"People all over the world..."

I can't get that damn song out of my head! You know the one? From Obama's campaign? "People all over the world, join hands" and then something something "love train-a love train" It is driving me nuts. And the people around me as a I spontaneously break into song. I have to say people are very keen to talk to me about the election. Everyone is under the impression that Americans are too racist and backwards to vote for a black man. How sad is that? There has also been a news report that Americans from the Mid-West are put off by Obama because he is too thin. They find it offensive. I'm not joking-this was a real news story. The British will do anything to keep the stereotype of Americans as being stupid and fat and unhealthy up to date.
In other news I have decided to postpone the marathon and will be now doing it in...Venice! I have been sick for the last three weeks and have not been running like I should so instead of risking injury I decided to delay the race until the end of October, which is when the Venice marathon is. How excited am I? I was keen to do the Budapest marathon but not overly excited as we would fly in, run the race and then fly out. But now I get a whole week vacation in Italy. Yay! I was really worried about not being ready in time and now that I have an extra three weeks I feel so much better. (mentally, not physically. Still feel a bit ill)
Now that I don't live with a cat I have picked up my knitting needles again. Once I have completed something I will post a picture. Strangely knitting is beginning to hurt my hands. Guess I need to build up those muscles again!

Michael Johnson

Here in the UK we have Michael Johnson running commentary on all the track events and I have to say I very much enjoy him. He is very informative, polite and extremely knowledgeable. He seems like a really cool guy. And he isn't overly pro-U.S. but instead will give his honest opinion on who he thinks the best athletes are. I quite like him! The coverage here is very good in that they don't beat one story into the ground but give equal coverage to most things. I still don't have any idea what the Americans are doing unless they happen to be competing against GB or are participating in one of the big events, but I think I giving that up is worth it. From what I hear the coverage of Michael Phelps is nauseating in itself. It is nice to watch a world event without all the drama America attaches to it. And I don't have to watch that annoying Bob Costas or whatever his name is. I'll take Michael Johnson over him any day!

I am at home sick today. Came down with tonsillitis this weekend and as if that weren't bad enough the anti-biotics I am taking make me extremely nauseous. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to feel like you are starving and need to eat but want to throw up at the same time. This does not bode well for marathon training as I have now missed two long runs. Hopefully I will be back on track soon.

The British are coming!

I have to write this post before I forget what just happened. I was watching the men's four rowing event and lordy, I don't think I have ever heard an announcer get so excited! He literally yelled himself hoarse! We at home were instructed to "scream and shout" to cheer on the Brits while he repeated over and over "The British are coming!!! The British are coming!!!" as they attacked the Australians who were currently in first place. I didn't scream and shout so much as sat there and giggled. But I liked his spirit.

The Olympics

The Olympics are a good reminder that I am no longer in America. Not that I am not reminded everyday but it isn't often that I think I am in America to discover that I am not. This happens when I watch the coverage of the Olympics. All the commentators talk about is the UK this and Great Britain that and I always think to myself, "who cares? why is there no coverage on the Americans?" And then I remember. I have to say though I was inspired today by the enthusiasm shown by the announcers. They get really really excited any time Great Britain is doing well. They are almost shouting with anticipation. It is hard not to get caught up in it! So far I am really enjoying the Olympics this year and look forward to turning on the tele to watch them. The opening ceremonies were really something else.

I went on a run yesterday and I felt like I was in a Nike commercial. I don't know what it was but there was such an energy about everyone out there. Maybe it is the spirit of the Olympics, or the nice wind that seem to be at our backs. Or maybe they had just seen Mama Mia and were listening to Abba on their IPODs like I was. Training is going well but I missed my long run last week. Why you ask? Umm, because it was too windy. I am no stranger to wind on runs, and bike rides for that matter, but when you can hardly walk forward because the wind is so strong it doesn't seem like a good idea to try and run 17 miles in it. I think my legs could use the break anyway even though I did just have a rest week. The weather has been atrocious this month. I know, I say that every month. It is August and it feels like November.

All moved into Martins (for those of you I have spoken to in a while, I moved in with Martin!) and so far so good. To be honest, I really like it. It makes me really happy to know I get to see him everyday. We could do with more space and it is a struggle to try to keep things tidy but I like living here. He is off on Friday to ride his bike around Scotland so keep him in your thoughts and send good riding vibes his way.

I have read several good books lately. Two I highly recommend are the Accidental Fundamentalist and Mr Pipp, which I think might be a new favorite. Don't be fooled by the cover of Mr. Pipp like I was. I was given it as a present and at first I though, oh dear, this looks like a girly book. But it wasn't girly at all. It was really something special.

The garden is growing growing growing and although we have been able to have some zucchini the tomatoes are taking ages to ripen! There are about 20 of them on the vines and they are all green. And have been for like a month! I look forward to eating them soon.