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Take the day off and do it! The
Lowther Run Friday 4th August 2006 |
This is a
race that is right up there in my list of favourites. I won’t kid you. It’s a
tough course run over 13miles but it’s well worth it.
I set off early
and, after a very pleasant journey up the M6, dropped my son, Adam, with my parents and made my way
to Lowther.
The entry fee
for the race is £6, which also gets you admission to the Lowther
Horse Driving Trials, a butty when you finish, and (if you are fast
enough) a prize. It’s worth noting that entry to the show is £9 on Friday.
The Lowther Horse Driving Trials have been
going for the best part of 30 years now. Despite going for this long, not a
single horse or its driver have been found guilty!
I got there
at about 10am. I know, it’s early for a 12 o’clock race but it gave me a chance
to have a look around. First priority was to find the man selling these outdoor
spa pools. You see I have this deal with him. He doesn’t have to run
but in return I get to sit in the spa pool after the race!
I was issued
with running number ‘3’ and the
organisers said they expected me to finish third. They didn’t say whether that
was from the front or the back! Michaela
thought I should have been given the number ‘2’ – something to do with running like s**t!!
The showers
had a picture of a man and a woman on them. I never did found out whether that
is because they are unisex or whether only couples could use them!
Another
superb turnout from Wesham with
regulars Alex, myself, Derek Buckley, Martin, Finlay, Russell and John Keohane being joined by Lowther “virgins” Peter and Julie Cruse. Julie really suits the Wesham
blue. Wesham had more runners
out than any other club.
Other Fylde runners included John Houghton, Les Enmdean, Mike Walsh, Tim
Armitt, Simon Cole and Heather Wells.
Heather chose not to wear the green
of Lytham today, but favoured a pale
blue vest instead!
The organiser
welcomed us and gave the pre-race safety briefing, which largely consisted of: “Enjoy
yourself and you can have a free roll when you finish.”
“Who with?” I
asked
There were
some proper professional picture people milling around the main arena just
before we started so we grabbed the opportunity to have a team photo. This guy
clearly knew how good we were and actually took the time to arrange us so the
photo was balanced. It was a bit like a wedding photo, but Julie was impressed!
And so, off
we went on our merry way. The first half mile is flat and then you start to
climb through the
As I said, it’s
a tough course, with a combination of road, fell, trails and a cattle grid or
several. The drinks stations at 5 and 10 miles are welcome sites and as you
have to 
have your chip registered at both
these points, you may as well have a decent drink while you are there.
Les Endean went off course and would have been
lost forever if Derek hadn’t called
him back. Well done Derek, a tragedy
averted!
I seemed to
be covering the ground faster than ever. I didn’t really know whether it was a
case of being familiar with the course or whether I really was running well. In
any case, I was enjoying it and felt strong. Must be the marathon training
starting to pay off.
I continued
to run well and was passing other runners for much of the second half of the
race. When I got to 12 miles and looked at my watch, a PB was very much on the cards. There were four runners just ahead. “Come
on folks, help me to a PB here,” I asked. No takers, so I forged on. I
heard a tractor behind me and thought, “Nothing is coming past now, not even him!”
As I ran in to finish I was going really well and may even have looked like a
proper athlete!
As I ran down
the avenue towards the finish, I could see Alex
at his car. He had won in 1:19:36.
He had finished, cooled down, showered and changed. Now he was eating. He held
up four fingers to indicate he was on his fourth course. Michaela held up two fingers to indicate something completely
different!!
Finished and a job well done. 1:42:32. A new PB, compared with my previous of 1:44:10. No wonder I felt like I was going well, IWAS!!
And so, off
for a shower and that spa pool I’d been promised.
“How long do
you want to stay in?” asked the salesman.
“Until
someone I know sees me!” I replied honestly.
Afterwards
there was another chance to have a look around the trade’s stands. Russell spied a stall selling kebabs
made from Cumbrian beef, cooked on
On the way
home Adam and I stopped at Tebay Services and chatted about our
respective days while we enjoyed an excellent meal. We could easily see why
they were voted the best services in
This is one
race where you just take the day off and do it.
Written by: Brian Porter
Submitted: 5th August 2006
Edited by: Brenda
J Earnshaw, WRR Website/Magazine Editor