Sir Chris Hoy Edinburgh Half Marathon 18/04/10
First in was Bob Still's report
After almost two years at the club - and one since my first club race - I thought I was overdue to write a report. So without any more procrastination here it is.
I arrived at he stadium, only 10 minutes walk from my very comfy bed - I was cold and slightly damp. The start had been tweaked this year after a bit of a shambolic effort last year. And to be fair it was slightly better. We were penned into different areas of the inner field at Meadowbank, and let onto the track as our pre guessed times showed. Having missed mid week training with a mild dose of the runs (how appropriate!) I wasn't sure how many Porties had forked out the starting fee. However there were a fair few huddled together for warmth.
It took a few minutes to get through the start - and I was in the second pen - so some of those with slower times must have been just starting as the leader was hitting Leith links. A chilly first mile was meet with an even colder one as we got onto Seafield Rd, and the smiling faces of a few non-running Porties cheered us on at the Prom (thanks guys, it does make a difference).
Moving of the Prom and heading towards Musselburgh was more than bit familiar (to the extent that we could all run this bit blindfold…) and the wind made itself felt.
On over the Esk, and I felt pretty comfortable and tried to push on a bit. I got to the 6 mile mark - where the road splits to accommodate those runners heading past in the opposite direction, but thankfully no one went the other way till about 8 miles. Even then he was so far in front I was looking to see where he had put his bike......
Getting into Prestonpans I started to see a few Porties heading back (well done Mr Jarvie - I would like some of what you are having in your tea) and tried to cheer them on. At 10 miles we turned - thankfully this year they had kept it on the flat - no small hill to climb up. I dug in again and pushed on - or let the wind push me.
At 12 miles the legs were tiring a bit more and the rain was starting cause a bit of chaffing (ouch). Noticing those runners who were just at their half way mile mark as I was nearing the end always makes me want to yell encouragement. Running thirteen miles in 1.30 must be simple compared to those put the effort into 2.30 plus. Which brings me to the point of this report.
Two years ago I was running close to two hours, and thanks to the club, the coaches, the members - their encouragement, advice, knowledge and good humor I finished today in 1.32. A bit cold and with a few blisters. Thanks to all. (Particularly those who have to listen to my jokes). Oh - and my ever patient wife who walked six miles in the rain to bring me my kit - that must be love.
So - here's to the simplest, greatest, most egalitarian sport in the world. And a nice wee club. Cheers Porties - keep on running.
Report Bob Still
Next up is Willie who had a great run despite the weather...
It comes to pass when an experienced road runner decides it is time to give something back and they consider the coaching path. This is something I’ve turned my hand to in the last few months and with ‘real’ coach Gordon missing from Wednesday nights due to injury It’s been my task to fill in. Lately I have qualified as a Level 1 coach and am trying to pass on some advice to clubmates. One of the golden rules of coaching advice is don’t over-race. So I’m afraid that piece of advice comes in the “Do as I say, Not as I do” bracket as today’s Chris Hoy half marathon was my ninth race in as many weeks.
It was my first time for 4 years doing this race and the chance of a flat, fast course made me save up and invest a few months savings on the entry fee. As well as that I made a promise to myself that after this week I will take a break from racing before the inevitable injury. The last 9 weeks have seen a bit of a return to form for me and some of the race times I’ve managed have surprised me as I thought these days were distant memories. Anyway I lined up on a wet, cold morning at Meadowbank looking forward to a run on ‘home’ territory. Myself and Marc tried, without success to warm up with a number of laps of the Measdowbank track. Arms were frozen in the icy wind and rain. As the race started I felt stiff and frozen for the first ½ mile but soon the downhill section of Lochend road saw me find some sort of rhythm. I found myself in a group of runners maybe top 30 in field and settled in trying to remember that today it was a half marathon whereas the 2 previous weeks had been 10k’s and I should adjust my pace accordingly. I felt O.K. and the group split up slowly and I tried to go with some of the faster runners even though the pace felt a bit sharp. Nice to see and hear Janet at Seafield at 2 and1/2 miles and this encouraged me as I went down the incline onto the familiar (for me) Portobello prom. Some of those in front seemed to slow a bit on the prom and I found myself moving up a couple of places. More encouragement from spectators along the prom and I kept a good pace through to Musselburgh. Saw Johnny (sub 3 marathon man) at the Quayside and I think I caught him by surprise as he whipped out his camera. (hope you got a photo, Johnny, Sorry I didn’t slow down). The wind seemed to come and go but as I was running faster than I usually do I thought it must be mostly behind so I’d better push on and get some time in ‘credit’.
Passed the race course with the lift from the crowds and by the time I hit 7 mile marker my watch told me I was on 42.03, just 3 seconds over 6 minute mile pace. As I haven’t run this fast for a good 7 years I just hoped the wheels weren’t about to come off with a spectacular demonstration of how to crash and burn! A guy at Foreman’s gave me a shout that I was 14th place and that was most welcome as I had been trying to figure out how many runners were in front of me. The next section for me was O.K. as I was gaining on the runner in front who happened to be the first female, Sarah Jarvis. I think I took another mile till about 9 miles before I passed her as she was still looking strong. As we neared the turning point at Prestonpans (10 mile) I thought maybe this is my limit and I should keep running to Port Seton and jog back the top road and nobody would notice. (Better than slowing to walking pace as thousands of runners stream past me). Anyway, before I knew it I’d turned to head back and to my surprise it was like somebody turned off the wind machine. No excuses now, I’d better get the head down and see what happens. The next 18 – 19 minutes are probably the reason I decided to write this race report. I felt as if I must have had an unfair advantage on the rest of the runners heading homewards with the amount of encouragement I got. There seemed to be a Porty supporter every ½ mile cheering me on as well as the Porty runners giving me great encouragement as they passed on the other side. I can’t put into words how much this recharged my tiring limbs and the adrenaline rush I got from hearing my name shouted at what seemed every 100 metres helped me storm that section from Prestonpans to Foremans. Thanks to you all and apologies for not having the strength to acknowledge all the support. The last section was that well trod path between Foremans and the race coure finish and I knew I was on course for getting near my ‘dream’ target time of 78.36 ( 6 min miles pace). Crossed the line as the clock showed 78.35 so hopefully my chip time will squeeze a few more seconds out. Moray wasn’t far behind so who knows what time he could have done if he hadn’t done the Paris marathon last week. Michael had another great P.B. of 81.24 and Marc ‘jogged’ in preparation for next week’s London marathon in 83.38! There was so many PB’s from other Portobello runners that I don’t want to mention some in case I miss out someone. Hopefully other reports to come. Well done to all Portobello runners for some great runs. These coaches must be getting something right! So, well pleased with today’s run and any sensible person would now know that it is time to take a rest from races so if anybody sees me racing in the next few weeks and getting that deserved injury please show me this report with the words “Wise up, you old fool.”
Ian's report
Somewhere over the Rainbow.
BANG! I usually reserve my aerial assault to the last 100m of a race, however sometimes you’re just not in control. I thought this seeing sky beneath my feet as I somersaulted through the air. CRUNCH! My right shoulder took the first impact, and THUD! My knee took the second. I seemed to roll over onto my feet and spun round quickly, leaping over my bike. ‘If I’ve got any broken bones pal, then your running the Edinburgh Marathon’, I yelled restraining myself from kicking the offending car door, realising a broken toe was probably worse than a broken collar bone, as well as any legal implications of my deliberately reckless act.
‘The X-rays shown that nothing broken or cracked, you’ll just have a sore arm and shoulder with the muscle strain. Keep the arm in this sling on for 5-7 days, take the painkillers, and work on these physiotherapy exercises. Running? You won’t be able to do that with a sling, and you can forget swimming and cycling cross training either. Don’t worry it won’t be too long.’ Too long? How long is that I wondered?
Anyway, how do a feel on race day, over a week later, a sports therapy massage and a couple of physiotherapy sessions to boot? Fairly crappy, and a sore ‘hangy’ arm. It’s not got much movement past shoulder height and the muscles feel ‘articulated’, a somewhat alien feeling. This was further qualified with a call from the RIE on Friday afternoon, letting me know that they’ve spotted a ‘chip’ on my shoulder (not metaphorically either) and could I come into the Fracture Clinic on Monday? Great. I did ask whether I could go running (distance and pace omitted for clarity), ‘As long as it’s not too sore’ was the reply. But how sore is too sore?
I’ll be finding this out very shortly.
Had a really terrible sleep on Saturday night, saw 1am, then at 2am, a ‘concerned’ 8 year old Dr Who viewer wanted to discuss the semiotics of the episode ’Blink’. Then at 5am the other Lark ascended so I gave up, and got up. I opted for cycling in, which provided me a weather insight of rain, and a chilling headwind, with a dusting of volcanic ash. As I pedalled onwards, getting wetter, and colder, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, played through my head, having ‘heard’ (read ‘been subjected to’ ) the CD about three times yesterday. Was I Dorothy getting caught in the storm?
Considering the ‘race’ (read ‘Mass Participation Event) was lamblasted in the reports from last year, it was well attended with circa 20 PRC’ers.
I quickly grew accustomed to the sleepy warmth, comfort, chatter and company, but were soon cruelly ejected outside into the elements. I have to say that it was a fairly miserable experience and the words ‘There’s no place like home’ drifted into my mind, to be abruptly ended with the starting pistol.
As I was in the first pen, and got off fairly well, though my Garmin was only displaying my pace so ended up faffing about with that for a bit. In the initial positioning, I passed Jackie, Scott and Mel, and moved up to Marc, who assured me he was going for a 1.35 time. During further frantic button pressing, I saw Mel fly pass, which set Marc off as they both went chasing the 1.25 goal in the eye of the storm.
I seemed to drift on a bit, and I found I got into my ‘vanilla’ race mode again, realising that no-one was around me. I realised that I was ‘enjoying’ the run which wasn’t going to get me anywhere, I needed action. I switched mode to ‘New York Strawberry Cheesecake’ (If races were ice cream, this is a PB)I ran reasonably, and with a bit more focus, through Leith Links, Seafield Road, down past the Cat and Dog, and just at the clubhouse I lost traction on the slippery brick paving, with its the inlaid castle motif , which bizarrely has always reminded me of the Yellow Brick Road. I wondered whether Musselburgh is the Emerald City where all my questions will be answered?
The support through Portobello is always amazing, and I passed a cheering Shery, and shortly thereafter the family: Thea with two munchkins, who were instructed to document the whole event, but left after I passed through, going back to the house to watch a ‘certain’ dvd, being inspired by yesterday’s CD ‘treat’. Retreating homewards, and myself accelerating away, I was convinced one of them pointed at me mouthing ‘scarecrow boy’.
I got a bit more serious at this point, a Perth runner, clearly the Tin Man, leading a small pack, flew past me, and I decided it was time to jump on the bus. To be honest, it was slightly fast for my pace, and I had to work really hard, just to hang in, but I kept on in there. We flew along the prom, past the Burger Van at the end of the prom, and along Seafield into Musselburgh, passing Johnny who encouragingly shouted my current position (114th). In marked contrast to the weather, the Tin Man’s industrious fast pace continued , and my core muscles started to really burn, as did my calves, which were being pushed hard, and felt like were on fire. It was that type of run pace which is just outside your ability and comfort zone, but is somehow satisfyingly progressive, although physically uncomfortable. ‘It ain’t no fun unless it’s no fun’ as I’m constantly reminded.
Mascara beginning to runThe Emerald City Express picked up speed as we tore past the racecourse, the seven mile marker, but there was no way I was letting go. The Pans came up quickly and we picked off a couple of Carnegie Harriers. I momentarily externalised, and remember it being windy, cold and wet, and just wanted the race to be over. The leading field had started to appear in the opposite direction, with some familiar friendly but focused faces. Like the Yellow Brick Road, The Pans, just seemed to go on and on and on. Then at the 10 mile marker the wind magically stopped. At this 180 hairpin turn, the centrifugal force threw me off the Express, and I was released. It was like those dreams when you move in slow motion and are powerless against external events, as runners were sprinting past me like I was stationary. Once I lose, I lose it! What is it I lack in these situations, a brain, a heart, the nerve? Like Dorothy, I really did want to be able to click my heels three times.
This was painful, seeing my work undone, and my legs were just rubbish, I just didn’t want to be here. I stumbled on back through the Pans.At mile 11 Scott pulled up beside me, and heroically rescued me, dragged me along kicking and screaming back into Musselburgh. We were then joined by Jacqui a few hundred yards from the finish. They then went into sprint mode as we went onto the racecourse, as did two flying monkeys behind me, which really was the final straw, being picked off on the final straight. However, I managed a decent enough looking finish with a good scream thrown in for effect.
Passing through the ‘leaflet and t-shirt’ gate (read – goody bag), I painfully glanced at my watch, 1.24.29. So this is how much sub 1.25 hurts? I asked Scott the race time, 1.28 he confirmed. Oh, No! This is how 1.28 hurts? 1.25 can wait, this is unbearable enough.
So 1.28.04, a new PB by two and a half minutes from Alloa. It felt a much, much harder race today. For once I hardly looked at my Garmin, and ran with the pack, which in hindsight probably gave me a better concentration span and much better focus. My average pace was 6.43 min/ mile, with splits of 6.08, 6.35, 6.37, 6.40, 6.41, 6.34, 6.45, 7.01, 6.59, 6.51, 7.01 and 6.43. My Alloa pace was 6.55.
Safely back in Kansas, every muscle in my body is aching, for the first time I understand the ‘legs like planks’ expression. So did the race to the Emerald City at the rainbows end, answer all my questions? In a word ‘No’. For me at least, the more I put into running, the exponentially harder it gets, and the less I seem to understand of this ‘Black Art’.
So where’s Toto? I need to get prepared for the Fracture Clinic tomorrow. Perhaps I’ll keep quiet about running a half marathon today. Give me more of those painkillers, this arm is really, really hurting.
Race Narrative – Ian McMillan
Race Drawing – Beatrice McMillan (Aged 8 but nearly 9)
Race Photostrip – Thea and Greta McMillan
Michael's report...
What a day to race!! The conditions didn't favour anyone, but it was a good race overall. It was great hearing people shout "Go Portobello!!" along the route. Also the turn out of spectactors in such miserable conditions was amazing. I had a PB yet again, although not sure which one as there are two results, chip and gun time. Monika only did 3 pictures as she and wee Greg had to endure those miserable conditions.
I wasn't impressed how the baggage was handled as poor Mel was looking for her bag which was found in male section of the lorry.
Report Michael Nowicki
Jenni's Report (surely not ANOTHER pb?)
On looking out my window on Sunday morning, I could not believe the weather outside!!! So much for spring – it looked and felt like a winter’s morning. It was so so cold.
As we arrived at Meadowbank stadium in plenty of time, we of course headed indoors trying to keep warm until it was absolutely necessary to go outside onto the track to get started. With plenty of porties in attendance, I was feeling well up for this race.
Sally and I had decided to run together, both hoping to beat our pb’s of 1hour 40mins. We had a plan and we needed to stick to. Our aim was to get to mile 4 in 30 mins, mile 6 in 45 mins and mile 8 in 1 hour and mile 10 in 1hour 15min. If we wanted to smash our previous pb’s of 1hour 40mins, we needed to keep our pace at 7.30.
As we made our way round the track at Meadowbank in our segregated pens, we crossed the start line, about 1 minute after the gun had went off. We exited the stadium at the top corner taking us out onto Lochend Road South, which then took us on a good downhill to Leith Links. It was good to see a friendly faces in Amanda and Lynn at this point. It was so cold, as the rain and wind was pretty constant throughout I don’t think I ever warmed up during the race. We then headed along smelly Seafield onto our very own promenade (which had been tidied up pretty well after the storm damage) it was nice to be running on home turf. Running along porty prom was great as there was so many supporters cheering us on, Janet, Joe, John, Ricky, Shery, Gillian, it was great seeing you along the way. Even a runner in front of us commented on how much cheering we were getting. We hit mile 4 in 29.10mins so we knew we were doing well. On passing the Quay onto Musselburgh prom it was great to see Jonny running along side us trying to take a photo! My number one supporter – Mum was also there cheering us on.
We hit mile 6 in 44.05mins, so we were pleased to see were still sticking to our plan!! It was brilliant to see so many people out supporting us in the pouring rain, it was very much appreciated. It definitely gave us a much needed boost along the way.
There was a long drag after the 8 mile marker which we passed at 59.15mins, then we hit Prestonpans and the weather seemed to be getting worse. The winner passed us on the homeward straight, who was a good 5 minutes in front of the rest of the pack, then we started to see our very own porties on their way to the finish, Willie, Moray, Michael, Douglas, Marc, Mel, Jackie and Bert all looking great albeit very wet!! Good support along the streets of Prestonpans which was needed as mile 9 to 10 was a nightmare, running straight into wind and rain, not a pleasant experience. My legs were numb at this point.
It was a relief to reach the turning point and get the wind out of our faces. We hit mile 10 in 1.14.39. With only 3 miles to go we powered on. Sally was very strong and took the lead, I kept her in my sights, but just couldn’t catch her. Ricky and Ian were our like our own personal trainers cycling along side us shouting encouragement at us.
On reaching the home straight at the race course, I could see the clock said 1.37.22 and knew we were going to do it. So I managed to sprint the last 100 metres or so to cross the line in 1.38.04 (13 minutes faster than last year) with Sally in front with 1.37.52 - Brilliant, so so pleased with our time on such a horrible day. We were delighted, we had a plan, stuck to it and it paid off. Our average pace was 7.27!!! It seems my training with the club is really paying off.
We didn’t hang around for long at the end as it was so cold. As I live just along the road a few of us headed back for well earned bacon rolls and some warmth.
A very well done to Sally and thanks for keeping me going – what a great team!! Thanks to all who came out and supported us on such rotten day and again a huge thank you to my coaches and friends at the club for the never ending support and encouragement.
As someone from the crowd shouted out as I passed, “Go on Porty - what a great team you have got” - enough said!!
Report Jenni Owens
"I am just e-mailing to ask you to pass on my thanks to Rachel, who I ended up running with in the Chris Hoy half, for really helping me through to the end and without her I don't think I would finished as strongly!" Colin Noble.
