A great day was had by all the local runners who took part in the above Half Marathon today. Some great times, but I will let those runners tell you about their sucesses. For me, I thought that it was a great chance to get a good time under the belt. I just wish that I had stayed in Dumbarton last night, rather than the 5 a.m. start that me and DJD had.
I was unsure how to run this one---go out, guns blazing and try to hold on----or take the conservative approach and ease my way through the first eight or nine miles and go for the big finish. I went for the former---plugged 1 hour 35 mins into the Garmin "Virtual Partner" and set off,
First mile was always going to be fast 6 mins 40 secs, pretty flat with a wee bit of an incline. The next six were going pretty well--still under 7 minute mile pace and a third of a mile ahead of Virtual Hector 47 mins through mile seven
Saw a friendly face, or should that be "back" about 50 yards ahead, Kevin Scally, and thought that I may soon be up alongside of him. Not to be---Kevin's pacing was spot on and he went away from me, as I started to struggle with the pace. People were now passing me---not good for the morale.
8 miles came and I heard a voice on my shoulder saying "You,ve come a long way today". I was wondering if this was in my head, cos I had felt that I was running well. A guy passed me ---we chewed the fat for about a hundred yards. He had been reading "Campbeltown Running Club" on the back of my vest, and thought that he would gee me up a wee bit.
As he went about ten yards ahead he told me to watch out for the hill at mile nine. It wasn't a hill, more of an incline but enough to put a tired man through about a minute and a half of torture.
Pace slowed a wee bit to just over seven minute mile pace, but it felt a lot slower. The lead on "The Wee Man" was reducing to about 0.3 of a mile.
Time to just dig in, get the head down and try to hold on. Past mile ten---70 mins, but slowing. After eleven heard another friendly voice "How's it going Rab" It was Madscotsbloke's brother, CRAIG!!. A real nice bloke who was heading for a great time, and had got his pacing spot on. He looked strong as he strode away from me. "I wish I had ran with Craig, I thought" I had spoken to him before the start, but he wasn't sure what time he was looking for. I knew he was on a good one.
Another uphill to the 12 mile marker, but nearly home. Tired, I hit the home straight and managed to hold off a late challenge from a woman from Garscube Harriers, I think.
Time-------------------------------------------------------------1 hour 33 mins and 24 seconds. Delighted!!!!
MSB, Craig's time somewher in the 1.32s
14 mins off his PB. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Rab