Lymington RNLI 10K

Another post so soon can only be explained by the fact that I have saved blogs instead of posting them! My deepest apologies if there is anyone actually reading these!

My aching limbs took only a day to recover from the 40 odd mile walk in the North and the sun burn took a little longer. I was feeling pretty fresh for the next challenge; 10K race in aid of the RNLI crew of Lymington. Lymington is where some of my family are based and where I spent a considerable part of my youth. There were familiar faces on route, and also a few family members who came to see me at the finish which was a great boost.

Lymington is a small town on the South coast. It is wedged between the New Forest and the Solent and is a mecca for yachties, caravaners and other tourists, but also has a healthy population of locals. This is unlike other seaside towns where the property seems to be predominately second homes. Its a great place, with a lot going on. This was evident by the turnout for a fairly unknown 10k. There were 1,100 entrants made up of a varied mix of people, notably:

A team from "Best of British" who are aiming to reclaim the South Pole unassisted record during 2011. They were running with 5 metre promotional flags, which in the wind was no mean feat.

Part of the newly formed Lymington mariners Rugby club who had the inaugural AGM the night before in a local pub, so again no mean feat at all! Rumour has it that one of the players managed to get all the way round but then was violently sick over the finish line, in the view of a few hundred spectators! Good work!

The race started on playing fields and after 2k on country lanes, turns onto gravel tracks around the old salt marshes (a primary source of income in the past). The majority of the run is on the sea wall and is a great place to run. Salt marshes on one side (with sheep, horses etc) and on the other is a great view to the Isle of Wight with the yachts, dinghy's, power boats and ferry's on the Solent. There were plenty of Oyster Catchers, ducks and other birds and it was a lovely day! Apart from the wind! Although not very windy, it was right on the nose for 50% of the run.

The final stage of the run is possibly the cruelest as the route takes you straight past a pub called the Chequers. The Chequers is a well know hostelry in a great rural / nautical location and has been a favourite of many for years. Not only that but the land lord was standing outside almost challenging you not to come in! I placed an order for 30 minutes time and picked up my pace considerably.

I finished in 49 minutes and came in the top 20% which I was pleased with. Not as fast as I could have done, but I am doing it for fitness and not speed. Then I enjoyed a beer!

There has been no update re sponsorship for a while simply because it has not progressed. I need to get cracking or the whole adventure is at risk. If anyone knows anybody?????

I have a half marathon this weekend coming, which I am using as a long run to plan to get round and not race. I am getting a little punch drunk with all the running so am planning to get some more long walks in. Maybe some Wild Camping! More to follow.

Lastly, I am delighted that Jessica Watson is getting close to the end of her historic and record breaking voyage (see links). Sad to hear that some governing bodies are questioning the validity because of some detail or other. She has sailed around the world, single handed, at the age of 16. What more can you say!