'Twas the night before Lurig - a poem by Jo Difford
My extremely talented friend and client, Jo Difford, wrote this poem to wish everyone running Lurig tomorrow, good luck. Enjoy the read.
Twas the night before Lurig, when all through the Glen,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a hen,
The trail shoes were set by the front door with care
With hopes that the morning soon would be there.
The runners were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of the lane danced in their heads
On the bed side tables the garmins were on charge
While we convince ourselves ‘the climb isn't that large’.
The trail shoes, compression shorts and other tech
Sat ready for when the alarm would wake
It buzzed nice and early, from my bed I did leap
To the window I stretched, the weather to peep.
We need it dry, not to boggy for the climb
But wet for the descent, would be more than fine
The sky was blue, just a whisp here and there
The day would be grand, the temperature fair
At the line we begin, next to the curfew tower,
The start is looming, upon the hour,
When with a whistle we are off down the hill,
over the bridge, away from the street of mill,
Running up stairs, is a tough way to start,
I really do hate this part.
Turn right to the lane, the race is on,
To the top I must run, my nerves are gone,
Only 3 hills to the end of the lonan,
There are cones everywhere to stop us roamin'
to cool us down kids spray hoses of water
I hope this day doesn't get any hotter
First field done, through the gate at last,
We are in this together, having a blast,
The climb begins, my legs they tire,
My lungs are gasping, my calves on fire.
At the top, we are greeted with jelly babies and cheers,
I'm glad to get my face out of others rears,
The descent we begin, it's much faster this way,
On my backside I skid through moss, nettles and hay.
Running back to the Dall all we can hear,
Is Hundreds of people, music and cheer
To The finish line we sprint, the end is in sight,
I really deserve some gin tonight
The race is done, a 375 metres ascent
I can't believe how quickly it went
To the parish hall for something to eat
The Glens Runners have provided a great treat
Despite my sore legs, Im glad I did it
400 Runners all agree, this race is a hit
Ive already said I can't wait to do it again
A race to the top and back of Lurigethan.