Run Report by Pete
Six, credit-crunched, non-holidaying, serious runners turned out on Wednesday last for the "repeat" Squirrel run from the beautiful setting on Penn Street green. If there had been a 20 over cricket match on then we would have had it all. On a glorious summer’s evening when you wonder why you ever thoug ht of emigrating (that is until the holidaying chavs on the pub lawn opened their traps!) Susie, Amanda, Jules, Rodders, John and I met for a stroll through Penn Wood and Common Wood (presumably named after some of the other visitors to the area).
Six, credit-crunched, non-holidaying, serious runners turned out on Wednesday last for the "repeat" Squirrel run from the beautiful setting on Penn Street green. If there had been a 20 over cricket match on then we would have had it all. On a glorious summer’s evening when you wonder why you ever thoug ht of emigrating (that is until the holidaying chavs on the pub lawn opened their traps!) Susie, Amanda, Jules, Rodders, John and I met for a stroll through Penn Wood and Common Wood (presumably named after some of the other visitors to the area).
Amanda was struggling a little with a small hamstring injury, so as gallant as ever, I hung back to ensure she was OK (I was not slow!!) as Jules was far too busy with his map reading to worry about his wife’s fitness.
They say that in life, one should always "stop to smell the flowers" and so after the first mile we did. Unfortunately these particular flowers had been laid "in memoriam" after a tragic accident in the woods and so with words of condolence on we ran.
They say that in life, one should always "stop to smell the flowers" and so after the first mile we did. Unfortunately these particular flowers had been laid "in memoriam" after a tragic accident in the woods and so with words of condolence on we ran.
The injured/slow/female contingent took a slightly shorter run home (but only after the two mile gradual descent has been followed by a shorter steeper ascent). Rodders kindly sent us down a narrow, steep, nettle-infested path which then meant we had to run back up another hill, during which time Susie thought it would be a great idea to try to have a conversation with me about my career. Given I cannot run and wheeze, I kicked on and left Susie and Amanda for dead (a bit like Paula R did in 2004 in Athens). In the spirit of true gallantry I then let them past so they could have the glory of arriving back at the Squirrel first. Apparently we ran 4.03 miles. It felt longer.
The big 4 (can anybody break into that group in 2008/9?) arrived a few minutes later having taken a much easier (but slightly longer) route back to the pub, where we were met by Heather who arrived racing (on her bike) into the car park wearing the Maillot Jaune (or at least a bit of yellow in her shirt – I think). She looked fit. It must be all the running she keeps missing.
After a quick beer, 17 packets of nibbles and a few insect bites outside, we retired inside to debate a) the economy – 2 minutes, b) drinking among "the youth of today" – 15 minutes and c) the GB Olympic gold medal count – 20 minutes.
It was quickly determined that a ) the economy is f….d, b) we need differential drink pricing and the options are either beer is reduced and alcopops are put up or we charge by age range ("Ah, pint for you sir, certainly and as you are 52 that is £1.25 and an alcopop for you young man, well as you’re 18 (ho, ho) that’s £8.75"). I’ve rang the "man who knows" (Jeremy Clarkson not Gordon Brown) and apparently it will be in the next budget statement!
The sweep for c) was 7 Heather, 8 Amanda, 9 John, 10 Susie, 11 Jules, 13 Pete and 14 Rodders. Oh how little faith we have in our cyclists, sailors and boxers!
Next week we thought of going to the Squirrel at Penn Street, but apparently that has already been done (John, bloody listen next time) and so we went for second best. The Ship, Cadmore End, 7pm. Possible the roller coaster – the dark night!
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