Cumbria, England
Late September 2019
What a weekend. As I write this, I sit in the comfortable, yet sparsely occupied Railway Inn in Oxenholme. My head is full of inspiration and excitement having spent my weekend away for Tom Goom’s Running Repairs course.
For those not in the Physiotherapy profession, Tom Goom is a bit of a guru for running research and practise. Fortunately, I managed to get a ticket to his course. Even more fortunately, it happened to be in the beautiful Lake District so I managed to get a nice weekend away to boot.
The weekend began in a hurry. Catching the train to Glasgow Central from Stewarton, I then made a quick changeover to board the evening train – rushing to grab supplies from M&S on the way. As is basically tradition in Scotland, I enjoyed a few Friday afternoon cans on the train as it rolled along. The couple across from me went another level and made short work of a bottle of prosecco before we even crossed the border.
A warm, golden sun beamed down, illuminating the rolling lowland hills. I was a bit at odds with the scenery – outside it was calm and restful, yet I was completely wound up after a long work day and a rushed afternoon. I calmed myself by reading my newest purchase: a lonely planet guide to Andalucía. Essential reading since we were to be there in only a week.
Reaching Windermere just after 8pm, I quickly checked in to my accommodation, got myself showered and changed, and head out for exactly what my heart desired: fish and chips. There is nothing that a fish supper and mushy peas can’t cure.
Sitting out the front of The Little Chippy, I finally got the chance to take a breath and watch the world go by. Quiet streets and starry skies made for a nice evening alone.
The course itself ran over Saturday and Sunday at Body Rehab Physiotherapy in Staveley, and was every bit as nerdy as I would’ve liked. Anatomy, pathology, kinematics, gait analysis, ground reaction forces, etc. – now you’re talking.
Tom was even kind enough to take us out for dinner at the Eagle & Child pub around the corner on Saturday night. Isn't it just something to meet an idol and they turn out to be a great person?
One of the best parts of the weekend ended up being a simple run through the fells with the locals. A number of the attendees were elite level trail runners, who offered to take us for a 4 mile trail run in the Staveley hills. The weather was perfect – the photos don’t do it justice.
The pace was punishing.
So having had all of my physiotherapy biases confirmed and having been provided with a whole lot of new theories, assessments, and treatments to work with, I left happy. Any of you with a passing interest in running will leave equally so, if you manage to book a spot - I promise.
So that leaves me at the Station Inn, waiting for my connecting train north, once again trying to express gratitude for the opportunities that the U.K has provided me over the last year.
My thoughts quickly moved to the fact that in 4 days I’d be in Munich for my birthday – 29 years young.
I don't think 2 years here will be enough.
JC
"All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why."
James Thurber
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