Fruit first, ask questions later

Much fêted age-category running champion and Islington & Camden GoodGym stalwart Mr C has a potential case of That Virus. His test is due back any day now but in the meantime he is self-isolating responsibly, as you'd expect from the athlete who placed first in the Over 65: Male category of the 2019 Edinburgh Marathon.

Mr C asked if I could pick up some fruit to help tide him over until Tuesday when his very local lockdown ends. Naturally I was happy to help. Fruit provides him with the nutrients he needs to smash through barriers both real and virtual - such as when he placed 2nd in his Age Group at the Hackney Moves For Heroes Virtual Half Marathon in May this year.

Not being a doctor myself, earlier in the week I nonetheless prescribed watching Hamilton on Disney+. When I dropped in on Mr C today I was encouraged to hear he'd taken my advice and had already got through the whole 2 hour 45 minute show. Doubtless in an even more formidable time once he has adjusted that for age grading.

(I'm not sure it had an ameliorating effect on his symptoms, but I sensed a marked reduction in his personal prejudice against musicals. We celebrate one victory at a time.)

I dropped off the fruit along with a bonus sourdough loaf and we had a good chat. Mr C was still processing the just-announced news that the London marathon will be elites-only in 2020. As such he now needs to decide whether to run it in October 2021, April 2022 or April 2023. He had a Good For Age place for this year, you see...