Run or Paddle?

What a gorgeous day! Blue skies and sunshine, a cool breeze, lapping waves and hazy fells in the distance. But, the smell of salt? Not Windermere, this is Morecambe promenade with that wonderful Midland Hotel behind me.

More than 100 runners, many of them children, all around. Then we're off! Heading out along the prom towards the Battery and then Heysham. How did I get to the back of the field? I must make my way through and encourage the kids as I go. I need to set a pace to catch up with the leaders. I didn't stock up with the carbohydrates yesterday and I probably haven't done enough training but lets go for it.

It's not feeling so bad. I'm in the first twenty now. Set a steady pace make up some ground slowly. I wonder what it's like out on Windermere today. This feels a very different sort of exertion. Where would I rather be?

I'm quite happy with this pace and I can keep to it. Get a rhythm just like paddling even though I'm on my own. What was my time last year? Up the pace a little. I pass the Battery and Heysham appears in the distance. Keep going, steady breathing, it's hot. How are they feeling in the Dragon Boat? Are they working as hard as this? Can't be in two places at once. Shall I run through the water fountains? I chase Paul in front although he's younger than me I try and match his pace. There's a marshall in the distance . Must be the half way mark to turn back. I feel okay. 

I'm tempted by water and turn on the home leg. Water was a mistake. It's sloshing around inside. Can I hold the pace? I have been playing 'leapfrog' with another runner who looks about my age. He overtakes me, I return the favour. I'm starting to feel the pace so slow down and breathe. Keep a steady rhythm just like paddling. I know I can run this pace. I find reserves in the boat and I can find them now as I run back past the Battery again. I encourage familiar faces as I meet children on the outward leg. I feel like slowing now but I can see a red tent in the distance that marks the finishing line. It's getting hard now but dig in just like seeing that buoy at the end of 500 metres. 

I'm hot but a final resolve to find that last energy reserve and I'm past the line. I think I shaved nearly a minute off my time last year.

Now, I'd better run it again and give those children a bit of support. 

Run or paddle? One solitary the other teamwork, I love them both! They're both addictive.

I hope you had a great day today, I missed paddling but running was fun too. The aches will just be different tomorrow.