Happy Day's

What a fabulous week, in fact more like 10 days. I didn't write last week because I was way too tired following the 1st XV Rugby tour to Dublin. As some of you are aware it's been a challenging season coaching the school's 1st XV. Throughout the season the boys have shown potential but injuries, poor performances and inconsistent effort levels from all the players at various times have defined the Rugby Term. Travelling to Dublin we weren't sure what to expect (well except for plenty of Guinness and a warm reception from the rugby clubs) in terms of how we would match up against our opposition. To summarise a fabulous weekend we beat Greystones RFC U16 team 7-3, and then beat Unidare RFC U18's 22 - 7. Two challenging matches and two wins, the boys were great, and proved to themselves that if everybody gives 100% they are in fact a useful team. We returned to school like hero's and I have decided to have just 6 fixtures next season, 2 in Ireland, 2 in Wales and 2 in Scotland!!

Wednesday evening was spent in Leeds with my friend Tom eating some good food, chatting about life and his soon to occur wedding. Tom and I share similar views on many topics and it was great to catch up.

Thursday evening I continued the eating theme with what was supposed to be an end of term meal and a few beers with some of my work mates. They 'were' my work mates, however numerous no shows left me and the junior school sports teacher enjoying a table for 2 and a set Chinese meal for 2. Mates they no longer are! However there were laughs a plenty among many of my other colleagues the following day.

The last week of the school term is always quite challenging. Most pupils have decided lessons should be replaced by games and fun activities, Santa hats start to become the norm, some teachers appear to have already finished, whilst some race around completing last minute jobs. This year I fell into the latter category, but seemed to be adding to my TO DO list, not actually ticking things off. However come Friday it was all completed and I could look forward to a 3 week holiday, get in there!!

The weather this week has been very cold. My morning rides to work have been quite treacherous, however I have managed to get a few miles in. I got out in the sunshine for a steady 2 1/2 hours on Thursday afternoon, logging a few bonus miles during a fairly sporadic few weeks of training.

The week got even better as Sarah and I headed into the Yorkshire Dales to celebrate Tom and Helen's wedding. My Mum had come up to look after Ellie and Evie (thanks Mum we really appreciate the opportunity to get away every now and again) Not only were we excited about sharing Tom and Helen's special day but also the opportunity for Sarah and I to spend some quality time together. We checked into our B&B and returned to the pub to sit in front of the fire and enjoy a pint. Saturday was fabulous, it was a really special day filled with excitement, laughs, smiling faces and emotion all wrapped up in much happiness. Everything about the day was great. The pre-wedding run with Tom and a few other triathlete friends kick started the day. It was a fabulous wedding, the location, the ceremony, the food, the speeches, the dress and suits, the music, the dancing and the fire works, but what really makes these sort of occasions special are the people. What a great crowd, really genuine, honest, interesting, fun people who I loved spending the day with. Although I have only known Tom and Helen for a short time they are great people who I am sure will be our friends for a long, long time. Feeling very happy and with a big smile on my face I curled up with my wife, who I'd re-married earlier in the evening with a Haribo Jelly Ring, for a happy nights sleep.

Waking up to a crisp, clear day I enjoyed a 5 mile run with Martin Yelling who I'd met at the wedding, this cleared a slightly fuzzy head and set me up for a good day, (have you ever felt worse when you finished a run?......thought not). Sarah and I decided to make the most of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and headed to Bolton Abbey. A relaxing walk through the woods along the River Stridd worked up an appetite for a nice lunch in the Abbey Resturant.

We returned home to be greeted by two smiling, excited girls, who wanted to tell us everything they had been doing with Grandma, sounds and looks like they had a good one.

As I write, Chris Hoy has just been awarded 'Sports Personality of the Year', the GB Cycling Team have won 'Team of the Year' and Dave Brailsford 'Coach of the Year', thoroughly deserved. That completes a very enjoyable week. With Christmas just around the corner, lots of time to spend with my family and a bit more flexibility to train I really think I will enjoy the next few weeks.

I will leave you with this quote about enjoyment, have a great week;

"It is essential to our well-being, and to our lives, that we play and enjoy life. Every single day do something that makes your heart sing". Marcia Wieder