Tour of Limburg

Runners and rowers

The focus of the trip was a 9km race in Liege. The route was a 2km loop around an island in the river Meuse that flows through the city on it's way to Maastricht and then onto the North Sea. After a period of drifting along with my running and only training when I felt like it or when I had time (rather than making time) signing up for the trip provided the motivation I needed to get myself properly fit again and ready to stand on a start line. I followed my own training programme "for run-bitten Brits" but disaster struck last Monday night. I needed to switch Monday for Tuesday because I had a very full day on Tuesday and knew I could get out for 45 mins easy early in the morning - so I was on 12 X 45 secs on Monday night. I was running these on a beautiful grass field and had debated before leaving the house whether to go for trail shoes or lightweight trainer racers. The trail shoes would offer more grip on the grass but I had worn the lightweight shoes the week before on the same surface and felt like I was flying. I opted for the lightweights. Big mistake! I was on the 8th effort and as I took off my foot slipped backwards - a long way! I felt something pull or tear in my hip. I'm not sure how bad it was but it stopped me in my tracks and made driving home very painful. I haven't run since and ended up chief supporter, bag carrier and photographer on Sunday!

The course was 4 1/2 laps around the island. It was very flat but twisty so fast times were ruled out. However, it was a beautiful setting. It took the runners through gardens, over humpback bridges and along the river where the local rowing team were out practising in the wake of huge barges transporting goods along the river. There were 350 in the race of all abilities. The first runner across the line finished in a swift 28:23 and the final person in 70:24. Our first runner home was my other half who is also coming back from a period of inactivity so he was pleased with his 32:05.

All the runners in our team were pleased with their times but what pleased them most was the unbelievably low entry fee of 4 Euros. Whilst waiting for the presentation I noticed the girl who had finished 2nd was in a Scottish Athletics tracksuit so I went over to find out if she was indeed a genuine Scot or a Belgian who had swopped her tracksuit, as is often the practise at international races. It turned out to be Colette Fagan, one of Scotland's finest. She is over here for a year teaching English as a foreigh language and she gave me a good insight into the road racing scene over here. The low entry fee is the norm and we discussed how the Belgians manage to stage good quality road races at a snip of the price that we pay in the UK. What Colette has noticed,in everything, not just running is that  health and safety, risk assessment and so on is not such a big deal. I must admit that I had noticed the finishing funnel at the race probably would not have been set out in that way had it been in the UK. The runners had to turn 90 degrees with only 10 metres to go into the funnel and the barriers were set at such an angle that it was easy to trip over the bases, particularly when you've given it your all in the race.

So what about the rest of the week? Well, to be honest, the majority of my companions from Stockport Harriers are drinkers with a serious running problem. Belgium appealed not only because of the low entry fees into races but also because of the strong beer. Immediately after the race the team headed off for a tour of the local brewery. I opted out of this activity as I'm not known for beer drinking talent although I have to admit that I've become a bit partial to a glass of Krieck (or cherry beer) in the evenings since being here. I think I will be seeking it out in the pubs of Stockport when I get back! It has to be said that they came back in high spirits and we finished the evening off with a curry and a bit more beer!

Yesterday was a day at leisure. For me it seemed like a good idea to get some exercise, as I have been incapacitated for a week and am starting to get twitchy, and to see some of the sights so I hired a bike. I went out for 3 hours and cycled along the never ending cycle ways that took me safely along canals, through parkland, woodlands and along quiet suburban streets. It was a beautiful ride and I came back pleasantly tired feeling like I had done some training at least! Today we're off to Maastricht but I think I'll hire a bike again tomorrow and cover more of the cycle paths - all in one gear, by the way! The only change in gradient was if I went on a flyover!

I'm back on Friday and hope my hip will have recovered by then so that I can find another race to target. Better check the calendar!