18 miles, 2 hours 29 mins, weekly mileage 42 miles
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
No injuries, no touching cloth, no worries. The best run in ages. All along the millenium coastal path from Llanelli Beach to Cefn Sidn Beach in Pembrey Costal Park. An absolute dream
How can you not be in your element when confronted with stunning scenery like that at 9am on a Sunday morning? It's a long cycle path that goes on for miles taking in some of the most stunning coastline in the UK. The Gower Penisular. And i tore it up, settled into a rythmn, didn't go too quick, though didn't dawdle and around mile 11-14 i really got into my straps. Suffered a little on mile 15-17 but all in all it was a tip top and tidy run. The Ironman is back!
Passed several runners and cyclists, we acknowledged each other with a very welsh 'aright mun' - i seem to adopt a welsh accent when running. And i only passed 1 mobility scooter, though bizzarely the weksh old boy had a welsh flag on the front and a cap that had Espagna written on it.
The best bit was climbing over some dunes at mile 9 to get onto the stunning Cefn Sedin beach just when the sun started shining. I almost got a semi it was that powerful. In that moment was the reason for running. For training. Quiet, peaceful yet awe inspiring. The power of nature. I really enjoyed a great donkey piss in that setting.
Then it was back, i did intend to do 20 miles, but energy was low as i forgot my wine gums and i stopped when i felt good. Thats for next week.
Then it was out for the Welsh sunday lunch at the very posh Golf club, no riff raff carvery there. Though i'm pleased they upheld the very welsh sunday tradition of enormous portions. I was also very taken by the 3 generations of ladies on the table next to me. Grandmother, Mother and daughter, all dressed the same in huge high heels and heavy make up. very funny. (thats where i get it from!)
Then it was off to Prince Phillip Hospital (I didn't see him) to visit my poor Nan. She looked very frail and tiny, and a bit upsetting but perked up when woken and i think having the whole family there really made her feel better. She looked back to her old self after a while and her spirit and mind is razor sharp. Giving us all the gossip from the ward and slipping in a bot of old fashioned racism for good measure - 'The black girl in the end bed is keeping an eye on me'
Whilst it was upsetting, i was more upset by some of the old girls in the beds by her, couldn't speak, no visitors, it was really heartbreaking. At least my Nan had several generations around her - i suppose thats what comes from living 96 years and being so lovely and caring to people. She is very inspiring, i told her we'll let her off cooking mothers day lunch next week.
Then it was a quick nip into Asda to check the lottery numbers. Took ages in the queue behind 3 mobility scooters and i counted 3 ultra harsh old girls in leopard print leggins. A staple look for Llanelli. MC Asda was on the microphone peddling cheap meat and cut price cucumbers like a cross between Dave Lee Travis and a crack dealer.
I purchased some Welsh cakes and did just enough to forget my cash card in theose fucking self serve tills, back to Brymoor Road for a quick cup of tea and then back off to London.
I have to say i stiffened up in the car over the 4 hour drive. I looked like i should be wheeled around the OAP ward in Prince Phillip Hospital. And then back to London. My mum stopped waving me off as i hit the seven bridge, and the LLanelli weekend was over - until next weekend at least.
I love the place. I need to do 'The only way is LLanelli', as it's so funny. Working class benefit town surrounded by stunning coastline. Old men in cardigans and shirt and ties on a sunday. Old men with Donald Trump birdsnest teddy boy hair. Old girls looking like they eat Rothmans let alone smoke them. Dolled up grannies on mobility scooters and young Polish immigrants drinking themselves to Death. An odd mix.
I'm so pleased i went, i ran 18, i saw beautiful surroundings and had time with my Nan and family. It was all in all a super Sunday.
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