My running partner is well and truly buggered.



I've rarely seen anything so vile. Poor old G. So now who am I going to get to accompany me? I have an idea...



Like father, like daughter. She's bloody fast.

I was really nervous about this morning's 12 mile run, because I'd missed out the 10 miler when I was in Austin. So a) it's been a while since I've done a long run and b) I was concerned about the jump from 9 miles to 12 miles. I've obviously never run anywhere near that far before in my life. Massive black, fast moving clouds, intermittent rain, gusty winds. Will it ever be any different, I think to myself.

The first few miles were tough, the middle section was ok (it always seems a bit easier when I get down on to the actual seafront - I think the road surface must be slightly softer or something. The pavements on the residential streets in Hove that I run through first are just really hard concrete, which I know is really bad for me) and the final couple of miles were a total nightmare. I just had to really dig deep. I kept singing the same verse from Tangled Up In Blue over and over again to myself in time to my footsteps. Dunno why.

Finally made it home though, and I think I've reached a bit of a pyschological breakthrough. After missing the ten mile run, and being ill in Austin which threw my schedule all over the place, I was starting to have real doubts about this whole thing. But I feel like I've got back on track a bit now, even if I do feel like every fibre of my being has gone into meltdown tonight.

Back from the States now. Changed planes at Houston. Airport was full of the most stereotypical looking Texans imaginable, it was funny. Total opposite of the people at Austin. Now have lingering jet lag again. Feel totally exhausted but am forcing myself to get my gear on and get out of the door as soon as I get in from work - I always feel so much better for it afterwards.

Gaz has done his leg in. He hit it with the spike on his golf bag or something, and now it's all swollen up. I don't know, I don't really understand what he meant. But he says it's pretty bad and he can't run. So I'll be doing all the long runs on my own again from now on. That's ok. I always feel a pressure to run faster with someone else anyway, and it makes me feel kind of anxious. I prefer to just be by myself, with my music, running at my own pace. Snail pace.

SXSW pretty much finished now. Saw Richard Hawley, Gemma Hayes, Jose Gonzalez, Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs and Martha Wainwright last night. Also bumped into Dave Alder and Richard Bridge which was all a bit bizarre.


Gemma Hayes

I also interviewed the Kooks yesterday afternoon at the Stuff Magazine party at the Velvet Spade. They were quite funny. Very young. We went up onto the roof of the building and did the interview up there, and then as I was climbing down, I put my foot onto a plastic drainpipe and nearly went flying. I was about 20 feet off the ground, so that would have put paid to my marathon plans, if not my life. Some bloke grabbed me just in time.



I really love Austin so much. It's just got a great feel about it. Every time I come here, I feel relaxed. I like to just come here, and not do very much. It's such a nice city to just hang around in. There seems to be a much less hectic pace here than there is in other American cities that I've spent time in. The people are really laid back and chilled. K's friends are all really friendly and interesting. I think I could live here for a bit. Although I'd need a bit of freshness in the air once in a while. The Texas climate would take a bit of getting used to.



Saying that though, today was only about 60 degrees, and I had my first really meaningful run of the week; my first time outside since getting sick. I did a four mile loop of the trail - they really know how to provide a nice trail over here too - the surface is just a nice dry grassy mud, there's an area at the beginning for stretching, and there are water fountains all the way round. It's also a really beautiful route - it goes all round the lake, over a big bridge and then back towards the city with all the skyline before you. It also started raining halfway through which was bliss. If only every run could be as enjoyable as this...