Had
dington Half Marathon 13/8/05
The heavens opened while we were registering in the marquee in Neilson Park. This made something of a change - the last 2 years have been sunshine strong enough to melt the tarmac with water-stations giving away bottles of bath hot water. The rain stopped in time for a couple of miles warm up - I was trying to run out the aches from a hard weeks training. Lynn (in Gordon's absence) had been cracking the whip down the golf course on Wednesday evening - though doing it back to front was a nice change from the usual. Then a run in the Pentlands on Thursday. But sometimes a hard week can produce results.
The course was still wet as we set off round the pleasantly rural route, past fields and farms along quiet undulating roads. Actually not all that quiet. My racing shoes squeaked annoyingly on the wet tarmac. Happily this stopped as the roads dried. I set off at a good pace and could see the leaders for a while. I felt comfortable with the pace but wondered if the week's mileage would catch up before the end. About mile 4, I was overtaken by Martin Ryan from Perth Road Runners; always a strong competitor. Shortly after that I heard footfalls and breathing that sounded more female. She ducked in behind me as we ran an exposed section with a breeze, though within the mile Trudi Thomson (Pitreavie) drew out alongside then eventually overtook. We then came to a downhill mile between 6 and 7 and to my surprise I took back both places, running the mile in 5.17 going by the markers. To temper my delight I was then overtaken by the eventual 1st vet who stomped past myself (and later another racer enquiring whether they were also a vet. Talk about eyes on the prize.)
I managed not to give away any more places till just before mile 10 where the road takes a right bend up a short steep corner. First Local went past just as the road began to rise. I said “Well done,” as I do to everyone who goes past (vet or no) from half way on. He replied something about waiting till we got to the top of the hill. I didn't quite hear and said “Sorry?” He had to repeat his sentence while we struggled to puff up the hill and I realised I'd made him work quite hard to get past. Feeling the relief of getting to the summit with a descent ahead I opened up and took the place right back. I had also heard 2 or 3 sets of feet running close behind and perhaps Willie's breathing. I had had a chance to get to know this sound last year as he ran just behind me for about 7 long miles and was expecting similar this time. Or worse. The sun came out for the last few miles. I forced the pace but after the downhill section First Local came past again. “You again,” I said. He replied something about the next 3/4s of a mile being tough. I was tempted to ask him to repeat this information, but instead focussed on my breathing rather than talking. He pushed ahead and gained maybe 50 yards on the up-hill, before the road levelled then swept down into Haddington. I wasn't so much trying to catch him as not get caught by those behind, so I pushed as hard as I could (still expecting Willie to come sprinting past in the field.) I went past First Local in the last 100 yards, to finish just behind an HBT, who came 2nd vet.
Unexpectedly - on such a hilly course - I ran a pb by about 15 second
s. I was thrilled by this and even the miserably cold shower failed to dampen spirits. The PRC women won the team prize. And Shelagh won an age category prize. There was a great turn out from Porty, and after such an unpromising forecast, it was good to see the sunshine. In a change from the usual t-shirt or medal we were given what appeared to be silver ashtrays as we crossed the line. Another special moment was the eventual appearance of John Forker who was modelling the portobello sun bikini.
Peter Buchanan 1.20.54
Willie Jarvie 1.23.29
Scott Jarvie 1.30.14
Tom Watson 1.30.36
Karen Young 1.36.09
Robert Henderson 1.39.25
Shelagh McLeish 1.39.25
Alan Aitchison 1.39.59
Sally Scott 1.40.04
John Hill 1.43.14
Douglas Young 1.52.28
John Forker 1.54.11Full Results here
Report and photos Peter Buchanan (and a passer-by who took the team shot)
