Has anyone seen my spikes? (Or, it could only happen to Les)

I wish to dedicate this drivel to Evelyn Elkington of Lancaster and Morecambe AC, who, at the tender age of 72, (yes SEVENTY TWO), took to the mud for the first time today. Why? Because, in Evelyn’s own words, she wanted to. Good on you Evelyn, and to everyone else, be inspired.

Well, here we go again on that wonderful winter pursuit of Cross Country.

This, of course, means a welcome, (okay, so it’s not welcome, but you’re getting it anyway!)

There was a good crowd gathered as I arrived at The Fairfield but they soon dispersed to go and watch Blackpool at Sheffield Wednesday, leaving about fifteen of us to sort out who was going in which car to Leyland to play in the mud.

It is always good to see new people joining us for Cross Country and today we welcomed Kerry, (I bet I’ve spelled your name wrong, haven’t I?), and John Sharples.

We were missing a few of our men today because they chose to join the convoy to Sheffield. Some people need to sort their priorities!!

John went with me, along with Alex and John Collier. I felt much better having Alex riding shotgun because I can never find my way around Leyland. It’s just one of those towns I get lost in every time I go there. My travelling companions agreed with me and we concluded Leyland doesn’t have a Town Centre – it only has outskirts!

Newcomer John was first to offer excuses for a bad run. Apparently he’s been on Guinness and kebabs last night, and by the colour of his face, I would suggest he’d had his share and somebody else’s too! But in true Wesham style, he turned out for Cross Country!

So that’s it folks, by the time we had gone 10 miles the Mud. Sweat and Spikes Award has been sorted! Well done John.

When we got to Leyland, various tactics were employed to get a good spot n the car parks. Pete and Kirsty won the prize with the ‘Baby on Board’ line. They got a spot really close to the course and we’re arranging for everyone to take a baby to all the other fixtures!!

Now putting the marquee up was a challenge today. It seems that when it blew down at the Nationals earlier this year, it was put away inside out. Have you ever tried to put a tent up inside out? Well don’t, it doesn’t work! Three cheers for Pete Waywell for pointing us in the right direction!

And ten out of ten to Capt’n Young for his forward planning – our marquee is huge and now we know why he got us one this big – we have enough room for Kirsty to park the buggy and have her own room to feed and change our youngest member!!

Once the marquee was up, Les decided it was safe to arrive! I have to mention Les because he’s a very brave man. You see, Les moved into a new house this morning and, such is his dedication to the cause that he left his girlfriend unpacking boxes while he went to buy a new pair of spikes ready for this afternoon. As if that wasn’t enough, he then announced he was going out with “the lads” to Liverpool tonight. I reckon the locks will be changed by the time he gets back!!

Being a ‘Vet’ (funny Brian, I thought you were a Sports Therapist!!), I have to wear a number on my back that shows I’m in the V40 category. Michaela kindly pinned my label on my back, and then Kirsty asked why it was upside down! Thanks Michaela!!

There was much discussion about what the laps were for the men today and this continued in the pub afterwards. Alex and Capt’n Young reckoned we did two laps, but everyone else believes it was three. So for the first time in my life I have beaten Alex Rowe! And for the record, (and I even did some proper research to be sure of my facts – you know my reports have to be accurate!!), I can tell you we did a big lap, followed by an even bigger lap and then an EVEN BIGGER LAP!! There lads, how good does that make us look??

So off we went and what a jolly time we all had. Les, it appears, didn’t find his new spikes entirely to his liking and ran a good part of the course in his socks – bet he wishes he hadn’t worn white socks!

A word to the men please. When you get changed, please close the zips on the bedrooms of the marquee. Apparently one of you didn’t and Capt’n Murphy wasn’t impressed by the sight of your naked bottom! I suspect double standards here because I didn’t hear such uproar when she was standing in the same marquee in just her bra and pants in Sunderland!!

On the way back to the car park I asked about the spikes the Kerry was carrying. Turns out they had been left by one of the men. Now the strange thing is, unless he reads this report, Les probably doesn’t even realise he’s left them!

So that was Leyland. Next week we’re off the Personfield for the relays. We’re taking a coach – so long as it’s not Steve McClaren!

Capt’n Young wants us to be on our best behaviour next week because we’re being joined by Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde. He may be disappointed in us!

The clocks go back tonight folks, which is unfortunate because I only bought mine yesterday!!

Written by: Brian Porter

Submitted: 27^th October 2007

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor