On the 6th day of Birthday...

[Runon]

Having my birthday at Christmas can be a bit of a chore for the relatives who have over the last few years run out of ideas for expensive things to buy me, so having a new hobby like running has been a godsend to rels and The Horribles (children) alike. This Christmas Birthday has resulted in Santa delivering a TomTom, a head torch that ABBA could write a song about and yet another pair of running shoes (the previous pair got dirty) that seem to have found their way onto the tootsies along with more left and right running socks in colours I wouldn't have been seen dead in a few months ago - but now I'm a flourescent jacket and tight wearing kind of guy then who cares!

But I guess the biggest present was seeing how proud the dear children were of their very dear Dad for giving up smoking and taking to the streets as a runner and the time and enthusiasm that they spent buying these presents is kind of a reflection of this.

So my new gps watch took me running (or ice-skating) this morning and between us we knocked out a 10K then did a little work out on the outdoor gym overlooking my beach. One thing I wasn't expecting was for TomTom to suddenly and out of the blue vibrate with the force of a pneumatic drill after 5K - nearly had a heart attack - which is not really the idea - perhaps the Horribles are after their inheritance - humph!

So this year has seen some massive changes in my life and probably in yours - so long may it continue and all the best for 2015 fellow runners

[poppypug Graduate]

Good Evening Runon, Birthday Boy ! Nice set of goodies there . You are all kitted out now , for sure. You are a fully fledged runner !

Well done on your cheeky 10k and it warms my cockles to read how proud your kids are of you. Top Dad !

Good to hear from you ,my friend. Keep on running ! xxx

[Runon Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Hey Poppers - Seasons Greetings to you and a really big and heartfelt thank you for all your support and help in getting me running. You are a very good friend to me and so many others on this site. May 2015 see all your dreams come true - you deserve it XXX

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Runon]

Thank you and the same to you, you are very kind xxx

[aliboo70 in reply to Runon]

Hey Ru-non, been wondering where you've got to! Happy belated birthday, christmas and all that, and a happy new year to you!

that TOM TOM watch look very posh and TRES JOLIE to me! you've done really well to give up smoking and the running is going great guns! the kids are right to be proud!

My two BFs both bought me running gear for xmas, and Boz bought me entry to the LONDON WINTER RUN! Yay, should be fun with the other c25kers!

And i agree, Poppypug is a very good pal to all c25kers, new and old!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Thank you Ali , and so are YOU ! xxx

[Runon Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Mais Mon Dieu Aliboo - I think you 'ave done well out of the Noel jollities and L' Hiver Londres Run sounds tres exciting - and may you have a wonderful 2015. Yes the gps watch is brilliant and can go swimming and cycling too if it is very good and does not break my wrist with its vibrating

[Rignold in reply to aliboo70]

You have two BoyFriends who both bought you running gear? Crikey.

[Runon Graduate in reply to Rignold]

That threw me a bit too but then I realised that the BF's are 'Best Friends' because Boz is the OH and she has guinea pigs too - I don't know what they are called. It all sounds a bit like Emmerdale - so maybe they are boyfriends... erm...

[Rignold in reply to Runon]

GFs are GirlFriends are they not? or just Good Friends?

Morality and the txt generation... I don't know where to begin...

[Runon Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Best not to start on that one :))

[aliboo70 in reply to Runon]

GPs = guinea pigs, they are Figpig and Mummypig ! Could well be like Emmerdale on the Isle of Wight, everyone's crazy country folk !

[Runon Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

So long as you don't cook them in clay like they do in New Guinea - of course GF's could be GoldFish

P.S. My cousin is moving to the Isle of Wight next year - he is called John - he will definitely fit in if everyone is crazy there!

[aliboo70 in reply to Runon]

Does he know what he's let himself in for?!

Nah, its good here really!

Ps have GF gold fish too!

No cooking in clay, I'm a vegetarian !

[Runon Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

I'm glad to hear it - GP's are cute - unlike my cousin - he sails boats and I think likes the IOW because there is a lot of water there!

PS. There are no GF in Emmerdale - it is a proven fact!

[aliboo70 in reply to Runon]

Plenty of yachty folk here thats true! My sister is an Emmerdale fan, I will check!

[aliboo70 in reply to Rignold]

No rignold ! runons right! It was my best friend s Jane and Tracy ! I'm not that much a text generation, being 44! But just a bit lazy typing sometimes! Ps like your new jacket!

[useitorloseit Graduate]

Happy birthday matey! Isn't it nice when your nearest and dearest have a reason to be proud of you? My son still thinks it's a bit funny, this running thing, but I can tell that he's quite impressed really. I've been trying to get him to join me, but he is far too busy on his playstation. Kids, eh!

[Runon Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Hey useitorloseit - it's good not to accept the stereotype of parenthood and impress the kids now and again Mine have started to move on from the playstation - indeed eldest daughter has become a pretty impressive runner herself and has even started going places without a hairdryer - wonders will never cease :)) Very best wishes for 2015.

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Runon]

Ha ha my 15 yr old just got a hairdryer for Christmas. I was hoping it would encourage him to groom his hair a little better. He looks like wurzel gummidge most of the time. And he's just got to that lovely spotty stage. And peach fuzz face. I still love him though - somebody's got to!

[Runon Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Hey I was like that once :)) (Probably still am!)

[misswobble Graduate]

That's some serious watch Runon! What a prezzie that is! I got bath cubes!

[Runon Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Wrap one of them in string and tie it around your wrist, and every few minutes while running say 'one kilometre, two kilometre etc'. This should work well unless it starts to rain...!!!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Runon]

Love it ! Ha ha xxx

[misswobble Graduate]

Somebody dafter than me. Ha ha

[Runon Graduate in reply to misswobble]

'tis most true - I have a certification to prove it :)) I also got champagne chocolates... hic...hic

[misswobble Graduate]

Oh go on, rub it in!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Lovely watch Runon! Happy birthday.

Of course your kids are impressed - just don't expect them to admit it to your face...

[Runon Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Hey Ullyrunner - thank you - indeed the dear little things can be somewhat inscrutable at times Have a great 2015.

[Vixchile Graduate]

Wow look at that lovely shiny new toy!

I too have a December birthday and it's hard work! This year was lovely as I had a run on the beach to a lighthouse in a tiny fishing village in SAM, it's well and truly amazing this running stuff!

Happy new year!

[Runon Graduate in reply to Vixchile]

And a very happy new year to you Vixchile - Yes the running thing is truly amazing though I think I prefer the idea of fishing villages and lighthouses in far off climes to icy pavements - but at least we are heading towards longer and hopefully sunnier days soon.

[Runon Graduate]

Thank you KittyKat - Yes I do like the shiny new watch. When it gets home it automatically syncs to my phone or computer and produces loads of stats and pretty maps that tell me everything except where to buy ice-cream. There really is something quite cool about being able to look back on runs and even race yourself against them - and of course now i can leave the phone at home Have a brilliant new year.

[Tomas Graduate]

Oooooh, looks like a gorgeous new toy... err... sorry... gorgeous new serious tool for the serious runner

Happy Birthday! It's no wonder that your kids are proud of you.

[Runon Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Indeed, indeed - much seriousness is needed with the new additional accoutrement without which no serious runner would be able to get away from the starting block and split times (not even Einstein could do that), see paces, strides, distances, intervals, challenges and much more of the modern science that enables the futuristic stream-lined runner to almost break the sound barrier - Ok then - it is a nice toy :)) Have a brilliant new year

[Hidden]

hey, happy belated birfday Runon cool watch i am with you on the running tights. like you am an ex smoker (will be 1 year at 1st Feb 2015) Happy New Year hope 2015 continues to be a great year for you

[Runon Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks 'Not So Slow Rob' :)) Have a very brilliant smoke free new year!

[Hidden in reply to Runon]

Thanks Runon

[Rignold]

My family resolved the chore of thinking of suitable presents to buy for a Birthday at Christmas by the simple expedient of not buying any. Nor cards. In previous years, I have been the teensiest bit put out by this, coming, as it does, on the heels of me having bought heaps of lavish Christmas presents for them all (despite having an Amazon wishlist as long as my arm full of running books, kit etc, I managed to get 2 packets of coffee and a pair of slippers this year).

This year I decided to avoid this disappointment and loaned the dog the money to buy me a nice birthday present. Next year I think Father Christmas may bring me some presents of Xmas day too.

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Rignold]

I can see you're a natural troubleshooter and problem solver Rig, and blessed with a very generous dog too. Our cat was similarly generous to me a few weeks back. How he knew I needed base layer tights to encourage me out of doors on frosty mornings I'll never know.

[Runon Graduate in reply to Rignold]

What a wonderfully kind dog you have - they can be very useful at times. And the one thing I didn't get this year was slippers - so I've been out buying a pair today - a gift from the goldfish :)) Have a great new year Rignold

[AncientMum Graduate]

That's a mighty fine looking watch you've got there Runon. There'll be no stopping you now. Love that you just casually 'knocked out' a 10k,before working out on the outdoor gym equipment. You've come such a long long way in such a short time. Very very well done m'dear. No wonder your family are proud of you

[Runon Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Ah yes these 10K's are just a doddle these days :)) I wish! This is why I need the slippers as my feet hurt

I love my outdoor gym overlooking my beach - in the five or so months I've been using it I have only once seen another person use it for a full workout - there have been the odd dabblers who sort of play for a few seconds then move on and a strange man in a suit who never says hello and that's about it other than the seagull who likes the bench-press!

Thank you for all your fab support Ancient Mum and have a brilliantly wonderful New Year

[poppypug Graduate]

Ha ha ha , I love this thread , it is funny, ha ha snort, snigger xxx

[Runon Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Hey Poppers - I've told you about snorting stuff!!! tsk tsk! Have a wonderful evening and new year :)) xxx

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Runon]

Thank you, you too ! Enjoy your slippers , hope they are nice and comfy for you xxx

[Runon Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Buying slippers that don't make you look like your Grand-dad can be difficult!!! xxx

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Runon]

Hmm I see your point. Good job your goldfish has got good taste xxx

[Runon Graduate in reply to poppypug]

I used to have two goldfish in my smoking days called Benson & Hedges... They kept growing and moved from a bowl to a tank to a pond and I probably spent a fortune on them so it is nice of them to buy slippers xxx

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Runon]

Ha ha , yes it is the least they could do really.

Ive got a little goldfish. I had 2 but one died earlier this year. Poor Dennis, Rest in Pieces. I only hope he is swimming forever with the dolphins in a beautiful turquoise warm ocean, not stuck up a sluice pipe in Blackpool xxx

[Runon Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Wow - Aliboo has GF too - Goldfish owners are coming out of the woodwork here - we could take them running in our water bottles - n'est pas? XXX

PS - I'm sure Dennis is with the Dolphins...

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Runon]

Ha ha Goldfish owners of the world unite

Oui, Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja , Da Da. There you go, I am multi lingual, bit of French, German and wotsit there

Ah , Dennis with the Dolphins, that is a great comfort to me xxx

[5kOrBust Graduate]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!