Windle Valley News

Page 7

Last day
Have to run today.  Get last view of cliffs, beach and hills. Try to take in a bit more, look around and inhale the lovely smells of the pine and oranges.  Managed to run up a few hills today.  We are rapidly running out of time, trying to cram too much into the last day.  Quick shower then walk to XC.  Lots more people here today, and we have a bit of a fight to get our spot.  It seems to be more tense today, with the highlight being the men's long race.  We start with men's junior.  The Brit team do well, and we shout ourselves hoarse.  Then it's the ladies short race.  Paula is running again today.  She does really well, and looks to be in with a chance of a medal.  But yesterday's race must have taken its toll and she finishes 4^th.  Shame!  Men's long race is really exciting.  The Portuguese around us are going crazy because their team is going great guns.  We shout to all the Brit athletes, and Polly shouts for all the Irish!!!  After an exciting finish we walk back to have lunch.  After lunch Wendy and Polly decide we need coffee and cake!!  So we move to the coffee shop and order several different cakes and three spoons!!!.  We sit in the sun and don't want the moment to end, but we haven't packed yet, so we have to move on.  Packing is a brief affair - stuffing more like!!!  We say goodbye to Polly and some others, but a lot of people are taking our flight.  We sadly head off to the airport.  We arrive home about 11pm and gratefully fall into bed.

I would like to say thanks to Wendy for making me go, I had a great time and I know Wendy did too (she smiled the whole week).  I have learned so much and feel more inspired to run than I have for ages.  I still don't want to do a marathon though!

We have lots of people to keep in touch with, and meet at various races around the country.  I have lots of people to look out for at the London Marathon, so I am really excited about going to watch.  All in all we had a great week, and I have put the dates in my diary for next year.

WOW!!!!

them in the morning.  Phil and Polly join us for dinner and we walk to restaurant for fish and red wine.  Walk back.  Early night-ish as most people are setting off for long runs! Not me.

Day 7
Wendy's alarm goes off at 6.30am.  She creeps about loudly and makes me coffee before she leaves at 7am for her 'lets do 15 and see how we feel' run.  I read for a while then debate in my head whether to stay in bed or go run.  I decide to run (that's a first), go to the meeting point at 8am to see if anyone else is around.  Meet up with Kevin and set off along cliff tops.  Another beautiful morning.  What is really nice about this group is how happy they are to help you along.  Kevin runs very fast but is happy to let me run at my own pace and jog alongside.  I am sure he could walk quicker!  The cliff tops are very up and down and I have to walk the ups and downs.  Kevin, keen on cross-country, tries to teach me how to run down, but I am not comfortable with it so he waits for me at the bottom.  Back to the apartment to shower and get ready to meet at 10am for the walk to the WXC. First race is at 11am, it will be very hot by then.
We walk across the fields.  There is so much activity going on, with teams warming up.  We all try to check out the tracksuits to see who is who.  We walk past Sonia O'Sullivan and see the Norwegian girls - they have been staying at the same apartments and we have watched them train.  We walk the course - it is in beautiful condition - and decide on a spot close to the finish line.  There is also a TV screen so we can keep up with the action.  First off are the junior women.  The Kenyan team hit the front from the word go and romp home.  Next off are the senior men, short race.  Again Kenyans hit the front and stay there.  I can't believe the speed (you don't get that on the TV).  Next are senior ladies, long race.  Again the Africans look strong.  Paula stays with them, with Sonia close behind.  Amazed at how much the pack splits in such a short space of time.  They are really moving.  Paula appears to struggle over the last 400m, and finishes 5^th - then collapses (we can't say she doesn't try).
It was incredibly exciting, and we manage to get really close to the athletes.  We walk to Vilamoura.  We inadvertently walk onto a private golf course and are politely asked to leave!  We eat sardines at the Marina, and sit and watch the world go by, how beautiful.  Taxi back, Wendy swims at the Falesia hotel, courtesy of Polly, then back to shower and change for Q&A session with weeks speakers. 

Could members taking part in events who would like details mentioned in the newsletter please send them to me.