The curse was finally lifted (just!!) as Anna claimed her pudding on a cold morning in Langdale. For 3 years, Anna had been thwarted by injury and illness. It was freezing at the Stickle Barn, with fantastic ice crystal growths on the tables:
Throughout the preceding week or so, Anna’s training had been interupted by sciatica, a fall down the stairs and finally a bad cold. Things weren’t looking good with an hour to go, but the girls fed up on some huge bananas and were nearly ready. (despite this, there was no appearance, as promised, from bananaman)
First though was the junior race, (U16), and with the traffic in Langdale still up the creek, it looked like Martha and Charlie would miss the start. In fact they did, and as the field set off, Sean kicked them out of the car in the queue, and they set offa good 300yards behind the rest. Well done Charlie who set off like a demon and came in 12th and Martha who didn’t have time to change into her trainers and did the 3kms in her school shoes!!
At last the clock ticked around to high noon and the runners gathered at the start. Apprehension was soon overtaken by adreneline and as the field swept away Anna looked like she might even enjoy herself!!
There was nothing left for the spectators to do except hope………. (oh, and go to the bar for chips, hot toddys and free mince pies)
After barely time for a drink, thefield were back (33 minutes), first zac, closely followed by Sarah and then Anna. Despite all the ailments Anna posted a respctable time (easily sub 55 mins) and later that evening was heard to say that her legs didn’t hurt at all… (as she finished her first bottle of wine!)
That evening Sarah held her usual post race party…. Thanks Sarah, great as usual!! it was also good to see loads of people, even though the roads were really icy and getting there was a problem. One of the locals managed to roll their car not 50yds from Sarah’s house…. a bit worrying as our cars were parked on the road.
And, after a heavy night the night before, that stopped him running, even Bananaman showed up!!!
:star: Congratulations :star: , Anna! You must have been warm in that fleece by the end!
Thanks Richard!
it was freezing and I ran 5 kms before my hands and feet had thawed out so I wasn’t as overheated as you might think.
When he heard me coughing beforehand, Dr Sean suggested that running might not be such a good idea, but I said I was going to finish even if I crossed the line in the ambulance.. .. With Dr Sean, Dr Sarah and Dr Caroline in attendance I was confident I was going to get that pudding.
And I did 🙂
Annoyingly for Sarah, she was missed off the list of finishers completely, although she was well up the list, so this blunder may have cost her running club the ladies team trophy???
What make of Christmas puddings were they?
They’re Asda, and there’s a choice of normal or veggie. The u16’s get medals and ice cream :yum: :yum:
Well done you lot – those who ran anyway.
Ian – didn’t you run this year?
Anna looks totally not exhausted at the finish line – obviously wasn’t trying hard enough 😉
How were the classes organised – by age, experience? A real achievement – especially with a cough! Glad it wasn’t the coffin the carried you off in!
When I first saw that picture of the rolled car I thought it was yours Ian! 😯 Did you have to help the occupants?
Apologies for the no show from Bananaman, but I guarantee he wasn’t grining like that Saturday morning 😡 Not to worry though, he’s booked in for next year!
Well done to the runners and their all important support crews 😆
No Tish, I didn’t run this year, as it was important for an experienced runner to head up Anna’s support team 🙄 , and of course nab all the mince pies! :yum: :yum:
The driver of the car was ok, but I felt a bit surplus to requirements with all the emergency medics flooding out of the party…. so I took photos 😀
Believe it or not the occupant of the rolled car allegedly went home to get another car in which to attend a party in Penrith. That’s one hard partygoer.