Another week draws to a close…
A week of highs and lows…
During the week the promise of a donkey cwtch drew decent numbers up the valley.
A midweek dash around Bute Park drew a few up to the capital while others got their fix of track training.
Warm and light nights allow more adventurous routes in our spiritual base with views and climbs to take the breath away.
Over the pond members sought out fellow runners with which to share some miles… and drinks after!
As the nursery rhyme goes Jack and Jill went up a hill and so did some of our own on a tough little route for an extra event to their name.
Saturday arrived.
parkrun.
Milestones, birthdays and club championships resulted in huge numbers in the Llynfi Valley. The seafront still attracted it’s regular contingent.
Tourism always draws some away from home. One in particular literally on the shores of the emerald isle was spotted by a local runner who sent back best wishes and pictures of them sharing the beach parkrun experience. How wonderful our community is.
A lack of parkrun on an island in the Adriatic forced one to seek a similar distance event. A tough course tested the legs but resulted in another admirable finish position!
A two day event saw one within our midst cover a significant distance helping a family member to reach a goal. Another step in the build up to something bigger was a tough day as illness took its toll but the goal was achieved in spite of it!
The sun fell on a glorious day and rose but hidden by cloud – for which many were grateful as a bus load joined others for a half marathon by the sea that regularly attracts large numbers. Volunteers did their bit providing official support for runners taking on the challenge at the turnaround point. Others donned their hi-viz to ensure the safety of those bringing up the rear. Brave souls, some with nervous faces, lined up in the warm to tackle the distance. Some for the first time. Despite the lack of sun it was warm. A head wind back through the final miles provided resistance when the legs were getting tired. All battled through and crossed the finish line with stories to tell of valour along the way. Almost three score and ten Phoenix took on the challenge and soared high over the sea to the west. With supporters and volunteers alike over a hundred members were involved in the days proceedings! Phoenix family day out!
As we said farewell to the day news broke of the loss of a fellow runner at the days event. Our running community is one bound by strong bonds. When one has fallen we all feel the pain. As the sun disappeared below the horizon our hearts were heavy in mourning the very sad loss of one of our own. Our thoughts go out to those who were very close to them.
Highs and lows.
We are privileged to be in a position where we can pursue this wonderful hobby of ours. It brings with it feelings of amazing achievement, whatever the distance and whatever the speed. We salute all who lace up their shoes and head out of the door. It’s a chance to escape the world and disappear into ourselves. Discover what our bodies can achieve and just how powerful our minds are when we push them. “I’m not a runner” is something I have heard a lot. I’ve seen lots, and I mean lots, of people say that and then find themselves discovering what they are capable of when they give it a go. It makes you stronger in so many ways. Combine that with community and a whole new magic develops. A magic that is born from the ties that bind us as a club and within the running community at large.
Reflectively on a weekend where we are reminded of our own mortality and contrary to normal weeks I will offer some of my own thoughts. On a personal level my life has been transformed by running. It filters through so many aspects of it. I have lost weight. I feel fitter. I feel stronger, both mentally and physically. I have made an enormous number of amazing life-long friends. Thankfully I have someone wonderful with me who supports all the crazy plans. I have shared the experience not only with friends but very close family members and sharing an experience when pushing ourselves creates an incredible understanding of each others strengths cementing those bonds even stronger. It is a passion that will stay with me for life. I feel so privileged to be in a position to do so and that is massively down to our Phoenix family. Thank you all for enriching my life and the lives of each other.
Risen from the ashes and flying higher than ever!
The Phoenix spirit.
#lovethisclub
#loveourclub