The Tesco Car Park Marathon
A few months back, my friend Tim suggested running a marathon around the car park of our local Tesco.
Why? I am still unsure.
‘That sounds like a really, really stupid idea,’ I said. ‘But I’d probably be up for giving it a go at some point.’
Out of curiosity, I walked a lap of the car park to gauge the distance using my watch. One lap was 0.12 miles. A marathon would be 218 laps. It’s a fairly small car park and, initially, that number didn't sound too intimidating.
But it still sounded like a really, really stupid idea, so I instead opted for more scenic routes for my recent monthly marathons.
Last Sunday was the London Marathon - a race I participated in back in 2009 (my first ever marathon) and I have applied and been rejected every year since. Rachel secured a place again this year (her third) by qualifying with a good-for-age time.
Since Rachel received her acceptance email and I received yet another rejection last July, London Marathon chatter has been incessant. Admittedly, I found myself zoning out whenever Rachel brought it up. Perhaps it was a childish reaction born out of jealousy. Every time she mentioned it, it felt like she was saying ‘Did you know I’m running the London Marathon and you’re not?’ We debated all going up for the weekend to support her, but costs and logistics meant just Rachel and Layla made the trip.
Leo had a football match on Sunday and we got home just in time to turn on the TV and watch Rachel cross the finish line in a very impressive three hours and 37 minutes - her second fastest ever.
With my April marathon still to do, I asked Tim if he fancied attempting the Tesco car park marathon on the same day. Tim agreed but somehow managed to turn it around and imply I was the one suggesting something ludicrous.
‘It was your stupid idea in the first place,’ I reminded him.
‘Yes, but I didn’t think we would actually do it.’
It seemed oddly fitting - a stark contrast to the grandeur of the London Marathon with its 50,000 runners, throngs of spectators, and millions watching from home. While the London course boasts iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Palace of Westminster and Buckingham Palace, our marathon would feature two blokes circling an empty car park, with no spectators in sight - just a battle of wills against our own minds.