The Virgin London Marathon

I got a big parcel through yesterday.  Clear plastic, the kind most magazines and other kids of mail come in now.  On one side there was a letter, on the other there was a pristine white trackie top.  Now, I do like to do a little clothes shopping on the net, but trackies are not my usual apparel.  This was not something I've deliberately bought.

Then I saw it.  On that beautiful white top was a splash of red.  A red ribbon.  A red ribbon in the shape of a heart.  In the centre of this heart said the immortal words...

Virgin London Marathon

The words swirled around my mind clogging up the thought processes.  Fear and excitement filled my body.  Months of training to run 26 miles.  Do I have the mental and physical stamina?  Will my dodgy knee hold up?  Will my body give up even before I get to Greenwich Park?  Will I get around the course?

I flipped the package over and tore at the plastic.  My kids came out wondering what was going on as they saw Dad in tormented joy.  I started to read the letter.  Then it really hit me.

"Dear Runner..."

Yes, yes...

"We regret that we have to advise you that your application to run in the 2011 Virgin London Marathon has been unsuccessful..."  The grey mist swirled again.  Bugger.  I didn't get in.  There's always next year...