Edinburgh half-marathon 16/3/08
Mary's report
Amanda, Ben, Peter and I shared a taxi to the start of the race. We'd thought of various ways of getting there and that seemed the least problematic.
In the days preceding we'd watched the forecasts closely as the wind cruelly threatened to turn from several months of predictable westerlies to a stiff east wind for the race. As it happened the wind turned a day early and was pretty much due east on Saturday so by Sunday it was a north-east wind which would blow into and across us for most of the race.
While en route to the race in the taxi it also started to rain. Something we had not even thought of!
As we piled out the car onto the pavement into the stinging icy rain (not a waterproof between us) and jogged down the grim grey road to Silverknowes (grey knowes) and looked across at the (grey) Forth which looked more like the North Sea, Peter complained bitterly, Ben strove to be positive, Amanda was too cold to say much. I tried to fight off the thought that I would much rather be in bed.
At the start there was an open-sided shelter thing where a crowd had already gathered to shelter from the rain. Pinched looking miserable faces looked out.
Amanda and I went to find the ladies' changing. Not that we wanted to take any clothes off - it was just something to do. There we found Sheena (she hadn't thought it might rain either) and also Sally Scott.
Sheena was thinking anything under 1hr40mins would do. (But we all knew Sheena is due a big half marathon pb so this estimate was cautious to say the least.) Sally was saying she just couldn't find her pace for the Smokies 10 miler a couple of weeks ago so she was hoping for a better race. Looming large on her horizon is the London Marathon in which she'll be setting off with the elite women.
The baggage lorry turned out to be at quite a distance from the start of the race so I went out to find it. Back out in the surly wind and rain I found a resolute Scott F. who joked that those of us with more body fat would withstand the cold a bit better. We went up to the lorry and left our stuff. Then there was nothing to do but keep moving.
There was a huge long queue for the loos so some of us chose to get closer to nature and go in the bushes. Returning from the bushes I met Jill Morrow. Then I had a run around on the grass with Ben. Then got lined up at the start.
No matter how much I tried to tell Sheena and Amanda that they should be moving further up the field they wouldn't do it. I planned to tuck in right behind them. As it was they stayed behind me. So it was 42 seconds until I crossed the blue championchip mat. I started my watch when the hooter went off and the crowd started to run and then walk again so the best I could do was take a note of the time when I crossed the line and try to factor this is in.
Anyway. I was just behind Sheena for a while and Amanda moved away at a conservative pace (I could see her orange hat for quite a long time). My original plan, before the wind went wrong, was to set off at steady 7.30 pace and then if I still felt alright by 8-10 miles, try to raise it to get a pb. (pb 1.38.38). I thought I might as well start with this plan and see how it was working with the wind etc. I found I could keep 7.30 pace going more or less (I did 4 miles in 7.29 in a row then crept up to 7.33, 7.32 ish). Most of the route is very familiar as we go out for long runs this way sometimes. There is something quite desolate about the road that runs from Granton square out to Cramond. It always feels like the kind of place where crimes get committed. You wouldn't be surprised to find a dead body dumped in the long weeds in the industrial wasteland. Ordinarily young guys in souped up cars drive this road too fast, or lorries, also driving too fast kick up dust into your face as you run so it was nice to have part of the road free to run on. Into Granton through to Leith provided some relief from the wind. I regularly run this stretch as part of a faster loop. Its usually quite enjoyable as you get a tail-wind! Never mind. Quite fast along commercial street. You usually have to dodge people at the bus-stop and nighttime revellers in Leith.
Then we were heading out towards Porty. Truly dreading this stretch as it gets a lot of exposure to the elements although I think the coastline turns South a bit at this point. In any case, the prom wasn't as bad as I'd thought it might be. Still, to my surprise, turning out 7.30 or thereabouts miles. Also, now there was added in the warmth of some local support. Some people shouting because my vest says Portobello, other people shouting who do know me. A big shout from Alan Aitch. A big shout from Tony Stapley. (Peter later told me Tony “helped” him by telling him it was only pain he was feeling). A friend with his baby who I haven't seen since before the baby. I didn't realise who it was until I was past. Ian and Gillian calling me a fanny provided some light relief. I saw Ben Carter and family just before Musselburgh and did some clowning for them as Ben was such a star in the cross-country and acknowledged every piece of encouragement. The stretch between Portobello and Musselburgh starts exposed and then there's some really quite good cover until turning onto the harbour. I am really looking forwards to getting onto the road behind the houses in Musselburgh until I see to my horror that we're being directed out onto the super-exposed front. Hell's teeth! As I thought I was going to be sheltered I'd stopped worrying about having someone in front to provide a wind break so I was out on my own with the wind pushing against me. Thankfully we turned inland again pretty promptly and then it was just a push for the end. Kerry was just over the bridge shouting encouragement. I was tempted to sprint but scared to in case it was too soon. Round the corner and the finish was coming up so I managed to get past perhaps three girls in the last 4 seconds. It was only once I'd stopped my watch that I looked at the cumulative time. I hadn't wanted to know while I was running in case I got my knickers in a twist about it. Better just to aim at knocking out steady miles, so I'd had the garmin showing my average pace for the mile and distance since last mile and nothing else. I stopped my watch at 1.39.01, so by my calculations that'll be a pb of about 20 seconds. I'll be more sure when I see the results. If its not a pb it's the quickest run I've done in 2 years so I'm quite pleased with that.
Round the corner I saw Scott Balfour with a smile on his face. Top vet triathlete and friend of Jim Heneghan. After not being around on the Scottish road running scene he seems to be making a come-back and I believe beat Peter. (The first time Peter got past Scott in a race there was jubilation in this house. “I beat Scott Balfour! I beat Scott Balfour!” That was several years ago, but proving its never over til its over Peter might have to try to pass that marker again!)
I found Peter. People who know him will know what kind of a mood he was in. I found a philosophical Amanda who I think was just glad to be finished. At 1.30.50 it was not her best performance but it was a good performance on a difficult day. Paul Edwards did what is becoming his usual and breezed past Amanda late on, legs moving twice as fast as anyone elses. There was a smiling and relaxed Shelagh McLeish who is enjoying quite a return to form, who I believe ran 1.34 and was in before “young ones” Sheena and Sally. I didn't see Sheena but I'm guessing she did well and would do even better on a better day. She certainly seems to be getting quicker and quicker in training sessions.
Sally had had a miserable race. She'd had a niggle in the front of her ankle right from the start line and while it wasn't bad enough that she couldn't run it also wasn't right and after she'd stopped it seized up. We (probably unhelpfully) immediately asked her why she'd run. It being a point to point she'd already loaded up her baggage before the start so she didn't even have her keys to get home. Seemed easiest just to run. With London so soon she was understandably worried that it's a serious setback. Hope not Sally. Sometimes rest is just what you need before a big event.
Scott Ferguson and Scott Hutchison had both run pbs and as they are both set for running London things are looking good for great performances. I believe Bert ran well coming in about 1.27. I'm not sure about the Jarvies except I know Willie beat Peter. I almost forgot Ben! I believe Ben knocked out a predictably good 1.19 and given that due to work pressure he's finding it hard to find time to train at the moment it bodes well for the year to come. Hot on his heels (2nd Porty) was Moray Paterson who went off hard from the start and arrived at the finish in the region of 1.21.
Maureen was disappointed coming in about 1.45. It was a rotten day Maureen, next time...
The cold got too much for any more milling around and Scott F. kindly offered us a lift home so we left. My next challenge was to try to not eat all the chocolate covered shortbread that I got in my goody-bag. Rather sadly I'm thinking that its nearly certain that I could run faster if I was a bit lighter. Bummer.
We recognise that hair.
I believe there were other star performances but I'm not sure about them so I'll have to leave it to someone else to tell you! Thanks to Stan, Lynn Hanley, Jim Bruce of Stornoway runners, Jim Scott and Louise Finnie for sending in photos.
Report Mary Hunter
Sally's report:
I felt no pain at all until the race started. My right foot was sore with every step as soon as I set off. I felt like I needed to click it back into place, but never quite managed. I thought about pulling out, but with nobody at home and my keys, phone and money heading to Musselburgh, I soldiered on. I resorted to running on the edge of my foot and the pain eased slightly. I was annoyed because I felt so strong and never felt tired at all (probably because I was running at my marathon pace) although the pain was definitely slowing me down. As soon as I crossed the finish line, I couldn't put any weight onto my foot at all. Red Cross iced it for 20 mins and strapped it up. At this stage, I couldn't wiggle my toes, but that soon eased. I hobbled home on the bus, feeling very miserable and sorry for myself. With London marathon only 4 weeks away, and making the elite team for the first time, I was almost in tears at the thought of not making it. The pain got worse, so I went to A&E for an X-Ray. It showed nothing, but then stress fractures don't usually show up that soon. I saw my physio today who manipulated the metatarsals and ankle joint. He is quietly confident that it might not be a fracture, and may have been a locked joint nearer to the ankle, aggravated by the persistent pressure prolonged over the race. Only time will tell. I will be devastated if I can't run in London, so I'm resting as much as I can which isn't easy in my job!! It was great to see so many familiar faces, and I wish I could make it along to Wed training sessions more often. Hopefully I will be sending in a race report from London next month. Fingers and toes crossed (if I could move them!).
Report Sally Scott
3 miles into the race and I peakedPeter's review....
THE GOOD:
About as flat and fast a course as you will get. Accurate distance according to a gps and the nearest to a hill was the ramp at the end of the esplanade, up and over the bridge before the Cat and Dog Home and the bridge at Musselburgh. Despite the headwind several pbs.Championchip for accurate timing. Well organised (started on time) and a handsome medal. Reasonable t-shirt and goody bag, with elastoplast (see bad).
Baggage lorry carrying your stuff to finish. (Also see bad.)
Ben does his Jeff Goldblum impression
Moray working the crowdFree bottle of lucozade at start. Lots of water and Lucozade on the course. On a warmer drier day some of it might have been needed.
Nice wide course at start to avoid congestion.
What with all that headwind making me run like a sack-of-whatever I got to see far more clubmates than usual, all of whom were really sympathetic as they passed.
144 not grossly happy. Thanks to 3189 from Bella - I used him mercilessly as a windblock for the first 4 miles before pulling ahead then later dropping behind.
First lady 0/40 - well done JillScott Balfour went past me in the last half mile. (He is over sixty.)
Delicious tin of Green&Blacks chocolate shortbread in goody bag.
Crossing the line with a smile and a happy heart.
THE BAD:
9am start. Meant rising 5.45am to eat breakfast at 6am. This is the middle of my night. I arrived at the start line overwrought and weary. And I only had to come from across town. This gets a big thumbs down.The wind really ruined the day. Every day for the last 100 years the wind has blown Cramond to Musselburgh. Someone upstairs must really hate the organisers. At least the rain stopped.
£24! These days that's an airfare to most European destinations as opposed to a taxi fare for your rucksack 10 miles, a bottle of juice and some biscuits.
There were a lot of ugly miles en route scenery-wise. (Luckily the wind was making my eyes water too much to see it. Alright I admit it, I was crying.)
Should've worn long socks under that championchip band. However the organisers anticipated this by putting an elastoplast in the goody bag.
Baggage retrieval was an unusually cruel jape to pull on thousands of tired and windswept runners making them have to climb over mountains of blue rucksacks to find their blue rucksacks. I'm sure there are still some there now, back out with torches.
Scott Balfour went past me in the last half mile. (He is over sixty.)
Delicious tin of Green&Blacks chocolate shortbread.
Shelagh passing on her crown of thorns for most complaints after a race - to me! Surely not?
AND THE UGLY:
Would I do it again? YES! If the prevailing wind was blowing this would be a cert for a pb and sadly I would pay £24 for the chance. The fact that a few windproof souls managed pbs anyway attests to the user friendly course, although I really disapprove of such mainstream events in principle. In fact any and all races that play chariots of blinking fire over the pa at the start. 1981. Get a flaming life.Report pb
Man of the match: Moray; who may have been absent from Wednesday nights of late but hasn't been skimping on the training. Go Moray! Also Jill for winning first o/40.
Name
Rank
Gun Time
Chip Rank
Chip Time
Cat. Rank
Category
BENJAMIN KEMP
25
01:19:44
25
01:19:38
15
MSNR
MORAY PATERSON
41
01:21:47
41
01:21:44
26
MSNR
SCOTT FERGUSON
46
01:22:28
49
01:22:24
7
M35
GEORGE SALMOND
49
01:22:29
45
01:22:13
8
M35
WILLIAM JARVIE
53
01:22:43
54
01:22:38
6
M45
SCOTT HUTCHISON
62
01:23:21
63
01:23:16
13
M35
JILL MORROW
66
01:23:46
66
01:23:35
1
F40
PETER BUCHANAN
73
01:23:59
74
01:23:52
7
M45
STUART LOGAN
114
01:27:26
114
01:27:06
4
M50
PAUL EDWARDS
168
01:30:46
175
01:30:31
26
M40
AMANDA HENDERSON
183
01:31:33
182
01:30:48
6
FSNR
SHELAGH MCLEISH
284
01:35:09
291
01:34:38
2
F45
SALLY SCOTT
297
01:35:29
308
01:35:12
8
F35
SHEENA SUTHERLAND
307
01:36:05
311
01:35:19
17
FSNR
MARY HUNTER
423
01:39:01
428
01:38:15
12
F40
ALAN AITCHISON
652
01:44:09
677
01:43:09
96
M40
ROBERT KINNAIRD
653
01:44:12
617
01:41:44
105
M35
CHRISTINA HUSSELL
760
01:46:40
827
01:46:11
15
F45
DOUGLAS YOUNG
788
01:47:08
814
01:45:52
8
M60
KATIE BLAKE
822
01:47:43
868
01:46:57
69
FSNR
AILEEN ROSS
829
01:47:55
798
01:45:36
18
F45
ERIC FOSTER
1090
01:52:38
1077
01:50:04
45
M50
FIONA MAYFIELD
1097
01:52:45
1092
01:50:25
36
F35
TOM WATSON
1246
01:55:12
1233
01:52:38
49
M50
KAREN MUNRO
1331
01:56:22
1239
01:52:40
50
F40
SANDRA MURRAY 1634 02:02:03 1611 01:58:23 43 F45 MIKE TODD 1801 02:06:32 1821 02:03:46 49 M55 CATH WEBSTER 1901 02:09:32 1880 02:05:51 31 F50 LOUISE KAY 1987 02:12:35 1975 02:08:54 68 F45 STANLEY TRICHARDT 1988 02:12:37 1987 02:09:19 53 M55 (some names don't quite match the faces!)
Photos: Many thanks to all the supporters (PRC and otherw ise) who lined the route shouting encouraging things in the horrible weather. Particularly Jim Scott, Louise Finnie, Stan, Lynn and Jim Bruce (Stornoway) for sending in their photos.
Also see roadrunpics for comprehensive coverage.
