Running the Lights!
This year it's been a case of less is more, as far as entering races is concerned. I've found that by just doing a handful of races, I really do look forward to them. I couldn't be doing one every weekend, like some people do. It's not the actual running - I think I would be fine with that - but all the pinning on race numbers, standing around waiting for the off, queuing for loos etc. can get a bit tedious.
This weekend we headed to Blackpool, the undisputed 'Vegas of the North', to take part in a 10K night race called Run the Lights. (There is a 5K option too) Forget 'Colour Dashes'. This annual event, organised by Fylde Coast Runners, is the most colourful race you're likely to find anywhere - a bracing run along a traffic-free promenade combined with a spectacular light show. It doesn't get better than that! Far more enjoyable than having people stand on the sidelines chucking powder paint in your face. I don't remember ever being taken to Blackpool Illuminations as a child, although we did have a few day trips to Blackpool. It's something I've always been a little curious about, so we decided to make a weekend of it.
As we waited at the middle walkway for the race to start, we watched the sunset. Rory and I love our sunsets. Never one to miss a poetic photo opportunity, Ror grabbed his phone and began snapping. He was so distracted by the beauty of light reflected on water that he forgot to cut the portable toilets out of the shot. It was a case of - 'Whenever I gaze on Portaloo Sunset, I am in paradise", as the Kinks almost said.
I had my usual pre-race nerves, not least because I was worried about running with a belly full of fish and chips. As someone who usually runs before breakfast, night runs are a bit of an unknown quantity for me. I worried about indigestion, stitch and 'runners' trots', having heard about other people's digestive nightmares and not having a clue how exercising after a big meal might affect me. But once we were underway, my nerves quickly vanished, everything was fine and I really enjoyed myself. The town was buzzing, there was a party atmosphere and lots of high fives.
The wind was pretty fierce all the way, which is what you tend to expect at the seaside. I didn't mind that. It was great as it felt cool and fresh. However, when we turned back onto the walkway for the last 200 metres or so to the finish line, just when I was thinking, "home and dry; that was really not too bad; you know, I could probably keep going for another few miles yet", a not so nice surprise greeted us. We were literally knocked sideways by the most savage, howling, gale-force wind. I could actually hear people groaning with despair and exertion as they struggled to stay on their feet, and PBs slipped from grasps, like runaway kites. It was like trying to run through treacle, like wearing a resistance band while trying to pull a tram.
That punishing last stretch felt like forever, but in reality it was soon over. Once across the line, I was thrilled to receive a glow in the dark finisher's medal. I couldn't wait to get home and hang it up in the bedroom at the Airbnb, so that I could look at it as I was falling asleep. (Little things please little minds, as my gran used to say, but running the lights made me feel very proud!) It's also a great souvenir of a truly enjoyable weekend in Blackpool, alongside the yellow faux crystal I won on the two penny machine in the amusement arcade and the fortune telling card from Zoltar.
Would I do it again? Hell, yes!
This weekend we headed to Blackpool, the undisputed 'Vegas of the North', to take part in a 10K night race called Run the Lights. (There is a 5K option too) Forget 'Colour Dashes'. This annual event, organised by Fylde Coast Runners, is the most colourful race you're likely to find anywhere - a bracing run along a traffic-free promenade combined with a spectacular light show. It doesn't get better than that! Far more enjoyable than having people stand on the sidelines chucking powder paint in your face. I don't remember ever being taken to Blackpool Illuminations as a child, although we did have a few day trips to Blackpool. It's something I've always been a little curious about, so we decided to make a weekend of it.
As we waited at the middle walkway for the race to start, we watched the sunset. Rory and I love our sunsets. Never one to miss a poetic photo opportunity, Ror grabbed his phone and began snapping. He was so distracted by the beauty of light reflected on water that he forgot to cut the portable toilets out of the shot. It was a case of - 'Whenever I gaze on Portaloo Sunset, I am in paradise", as the Kinks almost said.
I had my usual pre-race nerves, not least because I was worried about running with a belly full of fish and chips. As someone who usually runs before breakfast, night runs are a bit of an unknown quantity for me. I worried about indigestion, stitch and 'runners' trots', having heard about other people's digestive nightmares and not having a clue how exercising after a big meal might affect me. But once we were underway, my nerves quickly vanished, everything was fine and I really enjoyed myself. The town was buzzing, there was a party atmosphere and lots of high fives.
The wind was pretty fierce all the way, which is what you tend to expect at the seaside. I didn't mind that. It was great as it felt cool and fresh. However, when we turned back onto the walkway for the last 200 metres or so to the finish line, just when I was thinking, "home and dry; that was really not too bad; you know, I could probably keep going for another few miles yet", a not so nice surprise greeted us. We were literally knocked sideways by the most savage, howling, gale-force wind. I could actually hear people groaning with despair and exertion as they struggled to stay on their feet, and PBs slipped from grasps, like runaway kites. It was like trying to run through treacle, like wearing a resistance band while trying to pull a tram.
That punishing last stretch felt like forever, but in reality it was soon over. Once across the line, I was thrilled to receive a glow in the dark finisher's medal. I couldn't wait to get home and hang it up in the bedroom at the Airbnb, so that I could look at it as I was falling asleep. (Little things please little minds, as my gran used to say, but running the lights made me feel very proud!) It's also a great souvenir of a truly enjoyable weekend in Blackpool, alongside the yellow faux crystal I won on the two penny machine in the amusement arcade and the fortune telling card from Zoltar.
Would I do it again? Hell, yes!
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