Having turned 40, I’ve been trying to make a pre-emptive move against middle-age spread and general decreptiude. To wit, I’ve been running around the graveyard. Nothing like a constant reminder of mortality to promote an effort in the direction of fitness!

This morning I sort of managed five laps, which is roughly 5km — in the heat and high humidity (“in the heat and the rain, with whips and chains!”) I took a short walking break each lap and one sit-down break of a couple of minutes before the last lap. My speed would be more accurately be called my lousy slowness — 1km times between 7 and 10 minutes. But. I did it. I hauled my arse at some kind of running speed nearly all of the way around that boneyard five times. It has taken me about three months to be able to do so!

Did I mention the graveyard is literally crawling with giant millipedes? Very cute. Often crushed. Haven’t stepped on one yet, and hope I won’t.