It was disappointing, having left Wilmslow in perfect running conditions, to arrive at a windy Blackpool. A fast time on a flat course was dead and I hadn't even got my shoes on. The sign on the tram stop where I parked actually said 'Bispham'. I recall my grandmother, a social-climber who'd bullied my grandfather into buying their own house, used to say that Bispham was a cut above Blackpool. Judging from the hotel that housed the race HQ, it may have lost that status and, with the blustery wind, I was reminded why I had broken with the family holiday tradition; I'll stick with the Red Sea.
I knew there were a few other Wilmslow runners but saw no-one until the start where I lined-up with Janine and Paul. It was the last I saw of either of them until the finish. Steve I never saw.
Into the second mile Huma came past and a few minutes later, Sharon. I had not run the race before but it used the same promenade, traffic-free, paths of the Blackpool-Fleetwood 15k we'd run in the Series a few years ago. The lower path was more sheltered than the higher one but the organisers had a sense of humour and we ran with the north-westerly on the more sheltered path but had full exposure running into it. Sharon and I had seen a lot of one another at Four Villages and the first half here was similar. At Helsby, once Huma had overtaken me she moved steadily away but today I could see her all the way. We turned after 6 and for the next four miles, very slowly, I was reeling her in. Then at 10 we turned back into the head-wind and she started to ease away and I started to wonder whether I was going to have Sharon back on my shoulder. I didn't but Sharon did get a PB.
Worth the 1 hour 20 minute drive? For me 'yes', I bettered my Four Villages time, my legs really ache, I lack the motivation to push myself as hard on a training run.
Ian
It was indeed a very scenic course, far nicer than I’d imagined when I heard ‘Blackpool’ – Cleveleys is lovely and well worth a visit! When I eventually arrived there, having got stupidly lost, and seeing the gale that was blowing and how inappropriately dressed I was, I was ready to get back in the car and go home. Luckily I didn’t!I tried to stick with the 8 minute mile pacing group but ran ahead of them for most of it (as is my way!) only at 11.5 miles did they pass me. I was in Ian’s shadow for most of the race although not close enough for him to hear me breathing (or rather gasping, panting etc…!). My aim was to catch him in the last mile or two, no chance, I could see him, just couldn’t catch him!!! A PB by half a minute or so and would in the end highly recommend this one! Bring on the Trimpell 20 next sunday, NOT!!!!