A Tin of Beans

I know it's a tin of beans....I'm not a Heinz or HP man though. I prefer Whole Earth. The beans have just a little bit more bite and bean taste. The sauce is just a bit spicy and it's so runny that it typically falls off the side of the plate and makes a mess. I love writing and photography, even if the subject for both is a tin of beans.

I had fallen asleep so early last night, feeling totally drained after a day of tutoring. I don't know how teachers can stand in front of a group of kids day after day and keep them engaged and happy at the same time. Anyway, I woke up far too early as a result, and watched a film about two guys that ran across America. They have inspired me to run from Manchester to Sheffield so that will be something I promise to do early in the year! Rosemary will have to help me route planning off-road though.

Feeling inspired, I got my running kit on, ready to run the 6km from Guide Bridge to work, along the path of Ashton canal. Just before disembarking from the train, I stood up to get my rucksack. No sooner than I had done so, a fat lady spread her bottom on the seat I had previously occupied. She had rouge make-up on, a Pat Butcher blouse and far too much perfume. I pulled my buff up around my face in faux preparation for the inclement weather conditions. The train stopped. Unfortunately, at a junction rather than the railway platform and we waited for around 10 minutes for a goods train to clear the junction. By this stage, the fat lady's niff had given me a headache.

Fortunately, it was blowing a gale and pissing down by the time my feet hit the platform. My nasal passages were instantaneously cleared of the clawing fragrance. It was good to start running, even though the canal path was a mass of muddy puddles and the wind was in my face. That's ok...I sometimes use puddles for a 'plyometric' run, bounding each one like a gazelle and laugh when I sploshingly misjudge a leap. Today though, my legs were heavy and not in the mood. The rain was lashing on my face and rather than let it make me miserable, I found that spiritual state in which I just got on with it without emotion or conscious thought.

Work went by quickly enough. I had left my bike there last night so I started the cycle home. Everything felt dull though....my legs, arms and heart. The latter refused to go above 105 beats per minute so I decided to jump on the train save myself for another day.