Virgin Atlantic flight VS 900 – best flight ever . . .

August 21st, 2009 by Gavin

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The crew on my flight to Tokyo

After London I spent a few days in the Surrey countryside with the Renfer Family – in fact the past month or so I have lived in a Renfer house in one location or another ! Sean, who is one of Ireland’s top U-23 athletes, showed me around Hungry hill, Staples Lane, the Ballbuster at Box Hill and the Cock Inn. It was my first time to train in the London area and although it made me miss the quiet roads of the Shire the swimming and running there was great.

My blisters healed quite fast after London World Series and so I was able to get in a strong fartlek before I left (1 min, 2min, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1) and of course as we swam with ‘the Stannard’ we got in some quality swimming at ‘his lake’.

My flight to Tokyo was on Wednesday afternoon. No excess charges and on the plane I was told that there were 60 free seats as I sat down in MY ROW. Usually I have to pay £75 for an emergency exit seat but on this occasion I was being asked could I move there. I looked to my left at the empty seats and she knew straight away what my answer was going to be. I flicked through the brochure and noted 12 (!) films I had not yet seen and wanted to, lifted up the hand rests, opened my tub of chocolate GU, laid out and got to work . . . . before I knew it I had dozed off and woke up in Tokyo.

So here I am in Yokohama – a 90min bus ride from Tokyo. I arrived to my room to find a new Champion System trisuit, compression clothes and other goodies, high fives all around. The briefing last night lacked a little Hitler official, some people rocked in half way through and no one cared less . . . 1 rule for 1 race,1 for another.

At the briefing we were told the swim course had been changed due to “Ocean Wildlife”, the water temperature was 28 degrees, race day who be in the 30′s and there was medical on hand . . . .

So apart from the sharks and a mini earthquake that woke me this morning. . . . its all good

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