Drowned Rats

With the schools being back the junior section was bursting at the seams again tonight.

It was pouring with rain and the kids often loose fitness through the summer so I took my pack out for a gentle 3m run along the canal and back. It gave them all chance to chat and catch up with each other.

I love running in the rain and despite claims to the contrary the kids seem to love going home like drowned rats too!

The advantages of not being a high sided vehicle

I think I was putting off my long run this week. I was a wee bit worried that my legs just weren't going to hold up to the distance. I then ummed and ahhed over the route until finally I managed to get out of the door!
I started out up Stockiemuir and felt surprisingly good. Legs felt ok and I began to feel more confident.

For a complete change I ran out along Drymen Rd through Hardgate and Duntocher. At this point I was still planning the route! I thought about heading back down the Great Western Rd, or Going down through Clydebank and along Dumbarton Rd but decided on the Erskine Bridge. I have not run over it before. I had an idea it was about 5 miles away....knowing that the Clyde tunnel is 5 miles away too I figured the distance the other side of the Clyde must be 10? A neat 20miler?!

I marvelled at the view and avoided being blown off the bridge-one of the advantages of not being a high sided vehicle.

As i got to the other side I realised my plan was a bit off as the bridge itself is a mile long...I also realised that the only road or route I know on that side of the river is the M8 (OK for high sided vehicles)

So I did a u-turn (another advantage as HSV's aren't allowed to do that on dual carriageways) & ran back over and appreciated the view again.

I then dropped down and ran through Glen Lusset (a teeny little green glen beneath the concrete bridge supports) along the road a bit to join up with the canal.

Back on familiar ground I ran along the canal, making a new plan to join the Kelvin at Maryhill and follow it back to Garscube then home...I think that would have made the mileage but as I was coming along the canal I realised that my time was out and I would have to cut the run short to be home for the kids at 3. I cut up at Next Generation onto the switchback and made my way back via Canniesburn,Milngavie Rd, Kilmardinny Stockiemuir Ave.

I had forgotten to take my water with me, left it on the kitchen counter (duh), so it was a test for the SiS gels to see if they really do hydrate as they claim....the answer...I need the water too. I think that if I had done the full 20 I would have had to stop and beg some water from somewhere...I was so thirsty by the time I got home. Probably wouldn't have made the distance I did without the gels though!

It was not a very fast run but my legs were fine and held up well to the distance.

17m-2:28:15

Plaque Pics!!

I wouldn't usually post pics of medals and plaques but the Manx ones are great. Check them out!!

Saturday six

Ran 6 reasonable steady. The band has a gig tonight and so I made my milage by running to help set up at Killermont Bowling Club. As it turned out it was there open day and the only band member there when I arrived was lead singer Ewan who had managed to volunteer himself as the 'wet sponge' man! It was worth the run down there just to see the 'sponging' take place!!

Drymen,Maryhill to Arnold Clark, Round the back road past Killermont Bowling Club, round the houses and then back up Milngavie Rd, Kilmardinny Loch and Home.

6m-52:07

Training Ten

Didn't manage to fit a run in yesterday. Today I took advantage of the fact that Lucie and Cody were occupied with a 'Pony Day' (that's where you pay lots of money for your kids to learn 'Stable Management'-cleaning up Horse S*** to you and I) and went out for the planned 10m.

I did feel tired today, legs were working but really felt the pull on the hills. I don't think I could have gone any faster!!


Route:- Drymen, Maryhill Rd, Queen Mgt Drive, Grt Western Rd, Switchback, Drymen, Ski Club home)

10m-1:25:42

4m recovery

ran 4 Recovery, Usual route. Legs felt ok and not too tired.

3.73m-33:14

Race Report

Well I am back. I just barely survived though!!

The IOM half was just about the toughest race I have ever done!!

We had driven round the course the night before and I had been relieved to find that after the 'hill' at 4 miles it was indeed undulating downwards back to Ramsey!

As it turned out the first 4 miles were the best. The weather seemed ok at the start, overcast with the hint of rain. We set off along the prom and up the first hill!

I am not sure when the first rain started, but I didn't mind that, it was refreshing. I puffed and panted up a few hills toll we reached the 'killer hill' at Bride. Still I felt I kept going planning to make up the lost time on the long undulating route back.......

As we turned back towards Andreas the wind had other plans. For the next 5 miles I felt like a rag doll being tossed about in the wind, it was battering me from all directions (except behind!) and it was a tussle to propel myself forwards let alone with any speed. I could see Roberts Garscube top ahead, he was doing well and still looked strong as I began to loose the fight with the wind.

Only just managing to hang in there I turned onto St Judes road, which in the car looked flat. It turned out to be a Drymen rd type of flat with extra hills and ramps to punish the already tired legs!

At this point it felt like everyone in the whole race was overtaking me and I was completely powerless to react!! What's more the sun came out!!(you know how I love that!)So by the time I got to the stadium I felt like I had experienced all seasons and looked like a scarecrow as a result of the multi direction wind.I don't think I fooled anyone by my attempts at a 'strong finish'.

Usually when I do a race I manage to get a pace and fall in with similar ability runners, in this race everyone was everywhere!!

I ended up with a time of 1:49:52. It was a lot slower than I had hoped for but given the course and the weather an average of 8:20mm wasn't too bad. I was further buoyed when I discovered I was 13th woman overall and 3rd in my category...so a 3rd place plaque for the shelf:-) I guess everyone was finding it tough.

It was a great training session too and plenty to draw upon in the tough moments of the marathon!!

Robert did really well with an official time of 1:46 54th overall and 4th in his category.

Just to be sure I haven't put anyone off the race was really well organised, the scenery brilliant, the Manx friendly AND there is a fantastic spread at the end where everyone compares their experience;-)

Me in the very flattering race tee-shirt!