The National Cross Country Relays,
Personfield.
It was a very early start today to make the
trip to Personfield (I believe that’s the Politically Correct term!)
We were joined on the trip by our friends
from Blackpool Wyre and Fylde and as we set off my main hope was that the
commentator would actually call them by their correct name. Last year as he saw
Antony Ford come through the first lap in 6th place, he announced
“The runner from Bristol West…………….” He had simply seen the letters “BWFAC” on
the vest and made it up as he went long!
Don’t worry folks; you know I don’t do
that!!!
As I write this report you’ll have to
forgive me if I get distracted. I’m opening and reading at the same time – who
says men can’t multi task??
We were without Bernadette today. Despite
our best efforts to persuade her otherwise, she insisted on going to
University, with Billy and no Mates. Now I don’t think this was wise. You see,
when I was at University there were posters everywhere advising us to “Take
your MATES everywhere.” So if Bernadette gets lucky with Billy, and they’ve got
no Mates, well…………!!
There were meeting points across the Fylde
coast this morning and all has one thing in common – they are pubs. Sadly they
were also closed so we couldn’t have beer before we set off.
The coach arrived at The Fairfield just
before 9am and those of us assembled got on board. And then we waited for
Capt’n Russell, ………. and we waited, ……… and we waited!!!!!
When Capt’n Russell eventually arrived she
claimed “I’m not late, I’m just not on time!” I’m glad we cleared that one up!
Now Capt’n Young had asked for us to be on
best behaviour today on account our friends from the coast were with us. I wish
to state here and now that I did behave well. However, before we had travelled
10 miles the “ladies” on the back row had reduced the conversation to a level
so low it was scraping on the tarmac under the coach!!
This would normally have been acceptable,
but the fact we had our friends from Blackpool Wyre and Fylde with us just made
matters ten times worse.
What’s
this in the post? Stannah chair lifts – no, I don’t need one yet, I’ll pass
that on to Dave Waywell!!
I
can’t say any more about the conversation at the back of the coach. It was
worse than the conversations last year when all they talked about was a party
at Anne Summers’ house!
I wish to pay special tribute to two of the
Blackpool team in particular – Luke Minns and Adam Hulme. You see Luke and Adam
come into your “proper athlete” category. They have everything – they are tall,
lean, fast, young, and brave, very brave. Proof of this bravery is in the fact
they sat close to the back of the coach near us lot!!
I was encouraged on the way back to see
Luke tucking into a large bag of Steak and Onion crisps, and I’d like to think
Wesham had some influence on his choice of diet, because we ate rubbish most of
the day!
A short comfort break at Hartshead Moor
gave us a chance to stretch our legs. A party of Nuns almost had their eyes
opened very wide indeed when Capt’n Russell suggested we invite them to join us
at the back of our coach!
Capt’n Barlow headed straight for the hot
food and came back with a full fry up. Good on you Lee, proper running fuel!!
Luke and Adam take note, or you’ll end up as thin as Dave Waywell!!
There’s
a leaflet here in the post about SAGA holidays – doesn’t look anything like as
good as a Wrinkly tour though!!
When we got to Personfield we split the
marquee into separate packs of poles in one bag and the main marquee in
another. Whilst this made transport easier it made the erection much more
difficult because both bags finished up at opposite ends of the park! However,
when the two were joined we got it up in no time!
With all the excitement of the journey and
putting up the marquee it was soon time to race. There are those who thought I
wouldn’t mention the race, but here it is………….
I set off at the front on leg one and
within 50 metres I was at the back! As I got towards the end of the first lap I
caught up with a group of 3 other runners and employed my greatest tactic –
I’ll talk them out of the race! It worked a treat!
As I came in to hand over to John Sharples
(who I add, got out of his sick bed to run) the commentator announced “In first
place, ………… and in second it’s ………………., and this bloke from Wesham is NOT
third!!” Thanks mate, I’m sooooooooooo glad you cleared that up!
There, I’ve mentioned the race. You’ll get
a more detailed account of who did what, times etc., in Alex Rowe and David
Twizell’s reports in The Gazette. But they won’t talk bout the important stuff
like what I have!
Special mention of Tony Croft. His photos
are already on the Blackpool web site. There is one excellent photo of Tony
himself walking up a hill. The really interesting thing is Tony has taken a
photo of himself still holding the camera!! 
Top man!
On a more serious note, thanks to everyone
from both clubs for a great day out. Loads of fun, loads of laughs and loads of
great, friendly competition. Are we all going together to the Northerns in
Leeds and the Nationals at Alton Towers? I hope so.
Next up will be Burnley on Saturday. At
least we don’t need to clean our spikes in preparation!
Finally,
something useful in the post. “Boost your creative writing skills with our
fantastic online course” Now, how do I sign up for that
Brian Porter