Alloa Half Marathon 19/3/06
Did not enter the Alloa Half Marathon because it is one of my favourite races but because I am a creature of habit! My training has seen better days and I wasn't sure how I would run so, with lots of cajoling, I managed to persuade my training partner, Christina, to run with me. She doesn't usually do anything under a marathon!
We set off too fast - when will I learn! I foolishly thought I could maintain the pace as Christina was with me but, burning the candle at both ends and a night on the town last night with one or three drinks, conspired against that. Christina came at me from all angles trying to keep me going - distraction tactics, softly softly approach, a bit of humour then resorted to bullying!! After a few tears - possibly timed perfectly with what seemed to me like the only flat part of the race - I stepped up the pace again. I did tire at about 6 miles but managed to keep going by looking at the snow capped hills, responding with a smile and a thank you to those who had turned out to support. It was good running weather if not a little warm when the sun came out. I cannot comment much more about the actual race conditions etc. To be honest, I didn't really notice as my legs were struggling and I was just about managing to focus on putting one foot in front of another from about 10 miles on. By the way, I cut the string with Christina as she was in great form and straining at the bit at 10 miles. She galloped off into the sunshine - forgetting about the hills to come I think. I hadn't! I think I will need to speak with Rab about "meditation on the run". He's good at that.
My ever supportive husband, Alex, followed us round the course and snapped 37 photos. Only the select few were sent to Peter as most of them confirmed how much I was struggling - I was almost bent double! (note to self - sign up for the "Yoga for runners class")
I was never more glad to see that 13 mile marker. As I came into the finish line I spotted the clock "1hour 52mins ...secs"!! I was amazed. I did about 1hour 53mins ...secs last time. Now this is what I don't understand - where does that spurt of energy come from that gets me to the finish? I went for it, determined to get over the line before the clock clicked to 1 hour 53..........phew! made it in 1hour 52mins 44secs and, yes, Alex took a photo to prove it. However, that one you are not getting to see because my bum looks huge!!!
Report Sandi Bomphray
Richard also sent in his report....
"How long do you have to train to be able to go downstairs the day after a race without pain (or indeed, at all)? Alloa wins much kudos for the speed with which it publishes its results (see below), and its fleet of school buses on hand to ferry runners to and from the car parks - though it receives none for the sexist nature of its minimalist goody bag: men got just a medal and a glass of water - the ladies got flowers! (sparking a terrible but groundless fear that it was Mother's Day). Was the Monday pain worth it
First race of the year, and in sp
ite of snow in the car park and looking lovely on the Ochils, it was on. There were 600 finishers, and I suspect rather more starters, and it was a tad cramped round the early bends out of the school car park. I set off in the shadow of Paul Edwards towards the back, and we accelerated through the fun runners in the vague hope of glimpsing Peter and John disappearing - but we never got close. The first miles flew past in an improbable 7:42 and 7:50, and I was hanging onto Paul's shoulder. We caught up with Sandi hiding behind wrap around sunglasses just after mile 2, and we were still flying - the sun had come out, the birds were singing..... then the first "hill" arrived between miles 4 and 5, taking us back to a nine minute mile, and it was hard work from then on. Somewhere in between miles 6 and 7 I lost Paul whilst squeezing through a ruck of slowing runners in Tillicoutry, and I think briefly got in sight of Mary (but if so, not in a club vest!). Miles 7 to 11 run along the main road at the foot of the Ochils - great scenery, but an endless straight piece of tarmac stretching out in front. I can imagine how hard this would be if the wind blew, as apparently it usually does - but for us it was getting positively warm in the sunshine. I remember passing at least 4 water stations, which were well-manned if using irritating plastic cups I couldn't get the hang of.
At mile 11 you turn a corner and head back to the start. I'd been warned there was a big hill coming at the mile marker, and was pleasantly surprised when it was just a steep sided bridge over the railway. Then I turned another corner..... It was still only perhaps 200 yards steepish uphill, but it took its toll, and the last mile was my slowest - didn't catch anyone with my "sprint" finish. Paul turned out to be just behind me, having been there for the last six miles (training tip to self - remember to look behind you!).
I reckon I've lost about 5 minutes over the winter - not bad given the lack of runs of 10 miles plus in my rather lazy approach to training - and this was a good benchmark for both main goals for my season: Edinburgh-Berwick, and the Heb 3 - talki
ng of which, anyone want a lift to Barra (race is 1st July) or Harris (8th July) - and thanks to Paul for driving us through the first miles so quickly (taking 13 minutes off his last year's time in the process).
report Richard Dennis
Portobello finishers:
Peter Buchanan 24th 1:21:02
John Pickard 70th 1:27:58
Mary Hunter 195th 1:39:36
Richard Dennis 292nd 1:46:54
Paul Edwards 296th 1:47:15
Sandi Bomphrey 373rd 1:52:31Full results here
Photos Alex Bomphray, Peter Buchananps... Mary and I turned up also mainly out of habit, but took advantage for the first time in four years of the free pool entry after the race. What a great way to warm down - and we had the pool to ourselves, despite the 600+ sporty folk milling around the finish outside. We then also found the WRVS cafe (in the school building) for the first time which gave us the strength to get back to the capital in one piece. Just one question though, why do they hang the "start/finish" sign up back to front every year?
Also, Mary would like to refute any suggestion she ran for a while without her vest on.
