REDCAR Half Marathon on..MOTHERS DAY

Lucky the lads remembered mams' breakfast in bed or I may have slept in., and Linda would like to thank Janet for reminding Adrian it was mothers day!!

We had a guest with us on Sunday, as we travelled to Redcar. Darren Purvis formerly a Birtley runner, but now running for our favourite non-Birtley runners club (Chester le Street) asked if he could travel with Dave Ransen Mandy and me, and being the pleasant people we are, it was fine.

Now as most people know, I do love my kids (well one of them (which one eh?)) but it was so good going to a race without having to worry about them and their preparation. It put me on an even keel with Davey for a change.

We arrived early, most unlike me, and had a sandwich for brekky. It was absolutely freezing and blowing a hooligan, I wasn't looking forward to it at all. Paul met us down there also, I think mothers day treat for Debra was a stroll along the beach….yer aaal heart Paul!

The course was very flat, and very cold, made yesterday look like a summers day. We had a team talk among ourselves, and now I am about to tell you a secret. Promise not to tell?? Yesterday we let Tommy down by wearing shirts under our vests; well today we wore our tracksters to our eternal shame. (But it was lovely and warm)

If we had been allowed a mixed team, we would have had one, three ladies from Trevor's group, and Paul, Mandy, Dave and myself, we even had enough for a substitute. That is as many as we had in the nationals, which is just over half the distance. OOOps sorry I am starting again.

The race was great I thoroughly enjoyed it; you will notice the people at the club who ran by the beautiful complexions. We were sand blasted for the last two mile along the sea front; so all the skin is fresh after the lumpy bits broke away.

Everyone I spoke to seemed happy with their times, so well done. Darren did manage to just make it back before us, he finished in 1hr 15 and was 6th but we mortals took the time to enjoy the coastal view while we were out.

Dave and I ran together for the first 12 miles, but I am not as heavy as him, so struggled in the wind and he took advantage and ran away leaving me flying round on the beach like an autumn leaf in the winds, and I still let him travel back with me.

Back to the sports centre for sandwiches and energy drinks and a nice warm shelter from wind. We travelled back home and didn't pass a pub, the downside to the trip.

The swelling in my foot has nearly gone down, but I won't be running this week!!!