3 days until Ironman United Kingdom

We were up at 4 a.m. so we could meet our 5 a.m. water taxi to make our 8:35 a.m. flight back to London. The driver and the water taxi pilot had both been waiting for us when we arrived in Venice, so I had no worries.

4:58 a.m. We were standing in a town square, packed and ready…but no taxi driver.

5:27 a.m. We said, “The heck with this.” and we walked to the water taxi station.

We were worried that we were going to miss our flight. If you have ever taken a water taxi in Venice you know that it is not a simple, “Money in, ticket out.” Fortunately, a couple of English-speaking tourists showed up.

5:50 a.m. The water taxi arrived.

6:20 a.m. The water taxi docked and we boarded a land taxi for the airport.

7:00 a.m. We arrived at the airport. “Can we make it to the boarding in 60 minutes?”

(If you stay calm, everyone in your family will.)

“Absolutely!” I replied.

7:01 a.m. We checked in.

(OK, board the plane?)

7:20 a.m. We went through security.

(Now board the plane?)

7:40 a.m. Passport stamping.

(Third time in two days.)

7:55 a.m. We arrived as they started boarding first class passengers.

(Plenty of time.)

8:35 a.m. The plane lifted off.

(Thank you Italy for a wonderful time.)

We were back in England, an hour earlier than when we left Italy.

(So, you arrived at the time you left?)

Something like that.

(Wormhole?)

Once we deplaned, we waited for our luggage so we could dress up.

(Dress up?)

Read on and see.

(Can’t you just go to a destination and relax?)

Nope, too many things to see, too many things to do.

We waited by the baggage carousel, but our luggage wasn’t coming out. Apparently, it had been tagged to our connecting flight.

(Wait, you have another flight?)

More on that later….

We only had this day in London. So, while we could not change clothing, we at least didn’t have to drag our bags up to luggage storage, where the bike was.

(OK, now what?)

We took the train to London, to see the Londons.

(I don’t understand.)

Read on, you will.

We met Josh and Anne London for lunch. After the gastronomic experiences in Rome and Venice, we wanted to experience authentic (kosher) British food.

(Reuben’s?)

Yup! We ordered salted beef and fries…

(No bangers and mashes?)

…and spent two hours catching up.

Next, we checked out the Beatles merch store down the block from the restaurant.

(Did you buy out the store?)

No, but I could have. Since we were already on Baker Street … I had to stop at 221b Baker Street for the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was my father’s favorite author in high school, so this visit was extra special to me.

(Did you buy out the gift shop?)

Once again, no, but I could have.

My 10-year-old loved the whole experience. I almost couldn’t remove him from the premises.

Then it was time to return to Heathrow Airport.

(Time to pick up your wallet?)

I got to the United Airlines help desk, but it was abandoned.

(Lemme guess, they closed at 5 p.m.)

Yup, the wallet would have to wait.

I grabbed the bike from airport storage and headed to check it in.

(Lemme guess, more issues?)

British Airways decided that my bag was “oversized” and required me to wheel it to a different gate where we were greeted by a very long line … that wasn’t moving.

(Why wasn’t it moving?)

The people ahead of us had overstuffed luggage, strollers and wait for it … a refrigerator.

(It sounds like people were trying to board with everything except livestock.)

This was our fifth flight in four days and we were not going to miss this one.

(What did you do?)

What could I do? I took deep breaths and reassured my family that we would be on this flight.

We made it to the gate once again with fewer than 60 minutes and once again … the flight was delayed.

(What did you do with the extra time?)

I ran a mile.

(What do you mean you ran a mile?)

I ran through the terminal for 10 minutes.

(Didn’t your running alert security?)

Airport terminals are great for running. It’s the only place that you expect to see people sprinting down the corridors.

David Roher is a USAT certified triathlon and marathon coach. He is a multi-Ironman finisher and veteran special education teacher. He is on Instagram @David Roher140.6. He can be reached at [email protected].