Christmas time for athletes

So, its Christmas time. A time for living and a time for giving as Clint Richard sung in that Christmas record. It's at times like these that your man here turns his thoughts not to my hopes and expectations in the sporting arena - but to the hopes and fears of others. Because, deep down, I'm just a humble person with lots of love to give out - and I do care about you all.

Whenever I make one my many public appearances I get approached by ordinary people asking me what life is like as a sporting icon. And, you know Ronettes, its difficult for me to express myself without feeling ... how should I say ... smug. Because I cant deny it, life as a sporting icon is special, it is different to the life that you probably lead.

But that's just what life is like isn't it? Sometimes you get dealt a bum deal and, for instance, you get to be born in a poor country like Wales or Yorkshire. But if that happens you just have to get on with life as well as trying to be as miserable as sin. And what about those that got the two of spades when God dealt the cards and ended up a woman? They didn't complain did they? OK they may have made up for it since but at least they have us men to keep their spirits up.

So, whilst I do try and empathise with ordinary people it is difficult. But I take heart from the little pep talks I give to people and I hope that they go some way to bringing a little sunshine into their otherwise poor lives.

Of course, this time of year can be a particularly difficult time for me because I have to juggle the demands placed upon me by my exhaustive training regime and the demands placed on me down at the Dog and Duck by Ernie and his mates. But I still love the life I lead.

So my Christmas was a whirl of social occasions - I went out for a few tubes with Ernie and then we went for a kebab on Christmas Eve. Felt a tad ropey so stayed in bed till lunchtime on Christmas Day then got a lift to the Dog and Duck for a couple of hours with the boys. Went round to Ernies for some turkey sandwiches and completely forgot about the Half Share, Haille Minogue, The Droog and The Sod being there. Think I could have been in trouble but I dug up a privet hedge on the way home and presented it to the family before deciding to leave them in peace to watch the telly. But, for God's sake, what's Christmas if its not for the kids eh?

Anyway festivities were well and truly over this morning when we ventured over to Eastbourne for a bit of cross country action. Galley Hill in a gale force wind with ice on the ground was not my idea of a game of soldiers. And after a 2 mile run down hill and a two mile run back up the hill with the wind in my face the idea of some warm weather training suddenly became very attractive.

So, I've decided to get my act together and drop a few lines to some of these foreign countries and see if they can't offer me some freebie training facilities - I'll let you know how I get on!!

Keep on tapering.

Ron

I think I've made an impression!

Well, your kiddie here has reached the end of his first warm weather training session - and I have to say it's done me the world of good!

Bring on Beachy Head! Bring on the Himalayas! Bring on 2012!

I'm a good few pounds lighter - both fiscal and avoir dupois! And I think I've made some friends amongst the Montenegro public.

As our last day approaches the thermometer has reached the 100 degree mark and to celebrate the Half Share decided to .... take me on another 8 mile hike to the top of a flippin' mountain.

Now I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty frigged off with hill training - and 4 miles in an upward direction is not my idea of a box of chocolates I can tell you. So, I sit here now with a bum like a box of figs and calf muscles crying out for some relief. But fair's fair - it was a wonderful view from the top of the flippin' thing!

We have also completed our medical traumas - our fifth visit to the local hospital to have the stitches removed from the Half Share's lower limb was a bit of a red letter day for us - at last she can drink and she can swim!

Unfortunately the day then went south when the middle Cash Drainer,The Droog, decided it would be fun to collapse face first into a plate of Minestrone Soup - a bit of a frightener I have to say but it turns out to be nothing more than reaction to the sun. I was more concerned with the reaction to my wallet as I'd already ordered her Cod 'n' Chips before she decided that a bubble in the soup would fun - but we got over that. And blonde hair does go well with red soup!

My final training run of the break was a strange one though. I have noticed that my daily training session has attracted an increasing number of people. Nothing too special but I usually start with some pelvic thrusts, a couple of my notorious anal crunch routines before breaking for autographs. I know that the sessions have done wonders for Anglo-Balkan relations and I was delighted that as the days have progressed then more and more of the locals have bowled up to watch me. This morning I had the pleasure of the local Chief Constable watching me - and his admiring glances were much appreciated I can tell you! In fact, so impressed was he that he offered me a lift to the airport - how about that for fraternal Balkan greetings?

In fact, so insistent was he that I had a hell of a job persuading him that I wasn't actually leaving this morning - so the offer of a lift in his Patrol Car, whilst much appreciated, was unnecessary. Great news is though that he has promised to drive me to Dubrovnik tomorrow morning and personally escort me out of the country.

How 'Wow!!' is that?

So, I'm back to Blighty tomorrow and I can tell you one thing - I'm just so full of beans! I really feel that I'm back to my Olympic best - and I'll be cranking up the old training regime accordingly.

I'll have a chat when I'm back.

Keep on tapering.

Ron