McCalman Tour of Cracovia

and Zakopane

Friday, 2nd May to Friday 7th May 2008

                                                                  

I booked my flight on the 30th January - shortly after Finlay. I paid £113, (virtually 50% of this is taxes and charges) – a tad more than Finlay. We were flying with Ryanair from Liverpool to Krakow (Poland). Finlay booked the digs and entered me in the marathon. We were going to spend three nights in Krakow and two nights in Zakopane (recommended by Russell). Krakow cost me £24 a night….and Zakopane was even cheaper! (£12.50!)

 

1st May 2008 - Lytham Interclub

 

The plan was to go straight from work on Thursday to the Lytham Interclub, put up a good showing for the V50’s, have a couple of beers in the Lytham YMCA with some jam butties and then head to Finlay’s to kip. We were to leave for Liverpool at 3:30 am for our 06:15 flight!

 

I was pleased with my run in the Interclub (5 mile). I was 33rd in 30:02 and made the Vet50 team. Wesham were 2nd in the Open, 1st V50’s, 2nd V40’s (though I think we were announced as 1st on the night if I’m not mistaken), 2nd Vet 60’s and 2nd Ladies. The Vet 40 team were all over 50!

 

I therefore slept well at McCalman Mansions. Finlay made short shrift of the 64.7 mile journey to Liverpool airport. Car park pre-booked with typical McCalman efficiency. Everything was going smoothly until I sat down in the front row of the plane and was asked to move further back to let an able-bodied passenger sit in my place!!!! (I am not joking!!) An eagle eyed cabin steward noticed my bright orange plaster, (signed by Blackpool F.C. Manager Simon Grayson) and said I had to move. I looked at him incredulously and looked over his shoulder to see if I could see Jeremy Beadle…. I know he’s dead, but couldn’t think of anybody else. I felt like telling him I was a finely tuned athlete and if we needed to evacuate the aircraft, I would be first out and wouldn’t get in anybody’s way……but this boy wasn’t for turning (I think he turned a long time ago). It wasn’t however, a complete humiliating retreat for me, as the next available seat was next to an off duty Polish air stewardess wearing a miniskirt that would have embarrassed even Kath Hoyer!

 

Arriving at Krakow airport, we weren’t sure how to get into the City Centre. We just missed a bus and were scratching our heads. A Polish man came along and beckoned us to follow. We did and he took us to the train station. (This was the shape of things to come)

After getting off the train, Finlay consulted his map and eyed the street signs. Another Pole came up and directed us to our lodgings, (he was trying to sell us a trip to Auschwitz, but in a completely un-pressured/friendly way).

 

We picked up our race numbers on the Saturday next to Wisla Krakow FC ground *– I think Rovers played them a couple of years ago. There’s more going on at the Wesham 10K! We decided to give the pasta party a miss and instead had all our meals in and around the Main Square area, which was just at the end of our street – two of the restaurants we dined at were Michelin recommended, yet we were paying in the region of £8 for a complimentary main course, wine, a steak and a tip. On previous McCalman Tours we have watched Lazio, Ajax and Real Madrid, but Wisla Krakow didn’t tempt us on this trip.

 

Check this: -

http://www.cracow-life.com/eat/restaurants_details/210-Restaurant_Wierzynek

(I can tell Levon I’ve dined in the same Restaurant as George Bush!!!)

 

I think we went to the Harris Piano Jazz Bar on our first night; a blues band was playing. Finlay tells me they encored with “Voodoo Chile” and “Baby Please Don’t Go” and it was rocking.

 

On the Saturday we booked on a trip to Auschwitz – the Nazis murdered about 1.5 million people here – mainly Jews. I thought about the film Schindlers List and realised this great film must have only scratched the surface of the horror that must have gone on. Prisoners used to throw themselves on the electric fence to end their misery.

 

And Sophie’s choice – leave your daughter or your son behind!!

 

There were massive rooms full of Jewish cases, glasses, shoes, hair, and false limbs etc.in huge glass cabinets. The rooms were maybe 100 yards long

 

We visited Schindler’s factory, (which we couldn’t recommend), and had a tour round the Jewish quarter. Film director Roman Polanski managed to escape from the ghetto.

 

The Marathon

 

Scenery:                      6

PB potential:               10

Atmosphere:               6

Organisation:              9 (Finlay docked them a point for sending him through the finish twice)

Beginner Friendly:     10

Do it again:                 Yes (but don’t tell Blackpool coach, Tony Airnes! – I did intimate I’d concentrate on 10K’s and under – it’s just that Krakow was so nice, I can’t wait to go back)

Value:                          8 (£36 to enter)

 

Finlay thought the race started at 9 am, Sunday (I must confess I left everything to the Tour Leader). It started at 9:30. I’d rather get there early. There were perhaps 2,000 in the race plus rollerblades and wheelchair participants and a mini-marathon I think.

 

I was very apprehensive, as I hadn’t done any long runs for 11 weeks. Instead I was concentrating on the track and shorter races. If anything I thought the marathon had kind of got in the way of my training plans to get into Wesham’s V50 team for the Vet relays. My last marathon I dnf’d (Nottingham), (had a bug), and the one before, (Windermere), I struggled round in 3:36. I know 3:36 doesn’t seem a bad time, but I was dying. I thought about making this my swan song. I was managing just about 6 minute miling in the Interclubs and I was pleased to be getting a few scalps.

 

On the day of the race it was raining, (which was good), and I did the first 10k in 42 minutes. Maybe the next 10k in something similar. There were plenty of potholes in the road you had to watch. I felt confident of finishing this time and it was flat, so I thought I’d get under 3:36……as long as I didn’t blow up.

 

There weren’t many Brits in the race – I think I counted six apart from Finlay and I. Two runners from Chepstow came alongside me at halfway and I adjusted my pace to keep with them as I felt I’d been daydreaming a little. One of them was going a little faster and I went with him and we left his mate behind. He felt we had a chance of a sub-3……..if we kept this pace up. I hadn’t done this since 2003. I think this 3rd 10k segment must have been our fastest and it did seem a distinct possibility. However during the last quarter of the race, I predictably slowed and my Chepstow friend disappeared into the distance…….but not far. I think sub-3 was out for him to. (But I later found out he was 1st Brit!!!)

 

At about 3 mile to go, the finish came in sight and unless I could muster 3 x 5 minute miles, sub-3 was out of the window. Frustratingly, we were directed past the finish onto another loop, (this foxed Finlay and he’ll probably be credited with two times on the Results); (we were wearing chips – the annoying variety where you have to undo half your laces as opposed to the easy to use ankle Velcro strap)

 

I finished in 3:12:54(137th), and I was really pleased. I retrieved my bag and was going to thank the Chepstow runner, but I couldn’t find him. I then had a massage, (hoping this would speed my recovery for Sutton Park). I didn’t realise there was also hot soup etc which would have gone down a treat. As I was trying to get changed, a Polish guy came up behind me with a chair. They are an extremely friendly race!

 

I made my way back to our digs and waited for Finlay. When Finlay arrived he had to ring my mobile to let him in. We had previously tried to let ourselves into Room No 4, (as per our Key Ring), to be told to “go away”, (in Polish) by a frightened old Polish lady! Finlay was also pleased. He has run sub-4 and admitted he hadn’t put the training in. Fin did 3:56 (not 3:35 as reported in the Gazette), (sorry Finlay). Fin still feels he has got a 3:30 marathon in him though…..once he sheds a few pounds!

 

I wanted to go out and celebrate, but Finlay wanted to rest a while. I set off to our rendezvous point – an Irish bar round the corner where we thought we could watch the football. As soon as I left our digs I could hear football style singing……it was coming from the Irish Bar. A group were doing some kind of drinking contest. I sent Finlay a text, we’d meet somewhere else!

 

We had intended to watch Bryan Ferry this night, but couldn’t get tickets. (Not as lucky as Edinburgh trip!)

 

The next day we set off on a coach to Zakopane which is situated at the foot of the Tatra, (snow covered), mountains. We were ill prepared; no route planned and no map. We had to pay either approx £1 or £2 to enter the park area. We had no idea what we were paying for, (inconsiderately no one spoke English here!), and took the first route we came across. I was a bit perturbed to see a ‘Beware of the Bears’ sign. What were we supposed to do if we saw one??!! I picked up a small rock for my pocket in case we came across one! When we reached a plateau, I was relieved when we came across a party of school children. After a short while we came across a huge chalet type building, which was in fact a church, where the Pope and ½ a million other people had visited in 12 months. The priest kindly invited us in for tea and also served us gorgeous mushroom and pasta soup. We gave our thanks and 20 minutes later we were back in civilisation, but not at the Coach Park we were supposed to be at! We ummed and ahd and Finlay suggested we retrace our steps, (a 2 hour journey back up the mountain). Just then a coach approached, so I stuck up my hand and it was the party of schoolchildren we had met up the mountain. They let us jump in, (a bit like Wembley last year!). We were very relieved.

 

To celebrate our surprised early arrival back at Zakopane, I wanted a beer. Finlay fancied a snack – a 10oz Trout for £3. I didn’t want to be left out, so I ordered one as well. On receipt of the bill, we were shocked to charged £9 – what we didn’t realise was that we had eaten a 30 oz Trout!

 

At night we found the only restaurant in Zakopane that didn’t serve alcohol as it was opposite a church! Moving further on up the street, we found a pub that served cloudy beer! Needless to say, I didn’t rate Zakopane as highly as Russell!

On the coach journey back to Krakov, I had two calls on my mobile – one from Joan Humble’s, (my MP), office to tell me the Tax Credit Office had declined my application 5 months ago and I was outside the time limit to appeal, (my blood pressure shot through the roof), and my sister, who promptly hung up when I said I was in Poland!

 

We had a few hours to kill before we had to leave for a flight – I spent the entire time in the Main Square watching the world go round, drinking Polish beer, eating goulash and reading my Led Zeppelin book! Finlay went shopping.

 

I’d thoroughly recommend Krakow (and the race), especially to the Wrinklys as it’s so cheap – your pension will go twice as far!

 

  • I think they won the Polish League this year.

 

Written by: Martin Bates

Sub mitted: 11th May 2008

Edited by: Chris Young