7/29/2019 Rachel Runs... on Holiday

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by Rachel Joseph

Rachel Runs ... on holiday

O n a a m i l y h o l i d a yi t c a n b e t r i c k y t os q u e e z e i n a r u n - t h e r e s to t h e c r e w d o n t w a n tt o w a s t e t h e i r m o r n i n gw a i t i n g a r o u n d o r m e . Th e

u s u a l d e a l i s : i I g e t u pb e o r e e v e r y o n e s a w a k eI c a n g o , w h i c h c a n b et r i c k y i t h e n i g h t b e o r eh a s b e e n a l a t e o n e .

We did a lot o hiking in Japan and Imanaged to squeeze in a couple o runsa week, so I was happy enough with that.I went out one morning when we werein Kyoto and ran a hal marathon alongthe river and it was a near perect run.It was a cool, clear morning, the pathwas very at. I was running towardssome mountains which were hazy,distant things when I started and which Ireached at the midpoint o my run. I hadonly intended to run or an hour but thebeauty o the scenery compelled me tocontinue. I was ill prepared, with no drinkor sunhat and it really warmed up, but it sa run Ill always remember.

I have run all over Asia and eel it oten

helps me to get the layout o a placebetter than any amount o walking orpublic transport can. I think that alsogoes or getting to know where youlive, running has ensured I know South

London and KL like the back o my hand,at street level.

As I didnt start running until ater Idlet the north east or the big smoke,running in Northumberland has alwaysbeen holiday running or me. Since I

started running marathons, three yearsago, I have come to the conclusion thatalthough Northumberland ranks high inthe 10 dullest places to grow up, its a realtreat or runners and lovers o the greatoutdoors generally. I sneak out o bed atmy mums, trying not to wake the kids,and there are splendid runs straight outthe ront door, going in any direction.

When Ive just got time or a quickie Ican run around a section o the riverWansbeck, crossing a bridge at either end,making this a pleasant 5-6 miler, i I add ona loop o the estate. Its very peaceul andgreen down here and i Im really luckythere will be lads rom the nearby rowingclub to race against. With a little moretime I can be on the beach at Camboisor Newbiggin in about hal an hour.Cambois provides a rare opportunity orrunning over sand dunes, which alwaysmakes my heart sing. Newbiggin was thebeach we visited most as kids, so holdslots o happy memories to take my mind

o the miles. It has been redeveloped olate: a new promenade, theyve cleanedup the high street and memorial gardens,and theres an art sculpture in the sea,but its still a naturally beautiul place.

Church Point really is the end o the lineand it blows a gale up there. The pubon the corner has a sign saying Lastpub til Norway. Going inland theres allthe beautiul countryside and armlandaround Morpeth. On the whole there issome orm o a path, very ew people, and

its at and cool, sometimes a bit too coolor this reptile. The one thing Id reallylove is a running buddy there as there isloads o great trail running to be had butI dont eel confdent to go it alone.

I have managed to maintain a reasonablemileage over the holidays but it has allbeen on the at, in cool weather and my(mainly liquid) diet has been abysmal. SoIm thinking the River Jungle MarathonI am running on Sunday may be a bitmessy. As I write this at 5.30am, up withjet lag. Oh dear... Ill keep you posted

Upcoming Races

Saturday, 13October at 5pm -10k Nike We Run KL at Jalan Ampang, KL Sunday, 25 November at 7am 5km and 10km for adults, 2.2kmand 600m or kids Parkcity Run at TheInternational School, Desa Park City Sunday, 9 December at 7am -15km Enjoy Green Challenge at Amcorp

Mall PJ

Rachel Runs