More on London

Well what an adventure ! First of all the whole visit was a great success. I was able to go to Tunbridge Wells, with my brother Gerard and visit my Auntie Pat who is in her late seventies. Very worthwhile visit with her and her husband Alan. Also spotted a camera classic in the photography shop -- an Olympus Trip 35 -- which Anne insisted on buying me -- solid, all metal, fantastic lens --first built in the 60s and only £25 -- a bargain. Anne and I were also able to spend quality time with her son Colin and his wife Louise. On Saturday afternoon we went to the London Palladium and saw The Sound of Music -- fantastic production -- absolutely fabulous -- and not a dry eye in the house !!!
--------Race Day--------
And it was a case of " Climb Every Mountain " on race day. We left West Hampstead at 7.45 for a half hour Tube journey to the O2 centre. First hurdle, engineering works. Not a problem, can always get round them. Next problem a trail derailed at North Greenwich -- our destination station. Not daunted we went on to Canary Wharf to pick up a cab. Taxi driver refused to take us -- no way was he getting gridlocked in all that traffic he said. Jumped a bus to Bow where we could get another bus to our destination -- time ticking away. Got to Bow -- all the buses crammed -- not stopping to pick up any more passengers. Eventually found a taxi and filled it with two other runners and a girl who was running one of the sound stages. Got there not long before 10.00. By this time the organisers must have been in a panic -- they postponed the 09.45 start to 10.30. Whew I'm exhausted and I haven't even got to the race yet. Forgot to mention that it was chucking it down all morning and there was a fair but of wind howling about so we were all soaked as well. by this time I'm getting a wee bit dehydrated so Colin organised me a bottle of water.
--------The Race--------
What can I say about the race that was good ? The bands and the music were great. The enthusiasm of the crowds, given the shocking wet weather, was tremendous. It was a reasonable course -- a little hilly in parts but not too bad. There were plenty of water stations and the marshalling was good. One problem the water came in large paper cups -- not a great idea -- although there was also Gatorade in bottles with sport caps. However there were a few narrow gaps throughout the course which slowed things up a bit and a bit of twisting and turning in some sections -- at one point we all turned sharply right through a narrow gate, into a parade ground. We ran straight across across, turned sharp left at the far side and ran back the way we came and out the gate -- just so we could pass a sound stage !

--------Tactics--------
Anyway my performance was nowhere near my best. I finished in a poor 1.41.44. Easily my worst half of the season. No excuses -- I ran badly, simple as that. I attempted 7.20ish a mile -- hoping for a nice new PB. That was a mistake -- I'm just not as fit as I was at the start of the year. I was well on target until about 6 miles. although I confess to a bit of erratic pacing in that first part. The second six miles I basically died out there and by mile 13 I was just jogging home. It didn't help that the distance was in fact closer to 13.25. Still in the words of that great old Julie Andrews classic -- I'll simply remember my favourite things and then I won't feel so bad !!! Nice medal btw.