Just add oil

1. Up very early to dig out my bike. I haven't seen my bike, never mind ridden it, in 10 months. I am told it will no doubt need a bit of oil on the chain. All I have is olive oil, but it'll do, I reckon. I'm ready and never mind comfort zone, this is more like danger zone as I hit the roads.

2. I'm at my first park run this morning and as I arrive to hear the intro for new runners, I learn that this is the 8th anniversary of the first ever park run which started with seven folk in London. This morning there's a few hundred people and the sun is shining. As we get going I am stunned by just how beautiful this park is. I'm really happy to do be doing this. At the end I meet Diane, Andy and Molly and Neil. I feel right chuffed. Not as chuffed as I do later, when the email pops in to tell me how I got on. Sixth in my age range. I think that's ok. The smile value of that email is really, really high.

3. The new Queens Park arena opens today. It's really cool and I catch a few turns in the autum sunshine.

4. I have decided to tackle cooking. I probably can cook ok, but my confidence is just rock bottom. Today I decide to pick up the Guardian on the way into the supermarket and cook whatever is in the recipe section of the magazine. What I find makes me burst out laughing. Hugh Fearnley Whumpenpuff's first recipe requires 'two rabbits, jointed', the second involves '8 rear rabbit legs (preferably from a young animal)'. Ha. Considering I am in Asda Toryglen, I have to turn the page. Luckily there is another, less mental, more realistic recipe.

5. It works out well. Very, very well.