Sunshine ignites something good in us all

It finally arrived, the forecasted sun. For two days we had temperatures better than in Spain, all over a weekend for us to enjoy. Everyone living outdoors, shorts, t-shirts, barbeques, paddling pools, bikes, trikes, ice creams, iced coffees and a warm smile on everyone’s face. Not enough time in the day to fit in the backlog of matches, the beaches, the gardening.

The sunshine does something to us all, it gives us a feel good factor, it warms our weather beaten bodies, it brightens our faces, it brings us outdoors to enjoy the activities we love so much, it makes us healthier, it makes us forget about the bad weather, and most of all it makes us appreciate the beautiful place we live in.

The parks are an emerald, gorgeous, green, the mountains are a lighter, brighter brown, the lakes are a brilliant, beaming blue all ignited by the red, radiant, rays of sunshine beaming down all day. The birds wake us up from early morn, the flowers are in full bloom, the smell of freshly cut grass, the farmers letting cattle out at last, the animals play freely in dry fields, and the sporting world takes off.

I have spent the week building up to this running in wind, rain and cold, telling myself the sun was on its way and planning where I’d go. To see the sunrise, to see the sunset, mountains, trails and lakes all to be taken in.

The kids, as always, come first, so once knowing the schedule you can work backwards. It’s off to NUIG on Saturday morning, the children gaining a wonderful opportunity in national school to experience college life, meaning I’ve three hours to run in sunshine. There’s a parkrun being held on the college grounds – this will be a must for me – followed by a long run around the Dangan pitches and a sea swim in Salthill. I thought I knew every walkway around NUIG from my college days but a lot has changed since then.

The children head off with their rucksacks, shorts and sunglasses, the junior graduates excited but nervous. I watch in awe as they proudly march into their ‘lectures’ and introduce themselves. I love the confidence of the youth, the taking it all in, a relaxed but serious manner. A tearful moment of pride. I definitely need a run and so I head off with my sunglasses, running vest and water, because this is going to be a hot one today.

A nice slow trot to the river, around the marshland to find the parkrun. I begin to see the purple and yellow signs and slowly people emerge. I meet two old friends and we warm up while catching up, embracing the sunshine. It’s a haven of activity, the local athletic club’s sprint session is in full speed, a youth soccer match is about to kick off, the canoeing club are preparing for the water, everyone smiling, greeting one another, a buzz, a feel good factor, on a sunny April morning in a city full of activity – but today it’s all outdoors.

We use the soft meadow to loosen out our tired legs, the dewing grass wetting the toes underfoot, a trail run along the river, sheltered by trees, the sun beaming through on each opening – there’s a definite need for sunglasses this morning. We tip toe along, on the sandy, stoney surface, meeting cyclists, walkers, families, dogs and athletes, because everyone is out today. Arriving back at the meadow, water is a must; it’s the first time since last August I have felt dehydrated. T-shirts get abandoned and it’s time for 1, 2, 3 go. I am rearing for off… the heat, adrenaline, freedom, friendship, happiness, that feel good factor and no rushing back. I’m gone like the wind, the beaming sunshine warming my weather beaten shoulders, the rays pumping my skin with vitamin D, the bounce off the trails freshening up my tired winter legs.

A girl breathing heavy on my shoulders pushes me further ahead, I don’t like the sound, it’s taking over from nature’s noises. I try to catch the man ahead, he’s moving well, and exiting the trees there’s, the most magnificent sight: a beaming blue river dotted with canoeing boats. The activity, the excitement, the laughter. The counting from the boats, one, two, three, four, ‘ROW’ gets me into the rhythm. I run alongside, the guidance of their coach, the sound of laughter from the water enthusiasts, the flow of the river, the heat of the sun, my body moves seamlessly through the motions. I forget about the time and the watch.

This is a wonderful place, surrounding the City of the Tribes and its cobbled streets and shops lies a forest, river and green park that continues on for miles, a university to the right imparting knowledge to the next generation and a seaside resort up ahead. We reach the bollards, short steps needed to get around a sharp clay, stoney, turn, slowing us down. Changing down a gear it takes a few minutes to get back up, but we’re halfway and I tell myself it’s time to up the ante and head for home. Meeting the girl breathing heavy on the way back, I encourage and support, meeting a dad running with a double buggy I remember those times well, a man shouts ‘you’re first lady’ and I smile back and think ‘Right, let’s hold this’.

The sun now beaming in my eyes, the salt completely depleted from my body, I run faster. The difficult underfoot trail is almost completed and only a loop of the marshy green to go. I’ve begun to love this place, the grass, trees, water, sports, boats. A safeness, friendliness and happiness exists; never liking the enclosure of cities much, this provides escapism at its best.

The finish line in sight, the guy ahead ups the pace. I follow and power home. It’s a great feeling crossing the line, I’m guessing my time is 20 something, the girl behind arrives in, next my two friends, we all cheer, support, encourage, because the park run is a fun run, not a race, not competitive except against your own competitive self.

The park runners already planning the coffee, I convince a few to first come exploring. We clock our times, thank the volunteers and head the other way, through the forest, trails and water, pitches, people and places I’ve never seen before. We jog in through the meandering grounds, bringing back memories of time spent studying indoors, playing football on tarmac carparks and cycling through the streets in the rain. Many, many fond memories but for now it’s back to creating new memories through our adventure. We come to the end of the trail, left brings us towards Salthill and we can’t resist, a run along the prom, another magical place, a different type of running, a hard, concrete surface along the sea, a swarm of walkers, runners and swimmers, all out for the same buzz.

Ice cream vans, coffee stations and the big wheel all ignited today. Last week this place was out of bounds because of a storm, today it is packed because of the sun. It’s the weather extremes that make us tougher, stronger and faster when the sun shines.

We hobble down the steps to the diving board at Blackrock. I excitedly throw off the runners and head for the water. It’s such a refreshing feeling to jump straight in, that wonderful shock of ice cold water on my roasting hot skin. My face, hair and ears immersed in the saltwater, absorbing the goodness, replacing the lost salt, ridding the body of lactate acid. The water is alive with people today, the hardcore swimmers enjoying the first morning of warmth on their bodies when exiting the water, the divers staying in longer today.

Getting into a flow of breaststroke, the technique enables me to see all round, continuing to take in the beauty, the stillness of Galway Bay, the seabirds perching on Mutton Island, and to have the time to breathe in the fresh air, to smell the seaweed, to see the gulls, to feel the water cooling my tired body. My mind is clear of all life’s thoughts and most of all so thankful for the beauty that exists around us, for having the time to stop still, to allow us absorb this beauty, for the safety of where we live and for the wonderful people that live here.

We finally complete our adventure and head for the coffees, the choice so endless in Salthill. A hut with breakfast to be enjoyed on the steps of the sea, a smoothie café across the road, a new restaurant with the most amazing aromas, we opt for coffee on the sea shore, towels drying on the steps, our toes immersed in the warm sand, the taste of wonderful food after a wonderful morning. We bid a fond farewell. I stroll back towards the college, reminiscing on the goings on and the friendship, freedom and fun, all for free, away from a frantic world.

I enter the college and see the youngsters, immersed in learning, engrossed in their activities, the power of knowledge, the excitement of education, the togetherness of group work, all engaged in the task at hand. This could become a regular thing, everyone exploring new journeys. Today the sunshine ignites the best in the west, making us appreciate where we live, the amenities surrounding us, the opportunities available to all. Sometimes it takes the sun to draw us out because everything looks brighter on a fine sunny day. Wherever we are let’s get out, explore the beauty, appreciate our surroundings, take the time out to do so and let’s ignite the best in ourselves.