Blind Dave’s Blog

PENTHOUSE AND PAVEMENTS

15-06-2007

Don’t get too excited, but Blind Dave Heeley reckons he might have one or two major sponsors in the offing as he prepares for next year’s 7/7/7 marathon challenge. Find out how you can help at the end of his latest blog.

Hi Stirrers

This week I braved the cross-country field for the first time in a good many years. Potholes on the roads are bad enough, but even sighted people have trouble running on the grass, watching where their feet are landing - still, as it was a run out, I went for it.

It was a fast two miles, starting on the track around the adjacent park, pool and back to finish on the track. I don’t mind admitting short and fast is not my scene; yes, I was knackered.

Mind, two miles off road in just 14 minutes wasn’t bad going for me, although Karl summed it up as he told me a youngster was closing on me fast.

“ Here he comes” and like a flash “There he goes”, leaving me for dust. Still, it was an experience but that’s it for me and off road running - enjoyed it, but that’s your lot.

Karl agreed to take me out for a couple of training runs, as Mac was off doing a few things on his own, just to keep the legs in trim.

The first run after a week off, I thought would be a gentle comeback - six, three minute efforts with a two minute recovery, but by the time we had reached the top of the Newton Road and the last effort, my legs and lungs knew they had been running.

I’m sure he’s trying to put paid to me - talk about a comeback run. Was I glad that was over.

Our next run out was much better, around ten miles at quite a fast pace, but at least the legs were now up for it. We ran through Sandwell Valley and Karl took me on a slight detour, once around the lake which was planned to put a few more yards on the run, but the next detourwas more of an accident.

Karl running along with me basically forgot I was with him, and ran off towards the canal and home. Suddenly he realised what was happening - could have been interesting if we’d have turned up at his house for breakfast. I’m sure his wife would have been pleased!

But back on the right track and we carried on, on the planned route, and we certainly got a few more yards in today.

Running with Karl over the past week has certainly been interesting and not without incident. During another run through Sandwell Valley, we came across a dog. Or rather the dog came across us.

Karl explained afterwards that it was running one way one minute and then just changed direction in a split second - that was when the dog and my legs collided, then me and the floor collided.

It all happened in slow motion, except for the pain - that came instantly.

Yes, it hurt, but what was more surprising was the attitude of the woman supposedly controlling the dogs. Karl asked her if it would have been too much trouble to keep the dogs under control when people were about. Her only comment was that it was a rescue dog, so that made every thing OK.

Karl explained that I was blind, and once again her comments were great: “Well the dog didn’t know he was blind”.

After putting my pennies worth in she simply turned on her heel and walked off - no apology. Basically she couldn’t give a damn. The dog wasn’t at fault, it was simply doing what a dog does, but the attitude from that woman was disgusting.

I asked if she had been blessed with children and thought, the poor things, we blame kids and animals for their bad behaviour, I think we should look further up the adult chain.

We ran on and I suppose it gave us some thing to chatter on about. Karl felt quite bad about the situation, but there was nothing he could have done, it was one of those things. It’s happened and not to worry, we’re still running and that’s the main thing.

The Sandwell Herald are doing a small article on me and my 777 challenge for next year - 7 marathons, in 7 days over 7 continents.

Any publicity is good publicity and if it brings in the money for the charity, so be it, but I’m sure the fact that in the photo I appear to be running on my own may bring on a question or two.

“Is Blind Dave running on his own now?” “No” is the answer, it’s just that Mac wasn’t available for the photo. So no, folks, I won’t be knocking lampposts down all around the world. I think there will be a guide attached - I hope so anyway. If not, it will certainly be a great challenge for Candid Camera!

Can I say the project, or the Penthouse as it’s now known is coming on in leaps and bounds - well I’ve leapt off the roof and I’m now fixing the floor.

What was that old song, “Aint got time to fix the ceiling aint got time to fix the floor”? Well, believe me, when you have two little girls longing to get in their new Wendy house, sorry I meant Penthouse, you have to make time to fix every thing and like yesterday!

So I’ve got the floor in, with an allowance on the front for a balcony - yes I said balcony; my girls don’t want half measures.

The first window frame is in along with the Perspex. Debb caught a picture of their smiling faces through it, they were well chuffed, so brownie points for Dad

The doorframe is also in, and I’ve sorted the wood for the doors - yes, they want patio doors just like our own kitchen doors. Dad will have a good go at sorting it - I’ve got no option, I’ve been told and that’s that.

I’m on a mission. The Wendy house has to be finished for Georgie-lee’s birthday, so amongst the many other things going on around here I need a few more hours in the day, but I’m trying girls, really I am.

I just hope all these brownie points are adding up towards Fathers Day. I have a feeling I might be getting some wood and more screws - still that’s just what I need, you can’t make a door with aftershave, now can you.

I’ve also been informed that Aunty Mavis has some carpet just right for the penthouse. I hope no one mentions wallpaper - well not just yet. That will be Mom’s job anyway. She doesn’t know it yet but it will!

Well another belated birthday wish for Uncle Pete. We had a barbecue in the rain, but to be honest it was different and a good day, with a fun time had by all.

At least it was until a Villa fan, who will remain nameless told me that all the beer in West Brom was free that night.

There I was putting my coat and racing to the door in anticipation of a trip to the pub as he explained that Kevin Philips is such a generous man.

“Yes all drinks are free, he’s just put sixty million pounds over the bar”. I showed him the red card and the second word was Off! Or was it go away? Can’t remember now, but it meant the same.

Well, lampposts of the world watch out, there could be a Blind Dave on his own knocking them about, and if there’s dogs in the vicinity it could also be a wet fall!

That’s it for now, I’ve the plane in hand and I’m being pushed towards the Penthouse, so it’s get on with it Dad and be quick about it.

This is Blind Dave signing off and getting on the night shift.