Sunday morning was time for the annual Marlow Santa Fun Run, except this year as well as the logistical challenge of doing the run with three kids (Iona and on scooters, Hamish in a buggy) there was the additional logistical challenge of a Party we needed to get Iona to. The party of course happened to be at a cinema so arriving fashionably late wouldn’t be the done thing.
We managed to get a free parking space at the Marlow Sports Club which was handy and do a fast trot over to the park where the race started just as we were rounding the corner, having managed to get everything in order on the way to the park we were good to go, the mission was simple, I would run with Iona and go as fast as we could, once finished I would then get her to the party, Octavia would run with the buggy (and Hamish) and Nell on her scooter. Getting to the race slightly later we pushed through the crowd watching and with a shout over my shoulder of ‘good luck’ Iona and I joined the steady stream of Santa’s running past (just 2000 all dressed up)
Iona was on a mission, knowing there was a party to get to she set a fast speed, whilst pushing the noisiest scooter in the world to record pace we based out the first couple of kilometres in 5 min 30 second pace, yep I was at max HR the whole way round (more junk miles) We had some great shouts of encouragement as we went around the course, my favourite being “Keep up dad!” as Iona led the way round with a big grin on her face. In spite of swiping my beard and wearing my Santa hat Iona was recognised by a few people which was nice. Counting off the kilometres was good fun and there were a couple of times where I had to ask Iona to slow down as the pace she was setting was blistering. We stopped for a couple of minutes at the water station to give me a chance to catch my breath, and allow my pace maker a chance to drink some water without wearing it, and then we were off again, heading back to Higginson Park.
The only time Iona slowed down aside from the water stop was when she spotted a Santa being sick by the side of the road, amazing how kids can always spot things like! As we entered the park and the final 200 meters Iona pulled ahead by 5 seconds, enough of a lead when she crossed the line that she’s been saying ever since that see beat, which I guess she did. Having completed the warm up race, it was time for the race to the party, and here it was that Iona finally slowed down as I carried the scooter back to the car. In the process of heading to the cinema we of course got stuck behind every Sunday driver in the area, but thankfully made it in time for Iona to join her friends. Now I just head back to Marlow to pick up the rest of the family ;-)
Oh and my time? 29 minutes 48 seconds, Iona of course was 29 minutes 43 seconds ;-) According to the GPS the course was 5.25km and we both stopped at the water station, so a pretty pleasing time, even if the effort felt like it might kill me!!