Ever being positive enough to leave at 5 to catch the 5:11 train, it didn't happened as planned (as expected ). Despite having ran to the train station and seeing the train pull in the platform..one thinks, there's another 1 in 20 mins time.
But the train was cancelled! Which means I had to take the 6:11 train, which was 8 mins late. With a 20min train journey and more than 10 minutes to the start....and pin the bib, and the chip...a slim chance I will make the starting gun of 6:45
I almost contemplated throwing in the towel and heading back to work (!) or home, but thought the better of the £10 entry fee and the future of the institute (should a merger go ahead with the kiwi's, this could be the last one we see of the logo?)
I waited patiently, and lean into the crowdedness of the now 6:18 train reading the book of the same title :) to queenstown road.
Calm at the station, I met another fellow working for Sky rushing to get to his blue bib start. I paced jogged with him for a bit until he took off after learning my target time was 33 mins! I was forced to do a warm up jog to the start as the closer exits were blocked with runners at the start. The gun had just gone off and surprisingly there were some corporate tshirt wearers strolling into battersea park, oblivious of the start time of the race. I had to dismiss them as 'walkers or cheerleaders' and made my way to my group - lucky the bib was the chip so off I went..to the green start that never was...and got to the start after a short wait.
Being the back of the pack was peaceful, less aggressive corporates trying to elbow you or stop and start walking. It was one of the nicest runs, sunny with a breeze. I relaxed and got into the rhythm of this course I know so well, seeing the Thames shimmering its reflections..how I miss the river!
Tried hard to maintain steady pace and gait, and not stop, even at drinks station. I was almost in the zone, thanks to the warm up jog earlier. Legs felt good, lots more lift compared to the last weekend
Given all factors I was thinking I be comfortable rather than going for It towards
the finish.
My watch said 31:4x , not too bad, given fatigue and lateness.
Another t shirt collected and lovely hospitality with the Aussie CA and the regulars. It was easier downing a bottle of water than a beer!
I have 2 texts from the organisers (after a faulty qr scan of the code on the bib!)
One said I finished 31:38 the other 47:12. Pace 13:30 (what rubbish)
Runkeeper says it was 9:17 min mile for 3.4 miles
Who to trust? Only my legs.
At least it's not a personal worst on the chip time! My expected on missing the train was 1:00:xx. Phew!
See you next year! As they all say...how will the game change? Who's got the snazziest t shirt, biggest and well equipped marquees.
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