Feeling a lot better than I did earlier in the week, but I have to say, I bet my non-alcoholic SXSW is a very different experience from 99.9% of the other delegates. Of all the pissing weeks to get sick! Apparently, I've had Texan Flu, whatever the hell that is. Training for a marathon and attending SXSW don't really seem to be that conducive to one another really. The main thing I'm thinking about is when I can fit my next run in, isn't that terrible. Also, it's a whole different world being here on my own. Everyone seems to be in big groups. There's so many bands I want to see, but it's totally overwhelming. If I felt fighting fit, I would be running all over town trying to fit them all in - I know this is a once in a lifetime thing. But because I feel so fuzzy and odd it just doesn't have quite the same appeal. I wonder where Mel is? I forgot her bloody number. I bet she's going absolutely stark raving bloody bonkers somewhere.



Last couple of days have just done half-hours on the treadmill (still feeling quite weak) trying to build up speed as I go, and concentrate on not swinging my arms across my body or clenching my fists; neither of which I would ever have realised without my temporary trainer who unfortunately is now injured himself and is sitting here with ice on his knee.

He was well enough to come and see Goldfrapp with me last night though (I managed to get him a ticket for $10!!) and a brief snippet of the Twilight Singers through a pub window. I also saw Morrissey who was fantastic and played loads of old Smiths songs. And I met up with Sophie who I haven't seen for four years. She didn't even recognise me. I'm sure I don't look that different.

Took a turn for the worst last night and when we came back from the cafe I had to go straight to bed. Felt terrible. I've hardly eaten now for three days. Still, I had herbal tea and watched lots of episodes of Arrested Development so it was ok.

I've missed so many training runs now (well, three) and it makes me feel anxious. I know I'm still relatively near the beginning of my schedule, but up until I came to the States I had only missed one run in six weeks. Being so inexperienced I have no idea whether this matters or not, but it feels like it does.

Feeling a little better today though, but still really nauseous. I even managed a slow 45 minutes on the treadmill this afternoon, amazingly. This was after I interviewed Carl Newman of the New Pornographers feeling all the way through like I was just about to vomit in his lap. First night of SXSW tonight. I just wish I felt 100%.

A lakeside cafe in Austin with Matt and Jean

I've been feeling really sick these past couple of days. Not a good sign. I feel nauseous and light-headed and the mere thought of eating anything makes me want to throw up. Matt thinks I might have an allergy to something; apparently Austin is one of the most allergy-ridden cities in the US. I do remember feeling a little bit similar last time I was here actually.

Uuuuh. I feel dreadful. It's a gorgeous day today too. SXSW starts tomorrow and I really hope I don't feel this shit all through it.

We are going to a cafe by the lake now. Krzys has work to do (but I bet he just sits there and looks at his fantasy baseball team) and I need to think of some interview questions for the Kooks and the New Pornographers. I would almost rather just go back to bed though, I feel so rough.

I'm in lovely Austin now.

Slept really badly last night at Kristy's, again. Each night I've been here have not had more than three hours sleep. Jet lag doesn't normally affect me going west, but is being a real killer this time.

Flight from JFK to Austin was only four hours but felt like forever. Didn't realise there would be no food on the plane (JetBlue, US equivalent of EasyJet so should've known). So arrived in Texas around 4pm having only eaten some toast and a yoghurt at 8am. This combined with the lack of sleep is probably the reason for the shittiest 'run' of my training so far. That and the fact that it was 90 degrees and really humid.

Krzys met me at the airport (in a cowboy hat) and pretty much immediately upon arriving at the apartment we got ready to go for a run. I was feeling really knackered but thought I'd probably be able to cope with a few miles. (My schedule said 10 for today but I knew that wasn't going to happen.)

We left the flat and started jogging down to the trail at Town Lake. Within about a minute, I had a bad feeling about the whole thing. I felt lightheaded, had a pounding headache, was out of breath, and just felt really, really weak. Krzys's warm-up pace was quicker than my normal flat-out pace, although he thought I was joking when I said this.

He went off and did his thing for a few miles (1 minute miling or something ridiculous) and I struggled on and caught up with him on his way back. I think the intention was to then 'gently' jog around the trail for a few miles, but I felt absolutely terrible. I couldn't get my breath. The air was so thick and hot. I'd never run in the heat before, other than the farcical few laps of the track I did when I was here last September, in 112 degree heat. I couldn't believe what a difference the humidity made. Less than a week ago I'd run nine miles without any major problems. Here I was unable to do two. My heart rate was 194. I thought my maximum was 185; I'd never seen it go anywhere near that before.

We got to a bridge, and I had to stop. I felt like such a fucking fake. I was so angry with myself, because in every other run I've done since starting the programme, I have never given up. Even when it really hurt. And this was the first time I'd run with Krzys, so I felt embarrassed, especially after spouting off to him about all the miles I've done recently. He was really good about it of course. But I felt bad that I ruined his run too.

I have so much to learn. Watching him run makes me realise what a complete and utter novice I am. I know nothing about form, breathing, technique, gait, hydration, pacing, any of those things. I just dawdle along with all the style of a baby penguin, whereas he's like a super-efficient robotic machine.



Austin still as twinkly as ever though.



Feels good to be back here again, despite the shit run.