I've been wanting to run Blackpool sea front for ages and my friend happened to remind me that the lights are on at the moment. Then I was reading up that they were 10k long, and you know those round numbers are like red rag to a bull for runners!
Realised that tonight would be a very rare free evening where I haven't got to be up at the crack of dawn the next day. Plus the forecast was that the Fylde coast would be in a little dry spot between rainy days.
And so everything aligned for me to be at Bispham tram stop at 7.15pm tonight. The plan - tram to Starr Gate, run back, dinner at the Bispham Kitchen. Winner all round!
Definitely not a PB... in fact a distinctly gentle bimble through the lights. But, oh my goodness, was it enjoyable! I have NEVER experienced the lights like I did running through them. All the sights and sounds and smells of Blackpool washing over me as I slipped through almost silent and invisible. Legs strong. Breathing never straying from my comfortable-pace 5/4 rhythm. Not a drop of rain (although apparently it did rain in Blackpool tonight... just not on me!).
And the fish and chips afterwards were divine!
I actually think that was the greatest experience of my life so far! I'm not exaggerating. I'm really quite emotional!
EDIT: ps - it's only 8.1k!
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Pianism
Graduate
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Just before the illuminations open there is a bike ride through them....very family orientated....but agree, a run should be a fixture too...would be fab
Loving this post for several reasons....that must be the best way to see the illuminations and can feel your joy from your post.
I could picture every step of your run.
It has made me,a little homesick though as where you were is 20mins from my uk home,and family....and boy have you made me crave fish and chips....well done on your different run.
How fantastic! I could ‘feel’ the excitement & awe as I was reading about your adventure! I so wish I had somewhere like that to run - I have no doubt it’s as thrilling as you describe!
Wow,you’ve inspired me to think I should try to move up from 5 to 10k.I love Blackpool and this run sounds amazing.Is it the same sort of date every year?Ive got a year to graduate up to 10k.
I think they run from August to November every year. Of course, in August you have to go late in the evening because it's still light late. Last night they switched on at 7.30pm which made for 8.30pm chips - perfect!
Oh wow, I'd love to do that. Maybe it can go on next year's to do list. It sounds terrific. Great idea, well done. Did you eat 3 less chips to make up for the fact it wasn't a full 10km?
They are one of a kind and, yes, it can be really busy. Fortunately a week night where the weather is a bit touxh and go proved perfect for running through.
Fabulous. What a great experience. I've not been to the lights for years. You do some really interesting runs. I live in the north west and must start taking an interest in local events.
I do try to make runs a really big part of my life and so make an effort to run in places that mean something to me. It's a way of motivating myself to keep going and not lapse back to the couch (there's one in the house somewhere but I've forgotten where!!).
Wow - awesome- I want to run the lights too now AND as luck would have it ran 8k for the first time last week. I’m feeling a half term trip to Blackpool. Which way did you run? I’m thinking of starting in Bispham and running to Stargate as I think, please correct me if I’m wrong, that way will be downhill/flat... I’d go the other way and end at the Bispham Chippy but the hill at the end might finish me off!
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First post grad run done
almost last run of August
Week 9 Run 3 - Warm up run
Week 9 run 2 - nearly there
W7D1
