Q: Who is more foolish - the fool, or the fool who follows him?

Or her of course, wouldn't want to be politically incorrect.  Unlike CS, who is a closet Tory - can you get more politically incorrect than that?

Last week I reported that my training plan wasn't going to plan.  Partly because I'm allergic to planning, but mainly because I'd lost the link to the training plan I was supposed to be following.

I also reported that although I was lucky enough to know a whole bunch of inspirational people who are also great runners, I felt I couldn't ask them for help.  Partly because I don't like asking for help, but mainly because I feel that I can't live up to their expectations, no matter how low they set them.

I'm not really helping, am I?

I sat myself down and gave myself another one of those talks I give myself when I need a kick up the arse*.  This one had something to do with resolutions and promises and triathlons - to be honest I stopped listening after I realised I wasn't going to talk about cake any time soon.

But then I remembered my blog.  This blog.  It's called "Really trying to be really athletic".  And I like writing it.  I can't carry on writing it if I don't really try any more.  So I did what anyone would do in my situation - I met Inspirational Steve for a coffee.

What was I thinking?

Last week I reported that Inspirational Steve taught himself to run by running until he bled, and then ran some more, and I wasn't making that up.  I did however miss out one small detail.  He bled so much he needed stitches so he stopped, stitched himself up and then started again.

This week I met him for coffee, and confessed that I was struggling with my training plan.  We had a quick chat about it...
Me - "I'm struggling with my training plan"
Inspirational Steve (IS) - "No worries - Just run the Brighton Half in two weeks and see how it goes"
Awkward pause
IS - "I can lend you my first aid kit if you need to stop any bleeding"
Awkward pause
Me - "Did I tell you that I have a Steve-ometer which ranges from 'Inspirational' to 'Annoying'?"
Awkward pause

What was he thinking?

But it got me thinking. Should I? Could I? Would I?  I considered it far enough to check the website to see if there were any places left.  Nope, sold out in November.  Phew, lucky escape there.

I can't decide who is more deluded - Steve for suggesting I run a half marathon in two weeks time, or me for considering it.


* I find it easier to talk to myself than give myself a kick up the arse, unlike those people at Cirque de Soleil who I went to see last night.  Wow, they are BENDY.