Yesterday was an unbelievable day in every sense. This was the sunniest day without a cloud in sight. The race followed the West Highland Way route from Milngavie (north of Glasgow) to Tyndrum which includes going along the side of Loch Lomond which I have never seem more beautiful. As expected my Garmin watch gave up before the start so I had nothing to judge my progress. I went off too fast but had to stay up with the group as it was easy to get lost in the beginning
The first leg was only 12 miles but cross country with lots of uneven footing. A previous years winner tripped, required 10 stitches and had to retire. Another runner was airlifted out with a suspected heart attack after stage 2 - I'm sure the heat was a factor.
I was happy with my time of 1hr 40 mins but felt a "cheat" as people congratulated us as we went past thinking we were fast but this is in comparison to the "ultra" runners that were completing the 53 miles on their own so therefore taking slower. I was amazed at the age of a large majority of the ultra runners i.e. 40 + and they came in all shapes and sizes. It made me think what a wimp I was being knackered after 12 miles but then I had given 100% knowing that was the finish, for me. Being part of a 4 man team was great as we all mucked in support each other through the race. Finished with fish and chips and headed home for a "wee dram" to send me off to sleep. Rest day today, back training tomorrow as the etape 81 mile bike race is only 2 weeks away!
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good to see you on Saturday - the Fling relay is a great event may give the full thing a shot one day when I start upping the distance again. Interested in the MIS problem as I ran my first race all be in a 5k parkrun without my watch a couple of weeks past. The run to feel was interesting and in fact I was 5 second faster from the previous week. Maybe less weight!
ReplyDeleteHow good was Saturday - Scotland at its best. Taking my garmin in tomorrow to get it fixed as racing or training with no info isn't fun. Our relay team came 7th out 37 which wasn't bad considering 2 out of the 4 team members were pulled in at the last minute! Quite fancy the full thing but it will need to wait until after MDS in 2013. Catch up for a ride soon? Are you doing the etape?
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