5km New Years Eve Race in the sun

As I look out a different lens this morning, I am blinded by a vibrant red sunrise, immersed in a bright blue sky, rising over a calm white ocean, touching down on a beaming brown sandy beach, alongside a prom, all the way to Arecife.

That's where I am heading to this morning. I had said I would go out with a bang this New Year’s Eve and what better way to start the day than in the capital city of Lanzarote where every man, child and woman that can get an entry will complete this event, because with over 2,000 competitors it's a sell-out event.

Its 26 degrees already and I can't get enough of this warm feeling. Having a serious need for vitamin D, for some heat in the body, some warmth on my bones, and some brightness in my mind, I am already feeling the benefits. After leaving the freshness of the West of Ireland behind, the wind, rain and dampness of south Mayo, the sight of the mist on Croagh Patrick, the dull sunrise on top of Knockma, leaving a chain of demands behind and a continuous workload that never ends, only when one escapes and that's what I plan to do this week.

I have had a wonderful sporting year and I plan to finish it with a large big smile today.

I head for the bus and it's crazy busy. One bus passes, then a second and finally a third one stops. I sit, relax, sip tea, and admire the countryside, on the journey through the backroads. The volcanic mountains in the distance, some I have run up, some I have podiumed on, but today it's the road, speed and fun. The event is part of the celebrations to commemorate the 225 years of the founding of the municipality of the capital city. A fun event for all to close the year and unite everyone that believes in sport.

We pass along the shore side, the prom I have run many times, the route I have walked and cycled with family and the journey that has helped me plan for many adventures. Arriving in the city not having a clue where to go, I head for the centre. Walking for 15 minutes in basking sunshine, I begin to spot the white t-shirts and I hear the commentator, a voice I recognise from previous events. Finally reaching the destination, there is a swarm of colour, and people everywhere. Not a drop of water, only the oceans. Not a sound of English, only my own. Not a person I know, but then I begin to see some familiar faces; a few from the local running club I have competed against many times, a few from the trail group I have had the pleasure of jogging with and then the organiser.

She has my pack; number, t-shirt and water. A welcome surprise - the water, not the t-shirt - as I will be running light today.

I begin to warm up. My body doesn't need it but my legs need to move. I need to loosen up from all the family swimming and walking. I run along the beach, a firm hard surface but better than concrete. I am in awe, a gleaming glow along the water, two cruise ships like tiny dots in the ocean, and then up ahead I spot the swimmers. A race in the water also this morning. If I'm back on time I'm jumping in.

Running on sand in the middle of a capital city, shops to the right, the seaside to the left. Turning the way back for the start, I'm beaming with energy and ready to run with a crowd of unknown on the last day of 2024.

Ten minutes to take off, I head for the top. A narrow tunnel and it's packed, meandering my way through the Spaniards to get near the front. I look around and get my bearings, the music’s blaring, it's in English; the Eye of the Tiger, the organisers excitedly getting the crowd going. I'm feeling the buzz but I haven't a clue what they're saying. I feel like a midget in the middle of a swarm of bees, ready to sting, and then I realise. I might be small but I can fit in and even though I'm far away I feel at home. I feel warm, happy and at the end of a year, comfortable with where I am at.

There is a countdown but I don't know from what number/ I just watch the men around me, it's take off and go. At a fast pace, it's crowded and roasting hot. I keep the elbows out or I'll be galloped on. Lines of people, along the sea shore, cheering, the swimming competitors wave us on.

I smile. This feels good. I see the beach, people sun bathing as we race along the cycle track. People coming towards us on bikes, I see the coffee shops full. I’m taking it all in, as I have run to the outskirts of the city many times but never through and what better way to see the sights than run through them.

We run by the pedestrian promenade next to the beach of El Reducto and pass by the Christmas tent erected to prepare for the coming of the three wise kings. On the day we celebrate women's Christmas back home, this is a bigger event than Christmas out here. We head up the Royal Street; the shoppers, pedestrians and business people stop to cheer us on because life continues in the city.

I see Primark with 50 percent sales. My daughter would love it but in a place of sun, sea and sand, I won’t be shopping. Enclosed in the city I am feeling the baking sunshine. There is no wind, no breeze, and some others are feeling it worse. I pass a few that started hard, I hold my own. The watch beeps and I hadn't noticed; a mile done.

Having no idea where I am going helps as the beauty continues. We pass through the old part of the city, running on cobbled streets. I feel a gentle air we’re finally out along the coast, supporters line the beaches, cruise ships line the ocean and we line the streets because I have a few to shake off.

I’ve been battling it out with two gentlemen, not so much of the gentle today, one must get out ahead or they cut the corners and that's what I do, gain some ground and move out past them on the corner. With half a mile left, I'm running at an even pace. I up it a little, I am dehydrated but I know the end is near. I pump my arms, the sweat rolling off my forehead, I can taste the salt, the palms are soaked but I can hear the music. I can hear the Spanish roaring and I'm finishing my last race of 2024, now feeling like a butterfly floating for home.

The sun is highlighting my colours, the sea is cleansing my soul and running this feels like I'm flying on air. The last 5km I ran a few days ago in the West I was sick. Today I feel alive. I cross the line alone, is no female near me. I'm handed my medal, second in my category, a good time, and a really good feeling. I head for the podium, collect my prize, pose for the pictures, catch up with my friendly competitors and get spoiled by the selection of treats.

The traffic is backed up, the buses are packed up, but the shoreline is drawing me. I put my rucksack on and the real adventure begins. A five-mile slow jog back to my hotel. A continuous shoreside stroll, along an ocean that goes on forever. A blue sky that draws me up, a sunshine that warms my sometimes-broken heart and a soft sand that eases my feet when needed.

I trot along, my race number still on, a continuous flow of cyclists, joggers, walkers all on their own adventure. I look up to the sky and I smile; at the end of a year of many ups and downs, there are no clouds. A beauty exists all around. I dream about what 2025 will bring. As I butterfly through these few miles today, I know there is another world out there, I've run through a lot of it and I intend to adventure through more. I can see my hotel, I'll be back for lunch.

Starting with the biggest smile this morning I finish with a long-term one; a 5km New Year’s race, a podium finish, a good time in basking sunshine and a five mile breathtaking jog along the isle of hopes and dreams has fulfilled me with enough joy to have a good start for 2025. I plan to butterfly through the kids disco tonight and look out the same lens tomorrow.