Day 4

Distance Run: None
Total Distance Run for January: 7.55 miles
Other Exercise: Football (Five-a-side goalkeeping for Real Unfit - 38 minutes)

 Whilst goalkeeping can't be considered the most strenuous form of exercise, it is often exhausting on a Wednesday night at Hatfield. Playing in goal for a team of enthusiastic, but not entirely fit or talented (hence the team name), lads is an experience - and tonight was no exception. Bottom of the league, with one win and two draws from nine games, we faced the league winners, who had won eight and drawn one. Their only draw? Against us - when my mate from school, James Duggan, played in goal (earning the man of the match award too), whilst I had my only game on the outfield - scoring a belter which was nearly the winning goal. Sadly, despite taking an early lead tonight, lightning did not strike twice. Carter Mayes had at least one "superstar" playing who didn't take part in the reverse fixture, and he almost single-handedly blitzed us to smithereens. Pacey, skillful, with good vision, shooting accuracy and power - I could only succeed in saving the majority of his efforts, which only served to wind him up further. The result, after an especially poor second half, was an 11-1 defeat. At least 3 of the goals were dubiously awarded, with the attacker seeming to strike the ball from inside the area (which isn't allowed in five-a-side). Another was for a free kick taken nowhere near the original offence, but a combination of the weather, general lethargy and a lack of defending ability meant a heavy defeat was ultimately deserved. The most important thing to mention was my being named man-of-the-match - despite conceding 11. Several routine saves, a few good and a couple spectacular (if I do say so myself) were duly recognised by the opposition and referee. Suffice to say, having seen plenty of action, I won't have anyone tell me that goalkeeping isn't proper exercise!

Injuries: Some twinges down my neck & back - but expect to be fully fit for Thursday's game
Mood: Fatigued

  Tomorrow's blog will follow a similar line, as I'm back in goal for the curiously named "Haringey Yacht Club" at Mill Hill. The "Sailor Boys" are considerably more successful - winning twenty and drawing one of our last twenty-two games since early August. Having joined the team as my brother and his mates needed a goalkeeper (every other position is more than adequately covered), we've been promoted from Division 4 to 2, and the quest for promotion to the top division starts tomorrow. Running on Fri and Sun to hopefully follow another victory...