Run Forrest

Two games, eleven goals. Not something I would expect to see from Tottenham, but this is what we saw. Darren, Adam, “Chinner” and myself set out from London for Preston to watch the league cup match against Preston North End, one of the first football clubs in the UK. So after an adventurous drive up and some time in a nearby Preston pub we got to witness Spurs hand out a 5-1 drubbing. This was Wednesday. On Saturday one of the country’s other previous big name clubs, Burnley, came to White Hart Lane and were duffed up 5-0. To say that things were lively in the pubs after this result would be an understatement, however, with Sunday’s impending half marathon I did make an early exit from the festivities.

The Thursday and Friday that were in between these two matches were still entertaining. Thursday evening saw Martin, Shar, Mark n Row and myself gather for the Guinness celebration of Arthur Guinness birthday, which went on well into the night.
Friday was a similar event as we finished packing up the office in Aldgate for the move to our new office in Mark Lane down by Tower Hill. This is just across the road from the Tower of London with a good view of Tower Bridge as well - a nice view if you’re on the right side of the office! Naturally, there were some celebratory drinks to farewell Aldgate.

Not exactly prime preparation for a half marathon, but then again, none of my preparation could be termed ‘preparation’. More just ‘recovery’ to enable me to get around the course and complete the event. This is what I basically did.
My housemate Paul came along for something to do and certainly wasn’t disappointed once he noticed the amount of fit women in lycra running shorts. With eleven stages full of bands and DJ’s along the 13mile route through sunny Greenwich, this run was extremely popular with the ladies too. More women had entered this event than any other running event in the UK (so I was told). Definitely one to be in better shape for next year!
If you’re wondering, I got around the course without too much difficulty, although the two “hills” were a bit nasty. 40minutes slower than my best, but that wasn’t really the issue. And thanks to Axa’s fundraising matching scheme, I will make the needed £300 for WSPA, so that’s all good. Thanks to all who donated, and if you’d like to you still can at http://www.justgiving.com/aussierunner
Later that afternoon, I met up with Karyn n Marty for a bit of time in Knightsbridge just near that well known “department store” (begins with ‘H’ if you’re not sure).
You’ve probably noticed the sunshine in the photos above - yep, London has been warm n sunny of late, although “warm” is really only 18C...

Monday evening saw me catch up with Shar and her visiting sister Kelli-anne. A quick dinner in Chinatown was followed by finally getting to see Les Miserables. I really knew nothing about this other than it was set in revolutionary France, as well as some of the music that Mum n Dad played over the years since they saw it. A fantastic production and one that I would have no qualms in seeing again should the chance arise.

Time to get packing...