her and was on the phone to the ambulance. She mumbled incoherently as she came to. By the time the man convinced the ambulance (yes, he had to convince them!) to come, the woman was trying to stand. She suddenly said she was fine and thanked us for the help but she had to go. We tried to convince her to wait but no dice.

Nothing more either of us could do, I continued running. I finished and felt not too bad even if the rain got heavier near the end. End of day one. We’ll see how my legs feel tomorrow!

Photo by mnomono

Giving a little to kids at Christmas

Though many advertisers may not agree, I think it’s a bit early to talk Christmas. But it’s never too early to talk giving. And this year, people around the UK are taking part in Christmas in a Shoebox. This charity gives to children that won’t have a little gift for Christmas and is run by Operation Christmas Child. Running for 19 years, this is the UK’s largest children’s Christmas appeal. Last year 1.2 million shoeboxes were collected packed full of gifts and goodies. These were then distributed to children in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

This charity is an easy way for everyone to give at Christmas. Yes…anyone can take part! That includes you. So if you’re interested, all you need to do is:

• Find a shoe box at home


• Wrap it nicely but leave it open


• Fill it with new items such as toys (nothing war related or homemade please!), educational supplies, hygiene items like toothbrushes or soap, or items like gloves, sunglasses, bangles or hats. Also make sure none of the items are fragile, liquid or dangerous.

When you’re done, all that’s left is to take the box to a drop off spot near you and a child somewhere will have a gift this Christmas. You can read more about Operation Christmas Child on their website where you can find out your nearest drop off spot.  The last day of collection is 18 November so get cracking!

Marathon bound…one run at a time

I’ve decided to give running another go. I’m great at making excuses but it actually feels good when you run on a regular basis. I got into it for a few months last year but then life got in the way.

Today I cracked open “Running Made Easy” which I think is a great book for all you beginner runners out there (me included). When you first begin, you start off very easy. Run 1 minute, walk 3 minutes and repeat that 4 times. 16 minutes. Sounds easy – and it will be when I get in shape again. But it’s a nice level to start off at – achievable and doesn’t want to make you quit immediately. I think my problem with all the other times I wanted to start running was that I tried to do too much too soon. Or I started running at ridiculous times (like the middle of January in the wilds of Canada!)

The first 10 weeks you work up towards a 5 km run. I can usually do one in 30 minutes and I want to get back up to that. But instead of jumping right in, I’m going back to the beginning. Once comfortable with 5 km then you can train 10 weeks for a 10 km. Then 11 weeks to a half marathon and 12 weeks to a marathon. I’m thinking a year at minimum to get me to marathon capability. Should I do it? 2012?

The book says have a goal in mind. Now that I have my visa and I’m mere days away from being able to apply for my British passport, I think it’s time for another non-work goal. My new Nikes are in the post. Marathon here I come!

Photo by corono

My Wii Fit gave me trouble

So I haven’t been on my Wii Fit for a long time – 2 months too long. My trousers were getting a bit snugger but I’ve been enjoying the take away and drinks and not willing to think about the consequences. It also hasn’t helped that I’ve been working in an office again so lunches have become more ready meal friendly then ever before. And there’s always bread and biscuits. Eek.

So today I decided I can’t carry on this way. And the Wii Fit agreed. After scolding me for not visiting it recently, it gracefully added on pounds to my sleek avatar to show I’ve gained weight. Thanks Wii Fit.

But it did have a point and I dug out my trainers and did 30 minutes of aerobics with my Wii Personal Trainer. She was more sympathetic and told me that she understood it’s hard to keep exercising. So she kept encouraging me through the 30 minutes as I realized my year long exercise hiatus has done more of a toll on my body than I thought. I hope I’m not in a horror movie situation any time soon. I don’t think I’d be able to run very far…

Photo by sajego