The UK has been enjoying a mini heatwave for the last week and I hoped it would ease for today and it looked promising as we drove from Glasgow to Edinburgh at 6am ready for an 8am start.
By 8.30 however, the sun had burnt off any mist or fog and it was turning into a glorious day. Decision to run with a hydration sack and not rely on water stations vindicated ;-)
The last few weeks have been really busy, both at home and at work. I was getting stressed that my preparation had taken a back seat and nerves were starting to set in. The fact I didn't receive my race number until last Tuesday was positively freaking me out! Not a good sign.
The positives were I was still putting in 3 good runs a week, 1 interval, 1 tempo and 1 long steady run - averaging 35 to 40km per week. I'd also lost half stone in weight and was feeling physically strong.
An additional boost was that my fundraising had reached the halfway point with over £1000 raised so far!
A couple of weeks earlier, my wife had decided (on the Friday night before) to run the Glasgow Women's 10k on the Sunday. No running training to speak of but plenty of aerobic exercise through Zumba, the kids and I followed her into Glasgow to support on what can only be described as a very cold and wintry Sunday. She completed it, dressed as a 'rainbow' in 1hr 15mins - no mean feat considering it was a last minute decision!
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| 'Cheerleaders' |
My last week before the run itself saw me train on Monday and Thursday - 2 short interval/tempo sessions of 5k. Saturday was a complete relaxtion: took the Harley out for a spin in the sunshine, sat in the sun in our back garden, cooked a pasta tea and drank plenty of water throughout.
I packed my bags, got the girls breakfast sorted and had an early night.
Up at 5am this morning, quickly had my Herbalife F1 shake and drank 500ml of water on way to Edinburgh. In my hydration sack I had 750ml of Herbalife Prolong to sustain me throughout.......can tell you now that in 20 degree heat (for anyone overseas reading this, trust me, this is a heatwave in Scotland!) I needed at least 1.5l so its no surprise when I ran out at about 9miles.
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| Before heading to the start! |
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| Starting right at the back.... |
I'd originally estimated my finish time as 2hrs 45mins when I entered in October 2011. I was aiming for sub 2hours today having run two practice 13milers in last 8 weeks and both just under 2 hours.
My realistic goal was to finish under 2hrs 15m.
But starting in the last pen with those whose sole intent was to have a 13mile walk/talk was going to make it difficult!
At 2miles I was starting to find my stride and the crowd was thinning a little - but not enough.
Why do people put unrealistic finish times in their entries and then just hold everyone else up?
At 4 miles it was starting to feel good. Nice cool breeze coming in from the coast as we moved onto the coastal part of the route, crowd thinned, great views and not too warm.
A mile later I was struggling. Legs stiff, mind wandering, heat building so I took on more fluids thinking I was starting to dehydrate.
At 6 miles I got a morale boost with some familiar cheerleaders (Lauren and Georgia) shouting at me - had to dash over for a Hi-5!
The next 7 miles were a challenge. Between wanting to give up, running out of Prolong and then for the last 3miles getting cramp in both calves and then my left hamstring. At every water stop I'd throw half over my head and drink the rest and take an energy gel (i'd carried spares just in case - fortunately)!
At 2miles left, I decided to push hard and see what it did to my time, but cramped up after 500m. Slow down and keep pushing. Then as the last 500m appeared I thought to myself 'bugger it, whats a bit of cramp? If you can do the next 500m there'll be some 1st aid to help at the end!' so I stretched my legs and pushed hard.
The feeling of overtaking people who are on their last legs pushed me on further and by the time I hit the finish straight, I was flying. The crowds were cheering like mad and I tried to go faster. Tried being the operative word because I don't think I generated any more speed!
A quick bit of refuelling with another Herbalife F1 shake and we walk to the car where I have a little snooze before heading out to Erskine Home (about 60miles away) for the annual charity motorbike meet.
Rest day tomorrow, then back into training as have a sprint duathlon in 10days time, followed by a 5k fun run 4 days later with the kids and just 3 months before the big one, Scotland Coast to Coast, 105miles, 2 days! Let's hope its a bit cooler then!
Big lesson from today.........7 months ago I entered this race and would have been happy to finish in 2hrs 45mins. Today I'm disappointed because I hit my revised target and didn't go 15mins faster. Why is that? Did I enjoy myself today? On reflection yes I did and that, combined with over £1000 raised for Veterans has to be more important than a finish time ;-)
