It’s a long and winding road but … we’ll get by with a little help from our friends!
2nd April: My favourite thing – running, with some of my FAVOURITE people … in my favourite city? You don’t need to ask ME twice! There is a special place in my heart for Liverpool. Having lived and studied there during my time at University it is like home from home for me. It really is a vibrant and friendly city, full of fun! To have the chance to run a half marathon there was just fantastic and I could not believe that I had not ran in Liverpool before! I had really been looking forward to this day! The sun was shining; the sky a bright azure over the dazzling waters … but the wind was also bitterly cold as we waited near the start, by the docks. (Typical Liverpool weather as I remember it!) We posed for pictures and were smiling and happy … but also a little nervous, as we wondered if we would be warm enough! Would we need our hoodies? Will the sun break through the clouds a little more? … but hopefully not too much! It warmed up a little, or perhaps this was the sense of trepidation and apprehension! The excitement from the runners and crowds added to the already vivacious atmosphere. It was a very busy start, with around 5000 runners participating, but I didn’t feel too cramped once we started the race. The support was great, with people cheering, shouting your name and applauding most of the way around: ‘Come on love!’ ‘You can do it la!’ – YES LIVERPOOL, I AM BACK! :-) The run through Sefton Park was great and it was around this point where the crowds seem to develop. The most challenging point for me was running along the front, as this seemed to go on for a long time – the long, but not so winding road! Seeing my parents (honorary Potters Trotters members!), the lovely pink ladies and the towering Liver Buildings near to the end, gave me my final push. The only downside was that I could see the time on the Liver clock in the background and knew at that point that I had missed out on a personal best by a matter of seconds, but you can’t be too down about these things! I was still very proud. I went to collect my goodies and gave my Mum and Dad a big hug, exclaiming: ‘I LOVED that!’ and ‘will definitely do that again!’ That’s why we run. Reflection I have now participated in a number of races, but maybe because of the emotional attachment that I have to Liverpool as a city, I got thinking (dangerous!). I realised that running really is one of (got to be careful what I say!) the real loves in my life. Like Liz mentioned in her race report, people regularly ask me why I do it and I’m often described using adjectives such as ‘crazy’, ‘mad’ … Even ‘nuts!’ The reasons why I run are yes, because it makes me stronger and more resilient – not just physically – and yes, I am fitter than I have ever been (and can eat more cake and chocolate buttons). In all honesty, a massive factor and reason that I run is because of the people I have met along the way. |
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