140. My words fly up, my thoughts remain below

Before I forget, I guess I should record my memories of the great Challenge 5, start to conclusion.

Ummm...

1) Ye Gods, it's 5am and I'm awake. Why? Why? Why?

2) Cycling to the Olympic Park - slightly worried (due to history of getting lost) - another cyclist starts following me (foolish woman!) as she's also going to the event. And she's chatty. Very, very chatty. So I have to slow down to chat to her (I don't want to be rude. On the other hand, I'm not a morning person and I haven't had any coffee... Being rude is a very attractive option). Having slowed me down with the chatting, she then cycles off once the Olympic Park is in view (I didn't get lost!!). Gah! I'm now slightly later than planned...

3) Nearly forget to hand in baggage to kit lorry (again, no coffee), but assemble in my loading wave. Ready to go. Looking forward to enjoying seeing the central London sights from traffic-free roads. Aaaand - starting!

4) Everyone in my wave ("T" - second last!) is cycling past me. Keep bimbling along - 100 miles (+ 2 miles warn-up) to go, no point in rushing now and blowing up early. And now the people in the last wave are cycling past me... Must. Not. Panic.

5) Central London. I saw tarmac and other cyclists - watching what I'm doing and where I'm going. Apparently I cycled past London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Harrods... Couldn't say, didn't see them. I noticed Richmond Park (ah, the advent of scenic dullness), at which point I realised I hadn't seen any of the sights of London. Hmph. Onward (have cycled past some people by now - if only because they were stopping for water or punctures or whatever. But am still worried about my time).

6) Stop at first feed station. Hampton Court Palace, which I've always wanted to see. Didn't see it. Found the food and water, loaded up, checked my time (40-ish minutes in advance of the cut-off time. Good!), got back on Boris, set off again.

7) Surrey. Apparently there was some lovely scenery (yawn). I saw tarmac and the odd tree. Slogged my way up Newlands Corner (oh, dear, doesn't bode well), stopped at the second feed station (still about 40-ish minutes ahead of the cut-off time - OK, but about to lose a whole heap of time on the hills...), ate and ate, got back on Boris (noticeably a bit more stiffly) and set off again.

8) Still Surrey. Leith Hill. Oh. Dear. Lord. Sat on Boris, in my lowest gear, and slogged my way up to the top. Slowly. Past people walking uphill with their bikes (I'm with my peers!) - occasionally shouted "single file!" at those who need to walk two or more abreast (cycling here people!). Got to the top, started the descent, invoked much use of prayer and brakes, went through the final part on blind faith (it's a bit dark). Kept going. Box Hill. Oof. Boris and I repeated the long, slow climb at sloth uphill and round various corners. All a bit grim. More shouting of "single file!".

9) Leaving Surrey. More tarmac. Fewer trees. Rolling hills - cycle up to cycle down to cycle up (well, at least I'm used to that!). Leatherhead - final feed station. Much as per previous stations - still (even with stupid hills) about 40 mins ahead of cut-off time. Get back on Boris - very stiff now.

10) Back in London. Broadly aware that we have returned to civilisation. Need to get past Wimbledon water station (mile 91) before the final cut-off and then I'll be safe. In Wimbledon! Oooh - I recognise this road: yes! There's a sign to Southfields!! I know where I am (well, ish)!!. And... Past the final cut-off point within the cut-off time. I'm safe! Safe! And there are still 9 miles to go...

11) Central London. Ohh, look, Westminster. Meh, I've seen this before... Last corner should be soon! The Mall! I'm on The Mall! Meh, it's not much to look at... Finish line! Medal! Photo! Finisher's bag! Er... Boris in pieces and back in a box (thanks to nice man from TNT)... And, well, that's that, then...

So there you go, 100 miles in 11 easy steps... Am now recovering with the assistance of some quality chocolate... Very therapeutic, you know!

(^_^)

Tuesday's stats
Walking - 34 mins, 1.44 miles [gentle stroll to get some books...]