Well, I woke to torrential rain outside and by the time I arrived on Southsea Common (two hours early to avoid the queues!!!) it was blowing the proverbial hooley - looked like the conditions might be as good as last year!  As Sandy and Graham were still luxuriating in the warmth of their hotel I settled down with a magazine and watched everyone struggling against the elements to join the portaloo queue - I thought I'd put that off for a bit longer!! Eventually, I received the call from Sandy - she, Graham and Faith were fast approaching from their hotel and we arranged to meet outside the Blue Reef Aquarium where she handed me my natty black bin bag, specially customised by Graham (who you might like to know was in fancy dress and resembled a Newlyn fisherman getting ready for the worst storm of the year!).  We then met up with Sandy's nephew Ben, a blast from the past as I knew him from the old days in the gym at Carn Brea Leisure Centre - Ben was changing sex for the day as Sandy's daughter was unable to run through injury. 

We then spent the next hour dodging the showers, queuing for the loo and bopping in front of the deserted sound stage! As we assembled at the start we were shocked to see Paula setting off on the big screen - damn, she went without us, we'd have to really make good time now to catch her up! Eventually our wave started and the weather had perked up a bit, it wasn't actually raining now but there were lots of big puddles to dodge!  We made a steady start with Sandy in charge of the garmin and the pacing band she was wearing.  We had to do a lot of dodging and weaving but managed to keep together through the crowds of runners.  The atmosphere was great, with lots of spectators, bands playing etc and we were able to keep up a steady pace despite all the dodging and weaving.  At the 3 mile mark we passed the Tree man and all along the way there were army chaps with huge rucksacks, deep sea divers and a plethora of fairies etc. we felt quite boring in our Carn Runners vests!! 

A bit further along we were accosted by a lady called Marilyn who asked us to say hi to Steve and Wendy, seems she and her husband Bob had been adopted by Steve at an earlier race and had become best drinking buddies!  Coincidentally we met them again later as they were staying at Sandy's hotel so we were able to hear the full story!  So, Steve and Wendy - 'Hi from Marilyn and Bob'!!!!  We managed to stay just over 9 min mile pace for most of the way and we spotted Graham and Faith at various places on the route - Sandy even spotted Graham on the Channel 5 coverage - yes he was that bright, just imagine a bright yellow smurf and you will get the picture - having been caught out on previous years he wasn't about to make the mistake of spending 2 hours cold and miserable again!  The rain started at about the 6 mile mark so we finished very bedraggled and a bit tired but in a time of 1.33.29 which is about 6 minutes quicker than Sandy's PB from last year and 9 minutes quicker than my Blaythorne PB - Sandy's nephew Ben finished in about 1.25 so all in all, some good results - we were well pleased although I think Sandy was cursing me most of the way for dragging her out of her comfort zone - she's got a new comfort zone now, well done Sandy!!!  Well that's it, sorry folks, this has gone along the Steve Marks style of report - a bit long and a bit off on a tangent but you've eventually reached the end!!!!"

Laura and Sandy