The calm before the storm.

Saturday afternoon. We’ve done a little bit of shopping down in Notting Hill where we found Becoming Forrest by Rob Pope. Now to get it signed by the author. Rob will be in Australia in February so that might just be a chance. We spent the week doing a lot of walking and a bit of running culminating in a four km jog this afternoon and 5 x 100 m strides down in Hyde park. Might have to think about some stretching.

Tomorrow is the second of our three marathons. I think I’ve pulled up OK from Berlin but we’ll know more about 30 km into tomorrow. Anne has picked up a nasty cough but doesn’t seem to have shared it. Again we’ll know more tomorrow. I still have little ongoing soreness in my left heel and had a twinge in my right calf yesterday but all in all as good as can be expected. I start in the Championship wave so will have to start at a fair pace or risk being run over by thousands of runners. I think the estimated field is of the order of 50,000. A far cry from the 80 finishers in Dubbo a couple of weeks ago. Tower bridge, an image of which is below is packed with spectators and you hear the noise as you approach, run over the bridge and even for some time after. The finish is up beside the river Thames, turn right at Big Ben, run up to Buckingham Palace, have tea and scones and then run around the fountain and finish. (might skip the scones and have a beer later).

People and Places

One of the reasons we come all the way around the world to run is to meet people and learn of others way of life. It also gives us a chance to catch up with friends from times past. sometimes it just doesn’t work with some people because of other commitments but we had a great time with Knox legend Adam Bernard and George at The George Inn” for a couple of pints.

In the evening I attended the Abbott World Age Group meet an greet at the national Maritime museum in Greenwich. It rained all of the way there and I wondered why I bothered as I was soaked when I arrived but it was worthwhile meeting athletes from all over the world. I also caught up with Damian Bruneau who helped pace me earlier in the year when I ran a virtual marathon on the Knox bike path. Damian is a big chance to go well in his age group so fingers crossed for him.
The other male in the third image is Avi from Houston. He is in my age group so we will be racing tomorrow. Avi also ran Berlin last weekend and finished about four minutes in front of me so he is someone to chase. Two of the girls, Erin and Elizabeth from Chicago also ran in Berlin last week and are running again here. We’ll catch up again on Sunday night to debrief on the day.

I also chanced a meeting with a couple the Indigenous marathon project runners yesterday. Originally set up by/with Rob DeCastella the project aims to improve the lives of indigenous runners by providing an aim and some mentorship. one of the guys will complete his sixth major and qualify for the big Abbott medal. A great achievement he will be the first indigenous athlete to do so.

A couple more images of touristing

That’s it for this one. Spaghetti for dinner and an early night. Will be a big day tomorrow. At the half we will also be half way through the adventure. Weather is not looking too promising but you only get wet once. Will try and do a race recap on Monday.

Cheers