The Ramsay’s do Ballater 10 Mile Road Race 26/07/09
First up Emily.
Hailing from Peterhead coupled with the fact my brother (sister in law Lindsay and gorgeous 2 year old niece Mhairi) live less than 10 miles away from the start line what better excuse did I need to sign up for the Ballater 10 mile road race.
My last race was the tropical Edinburgh marathon, so with a forecast of heavy rain and 15 miles per hour winds I felt like I was going from one extreme to another. However, when the gun (or rather the roar ‘GO’) sounded, the heavens were yet to open.
The first part of the race was a ‘lap of honour’ around the park and in front of the presentation “stage” which was full of ‘divits’ as us locals say (holes to the non doric) and I nearly tripped in one right in full view of the crowd. But, I regained my stance to ensure I kept my dignity in front of aforementioned family.
As we headed out of the park and into the woodland I realised that this was the first time since I had taken up running about 5 years ago that I was racing on home ground. The scenery was fantastic, the air was clean and apart from the inclines the route was near perfect. I say near, as there was (and I’m sure it was strategically placed) a never ending hill slap bang in the middle of the course. That being said, I pushed on, picking off as many of the competitors as I could using the incline as ammunition against them.
I reached the 8 mile mark at 1:02 and I thought to myself if I can keep this pace going I might just get home in under 1.20. So with determination I drove on, pushing all the way and picking off a few more competitors en route. By around 9.5 miles I could see the finish line and more importantly my cheering family which spurred me on more. This made me sprint for the last section (as can be seen in the angry-faced photo) and with all my might I crossed the line at 1.17.58.
This was a great run, with excellent organisation and I would thoroughly recommend it.
Bringing up the rear (as always) Jim.
Knowing the route was “undulating” with one “bitch” of a climb in the middle didn’t exactly fill my heart with joy, although I knew the couple of sessions I had done with Bert's group would have gone in my favour. That being said I was still filled with the dread that I may actually be last to finish.
The weather was damp, dreich and miserable. Ideal for me who prefers the cold to heat when racing. The route was (as described) undulating and I spent my entire race ‘reclipping’ the runners I’d previously ‘clipped’ who’d subsequently overtaken me on the hills. Although, I must say this was the first race I’ve run where I aggressively caught them up again all thanks to Bert's training. Beforehand, I’d have just let them overtake me, and beat me. My account goes a bit like this: hill, another higher hill, a longer hill, a hill a bit like Arthur's Seat only steeper, yet another hill with a water station, a final hill like Corstorphine. The end.
I almost managed to hold onto my ideal 9 minute splits (although I must have sounded like an asthmatic budgie) and crossed the line in 1.30.40. With 31 competitors crossing the line after me I didn’t do too badly.
Report and photos, the Ramsays
Results here
