Out of 2 cups

I feeling pretty gutted tonight. This afternoon Falkirk lost 3-0 at home to St Johnstone in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. That followed a 3-0 defeat to Kilmarnock on Tuesday night in the semi final of the CIS Cup, which followed a 2-0 home defeat to Kilmarnock in the league last Saturday. In the space of a week we have dropped out of the top 6 of the SPL, have been knocked out both the cups (on one occasion to a club from a lower division), and have seen one of our top players sign a pre contact agreement with Rangers. It's not good. The only small consolation is the fact that I didn't go to the game on Tuesday night or to the game this afternoon, as it would have been infinitely worse to have watched either game in the flesh. I also have to admit to an element of satisfaction in seeing Hearts knocked out of the Scottish Cup today as well, losing to a last minute goal at Dunfermline. That would have been a sore one for them.

To add to my general bad mood, Scotland lost 42-20 to England in the rugby. I wasn't expecting us to win - we have a very poor record at Twickenham - but it was still a bit disappointing to watch, especially as Scotland were actually ahead about half way through the first half. One of the English tries should not have been given, as Jonny Wilkinson put his foot down over the touchline before he grounded the ball. I don't think it would have made any difference to the overall result, however.

On a slightly more positive note at least I'm running again. I've had 4 easy half hour runs this week and my cough is definitely getting better -not before time, I have to say. I'm going to go up to the WHW tomorrow and have a run from Rowardennan to the top of Loch Lomond and back with a few of the guys. I plan to go at an easy pace and not push too hard- easier said than done, perhaps, particularly when one of the guys going is a former winner and course record holder of the Devil O' The Highlands Footrace, a 43 mile run along the WHW from Tyndrum to Fort William.

Next Saturday is the National Cross Country championships at Falkirk. It is a special event and a fantastic occasion, in which just about all of the top Scottish endurance runners take part. One of my targets for the year was to finish in the top half of the field. That will be difficult, especially as I've missed quite a bit of training with this virus, but I certainly plan to give it my best shot. No wine next Friday night, that's for sure.