Royal Standard Wooburn - 25th August 2010 (Run 22)

Run Report by Jerome

On a night when 3 weather fronts collided to create the Perfect Storm a remarkable turnout gathered to run.
Incessant and torrential rain had preceded the run and continued during the run for a substantial part of it.
The author arrived late but not as late as Heather who had originally planned to run on her treadmill at home. For some reason, only known to her, she decided at the last moment to join us. Frankly she would have been drier if she’d put the treadmill in her swimming pool and gone for a run in the pool.
A carefully planned route took us through the back of Odds Farm where the only rare breed pigs in sight were Brett and yours truly. Other runners who, with time, I am sure could be compared to some other animals were Steve, Kate, John, Selwyn, David and the arachnid Spider. Neil had threatened to run but clearly and wisely did not.
Once through the farm our plans were scuppered by a warning that a footpath was closed typically being the one we wanted to use. We decided that it may be a bluff and went for it only to come across a gravel pit that smelt of gas. Having toyed with the idea of running through it we ran back from whence we came as the heaviest rain of the run descended.
On to a different path and while everyone else chose to take the shorter route for home Steve decided to extend his. That will be the last we’ll see of him we thought based on his past history on the run from Fingest a few years ago but amazingly he arrived back at the pub before we did. A short and entertaining run took about 50 minutes I think but probably only 4 miles was covered.
Changing in the car park was equally challenging with the rain hammering down. The girls having come 1= in the wet t-shirt contest changed indoors while the spider changed in the open smoking area. At this point I should add that Brett, when he and I walked back to our cars after drinks, had left his boot open for the hour we were in the pub. I imagine it would not have dried out before his 5o’clock flight this morning.
In the pub a range of good quality ales, good chips and lively banter were enjoyed by all. For some reason more time than usual was spent on where we would run next week. A number of options were discussed but the 3 horseshoes at Bennett End was discounted for being too convenient for the Hucks and the Roddicks so soon after their return from holiday. Discussions about the end of season curry and the runners Christmas do also took place. It was noted that the kitty build up to end of season was notably poor though we chose not to dwell on the reasons why.
As usual my poor recollection of other conversations highlights the incessant drivel that most of us talk about after these runs although Kate did inform us that on her curry night in 2 weeks time we should bring our own drink and that Rodders should bring the nan breads.
Next week Flower Pot at Aston. See you then