Tag: run

Cracking up
I’m getting ready to go
Had enough
I can’t take any more
No pills
That I can take
This is too real
And there ain’t no escape
It scares the daylights
It makes a nightmare
I’m tensioned an I’m nervous
Everybody all around me
Shakin’ hands and sayin’ howdie

I don’t think it’s funny no more

Cracking up
Like a worn out shoe
Ain’t wet
But the world’s leakin’ through
I’d run
But I find no pace
I laugh
But it’s wrecking me

Nick Lowe

December and the most Christmassy race in the South West is Weston Christmas Cracker 10k. I first ran this race years ago in a different life with Tewkesbury Athletics Club. In 2002 I finished in 19th place with a time of 38.40. Clearly a lifetime ago, eh. In those days it was an all beach run. We headed north towards Kewstoke, up into the wood and back but now we run a lap on the beach and then head south to Uphill and back and takes in a couple of road miles and finishes at the Grand Pier. The finisher’s tee shirt is always a good one but unfortunately is a December only wear because of it’s Christmas theme. I’ve ran this race a couple of times as a Burnham on Sea Harrier without distinction.

My alarm blares out Roxette by Dr. Feelgood and after a couple of snoozes I feel I should get up. I wake Sue but she’s been up all night with toothache so she doesn’t feel like coming to Weston. I drink a coffee and walk to the train station. Although breezy, the weather isn’t as bad as forecasted until we get to Weston when the heavens open and it tips down. I’m wearing sweats therefore I’m soaked before I get to to the college to pick up my number and without much chance of drying out.

At the college I treat myself to a bacon roll and coffee to cheer myself up and meet up with Rachael Nolan and her parents and other Almost Athletes. I drop off my bag and now that the rain has stopped I make my way to the start. I walk up and down the promenade to loosen up and take in the ambience. Hundreds of runners have turned up in festive regalia and is a sight to see. I’m rather boringly attired in AA club colours but proud to wear them.

11.00 am and the assembled runners start their journey. After all the rain, the sand on the beach is waterlogged and very energy sapping. As I run I see the watery sand flooding my newish Hokas and wish I’d warn an older pair of shoes. It’s not particularly cold but breezy and raining. We complete a lap of beach and esplanade and head out towards Uphill. We come off the beach at Uphill carefully negotiating a huge puddle. I look at my Garmin and 4 miles have been completed. 4 of the toughest miles without any climbing. It’s fair to say the going was heavy.

The next and 5th mile meanders around the village of Uphill before we attack the beach once more for a final final time. By now the weather was improving. The rain had stopped and the sun was beginning to shine. I was feeling quite strong and was moving well and overtaking runners. Once on the beach the pier was in sight but looked closer than it actually was. It was like the beach running scene in Chariots of Fire. Desperately grabbing at thin air to pull you closer to home. Legs and lungs burning with effort.

Finally, I was at the finish in time of 48.33 and 6th in my age category. In 21 years I’m a minute a kilometre slower so I’ll take that. Overall a pleasing morning’s work. I thought I deserved a treat when I got home.