Hello again. I hope everyone reading this, had a great time with their loved ones, or found their peace in solitude or enjoyed helping others if they had to work that day!
Christmastime this year has been a bit of a funny one for me.
This year I decided to NOT run away and actually spend time in the North East around my family. We aren’t large in number and what few we do number, are scattered from Scotland, North America to Australia and the Philippines. My dad, his wife and my sisters’ family are on my native South Tyneside and here’s where my Christmas was, for the first time in 9 years.
Home for the week has been my dad’s place in Hebburn. Given a lack of space here and a ridiculous oven of a living room, it left me with the swlf-imposed fallback option of, the back of my uninsulated van. Sleeping bag, pillow and mattress. Sorted.
It’s been far from ideal. Being, uninsulated, condensation drips from the metal roof through the night. Occasionally striking the bullseye and dropping cold water into my ear or down my neck. It’s pretty cosy in my sleeping bag. I’m warm but for my head a little bit. But it’s been fairly cold every waking morning. It leaves little incentive to want to stir from my mummy-like slumber. Quality sleep and restlessness has been far from great and my usual routines are “reet oot the winda”, as us Geordies would say.
I’ve found myself glued to the TV and my bedtimes and waking time…well, let’s not talk about that!
But, I’ve spoken before about ‘creating rules and non-negotiables’ For me, one of them is – Saturday is Park Run day. Unless there is a very very good reason to NOT to do it. For example -illness/injury/being away or work commitments.
After my return from Seattle a fortnight or more ago, I’ve struggled with a cold and chest that lingered and wouldn’t go away. Christmas Eve was the first day I felt I COULD actually do a run. And so, I hunted down the “Christmas Day Park Runs” – in 11 years, Ive only ever done it once. Cardiff, 5 years ago. This year, Gateshead looked good. Saved me going through the Tyne Tunnel or paying the stupid Emission charge for driving to Newcastle.
Five hundred runners turned up on a beautiful Christmas day morning around Saltwell Park. Everyone was happy and festive and there was a tremendous turn out of Marshalls to help out. Amazing to see….and a huge thanks to them all too! 
This morning was Saturday. Park Run day for the second time in 4 days. And…could I be arsed? Nope. It was damn cold in the van again. But I KNEW I’d regret it and kick myself if I didn’t “Just Do It”. Reluctantly, I forced myself out. Got into my dads’ flat in the sheltered accommodation where he stays. Groggily walking down the corridors which creak loudly with every step. Once inside, pint of water with two lemons (I’d ran out of limes) 30 press ups, trip to loo and straight back out into the cold again.
The toss up for my choice or venue this morning was between South Shields or Fulwell Quarry (near Cleadon).
Yesterday I had got a bit stir crazy, driven mad by spending so much time in concrete suburbia some I’d drove down the seafront at South Shields for some sea air and outdoor solace. Parking at the seafront, I took a walk along the cliffs and down to Marsden Grotto. The scene of many trips to the beach as a young lad.
This made Fulwell Quarry preferable as I’d walked most of the S.Shields course just last night. Fulwell proved to be the BEST option, as it was announced on their start line that South Shields had cancelled last minute and we could expect some last minute arrivals tagging on. A little after 9am on the chilly start line. 137 runners set off round two laps of a lovely little course with views across a calm North Sea and the nearby, Cleadon Hills and the prominent, 19th century Cleadon Water Tower . This whole area was my old stomping ground as a cyclist in my teens. I really enjoyed it today. Both my calves were feeling a little tight after my Christmas day run so I held back a little bit, even though lungs and cardio all felt almost entirely ‘recovered’ from my illness now. Home in 7th place in 22 minutes 4 seconds.
As I departed for the van, I passed on my thanks and appreciation of a cracking Parkrun course, to Jess, the event organiser and asked what happened with South Shields? Emergency services had arrived and it was cancelled at last minute. I immediately assumed a cardiac arrest for a runner or something. No…it was them cliffs! Apparently it’s a regular thing and last weeks event there was a repeat occurrence. Around this time.of year, far too many people see those cliffs as ‘their only way out’ ….
Usually with my posts, I like to add some sort of helpful tip or conclusion based on my story. Today? Well, you’re a long time dead for sure and even though my cycling days seem distant past, I’m very happy to walk or run the fells and do a run or two a week, including my obligatory park run.
It’s all to easy to say ‘I can’t be arsed’ (CBA) to do some exercise like a run, a long walk or whatever else. At some point, we can no longer take our health for granted and every time we fight against the will to NOT get out there into the fresh air and get the blood pumping, is a strong vote for YES to good health and a longer life.
Next time you want to do the easy option of lazing about staring at your phone. Fight it! Get up . Just Do It (JDI)
And if you know someone that’s struggling, that’s gone a bit quiet for a while – reach out..Message them, turn up at their door unannounced for a cuppa. Don’t put THAT off either. You’re a long time dead remember – and living a life of regret is a tough thing ‘I wish I’d just….’
Look through your phone, reach out to two or three people who may be on their own at this time of year. It takes so little effort but may mean so so much.