SANDRA BAND and her pals do an 18 miler!!

Today we were captained by Sandra's good friend Carolyn, who despite injury planned the route.  She planned the route around availability of phone boxes as she wanted to be able to phone for a taxi if she could not go the distance (this despite the fact that she actually runs with her mobile!!!)

We met up at our usual spot (although it was 2 weeks since we had been there!! So much so that Sandra's friend Sean could not even get his usual parking space!)

Before we set off Sandra presented Carolyn with the newly purchased "Captains Armband", which had been purchased by Sandra's friend, Jim.

As we got on our way we saw a wee white bum, bouncing around in the field!!!  However it was not, as promised Sandra having a jobby but a lovely wee bambi!!  In fact during the run we saw 4 wee white bums!!! All bambis and not the team dropping their breeks!!!!!

At 5 miles Sandra's pal Carolyn had to pull out, due to her young cow (sorry I mean calf!).  All seems rather suspicious as a) it was just as we passed her sister in laws house and I am sure we could smell bacon!!! and b) the route she had planned had more hills than a joint family party for Harry and Jimmy Hill!!!!

Carolyn passed the captains armband on to Sandra, who made the decision to continue on with her good friends planned route rather than take the easy option of doing an out and back route, which would have meant downhills all the way home!

So Sandra and her 2 male escorts Sean and Jim headed off for the final 13 miles on their own!!  The hills kept rolling but the pace was ferocious and 3 musketeers pushed on!!!

Weather was cold and windy, then dry and sunny and even ended with hail stones!!!

Incredibly the team all completed in sub 9 minute mile pace (target was 9.17).  A great effort and noticeable improvement from all concerned!!

Back at the Boathouse we contacted Sandra's pal, Carolyn who was at this stage happily cross training away oblivious to the torture she had put us all through!!

Sandra headed home and her 2 boy friends headed for breakfast together! At last, the chance to have a manly chat, without the ladies they thought.  Jim had it all planned, we would discuss birds, booze and maybe even diy!! Alas after 5 minutes peace D'artagnan phoned (probably from a phone box somewhere!) "Get me a coffee, a dry roll with potato scone and egg-I'll be there in 5 minutes" oh and don't forget the green cheese!!!!!!!!

Sandra having retained the arm band will now be planning our 20 miler for next week!!!