Gareth John's Blog

Chasing Pavements (Part 13!)

So this weekend, it’s another little milestone. I’m going to head out (and hopefully back) on my final training run ahead of this year’s London Marathon. According to the training plan, I’m down to do about 20 miles. Just looked at the weekend forecast…mmm. I’m thinking 20 minutes is a more realistic prospect.

But if you feel like braving the great outdoors this weekend, there should be some great sights. As thousands of people like me wind-up their Marathon training, this should be the weekend that you get to see the mad-as-monkeys people who are planning to run the event in costume try their outfits for the first time. So, if you’re planning a gentle stroll across Richmond Park, Blackheath or through Epping Forest & you see a two-legged rhino / tree or any kind of root vegetable lolloping towards you, don’t be scared. There’s a reason. And, you know what? I still have nightmares about being beaten by a pantomime camel & a tin of baked beans last year. It was a bitter pill.

And if you simply can’t get enough of men in lycra this weekend, don’t forget it’s also the Boat Race. I always think the best place to watch this is around Hammersmith Bridge. The River bends there, so you get to see the action for a little longer than you would on other stretches of the water. Plus there are loads of pubs around there!! And of course, there’ll be the chance to mingle with people almost as posh as that barrister bloke who got fired on the week’s episode of The Apprentice.

Boat Race day always brings back one special memory for me. My career as a barman both began & ended at a Boat Race a few years ago. A friend of mine ran a riverside bar at the time in Hammersmith needed some extra help & jumped at the chance to let me give him a hand. Schoolboy error. The first pint I carefully pulled was a pint of pure froth. Didn’t seem to bother the Aussie guy I was serving, though, who looked at his glass, looked at me & then said “cheers mate” before parting with £5 & toddled off happily. At least there was less risk of spillage for him.

So enjoy your weekend, oh & don’t forget the clocks change…..spring back? leap forwards? fall over? I’ll have it right by Monday.

Big love
Gx

Read about Stillborn Baby charity SANDS who I’m supporting at this year’s London Marathon, here: www.uk-sands.org

Check on my fundraising progress here: www.justgiving.com/gareth_john

Posted by Gareth John on March 28, 2008 at 12:13PM

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