Running for fun in the Canarian sun

We’re after winning a world medal and hubby messages, “If Mayo win Sam, we’ll have to change the flights.” Mayo do win Sam and so the holidays are put off for two days. What a buzz to be going away on though. The match, the homecoming, the parish visited. The Mayo jerseys are rewashed again and again and proudly packed; we’re finally off.

I always love that sigh of relief when all are on the flight and the plane rises; one can breathe, relax and park it all. My mind is tired, there hasn’t been much sleep over the past week, a lot of bringing, collecting, planning and always thinking. I am looking forward to some fun with family, and some beautiful morning adventures.

A free entry into the most beautiful trail race over Lanzarote’s undulating inclines, sand, rocks and stones to Puerto Calero… how can I say no?

A warm fresh breeze greets you on exiting the plane, that wonderful warm and welcoming feeling on walking to arrivals, a short taxi drive, straight to the pool, ice cold, bliss.

The first morning stroll on holidays is always slow, the body gradually climatising to the air, the wind, the sun and the terrain, the mind occupied with the beautiful sights, miles of sea to the right, mountains to the left and volcanos up ahead.

It’s easy to let the thoughts flow free out to sea, the waves drawing the busyness of the last few weeks away, the body moving happily through the miles. It’s a nice way to reflect on wonderful sporting events of the past few weeks, world team medals for Ireland, Mayo winning Sam, the mind beginning to think of what’s coming up next!

Saturday morning arrives and the race is now starting at 9am due to warnings of very high temperatures. I am not bothered. After racing the World Championships in 39 degrees in Czechia, the intention here is for holiday running, no pressure, no times, just run for fun in the sun.

The warmth is already beaming through, it’s showing 28 degrees, so I have a little stride out. I begin to see some familiar faces, we’re on the line, the race delayed, problems on course. Standing in the heat, I meet two French girls half my age, one a steeplechase champion, the other a cross-country champion. I smile and think I’ll have my work cut out. A tap on my shoulder, my competitive friend from Limerick, she normally podiums in the 6km and me in the 12km, I warn her of our new French competitors!

We’re off. A fast run out of the Old Town, turn the corner, half a mile of climbing, the heat beaming up from the road. They gallop fast like camels but I’m light on my feet, conquering the steep incline and feeling good. Now for the speed, down the hill and onto the volcanic ash, moving quickly on the balls of my feet, hoping over pebbles, stones, and ash. Beginning to make up ground, the 6km and 12km competitors all running together, there’s now three women ahead, my two French friends and the Limerick lass.

I overtake the green, wish her the best and plough on, she’s only 4km to go. Next up the first French girl, I stay behind on the hill, push past on the downhill and head for the coast. Running fast along the mountain edge, the most beautiful eye-catching sightings, the bouncing brightness beaming from the sea, a port of ships docked ahead, my body bouncing from the warmth, the beauty and the buzz of racing.

Leaping down into an uneven incline, sharp stones, wobbly rocks, loose sand, I follow the footsteps in front. There’s no sign of the steeplechase champion so I concentrate on passing the few lads ahead. It’s hot now, water cups a welcome soaking all over the body, I begin to think of my races in 39 and 36 degrees, what it felt like, how did the body cope in conditions much hotter and harder than here. The mind focuses back to fun running, the halfway point, cheers, photos and laughs.

I take the sharp turn for home, 6km to go, but feeling fresh, and ready for more. When the body feels good, the mind has emptied and the adrenaline begins to pump, the feel-good factor must be enjoyed. I pass the two males in front and they tuck in behind. A run up and over a stone wall type surface, watch the footing, tiptoe along and push through again.

Now the legs are feeling it, a nice climb ahead, on volcanic ash, with views this time of the marina, hundreds of boats, ships and yachts. In a place of beauty, one cannot complain. I think of wonderful times, when people are happy, when sport lifts people so, so high. Yes, there are hard, times, there are heartbreaking moments and we in Mayo have had many, but all these moments make the good times all the more worthwhile.

A mile to go, I step it up. I see the girl ahead and steps galore, roughly 20. I hold back, taking my time and step it down. A fast concrete piece, upping the speed and pass one more; the crowd is alive. Onto the timber bridge, a weird bouncy feeling: when you are overheating, when you have run 12km, on all these varied terrains, it can trip you up, so I watch carefully my every step.

The last corner, of course another climb but the line is in sight. My steeplechase friend, sprawled over the line, surrounded by people, water and shade. My Limerick friend awaits and tells me I’m second female. Prizes presented, including another free entry to the second trail race around Tachice tomorrow.

Everyone’s excited, everyone’s planning. Hot temperatures are forecast again so I tell them I’ll see. For now, it’s more family fun in the sun.