Good tech, bad tech

Once upon a time (oooh, about 20 years ago) folk just put on their trainers, maybe grabbed a drink and ran. Now there's all sorts of tech wizardry aiming to smooth your path to the finish. Some works brilliantly, others are sometimes obstacles to progress.

Good - Orthotics : I'm a convert of 3 weeks standing and what a difference they've made.

Bad - Garmin : my trusty Forerunner 305 let me down and was I cross. There I was, putting in the miles and it wasn't recording them. I have forgiven it, but I'm not sure I trust it to perform when I need it most ...

Good - Podcasts : I've discovered that music isn't enough to keep my mind off the running. But sermons by Mark Driscoll on Luke are fascinating, last about an hour and keep my attention away from what I'm doing. Thus they'd be a bit dangerous when I'm driving so it's a good thing my Puma won't talk to my iPod.

Bad - Forecasts : so far so good ... but I know that when the forecast is bad I'll believe it and probably not venture out. If I didn't know what was in the wind I'd just have to run through it when/if it came. Note to self : NO EXCUSES - you can always use the treadmill at the Gym.

Good - email alerts : 2 weeks ago Sweatshop and David Lloyd got together to give a 20% discount to members on gear. So I've now got new trainers/sox/tracksters/Goretex windproof jacket and a rather slimmer bank balance.

Current progress : I'm up to 6 miles on my long run and doing 2 other sessions a week of 3-4 miles. I've entered Silverstone Half Marathon in March, along with several of my friends and a neighbour has entered MK Marathon on April 29 so we'll be doing some training together.

Sponsorship : I'm running for Baby Basics, a project of MK Pregnancy Crisis Centre. Please sponsor me at my page on VirginMoney If you do so during December I'll be entered into a draw for £500 to be donated by Virgin to my charity. So don't delay ...