The big world news on Monday was that I was tired after Sunday’s hill reps. Interestingly, somewhere towards my right hip felt sore – and that’s a new injury. Sensibly, I took a rest day.
In other (minor) news, Monday saw the overturning of the Australian decision to bar Djovokic from entering the country. An excellent tennis player, but this episode isn’t likely to help in his struggle to be ‘loved’ in the same way as Federer and Nadal.
I appreciate that different societies have different accepted norms, but I’m surprised we haven’t seen more made of the way he, apparently, got the positive PCR result on 16th December, but disregarded Serbian regulations that require self-isolation for 14 days.
Catching Covid when he did was incredibly lucky. There he was with the Australian Open approaching and no way of getting into the country (I assume). Then he’s fortunate enough to catch Covid at just the right time – that’s championship form.
The other sporting news was that the Raiders made it to the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years. I’ve followed them since I watched Marcus Allen run 74 yards for a TD in Super Bowl XVIII (1984). Nervy stuff I wonder how many teams with a 10-7 record post a -65 points difference over the regular season. I don’t expect them to go further.
Tuesday was dreary – grey and with a light but relentless drizzle. I went for a slightly longer, uninspired, run – 10.3km (6.4 miles) in 1h 01m. I’m not sure if the niggle around the right hip is muscular or the joint itself – one to watch.
On Wednesday, more was being made of Djokovic’s isolation breaches and whole affair seemed to be murkier all the time. What a mess – rather sad all round. Out to lunch with friends in the village, then a lacklustre 45 minutes on the turbo – @28kph (17.4 mph).
Hill reps on a brighter Thursday. I did 9 of the usual hill – 9.5km and 314m of ascent (nearly 6 miles and 1,030 feet). When will it get easier?
As normal on Friday, a stint manning the charity bike shop after a trip to the gym. I put up the weights on almost everything, reduced the reps, increased the sets and went for ‘explosive’. All very interesting but I’m less of a firecracker and more of a damp squib.
Oh yes, Djokovic had his visa revoked. By my reading of the figures, the previous three days had accounted for about 30% of all Australia’s Covid cases.
I ran on a cold Saturday – including two pairs of socks, shorts, warmer running tights, compression top, warmer running shirt, soft shell jacket, gloves, buff and hat. My wife usually does the 7km loop but joined me for the 10.4km run (6.5 miles) so bravo to her.
Sunday I woke to the confirmation of Raiders’ expected exit from the race to the Super Bowl and Djokovic’s defeat in Court that means he won’t play on court. He says he accepts the Court’s decision, which is good of him.
I ran for just over 12km (7.5 miles).
Six sessions of exercise in each of the last two weeks but last week felt tough and most sessions left me wrecked. This week was better with 42km running (26 miles) with hills, plus the gym and a turbo session … and an improvement in terms of how I felt after the sessions – some progress, perhaps.
Interesting stuff this week
1. African wise words: Once you carry your own water, you’ll remember every drop
2. BBC News website: Evergrande suspends shares in Hong Kong
Chinese real estate giant Evergrande has suspended trade in its shares in Hong Kong as investors await news on its restructuring plan. Evergrande is said to have more than $300bn (£222bn) of debt and is working to raise cash by selling assets and shares to repay suppliers and creditors.
I know nothing of Evergrande or its assets, but the sheer scale of the debt is eye-watering
3. BBC News website: Police stung as beekeepers protest in Chile
Four beekeepers have been detained in Chile following a protest outside the presidential palace, calling for government support for their industry.
To highlight their cause, the beekeepers set up some 60 hives containing around 10,000 bees in front of the palace. Seven police officers were stung as they tried to remove the beehives.
4. BBC News website: People devote third of waking time to mobile apps
People are spending an average of 4.8 hours a day on their mobile phones, according to an app monitoring firm. The calculation was made across ten markets, including India, Turkey, the US, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Canada. Users in Brazil, Indonesia and South Korea surpassed five hours per day.
The research indicates that apps were downloaded 230 billion times in 2021, with $170bn (£125bn) being spent. TikTok was the most downloaded app worldwide, with users spending 90% more time there compared to 2020.
One thing that I struggle to understand is 4 people sitting at a cafe or restaurant table, all going through social media on their phones
5. BBC News website: Prince Andrew loses military titles and use of HRH
Prince Andrew will stop using the title ‘His Royal Highness’ in any official capacity and loses several military titles as he faces a civil case in the US over claims (which he denies) that he sexually assaulted a woman when she was 17.
The UK military titles he loses are: Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth, Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment, Colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps, Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, Royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, Deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths’ Own), Royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Of course, I’m sure he richly deserved them all.
I guess if you are a Prince – but not the son who will inherit ‘the big one’ (ie you are the ‘spare’ and not the ‘heir’) you might feel hard done by (no matter how privileged you are). That could make you attracted to the mega-rich with them being attracted to you for the reflected kudos of having a Prince in tow.
Says Prince Omil, Colonel-in-Chief of nothing at all, but looking for a rich patron.
The Omil (an Old Man in Lycra) 
The Australian’s certainly haven’t helped their reputation over the Djovokic case.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Too true – one of those ‘no winners’ events with unforced errors all round. The Australians shouldn’t have given him a visa to begin with (by what they later said were their rules) and then should have thought more about their initial revocation process. Djokovic shows disregard for quarantine and visa application filling. Perhaps the biggest winners are the players in what would have been his half of the draw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are a lot of loser Americans who won’t lose anything for having flown Lolita Air. I respect the Royal family for having the moral courage to hammer Andrew. Our pretentious class rarely suffer to the level of their pontifications for their moral digressions.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not everyone pays for their transgressions here either (surprise, surprise) – but the Royal family is a pretty hard-nosed and ruthless outfit when necessary (and I guess his sidelining has much to do with protection of the planned celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s succession).
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have a feeling it’s more about saving royal face than doing the right thing. If it was the latter then it would have happened a lot sooner. I think the shame of having a HRH in court is too scary a thought for them to stomach…
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree – hard nosed and ruthless!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like you had a good week exercise wise. I hope the niggle in your hip goes away soon.
You would think that the police would have worn protective clothing to remove the hives. If not, what did they expect to happen?
I’m with you on the mobile apps. I used to usher at a local baseball stadium. It always blew my mind when people would sit there, staring at their phone the entire time. Why did they even come?
I haven’t kept abreast of the Prince Andrew saga. I probably have a very different opinion than most, but I am tired of men having their lives ruined by an unsubstantiated accusation. If he did it, then yes, by all means he should be “punished,” but all of a sudden, we are taking any woman’s word about what happened. A little bit of investigation should be done, at least. And, we are allowing people’s lives to be ruined over things that happened many years ago that, unfortunately, were the societal norm then. I’m glad things have changed, but you shouldn’t judge someone’s past based on the standards of today. I’m sure no one would pass that test.
Sorry for the rant.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
I’ve heard about Police sting operations but this was a novel twist for a Police stung operation..
With the 70 anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne this year, I’m sure the Royal family were prepared to take action to try to insulate her from the accusations against her son – and Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction and his own failure to get the case dismissed were the trigger for it. They can be a ruthless bunch when it comes to the protection of the institution.
I’m with you on a lot of the judging of the past by today’s very different standards but I think it’s rather different when the previous behaviour (if it took place as alleged) was illegal even then.
I didn’t spot a rant!
Hope your back is behaving and improving.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I agree, if it happened as alleged, it was illegal then and should be dealt with. I also agree that the royals are “saving face.”
My back hasn’t had any major pains lately, but it is still tight, probably always will be since I know it is a permanent condition. I’m trying to take it easy and not run a lot until I get the second opinion. I do believe the strengthening exercises are helping. Thanks for asking.
LikeLiked by 1 person