“Everything you ever wanted to know about yourself, you can learn in 26.2 miles...” - Lori Culnane
It had always been a long-standing ambition of Jeff’s to run in The London Marathon before his fortieth birthday - but time was running out, fast.
He’d procrastinated his way to The Last Chance Saloon, and everyone agreed that this year it was now or never. I’d even offered to buy him a fresh pair of Reebok running shoes to wear for the occasion, as an incentive.
“I’d like to be wearing a costume, too”, he said, adamantly, whilst jogging on a treadmill during one of his many, arduous training sessions, “That’s always been my favourite aspect of the race.”
“How about a runner bean?” I suggested, struggling to keep up with the brisk pace on the treadmill beside him.
“Well, possibly”, he replied, “But really, I was thinking more in terms of something like a full panda suit that’ll hide my face if I can’t finish.”
As he was being sponsored in aid of The IFAW (The International Fund for Animal Welfare), it definitely made sense that his outfit should be ‘animal related’, and so that was the exact brief we gave to our mutual friend Stax (who was well known within our circle for his ability to acquire almost anything) the night before The Big Race.
Stax turned up bright and early on Sunday morning outside Greenwich Park carrying what can only be described as an oversized sirloin steak, made of foam - with a face hole, two arm holes and a big hole at the bottom for the legs. Jeff and I stared at him in utter disbelief, for what must have been close to a full minute.
“What’s wrong? You said ‘animal related’ and this is an ‘animal product’ - it was the best I could do at short notice”, Stax told us, shrugging his shoulders in resignation...
Hahaha I could picture the scene 🙄
All I am saying is respect to anyone who's running wearing any kind of outfit that is not a sports/runner's kit the London Marathon. Trying to link story to the initial quote. What does this piece of stake tell us about this character?