I'd arranged to meet Iain Taylor for the Edinburgh Park Run 5k weekly race in Cramond on Saturday. I got up in plenty of time, threw on my stuff and took the dog out for his morning saunter.
The road workers were turning up en mass to complete the promised road resurfacing and there was soon the noise of tar breakers and the smell of heating tar spreading round the village. The promise was that the locals could get in and out as we pleased but they stopped all traffic and closed the road. So when I returned with the scruffster at 8.35 to find my drive completely blocked by a huge trench of carved up road I realised my leisurely plan had backfired. I thought briefly I could grab another couple of hours kip but didn't want to miss the race so there was nothing else for it. Bike shoes on, overshoes, running shoes into the rucksack, find the lock and get on the road. By this point it was about 8.42ish and I knew it was going to be tight.
I love a challenge and flew off. Everything seemed to be going as I wished until a bus at the Inverkeithing park and ride roundabout came straight onto the roundabout - I thought I had priority being on the roundabout but obviously not. It was one of those he's not going to stop moments and I took evasive action - he disappeared into the distance while I spat out exhaust fumes and gathered myself on the pavement. Got to ride so defensively!
I was feeling all of the exercise that I've been taking. I had been out for a hilly 30 miles with Derek on Friday and pranced around to the DVD as well so the ride over the Forth Road Bridge didn't seem as smooth as normal. The path was quiet so I put the foot to the metal (pedals) and pushed it as hard as I could to try and catch up the clock that continued to tick. I had guessed it was about 12 miles, it turned out to be nearer 15 and a bit so I made it to the start to see the last of the runners heading into the distance.
The starter saw me and asked if I wanted to race which was great as I thought since I'd missed the start I 'd be too late. I pulled off the overshoes, bike shoes, balanced like a new born giraffe and pulled on my runners. I took an extra second to make sure everything was in my bag and without locking the bike I set off. I of course set off far too fast as 3 and a half minutes was a fair start to give the 424 racers.
The back runner was warned of my existence on the walkie talkie and they started to slow down to wait for me. I was impressed at the organisation and flexibility of the race management. I passed the first km marker in just over 4 minutes. Far far too quick. I had just done 15 miles in under 50 minutes and my legs were feeling it. The next km I slowed down but passed the 2km mark in under 9 minutes which was ok. It was shortly after this I saw the leader, Andrew Wright from Carnegie Harriers heading the opposite way. I shouted some encouragement which was no doubt the difference between winning and coming second! A few seconds later Iain Taylor appeared looking fast and strong. Great to see your pals doing well in a race. Iain finished in 16th place in an impressive 18.11!
I managed to keep going and passed an old friend from Carnegie, Grace Mackenzie who was coaching a fellow runner. She would leave me in her dust these days if she was really racing. I think my pounding heavy footsteps had caused the ground to shake and she offered encouragement before realising it was me. We said hello and I plodded on.
I was pleased to finish in my own assessed time of 23.14 which would have been about 157th. My PB for 5k is 20.47 but that was a long time ago! After the race I bumped into a load of old friends who have taken up the race. My best pal when I was was a youngster in Inverness was Andrew McKay and we're still great friends some 40 odd years later. He finished in a PB but he is a young man being 2 days younger than me!
Of course then I had to cycle home. I started the journey and realised that setting off with no breakfast or even a glass or bottle of water was stupid but on the way home my other schoolboy error caused me more concern. I had forgotten to take a change of top. I was sweated and standing around after the race I'd got quite cold. I couldn't warm up. I should have stopped and got a tea and something to eat but getting home became a massive priority. The last few miles were torture and the wee climb from Crossford to the main road seemed like Everest. When I got in Danielle was brilliant and made me some food and a cup of tea while I thawed out in the shower.
It's been a restful weekend apart from Saturday's efforts and I'm looking forward to the week ahead even if it looks like the snow might return tonight.
I've shifted 12 pounds since the New Year and the 18 pack is down to a 12 pack and I'm sure that Derek was right when he suggested I'd be stronger for training whilst heavier as I'd benefit when I started losing it. Not a training regime I'd recommend all the same!
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