| Have you ever had that dream where you are running and running and not getting anywhere? Flying Air South West is virtually the same. We had to get straight to the airport after the Plymouth Half. "What about my hair and no make-up?" "You'll just have to go without it" Wendy told me. We treated ourselves to a well earned St Miguel while waiting to book in. When finally called we were told "the plane is broken" and "we are going to bus you to Newquay for your flight to Gatwick". This calls for a Bud this time. The £5 complimentary voucher gets you a share of a Panini. Just as our cases made the coach, they announced we were flying to Newquay! Got to Newquay and we sunned ourselves outside the bar plus some more Buds while our new plane arrived. Titan Airways! Now I've never objected to a Titan so off we flew to Gatwick.
Get to Victoria and most of the tube lines are shut for maintenance. Finally arrive at the hotel by taxi (Wendy is now "Awrite Duchess") at 10pm still wearing our running clothes from the half.
Bathroom lights don't work. "We'll have to shower together" I say but the receptionist just walks off. Double bed has two single sheets. Restaurant shut 6 minutes ago. Come to London to sample the cosmopolitan cuisine and end up eating McCoys Cheese and Onion!
Race day and we are up like a lark, each wearing a single bed sheet. Light enough for a proper shower this time and able to brush our teeth not our top lips and we're off to the races.
Its chucking it down and we reach Green Park to be greeted by mud. Off we go to a Pret a Manger and 10 runners (Kathryn and hubby from Hayle had joined us) all use the pretence of sharing a Mocha to get changed in the middle of the restaurant!
Back to Green Park. Now before, I was the picture of sartorial elegance. Debuting the Clima Cools in Carn colours. Hi viz yellow and royal blue from head to toe. Until we reach the baggage area which was borrowed from Glastonbury. Flanders and Swann providing the entertainment. Jog to the start. The ladies are very curious as to what the chap wearing not much more than green paint was wearing around the old nethers. Apparently Lasse Viren is the starter. Bedford for main course and Hill for dessert? He should really have been at the Finnish!
The race was wet and misty so for all we know we're not on the Olympic course. Run it quick enough so Lel and Co don't come running past the other way on the embankment. Not too many spectators on the route but thousands crowded under bridges etc and down the mall. Get a rollicking from the chief marshal for trying to sneak into the prizegiving photos. Well I was first Carn Male and its a double for Wendy as she's first female again.
After the race its back through the mud and our condition guarantees a seat on the tube for the journey back and after showering its off to sample the hostelries of Picadilly before a meal and a show. Flying back next day and the pilot has to abort his landing and we resemble to the take offs from the Ark Royal!
Now I've moaned enough. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend and would do it all again. The Bupa 10K is to be a permanent fixture and is a good route for a PB. And it has to be better weather next year. Just don't fly up!
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