Edinburgh to North Berwick Race 5/05/07
Well, here we go again, another PB and a prize too!
I have run this race every year since 2001 and have always wanted to win a prize. My previous times have ranged 2hrs 51mins to 3hrs 12mins back in 2001, so there was definitely a bit of work to be done
to achieve the dream. Today, somehow I did it. I'm not sure how, having had no recovery whatsoever since London Marathon. This week alone, I clocked up over 30 miles in the 5 days prior to the race.
Not ideal race preparation, but it seemed to work somehow. I did feel that there was a definite lack of the usual faster females this year, but I'm not complaining!I decided to have another crack at the 7m30s/mile pace, after struggling in London from 15 miles and falling behind. Today, everything went well. I managed to maintain just below 7m30s pace all the way round. I only ever saw 3 ladies throughout the whole race,overtook one within the first 5 miles and overtook the other 2 around Dirleton. My legs we so tired, but the mind was clear so I just gave it everything I had, pushed the pace a little, and managed a 'sprint' finish to finish in 2hrs 44mins.
I was absolutely over the moon, as not only did I find out I was 3rd lady, but I had achieved a 7 minute PB just 13 days after running a marathon and with no recovery time at all. The icing on the cake came
at the prize giving. My heart sank twice. Firstly Graham Henry told me I had been disqualified for listening to music, for a few very long seconds I actually believed him (stupid). Then, when the prize for
3rd lady was announced, it wasn't me but my friend Vicky who was behind me. Oh dear :o( Then, 1st lady vet was announced and it was me (the only advantage I can think of, to being old)! Wow, much better than 3rd lady. First ever trophy for me and in my favourite race. I couldn't be happier.Thanks so much for the support of all the Portobello club members along the route, it really helped.
Report Sally Scott
Photo Alan AitchisonThese "special" photos just in from Tom.
I quite like this - there's certainly no mistaking Ricky.
What time is it asks John - time for knee length socks says number 47
Sally only just visible
Only 13 days after London, was 22 miles going to be too much? I wanted to make up for London but I really didn’t know how I would cope. It didn’t help that a few days before the race I had to go to the Doctor as I was worried about my hearing. The Doctor asked what the symptoms were so I told him they were a cartoon family on Sky One!!!
The Sergeant told me he would run with me as he was recovering from his ultra and would encourage me when I was struggling. If he can do 22 miles a week after doing 53 I must be able to get round.
The conditions seemed good and there were plenty Porty runners so I was feeling good at the start. By the time I was half way along the prom I was running on my own and I thought Graham must have changed his mind but there he was waiting for me at the end of the Prom. We went through 5 miles on target, feeling ok. At 10 miles the sun was getting warmer, we were still on target. At 15 miles I was on target but I was now struggling. On the way out of Gullane I started feeling a bit better, just a runner without a number passed me (who would do such a thing???). Direlton and not far to go but I knew I had lost a lot of time. At 20 miles I still had a chance of a PB. Graham was now barking at me and as I got into North Berwick, Scott Hutchison was roaring at me, I gave it my all and stopped my watch at 2.53.02, ahh!! 3 seconds short of a PB but I was happy.
It was great to see Portobello winning prizes but better still for me was when the results were put up and my time was actually 2.52.55 (PB).
I don’t think I would have managed without Graham, just a pity he’s not running Edinburgh Marathon.
Alan Aitchison
Mystery runner on left hopes dark glasses will work as disguise
More blurries10th Willie Jarvie 2:26:28
18th Ricky Fraser 2:33:02
19th Scott Ferguson 2:33:07
33th Sally Scott 2:44:45
38th Jonny Blake 2:47:18
39th John Bogie 2:48:00
59th Graeme Henry 2:52:52
60th Alan Aitchison 2:52:55
74th Richard Dennis 2:56:49
81st Paul Edwards 2:58:01
85th John Pringle 3:00:06
107th Christina Hussell 3:09:30
Support / marshalling too many to mention - but thanks to all.These before and after photos from Ricky
Well done to Sally for her prizewinning performance and Willie, Ricky and Scott for 2nd team.
