Day 36 - Appointment in Yonkers

9.30 appointment in Yonkers was very short. One look at my old job title and salary and the lady asked me to sign on the dotted line and leave. A little awkward but had to be done.

Finally got to show the kids their TV commercials. We met over lunch with some of the parents so in the end it was better than trying to fit in alongside all the other mentoring groups. I think they liked them...I felt proud of their efforts. Five 1 hour sessions is not much time to do what we set out to do. 

Alice went off for the weekend with Bridget so I coached her team without her there. Ellen was out so it was just us and Tiny Ted. Big weekend ahead.

Day 35 - First Tears

Just couldn't squeeze any Maths in today as Kevin and I attempted our first bike-run transition. The bike went well and even the hills felt a little better although we almost got run over going the wrong way up a one way street (why would the driver look our way turning into the street!!). Things changed when we got off the bike. My legs felt like heavy heavy puddings. We still managed sub 7:30s but very funny sensation.

Mrs N and I took Debbie out to Tomatillo to celebrate her birthday. A cold beer, enchilada and hot sun later I was having a little afternoon nap. Very underrated these days but heavenly.

Wandered innocently up to Hillside to watch Ellen's debut for the varsity softball team. Oh my! The coach and captain gave little speeches about Ellen and how great she's been on the team. She blubbed, I blubbed, Philippa blubbed. I can feel myself welling up again now. If that's a sign of things to come it's going to be red eyes all the way to June 30th. She went on to get a hit, a run and a walk. My baby bear.

Tonight was the Safety Council meeting where some nutter proposed taking down the chain on Fairlane during the school run. She dressed it up as being about safety but her agenda was a quicker drive to work and back. Lazy b*tch. She didn't have a hope as she was vastly outnumbered by the militant residents of South Drive. Her husband's name is Randy Paradise. That has to be a porn star's name, surely.

Finished off with some darts at the Tarricones. I just cannot lose at the moment and Mr Tarricone is not happy about it. Serves him right for buying me that copy of Zen Darts.

Day 34 - Mr Nichols, Marketing Consultant

Headed up to Norwalk to return Mark's power washer and take Stephanie out for lunch. Stopped off to buy my very last BAP - 2 6 packs of Smirnoff Ice Light (launched specifically for Mrs N but looks like she was the only one drinking it) and Guinness 250 (my bonus is counting on that selling). Another milestone passed.

Had a long chat with Mark and shared my theories about being able to quit working at my age, provided you have enough capital to pay for a house, car and the necessities. I wonder how little income you can actually live on and then balance that with no stress and the time to do all the things you've ever wanted to do. It doesn't cost me a bean to run or spend time with the kids or read all the books I've ever wanted to. He suggested I write a book. I wonder

Lovely lunch with Stephanie on the terrace and we caught up on everything. I hope they come and visit us. I think they will. Looks like the new job is working out.

Arranged to meet up with Rob and Tom in Darien and three hours later I had done my first paid work as a consultant. Just like that. I was late home but Mrs N was pleased that I had made a belated dent in the financial goal she set me in April. Unfortunately I had failed miserably to set an hourly rate for my services. Much eye rolling.I can't say I enjoyed it that much, especially the Diageo related conversations. I feel this ennui washing over me as soon as we start. Green & Black is a little better but I think it's part marketing, part pursuit of the money that bores me. I was born to be a man of leisure.

Stopped in on Eastern practice and caught up with Ray. I then had to talk Chavo's Dad off the ledge as Danny had been a little aggressive in his attempts to get the boys to the game on Saturday. Don't know for sure but they may be there for the first game against FC Westchester.

Day 33 - My Last Vote Counted

Back in the routine of running at 6.15am. Felt very sluggish but I reckon this kind of discipline is going to be so important when I get back and start teaching. If I can't get the basics under control I'm going to struggle. As my very expensive executive coach kept telling me at work, I have to find ways to bring order to my day otherwise I just leave the stuff I don't want to do until the last minute and that piles on the pressure. For some reason, running has helped me focus on other stuff. Maybe getting up at 6am in the dark when it's below freezing and snowing makes everything else seem easy.

Did some Maths today - first proper foray into Year 8 Maths and had some fun with prime numbers. Yes, I said it...fun with prime numbers. I even started to investigate the rules of divisibility and why they work. Got a  little ahead of myself.

Went along to vote for the school budget and caused some excitement amongst the blue rinses in the gym with my accent. We won't have that when we go back...just one more English voice in an ocean of them. The budget got a yes so my last vote counted.

Nipped up to Chappaqua to meet Tim for a coffee and advice about his business idea. I'm going to step away from it as I think he wants me to do more than I have time or the inclination to do.

Day 32 - Woodbury Frenzy

This week did not start very well as I left myself too little time to burn the DVDs for my Hillside mentoring group. This was just stupid as I had done all the hard work the night before editing their ads. I was very pleased with myself because I had added titles, soundtracks and everything but screwed up the simple bit. That will cost me as a teacher.

Anyway, I weaseled out of it (and the story has a happy ending later in the week).

No work today as Mrs N and I headed off to Woodbury Common to stock up on polyester drip dry shirts and clip on ties for school. Only kidding, DKNY and Calvin Klein for me. We spent lots of money we don't have and I found the whole experience exhausting, much harder than running a 24 hour relay.

The news came through that we came 14th out of 64 in the Ragnar. Wow! didn't expect that

Day 31 - Post Relay Blues

And so the post Relay blues begin.....not really

Still on a high all day today and other than feeling tired, my body recovered very quickly.

Having said that Sunday was very forgettable. Lazy and forgettable except for...

Alice's two goals in soccer

Shaved off the facial hair....much better

Having to deal with the fall out from Ted's cancelled game on Saturday

Day 30 - Sleep Is For Wimps

This has got to be one of my best days ever, especially as I got through it with 0 sleep, all 24 hours....a throwback to the good old Johnnie Walker days of flying to Asia.

We tried to sleep under the stars in Beacon but there was way too much noise so I just lay there and gazed at the stars until it was time to go. I ran my second leg from Fishkill and it was crazy. 3.15am, dark and a nice swirling mist so my light reflected back into my face. At one point I had the surreal sensation of thinking I was still running uphill but my body was going downhill. I just couldnt see that i was up and over the hill! A good run, not great, 7:29 minute miles

Rested up as the sun rose and enjoyed the ride into Peekskill where we almost lost Kevin. He ran a tough leg up to the High School and then Van 1 took over again. By this point we were well over an hour ahead so feeling chipper although fatigue started to really kick in. We rode down to Armonk and tried to rest but just as we settled down the lawn mower started and then we got kicked off the car park. 

The last 6 legs were a blast as we knew we were getting closer and closer to the finish. I felt bad as Mike had a nightmare hill to finish his leg and that turned into a nice down hill for the start of mine. I pounded the 4 and a quarter miles for 6:50s. Would have been quicker without a pause for directions. As I approached the finish, a kid started to run with me and it took me a double take to realise it was Alice. Brilliant! Big sweaty hugs.

The guys ran their hearts out to the finish and Mrs N joined us at Scarsdale. We finished in 24 hours and 37 minutes in Van Cortlandt Park. Incredible feeling that lasted the rest of the day. I even managed to go to a party that night and survived til midnight

What an experience

Day 29 - Ragnar Relay Part 1

The day has finally arrived. Frantic last few hours before Rob picks me up in the Happy Camper Bus. A real buzz as Van 1 heads up the I87 until we hit traffic and almost miss our start time. We are saved by Bill driving like a maniac.....

The day goes in a bit of a blur but the team operates like clockwork. I travel with Van 1 until the handover and then switch into Van 2, aka Orca. We pick up time on every leg and I run 7:17 min miles for my leg. Beautiful run through the woods but a killer hill at the end which kills my splits.

The race gets very interesting as we hit night time - out come the miners lamps, day glo jackets and flashing brake lights. This is actually the scariest part so far as we are travelling through high traffic areas at night on major roads. We hand off at New Paltz and head for the I84 diner for a cold beer and food. Part 1 accomplished, now for some sleep under the stars.

Day 28 - Four Weeks Growth

Progress report on my beard growth is not good. Four weeks and there is certainly enough for a 'tache but the beard part is distinctly patchy. I keep wanting to shave it off but Mrs N tells me to leave it. Another week tops.

Fully intended to do a couple of hours this morning but went for a run instead. By the time I was ready we went to Costco to stock up for the race...are you getting the drift. No work today.

I am actually very excited about the race although my fellow team members think I'm taking it a little too seriously. We shall see.

Packed my bag and finished off the cheat sheets for all 36 legs - quite proud of that I am. No Maths though (unless you count the Excel spreadsheet to calculate our projected time!!!)

Day 27 - Rot

I persuaded Mrs N to come out with me to finish the last 6 legs recce that Kevin and I did not do yesterday. The mood was very different as we were bickering from the start...a very different experience from yesterday. I think Kevin and I are made for each other :-)

Got home and John has exposed the damage behind the back steps. It's not too bad, just some water damage and no termites. The engineer came and was happy with it so we just need to pay for the repair.

Can't seem to settle down and start on Year 8. It's this relay, it's all consuming right now so will have to put down the protractor til next week. Got confirmation from Kings that they want me to work the week of July 6th in the school. That will be a bit of a rude shock if we only get back on June 30th!

Booked our flights back and decided that we would camp in the rental for a few weeks before the furniture arrives for St Edmunds. M&D went round to the rental and mowed the lawn for us and we agreed that they would come and pick us up with a big van at the airport. A fitting way to return after 9 years away!

Day 26 - Final Recce

Left early to complete the Ragnar Recce. We got the course changes last night and they are significant. We are going to have to move runners around which is not great. Kevin and I drove up to New Paltz and got through all the night legs by about 3pm before heading home. Some nasty twists and turns in there. Spent all evening writing up my notes so that the team could have their cheat sheets for Friday.

You guessed it, today was a Maths free zone.

Day 25 - Contract Signing

Today was a momentous day as we finally signed the contract on the house. I guess there is some good karma as I have no idea why we get to sell our house while so many out there are still on the market. This is the final financial piece of the puzzle so that we can buy our house in the UK, leave my pension plans in place and live hand to mouth for a couple of years until my salary improves and Mrs N goes and gets a cracking job. I love it when a plan comes together.

Tonight we had our final meeting before the Ragnar Relay. Over at Kevin's house and we discussed the final running order and logistics. I think it's finally hitting us what we are taking on this weekend.

Day 24 - Mother's Day

A very relaxing day as no sport and we attempted to spoil Mrs N. First up were pancakes and then Ellen and I put together a 3 course dinner of tricolor salad with mango/tomato/mozzerella, followed by slow roasted pork loin with a pomegranate glaze, all polished off with raspberry creme brulee.....yum yum

Day 23 - Waterlogged Pitches

Struggled out of bed for 7am run..last big one before the Ragnar. Didn't want to push much below 8 min miles but David was running strong so hung with him. Ended up with a couple of 7:10s and felt sluggish.

A very quiet day today due to lack of football. Alice's game was cancelled due to waterlogged pitches but we got some sun today and lots of wind so they should dry out soon.

Had the Tarricones over for dinner and lots of drama with EKN...priceless memories. Got the firepit going but the wind kept changing direction and was a little troublesome.

Stayed up to watch Darlington and Jamie run top 5 until...he got tagged. Will his luck ever change so he gets a decent run? He definitely has some bad karma somewhere.

Day 22 - Year 7 Completed

Today I finished the Year 7 text book. At this rate, I will be done with Year 11 in 12 weeks time which would be perfect timing. I know I can do more, there's just so much else to fill my day with.

Long Skype with M&D to catch up on all the news. Mum was a little taken aback by the growth on my face...I could have sworn she was laughing but maybe she was crying about how her little boy is all grown up. I think it was the former.

I don't remember anything else about today except for an evening at the Tarricones playing darts and drinking Gold Label. Scary

Was meant to get the contract to sign today but didn't come through.

Day 21 - The Drought Starts Again

Bugger! No excuse this morning as I didn't get up for running and then zombied out in front of the Mac all morning with not much to show for it except for a couple of items on Craigslist and a Latte. Spoke to Dad who is back from 2 weeks of rain in Italy. It's everywhere.

Mrs N has decide that I need the discipline of lists so she is writing some for tomorrow. She's probably right as today is the first day when I felt aimless and unproductive. This is not a good thing as the next stage is a vegetative state. I did manage a run in the pissing rain. I felt quite good so went at pace for 6 miles - 7ish minute miles. Ran out of puff and my thighs were burning (still from the football on Sunday) but pleased with the pace I managed.

Went up to the Ragnar manager's meeting in Peekskill which was OK. On the plus side, I got to see the Feders briefly and catch up with them. I will miss them.

Colonial Day at Hillside today....look at my angel!

Day 20 - The Maths Drought Ends

Finally some Maths...got stuck in early and managed two hours this morning. I was definitely in the zone but Mrs N distracted me and before I knew it the kids were home from school and I was wandering aimlessly around the house.

Actually went around to see Bob today who is 2 weeks on from his latest surgery. He didn't look great but we sat and chatted for a while. Took my backgammon with me but maybe we'll play next time. I'll try and get him our for a walk when the rain stops.

Went over to Anthony's to listen to a pitch on Amway business. I was curious as to how it works but as I listened I realised that I had no desire to get back into any kind of business right now. It just leaves me cold even though I know we could do with earning a few dollars. Cold cold cold. I just want to focus on my new world and not think about the old one. That will be a  very interesting attitude if this Green & Black thing comes off. Anyway we played darts and I won 3 zip. A very Zen Darts moment

Day 19 - Brooklyn Bridge

Out early for a run and we made it to Ardsley Station with lots of moans and groans. Fully intended to do and hour of Maths but then got stuck on trying to download the last CD for Rob. In the end I gave up and we got the train into the city and all the way to Brooklyn.

Weather continues to be atrocious but Mrs N and I had a very leisurely trip round the transit museum (very disappointing lack of authentic subway wall tiles for us to take home) and I remembered my Godson, Tom's birthday was coming up so got him a t-shirt.

We then walked across the bridge in spitting rain and I made it all the way up to 45th on foot to watch the game at Nation. Man Utd were 2-0 by the time I sat down so that was the end of that. Not entirely a waste as I saw Paul and celebrated birth of his daughter with a fat cigar and finally got to try a pint of 250 only 11 days late. Dangerously drinkable. Didn't talk about Diageo....well not much, only about whether we were on track to get a bonus!

Home in time for dinner - feels like old times! 8 days with no Maths

Day 18 - Blue Stickers

Legs definitely a little stiff today so may give the football a miss until after the Relay! More pottering this morning as we went around and stickered everything that is not coming with us. It starts to get very real when every electrical item has a blue sticker for "Yard Sale"

Coach Dale left after lunch. We had a great time but too short. He has promised to come to our leaving party. More rain in the afternoon and started to get in to a very lethargic state. This is not good. Day 7 with no Maths.

Day 17 - Footie Tennis in the Rain

Up bright and breezy for a spot of early morning footie. Very enjoyable - lungs and legs in very good shape, shooting boots not so good. Headed home for pancakes and bacon and then on to the tennis courts for footie tennis with Coach Dale, Ted and Alice. As we played it started to rain but we had a great game with Alice showing some lovely touches....still beat 'em though!

Rained pretty much the rest of the day as we played a monster game of Trivial Pursuit and then all got in the car for a trip to Morristown to watch Ted play. Usual away game drama as we only had 9 on the pitch for the start but they eventually turned up and we won 2-0. Tidy job, boys.

Back home and a monster Spag Bol. Felt very bloated but happy. It's been 6 days since I did any Maths...bad boy!

Day 16 - Shaggy Comes To Stay

Managed to get up for our run this morning and finished up with a tidy 9.75 miles before heading home. Not very fast but good to get the mileage done.

General pottering today as Ted was at a Bar Mitzvah and all practices were off because of the rain. Should really have done some Maths but didn't so another day goes begging...looks like it's going to be a mad rush at the end again. That is so unlike me.

Delivered Peter K his new Surger unit and stayed for a chat about the move. We are certainly going to miss them and then a mad rush to get to Alice's game in Tarrytown which they promptly lost 3-0. Not happy.

Rushed back for Shaggy's arrival and had an excellent evening outside with steaks on the grill, red wine and the fire pit up and running for the first time in years. A great evening that ended with an Ellen episode in our bedroom at 11pm. Give us strength,

Day 15 - Soho House

No Maths again today as I went swimming. Again I was dreading second time around but in the end we did two lots of 20 laps non-stop, all front crawl, and it felt OK. Tried to breathe every 3 strokes which was a struggle but definitely helped the rhythm.

Took subway down to Meatpacking for lunch with Justin at the Soho House. First real foray back into business world and it was horrible. I walked into the place and everyone was glued to their Blackberrys. Couldn't get out of there fast enough although it was good to see the Hicklins and Michael Stoner was there.

Missed my train back but still managed to get home by 3.30pm and an hour's coaching with Alice and Sophie before the rain set in. Took Alice to ballet and had to tell Miss Jessica that we were leaving. She welled up and so did I

Evening at the Spensers which was very very funny. Great meal and then general chaos with all the kids including Ellen who was on good form. We even found the World Cup Final photos....finally

Day 14 - Engineer's Report

Bitched and moaned this morning on the track as felt very tired. Short work out but finished with a fast mile 6:02, not bad.

Engineer came today so we walked into town and chatted about the move back. We ditched my idea to go home via HK as the Brunners are going to be in London. Instead we will camp out in Nightingale Close until the new house is ready. I hope the kids will enjoy the experience. If not there's always M&D, Charles or Russell we can invade.

We sat and watched Ted's grade out on Reynolds while the buyers finished walking round the house. I took the long visit as a good sign, Mrs N as a bad sign!

No Maths today or yesterday. Work load has definitely diminished but so much else to do.

Day 13 - Lazy Day

Wasn't looking forward to cycling this morning but it cooled down a bit and we  ended up doing 17 strong miles including hills through Dobbs so felt pretty good. Helped Mrs N do some clearing up around the house before the survey tomorrow.

Drove up to Peekskill to give Mr Tarricone a lift back after dropping off his GTO at the garage. He showed me his gas station (very impressive) and we dropped in on his mate who has a storage facility for old, rare and fast cars. Always reminds me of Silence of the Lambs when I walk into a warehouse full of old cars with dust sheets on them.

Back in time to watch the last few minutes of the Man Utd Arsenal game with Mr Spenser then wandered home.

Day 12 - A Day With Dr Beglane

After a gentle early morning jog, I was picked up by Dr Beglane and spent the day at Family School 32 in Yonkers, NY. The objective was to get first hand experience of class room management techniques (good and bad) through observation and the day proved to be very useful.

I was a little nervous but soon settled down and took copious notes. The morning was spent observing 6th Grade and then the afternoon 7th and 8th Maths. I think I saw it all! Plenty of material to learn from and I was pretty tired by the end of the day. I ended up writing a 6 page report so that will go straight into the evidence file under classroom management.

When school finished there were may be 15 kids who came up to me and remembered my name. That felt good.

Weather continues to be very hot