I have been enjoying the blue skies of the English Summer with occasional parkruns and a short dash to the park, but nothing substantial.
2 weeks in the Blue skies of the Australian winter was over too soon. In the West, our attempts for a neighborhood jog was anything but serious aerobic exercise - with our niece in a running pram which involved frequent breaks and a few doses on the swings, and slides
and a jog to visit to our Italian friends which we ended up staying not only for coffee, but a lunch of risotto with truffle oil!
On the East Coast, the outdoor highlight was the trail run in Lane Cove National Park from Roseville to North Ryde. Having crossed this park enroute to school and work for quite a few years, always wondered what was under the bridge. dropped the car off in Roseville and ran (with care, as it wasn't all obstacle-free) thru the bush and back to our auntie's house, passing through waterfalls, the lovely smell of the eucalypts and the lovely feeling to be with nature. It was only around 7kms in the end but lots of fun!
Now back on English soil and landed my first volunteering experience as a flag marshal at the Prudential RideLondon Surrey classic race on Sunday.
This was part of a cycling festival, with the streets of London open for all in Saturday's Freecycle event. Sunday was devoted to the long distance route from London to Surrey and back to celebrate the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics.
When I signed on as a volunteer, I noticed my shift was very short, only 1-3pm! Having missed my training due to vacation, I went to a drop-in session in London to collect my tshirt, badge, water bottle and booklet, and only then I found out I was Marshalling for the classic event, which the world's top cyclists would compete.
My role was to wave a yellow flag in front of a bollard and blow a whistle in short sharp bursts to warn cyclists of a hazard on the road (ie if the hit me they are I'm trouble).
Sunday's weather was stormy, with the aftermath of ex hurricane Bertha sweeping the east of the British Isles. The morning 100 mile amateur race was shortened as a result, so what would the afternoon hold?
I reported to the volunteers base at weybridge high street , received a marshal bib, flag, whistle and a poncho, it was an hour before I had to assemble at my bollard.
Unlike a marshal at the London marathon, weybridge high street (30miles from the race start) was deserted. I have a few spectator guides to give out (spotted the few essential jerseys to watch out for) and had to reach out to pedestrians to generate some interest. The security contractors clearing the roads had a chat with me, they had been out since 1am. (Their shift finished abruptly due to police taking over the control of the roads, initially rumoured to be a race cancellation - quite possible due to a flood nearby reported by another marshal from my base - thankfully my marshal lead cleared the rumour for us).
At 2pm, some spectators have gathered (including hubby on a brompton) and I went to my bollard. A big splash of rain came, with everyone running for shelter, but I remained where I was.
The next few minutes was exciting. First came the motorbikes clearing the roads. Then it was the lead vehicle..the ambulance car...the view from the bollard shows they were all rushing at me...
Then it was the cyclists. 2 groups, the first a bigger one - I spotted those famous sideburns on a black and blue jersey (Sir Bradley Wiggins) and couldn't identify anyone else whilst holding the flag and blowing the whistle...the 2nd group was a bit smaller, the leftovers, and then it's all over.
All over for me at weybridge, I signed out from the base, returned my equipment, and did a cycle/run back home with hubby, to continue the race spectating on TV.
By this time the race was almost halfway through, we were lucky to be able to catch them from box hill, all the way into Central London .
Proud to say the roads from esher, Kingston onwards were familiar as we've either ran it or cycled through them.
All over too soon! Must make the best use of summer before it's too late!
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