The Mad Dog is a 10k pancake flat race in Southport. In 2022 it was on Sunday 6th February. It’s run along the prom and the weather was atrocious. I know it’s said no bad weather just poor choice of clothing but this was something else. The wind was so strong I could barely stand.
Here’s what I commented on the FB page with 393 likes, 69 comments and 1 share
Just want to echo the sentiments of everyone. My first Mad Dog. Fantastic communication and organization. Amazing marshals, especially the cadets who were so encouraging. The entertainment was superb. The goody bag was fantastic.
I hope it’s OK to be indulgent and share my story. I am a rather hefty lady pushing 60. My background is triathlon but I’ve “run” a couple of 10K’s round about the 1:30 mark so was confident I’d be pretty much at the back of the pack.
In December I was hospitalised with chest pain that ruled me out running so I requested a deferral.
Then the option of a virtual event was offered. I hatched the plan that I would be supporting 4 of my friends anyway so if I started an hour earlier walked the course virtually I should pretty much come in the same time as the back of the packers. I hadn’t anticipated the impact of the weather and was slower than a tortoise plodding through treacle.
The support I got was amazing. Marshals and Jo Public checking that I was OK. From about 5k I wanted to stop and wanted to cry but I didn’t and plodded on and that’s when I was really lifted. Competitor after competitor encouraging and congratulating and check, check, checking I was OK. I was. My friends caught up with me and walked with me for a bit but I sent them on their merry way.
I don’t find any events easy but this was by far the most difficult. I try to always be positive and show a sunny disposition but yesterday I was the Lady Dog (translate as necessary) from hell and appropriately had what my husband calls a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp.
Mick Hall photography caught me towards the end when I thought I couldn’t walk another step. Again other competitor’s encouragement and support kept me going – I thank each and every one of you.
I finished in 2:44:03. I finished.
I would particularly like to thank the Mandolorian who I was captured on camera with at the start, who passed me towards the end, who came back to check I was OK and tell me how proud he was of me. The marshal on the roundabout where the course becomes an out and back. He spoke to me on the way out and ran over on my way back to say he was very happy to see me “back.” It meant a lot. Biggest shout out though are to my friends who supported, encouraged pushed and had faith in me when my faith in myself had evaporated.
I’ll be back next year and I will run it (and pray to the wind gods to be kind) I am a Mad Dog, Woof.
Life of Lynne 