Report from Lucy. The good thing about this race was the fine and early start, 9am. Last time I ran Belfast(in 2003) I started 20 minutes late. On Monday I rose at 5:30 for my porridge and was relieved to make it to the start line, in front of the grand city hall, with 20 minutes to spare. I was hoping to run a negative split so I set off slowly, trying to think metronome, easy pace, steady does it. Just felt joyful to be running again, had not ran for a week. Was trying just to think of it as an ordinary long run (with a wee bonus bit at the end). We headed out of the city centre, along Falls Rd, Shankhill Rd, through housing estates with flags a flying. Ran past some folk out on their front steps, dressing gowns on, having a cup of tea or a fag, watching us with mild curiosity. I was glad to get to the Antrim Rd and lovely Cave hill(I like a nice hill to admire during a run) on our left. There were a few supporters on Antrim Rd, wee kids gleefully giving high 5s and offering sweeties. I couldn’t get a song out of my head, wind the bobbin up kept going through my head (is it called an ear worm?), mental torture. Felt as if I was going really slowly but knew I would feel better in the last few miles if I stuck to a steady pace early on. The water was in wee paper cups so I managed to slosh it all over myself, not being very good at this drinking and running business. By midday the sun was out so getting a wee soaking at the water stations was a blessed relief. There were not a huge amount of marathon runners(less than 3000), but almost 17000 runners altogether, so a lot doing the relay, marathon walk and fun run. The places where the relay runners changed over were great, lots of loud supporters, great cheers(‘Fair play to yis!’). We ran along a cycle path, I could see the harbour and the Stena line boat I’d be on later that day, was thinking of how happy I’d feel to be on that boat, cup of tea, feet up, running over for the day. Ran with a friendly relay runner for a few miles, he was doing the last 2 legs of the relay. Was feeling somewhat weary by this point but he gave me a real boost when he said to me ‘you look like a proper marathon runner.’ Just lifted my spirits & kept me going(the kindness of other runners so touching). Tried to speed up after half way. Had 4 or 5 sweets, sips of water. Had to dig deep, find my inner strength, thought about the long journey to my spring marathons. Thought about all the long runs through the winter with my Bella pals, leaving the house sometimes when it was […]
Monthly archives: May 2013
Report from Craig. On Sunday 21st April I was supposed to be on the start line surrounded by thousands of other runners in the London sunshine for the biggest race in the world. Instead, I was in Monikie Country Park just outside a wet and very windy Dundee for the 2013 Angus Half Marathon. This is a good wee race which I did a couple of years ago. On a good day the scenery is lovely but this is definitely not a PB course with all the hills. I made my way up to the front at the start line and as the whistle went 200 runners set off. Last weekend at the Balloch to Clydebank half I started too slowly and lost early grounds on the leaders so this weekend I was determined not to make the same mistake. I stayed on the shoulders of the 3 leading runners to try and get out of the wind a bit during the first mile. As we approached the second mile marker one runner made a break so I decided to go with him and as we approached the first hill at mile 3 I went past and into the lead. For the next couple of miles the headwind was really strong so I tried to maintain a comfortable pace to reserve energy for later on. By mile 5 I could no longer hear any footsteps behind me and looked round to see I had built up a decent lead. The next few miles were still very undulating but as we turned out of the wind at 8.5 miles I was surprised to see the second placed runner was right behind me. He had obviously been pushing hard on the downhill section. At 8.5 miles you start the first of 3 big ascents. Reaching the top of the first hill I was offered a cup of water but declined and pushed on. I heard the runner behind shouting for a cup and looked round to see that even on that first hill I had moved ahead. I kept working hard up the next hill at 9.5 miles and once it flattened out I picked up the pace and put in a 5:30 mile. The lead cyclist informed me that I now had a huge lead which seemed to spur me on and another quick mile meant I was soon at the dreaded last mile. The last mile is all uphill, it just saps any energy that you might have left in your legs. Fortunately a winter of Sherbrooke hill reps meant I was able to keep a good pace and before I knew it I was at the top. A wee jog down the home straight saw me take first place in 1:16:37. I ended up being a full 2 minutes ahead of the 2nd placed runner. For my efforts I got two lovely trophies to add to my collection which seems to be growing nicely now. Okay so it wasnt […]
Report from Lucy. Thank-you so much to lovely Sandy who made the long journey to Fort William to be a supporter at the Lochaber marathon on Sunday. Was a dreicht day for standing about, but Sandy was always smiling and enthusiastic, and altogether a wonderful supporter. Really helped to get us round. Race was great. Ran with Suzanne, who, like myself, was running her 2nd Lochaber. Last time I ran it was 2001, don’t remember much about that race, apart from it being windy and rainy (much as it was on Sunday). We stuck together for most of the race, was great to have the company (sorry for talking mince, Suzanne. Sorry also for singing. Poor you). Really enjoyed the race. Was chuffed to run 2nd half one minute faster than 1st half. Lochaber doesn’t have the crowds, bands, famous sights or incredible wall of noise London has. It does, however, have:spectacular hills to admire (for many a mile), rousing sound of bagpipes at start and finish, shower at the end(unfortunately mine was cold, but it was good to be clean), post-race best cup of tea EVER, lovely filled roll and a Ben Nevis whisky miniature (my husband quaffed it when we got home, his reward for driving me there and back). Also, a shiny medal in a plush velvet box. Very well done to Suzanne, who ran her first sub 4 hr marathon. John Gilhooly 3:03:57, David Lockhart 3:36:16, Lucy Mackay 3:53:41, Suzanne Motherwell 3:55:49