Happily Ever After

Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running

Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.

Heading For A Record

by Russell Turner - 20:09 on 18 April 2018

Four days to go and the weather forecasters have increased their temperature predictions for The Big Day. The Met Office hazards 21ºC and rising at 1pm on Sunday; the BBC goes for 20ºC and rising. Radio reports say it could be the hottest London Marathon ever run.

Both also suggest a chance of showers later in the afternoon, although the BBC (12%) is less pessimistic than the Met Office (30%). Doubtless the details will change in the next few days but some light precipitation near the end of the run would probably be welcome.

The race begins at 10am (my countdown clock is an hour behind) but as I’ll be among the slow runners I could cross the start line as much as 40 minutes later – 40,000 runners can’t all start at the same time. A chip tied to my shoe will record everything accurately.

If I assume a 5:30 running time (I’m trying to be conservative but may still be wildly over-optimistic) that means I’ll be tottering over the finish line around 4.10pm. (Look out for me on TV.) Then there’s a minimum of 15 minutes to get through the secure area to the meet and greet area, the organisers warn participants, maybe as much as 40. Hopefully Matchgirl, Cathy the Runner and UltraPaul won’t have got bored by then and gone for their tea.

So, just one more short run and two sleeps before Matchgirl and I hand over care of The Pride to Soo and Tony and head south in Grandson of Seat for a pre-London night in Leamington Spa. Very exciting, especially as I’ve almost forgotten how exhausted I felt when finishing my 3:30 run.

Matchgirl, still on the mend after damaging her toe, is taking her lack of athletic activity with the stoic fortitude I’ve come to expect. The meme says it all.

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