SPRINT Issue 59

just in case I got soaked or needed a change. I also stuck spare head torch
and GPS batteries in both boxes, along with some food.
I got the train to Richmond on the Friday before, armed with all my gear in a
supermarket shopping bag, and got slightly nervous in the massive hail storm
as I went over the bridge at Clapham Junction hoping the weather would be
nicer the next day!
I arrived at Richmond around 1330 and decided to go for a trip on the tubes
around London to pass some nervous time, but later in the afternoon I felt
really tired, so went back to the hotel, had some pizza for dinner and a goodluck
pint of Guinness and went to bed around 2030.
Race Day: I pinged awake at 0515, despite my alarm being set for an hour
later. I lay in bed, swapping between almost drifting back to sleep and
sudden panic as I realised what I was about to attempt! About 6am I couldn’t
stand it anymore so I got up and started checking my kit. It was all already
packed, so it was just another check of everything being in place. For about
the millionth time.
I got dressed ready for the race. My Green Man t-shirt, Decathlon anti-chafe
underwear, a 4 inch thick layer of BodyGlide over everything that may rub,
compression shorts then normal shorts over the top. Compressport calf
guards, Injinji socks with 2Toms BlisterShield powder in.
I went down for breakfast at 7am and was the first person there, had some
green tea, fruit, yogurt and porridge, forcing down the latter as I didn’t really
have any appetite but figured it would be necessary.
Back up to my room, checked everything again (of course), then down to
check out and try out Uber for the first time. It was a whopping one mile
from my hotel to the start, but I was buggered if I was going to walk that with
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