Snow Patrol

One week till the marathon in Paris and the nerves are kicking in. The past 7 days have allowed me to test out all my running gear. Last Sunday woke up to snow coming down which was a shock. I had to put the long tights on and jacket. I have lost one of my running gloves so instead of moon-walking 11 miles I put my cycling gloves on and ran in those. A surprising number of people were on the run, must all be running either Paris, London or Edinburgh. The good thing about the run was the very tasty birthday lunch Sarah’s sister put together. It was the twins first birthday. Your first birthday is like your last birthday, people have to gather your friends for you, you just kind of sit there, they have to help you blow out your candles....etc.

The rest of the week was left to getting a doctors note. To run Paris you need your doctor to sign approval. My medical file has an issue on it from years ago and my GP got cold feet and said I need more recent tests done! So spent Tuesday waiting to see a Cardio at Kingston hospital. I was the youngest person in the whole hospital wing by 35 years and even had an old women come up to me asking if I was Tom? Senile old bag although she may have just seen Top Gun and got confused.

This past weekend saw us doing our last longish run. 11 miles in much warmer weather. It was almost warm enough for me to wear my white string vest, but due to my lack of a tan I stuck with a t-shirt. The run along the Thames had us jumping puddles and dodging beer and cider cans left behind by the Boat race the day before. I think Fort Hare University beat Staines Polytechnic by 3 lengths. The run did not do us any good at all with us both feeling a bit stiff the next day. We have now been planning what we are going to eat before the marathon on Sunday morning. I have a feeling asking for lukewarm porridge with walnuts and seeds, sliced banana and topped with honey and washed down with strong black coffee might get us kicked out the hotel. Thinking of freezing some milk and taking muesli or perhaps taking some pasta and pesto to eat beforehand. Any suggestions welcome although currently with no doctors note I am going along as Sarah’s coach and will have croissants for breakfast!