Sevenoaks invaded Brighton on Sunday with a combined force of Blokes and SLJ girls travelling down in 2 coaches early in the morning to grab the best spot on the promenade prior to the race. Others went down under their own steam and we had a total tally of 28 Blokes taking part, many doing an event for the first time which can be a bit daunting.
There were the usual loo queues and irate cyclists but it's well organised in a fab location for runners and spectators alike. If you don't fancy running it, just come for the experience (pub and banter) anyway next year. Last year the weather was stunning and we once again avoided the wind and the rain that threatened.
The course is flat. No hills. Not an undulation in sight, although Paul Shelley who led us all in under 42 minutes did complain about struggling up a slight rise towards the end! If anyone wants to go sub 40 next year, Paul's your training partner... I certainly couldn't keep up with him. I got a PB at a whisker under 43 minutes with Graham Orrell finishing sub 45 which was our goal.
Most of us are pretty realistic about what we can individually achieve but there were nevertheless a fair few who surprised themselves with better than expected times on the day. All that extra work that was put in up and down the cup-de-sacs on Wednesday evenings really paid off.... thanks Duncan!
Fergal confessed to wondering where his legs had gone after he crossed the finishing line and sought out a convenient bench to be revived with sympathy and Lucosade. A couple of bananas and a few stretches later, (that didn't come out quite right!) most of the Blokes changed in the cramped confines of the conveniently parked coach, sprayed on the air freshener and headed for the pub opposite the restaurant for some beers and banter. You'd have thought there would have been a few more smiling faces around the table but they had only had a sip of their pints at that point and were still knackered from the run!
We rolled over to the restaurant... where along with SLJ we took over the top floor for some desperately needed food. Some had had their chip times sent to them although the full list of results came though online whilst we were there. There's aways a lag between the start of the official clock and when you actually cross the start line, so your actual time can vary quite a bit. We'll post a full list of results at some point. We had a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for Duncan before heading back on the coaches for a well earned lazy Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to Dave and Sam for all the organisation... and to Donna for sorting the coaches out. (that didn't come out quite right either!) ... Gerry
The guy in white obviously recognised that there was a serious stretching session going on...