Chris Cutforth's Blog

Pints, pizza, Platts and parkrun My weekend started early on Friday with a leaving do for a much valued and respected colleague. Judy - you are one of the nicest, most caring people I know - like me, you say things as you see them which is often the way they are - your honesty and integrity are second to none. These qualities will be sorely missed around the place. Judy’s farewells provided a good excuse for a couple of swift pints before meeting the family for pizza and more beer at the Greystones followed by an early night. My plan to venture out beyond Sheffield was put on hold for another week - instead I chose Hillsborough accompanied by brother in law Ross who’s down visiting from Edinburgh. Met Dr Chris Platts at the start looking resplendent in his shorts and Sheffield Wednesday shirt - arguably the best looking sociologist in the world (arguably!). Chris had managed to drag himself out of bed after a few more beers than me last night. After a slow start and

Snoring changes everything I chose Endcliffe Park this weekend - the easy option in terms of it being closest to home. The original plan to take Ailsa (wife) and Isla (dog) to Graves was scuppered by my excessive snoring during the night which meant that Ailsa needed a bit longer in bed to recover. Nice chat with James and Sarah-Jane before the start - the former making his return to running after an achilles injury, the latter a music and languages supply teacher. They were clearly really close friends who look out for each other every day - such pleasant and interesting people. Sarah Jane’s  closest parkrun is Clumber Park and she encouraged me to pay a visit. I said I would, it's definitely time to venture out beyond Sheffield - this has to be a priority for the spring and summer. Felt quite good today - the recent training with Katie still bearing fruit. As I came down the driveway towards the finish I was determined to pass a few people and not to be overtaken

Exercise and relaxation are good for your health  I'm writing the early part of this on Friday evening sitting relaxing at Forge Dam listening to the sound of water pouring out of the pond and down into the city - very therapeutic. In my last blog I spoke about not feeling so good and some of the underlying reasons - mental exhaustion, the weather and aspects of my personality that I have learnt to live with.  Well I’m pleased to say that after a month which for long periods have felt like living under a dark cloud, I am feeling much better. A couple of weeks’ holiday over the Easter period seems to have done the trick although I’d be lying if I said it felt like it at the time. Ailsa and I spent 10 days in La Gomera, the smallest and least touristy of the Canary Islands, to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary (yes I know, you get less for murder these days!). Despite it being a very relaxing time physically in a beautiful location (both the island and where we we