Edinburgh Forthside Half Marathon 1/04/07
I started running last January and the ‘forthside half’ was my first ever race, except the time I won a bottle of whisky at the Danderhall Gala day, circa 1979 age 7.Since a year had passed and a few more races under the belt, I was very optimistic that I could look forward to a faster time.
After last years fiasco I think every one was curious to see if the ‘forthside half’ would sink or swim. There was even talk of how far you could throw a chipped trainer to cross the finish line if it was crowded like last year. However I am glad to say that I had no problems with the organisation from start to finish this year.
The race is an out and back, from ocean terminal to Crammond and back along the coast. The weather looked like being great, anything I think would have been better than the ‘Alloa wind’.
The start was well organised with areas for your predicted finish time well sited. I stood in the 80-120 min and was glad to see a few more Portobello vests huddled together. This is when Amanda said that she was not sure if she shouldn’t be further back, the same Amanda that got a 1:28 a new PB by 4 mins I think.
The first 3 miles felt great 6:30ish, so I thought that I could push on a little. This is when I caught a glimpse of what looked like the back of Bert……. How could this be, he said he didn’t have a number, would Bert run under a different name… Say it ain’t so! Sure enough 2 miles later I managed to pull up along side him where he commented “How did you know it was me?” After a year of running behind him I think that I could spot him in a crowd.
It was Bert that pointed out that there was another Portobello vest in the distance. Two miles and a few hair pin bends later it turner out to be Wilie Jarvie and for a brief two miles along the water front I thought that there was a chance of catching him…. however.
I had managed to keep my times under 6:20 even managed a 5:43 but this was when I got the message from my body “keep pushing and I’ll hurt you!” With Janet’s mantra “you gota listen to the body” ringing in my head I managed to keep the same pace and distance but never had the ability to push. The last mile seamed to take an age…. Not sure about anyone else but the GPS did give me a distance of 13.30.
Rounding the last corner and seeing the clock at 01:24:20 made me determined to do a mad dash for the sub 1:25. I got a new hard earned PB of 1:24:34 and managed to take a massive 34 minutes off last year.
They say a lot can happen in a year…. Guess they were right.
Report Scott Ferguson
...distance was spot on, great day, great weather...
Bert, who ran under another alias
"I'm a celebrity get me out of here...."
Warning do not feed the animals! (Captions (and photos) supplied by Lynn)
April Fool
P**s Poor Preparation = P**s Poor Performance.
1.35.27
Alan Aitchison
What a difference to last year's Forthside Half. It was much better organised this year with the "village" across the road and away from Ocean Terminal. Could have been more toilets but with the chip it didn't really matter that I was still in the loo when the start gun went off. The route was well manned and, although I didn't use them, there seemed to be sufficient water stops. The route was much better this year and the bit added on to make up the mileage was three sides of a square instead of out and back the same way. I love the bit at Silverknowes before you go down onto the prom as you get to see the runners just in front of you and the ones just behind and sometimes manage a smile or even a greeting! It was a gorgeous day and I was glad to have Alex follow me around the course to shed my extra layers and my gloves.
I had digested the course map so knew exactly how the race ended. Last year I was quite disappointed to turn the corner at the end of Ocean Terminal only to see runners disappear into the distance in search of the finish line and knowing I had to follow them. This year it was much better although one of my friends thought there should have been a countdown in metres at the end - can't keep all of the folks happy all of the time I guess. Goody bags consisted of the usual flyers and, of course, the medal, and a little tub of vaseline, a packet of ginger biscuits and some nuts. There was a choice of lucozade drink too and, unlike Paul E. I was given both lucozade and water. I would have loved a free massage that was on offer but the queue was too long. All of the Porty people I spoke to seemed to have a good run and seemed to be pleased with their times. Lots of pbs. Alex tried to get photos of as many Porty runners as he could see vests but wasn't out early enough for you speedy people - sorry about that! Yipee! Spirits boosted, I got a pb. Huge thanks to Christina who 'pulled' me round. Actually, she just keeps talking to/at me and I can't wait to get finished to give my ears a rest (only joking C, as well you know!)
Report Sandi Bomphray
Better all round!
Having been scunnered by last year's Edinburgh Half, as this year's drew ever nearer I couldn't help wondering: "why have I entered?"
The 13.1 mile distance is one I have never run well. Indeed, this poor record means I have only done 5 compared to 12 marathons! It's invariably been a case of going off too quickly and plodding home for the last 2-3 miles. This time I was determined to finish strongly.
With my training partner (Tom) 'out' over the winter, my long weekend runs have been lonely and this, coupled with work and refereeing commitments which have denied me Wednesday training, meant that I had little idea what shape I was really in. Fortunately, I was able to attend last week's training and reserve coach - Gerry - put us through an excellent Bakery Hill session.
So to the start line - sandwiched between the brothers Jarvie.... daunting... both in great shape. Set off reaonably steadily - unlike Willie who was so quickly away I couldn't even run in his slipstream!
The weather was ideal - quite cool and a slight breeze behind. All the way to half way at Cramond and I felt strong, maintaining a 6.20 mile pace. There were always a few runners at the same pace whom I was able to work with/against.
Through the industrial estate and, at the front of a group of 4, I was aware of a madman on a bicycle heading towards us shouting and snarling...... as he got closer, I realised it was Graham. He had recognised me and my Porty vest and was doing his usual sergeant major, 'don't-you-dare-go-any-slower' routine. This spurred me on to up the pace for the next 3 miles.
As I approached Next Generation, I was now running by myself for the first time - the incentive being a few runners ahead of me.
Nearing the end, I was sure there would be a couple of double-back-on-yourself sections (last year's course still vivid!) but no...... a finish time of 1hr 20 mins 6 secs (a PB by over 5 mins) could have been better if I had done my homework on the finish. However, very happy!
With it being April 1st, I also expected someone to pop out and say, "Only joking, the real finish is round the corner!"
Delighted to see the times of Willie and Scott and Sally's PB was a smashing effort.
Alan Aitch has a big race time in him - he's in the best shape I've seen him for some time - keep going mate!
Thanks to all Porty supporters (and madmen on bicycles) around the course - the shouts certainly helped me along the way.
To Tom, my training partner: delighted to hear how much better you are and I am looking forward to our non competitive(!) training runs VERY soon.
Report George Salmond
I was treating this as a training run for London Marathon and was hoping for a decent time, but wasn't going to get too hung up about if it didn't happen. Having felt strong at Alloa with my sub 7m/m for the first half, I had the confidence to try again and push it for longer as the conditions were much better. I tried to keep Amanda in my sights (so that I could shelter behind her if the wind picked up), but before long she had pulled away. I knew she would have a fantastic finishing time, and I was not wrong - well done Amanda!
Anyway, it was great to have so much support from the club along the route, thanks to all who still remember who I am and cheered! A special thanks to Sergeant Henry, although I'm sorry to say I didn't quite manage to obey his instructions of sub 6.30 m/m for the final 2 to hit sub 90 finish time. I will try harder next time.
A much better organised race than last year, so I gather. My only grumble would be the man in charge of the massage tables in the female changing tent. He could have at least positioned his chair to face the other way!
A PB by 3 mins...happy with that, and the 'bonus' of now being 35 put me 4th in my age category.
Report Sally Scott
Man of the match Paul Edwards took his pb down to 1.31.35. Very impressive.
How many legs?Photos Lynn Hanley and Alex Bomphray
Full Results Here
