w.atching the w.orld unw.ind

Today's lyric:

"I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me
And every step I take reminds me of just how we used to be
Well, how can I forget you, girl?
When there is always something there to remind me."

Petula Clark: "Always something there to remind me "

Unusually, I'm blogging on a Sunday because, although I am truly cream crackered from The Moonwalk last night, I'm also elated that the whole crew made it to the bitter end, just as the skies opened and the threatened deluge came down.

The atmosphere in the marquee where we all congregated before our staggered starts was really something to be part of. The bicycle bulb horns (available from Halford's - six quid each) mounted in my bra elicited more than one "Nice hooters, mate" from a nubile lovely. And of course, they all wanted a squeeze to see if they worked. I'll see if I can Photoshop something later.

We were the last party to set off - at midnight - and finished 4 hours 29 minutes and 29 seconds later. The worst parts were the bottlenecks, where we came 'off road' and onto the narrow Thames embankment pathways, at one point unwittingly joining a 'loo queue' of several dozen women. It meant shuffling along instead of power walking, and getting cold and achy leggy while waiting to get past.

Actually, that wasn't the worst part. As one of only a handful of male entrants (is that the right collective noun for a group of blokes - a handful?) it was strange to 'appreciate' what it is like to be ogled. I wouldn't say the streets were lined with pervs, but there was many a man peering down over bridges or just plain leering from the pavements. And the shouted comments from the unter mensch in passing cars made me ashamed to be a man. Here were 15,000 women giving up their time, energy and blisters for a truly worthwhile cause and they did not need the lascivious yelling from open windows as support for their efforts.

I had jammed two speakers into the rucksack and throughout the trek, I could hear someone different singing or humming along to the many tracks I'd mixed so that there was something for everyone. Elaine Paige from Evita, The Prodigy, The Beach Boys, Abba, David Essex (struggled to find a track from him in our collection!), Queen &etc.

So it was really nice when several ladies (after the customary "Nice hooters, mate" comment, wandered over to thank me for providing some entertainment during the hours.

So whether I may try to get in for the full marathon next year, I don't know. As Sir Steve Redgrave once famously said "If I ever get into a rowing boat again, shoot me", and the same could be said of my walking trainers. But then again...