Great Winter Run 5.2k 14/1/06
I nearly swore off 5ks after the last one but Mary thought
we should give this one a go, so we took the long way to the start line
in order to warm up and put some miles into the days running. After
a good warm up I checked my bag into Dynamic Earth. Approaching the
start line we filed through the crowd who were being 
aerobicised.
Here's a tip if you are leading an aerobics class in front of 500 shoulder
to shoulder runners. No star jumps. The second downside of the aerobics
was it left a pod of big-boned keep-fitters at about the sub 20 minute
mark on the starting grid. Clearly they would form an obstacle when
the race started but were too unfamiliar with race protocol to move
back to an appropriate start point. I felt a marshal should be out there
with a bull horn as this happens without fail at every race with more
than a couple of hundred fun runners present. I tried not to let it
rain on my parade and squeezed through to the surprisingly small elite
field at the front. There seemed to be less than 50 hard core whippets
there - a small number considering over 1100 would finish.
Another ubiquitous scene at these gatherings is the
pre-race speechifying-by-local-worthy which can only be heard by the
15 closest runners. This gives us time to set our watches and drift
off into a reverie before the air-horn goes, we wake up and we're off
to run round the same route I've probably run more than a couple hundred
times in the last 6 years.
The weather was spot on as we ran past Holyrood and
the fields from which they would later televise the cross country. Bright
with very little wind and the sun drying the tarmac
.
The first k took us to the end of St. Margaret's Loch where the dreaded
second k began. The hill didn't seem too bad and although a few places
changed as we ran up the steepness from Meadowbank car-park, I arrived
at Dunsapie less out of breath than I expected. Amusing placards were
posted along the route. By now the front runners were out of sight -
probably finished - and the field began to string out into single file.
A very light breeze had met us at the top of the hill but was short
lived. At the 3k marker I decided to try and distance myself from a
grunter who was in full song. And the first lady who was doing a fine
job. The grunter in fact obliged, by leaving me in his wake. I think
I may have swapped places with the first lady a couple of times. But
soon it would be the down hill...
I always enjoy the sight of the castle appearing as
you come round that last corner above the Innocent Ra
ilway
tunnel. Today it marked the end of the uphill. Soon I was flying down
the long curve, feet only occasionally touching the ground as I skimmed
past several runners. As the roundabout punctuated the sweep down I
slowed up then took off again. According to my watch I did this downhill
K at the same pace Ms. Radcliffe does a 10k. It felt great until just
about the 5k marker when the road levelled out and I realised I had
traded all my potential energy for kinetic, and would now have to work
the last .2k. As I hit the wall the first lady zipped past,
closely followed by 2 other gents who obviously hadn't been trying hard
enough earlier and were now racing for the line. I probably picked up
the pace out of embarrassment but made little impression in the sprint
finish department.
I barely stopped at the line, but went and got my bag
and camera to record any PRCers I could find in the crowds at the finish
line. As we gathered
I realised I had really enjoyed the buzz of this local event. The goody
bag, (no medal) and long sleeved t-shirt, were pretty good. I was tempted
to try and eat the pasta and sauce cold, while watching the cross country.
Nobody yet has said it was good value for money. At
about a fiver per mile I could be the first, but then I was paid in
by Mary who knew I would balk at the price. Also, when the results came
out they showed I was 17th overall and third mv40 which means there
should be an envelope stuffed full of tenners on the way. At least I'm
hoping that was why the entry fee was so high. It can't have been because
they had to close off the road round the park as they do that regularly.
(Ben said he might do a couple of laps later in the day and save himself
the best part of £40.)
Also making an appearance today was the bro.
A potential PRC recruit, Neil has had a mixed running career and is
making a comeback following a knee operation. As an incentive to run
today Mary laid down the gauntlet. To her relief she 
managed
to come in ahead of the bro. but for how much longer?
Peter Buchanan 19.44
Scott Hutchison 21.09
Paul Eunson 21.49
Mary Hunter 23.35
(Neil Buchanan 24.14)
Teresa Cleary 28.34
George Quinn 30.39
Full results here
Report Peter Buchanan
Photos Peter Buchanan, Lynn Hanley, Andrew Jeske, Ben Kemp,
ps Having spoken to Willie he let me know that last year when he won
a prize it took weeks to arrive and when it did, it was not an envelope
full of tenners, nor indeed anything worth the wait...wonder why the
race costs so much then?
there were also some other races in the
park today...
