Haddington Half Marathon 12/8/06
Click here to see an animation of the route as run by Douglas and recorded on his gps device
As we got into the car in Edinburgh we were disappointed that the heatwave seemed long past and all that warm weather training was not going to be put to use. By the time we got out the car in Haddington however, the weather had reverted to the traditional warm afternoon that Haddington seems to get most years for their half marathon.
A good few Porties turned up for this championship race (good to see Marc racing for the first time in a while) though the fairer sex were under represented and only just managed a team of 3. Bert turned up but due to injury wasn't running. Instead he drove round the course with his daughter and her pal cheering on PRCers and taking all the action photos at various points en route.
At the start line I saw Donald Naylor and Phil Mowbray (and a couple of other brown shirts) and realised that was the male team prize dealt with. The sun was shining as we set off along the road that turns right and goes up a steep hill to get us warmed up nicely. Along and down to the first mile marker in 5.39 and I was feeling much better than the previous week when I struggled round the Gas 10k. I find the later start much more preferable and there is something about this rural course that works for me. A couple of miles in and Bert and co. were cheering us up a hill.
As we came up the hill at about 3 miles, the view of Traprain law across the yellow fields was greatly uplifting and typical of the route; a large oval round the East Lothian district, along the sunny backroads, between burgeoning fields. Marshals kept us right at every turn and there were regular water stations - essential on such a warm day. Martin Ryan (1st over 50) came past about 3 miles and we chatted a bit about his impressive performance in the Edinburgh Marathon - another warm day. He forged ahead the same as last year but this year I failed to catch him on the long downhills from mile 5 to 6. This part of the course runs down tree lined roads and offers a welcome shade from the sun.
Alex Jackson was standing by the seven mile mark shouting encouraging things. We had also run past a parked myRace car but there was no sign of John Owens taking photos until a couple of miles later. About 8 miles and I began to feel the pace. Kenny appeared alongside and we exchanged a couple of words. I was wondering where he had got to, but for his first half in a while he was pacing himself. During the next few miles he moved steadily forward. I felt I might be flagging and was wondering whether I'd be seeing Keith who has been going very strongly on Wednesday nights. At 9 miles there is a short sharp hill. Bert was cheering on and taking photos here which made it pass quicker. Then towards 10 miles I seemed to rally and found myself going past a couple of runners including Phil Mowbray, who was encouraging people as they went past. He was obviously having a bad day rather than myself having a particularly fine day. I heard later he had cycled to the event and so had perhaps run out of energy in the latter stages. It did occur to me that if he dropped out we might be in with a shout at the team prize.
The miles zipped by as Kenny disappeared ahead. I wasn't immersed in the usual torture of the last couple of miles dragging out, but quite enjoyed the warm weather and the comfortable pace. After the long gradual slope up to the water station at 12 the rest is downhill into Haddington. This forces a faster pace and by the time I turned left into the last road it seemed a long way to the field entrance then round the last couple of hundred to the finish line. Nobody was close enough in front or behind to necessitate a competitive sprint which was a relief. It was only after crossing the line that I saw it was Kate Jenkins behind me. First Lady, she has been having a very strong year racing (and winning prizes) nearly every weekend.
The sunshine made it a pleasure to hang about watching the rest of the runners come in. Good medal. Good showers. Enjoyed all the post race banter. Karen Young made the prizes though both teams just missed out on the team awards by narrow margins. Initially they tried to give PRC men the teamprize case of beer but we asked for a recount and it was found HBT had won it. As a gesture they passed on a half a dozen cans. Thanks HBT.
A good day out.
Report Peter Buchanan
View From Further Down the Field...I'm glad that Peter had such a nice comfortable time but maybe some words are due from further down the field.
I'd mentally airbrushed the course since I ran it 2 years ago into a bit of a hill at the start and then nice flat rural roads to the end. Haha. I knew the heat was liable to be an enemy but it seemed cooler than usual so I thought the heat would not be too much of a factor. Haha again. Race excitement and then the stimulant effect of Bert and his merry band's cheering probably set me off running too hard. Also I knew there was a Gala Harriers lady on my heels and I was keen to shift her if possible. Checking my HRM I saw I was working at 94-95% of Max early on. This really isn't a sustainable effort but I get buoyed up by waves of optimism and think, well maybe...anyway its fun running hard when you still feel fresh. Miles 5 to 6 running slightly downhill in the shade of trees was terrific and then I started paying for my early enthusiasms.
Wobbly roads in the heat and the relentless sun. Others starting to creep past me and not having a response. Feeling sick so's drinking is a risk and at the same time knowing that drinking is crucial. Hanging on in there. Thinking “Oh God don't let Bert see me like this”.
Douglas drew even and then went past round about mile 9 I think. I remember feeling puzzled as it seemed to be raining around him. It took awhile to figure out that he was pouring water in his hat and then putting it on and that was causing a spray of water droplets around him. Backwards I went. Then at mile 10 the Gala Harriers lady (who turned out to be Ruth McCann who I chatted to in the Edinburgh to North Berwick race) said to me “You're doing really well.” I felt that (a) I wasn't doing well and (b) she shouldn't be able to talk if she was trying hard enough! And from somewhere I found the energy to pick up the pace once again. Mile 11 a camouflaged figure on a bicycle started shouting at me with the voice of Sergeant Henry. It was a shame. I was trying to use tactics as taught to me by Bert, of catching people and then resting on their shoulder for a minute or two before moving on. I had just caught up to this chap who I'd been targeting for some while and was about to enjoy a rest when the Sergeant bellowed “Keep working, keep pushing, all the way to the end!” That flushed me out of hiding and I went on past. I could feel my needle going further and further into the red. (This is a metaphor - I don't have a needle.) So ...I kept running. It was very uncomfortable - what can I say. I got past everyone who had got between me and Douglas but never got to the man himself. I could see him on his home sprint as I came into the field at the finish. I was proud of him and proud of myself to finish 30 seconds later. Glad I sneaked in under 1hr 42 mins.
Douglas flies over the line with Mary in the background
Thankyou so much Bert, Bert's daughter and friend (sorry I don't know your names) for coming out and supporting and shouting me on. It really made the day!
Report Mary Hunter
Photos Bert, Mary, Peter
Results hereKenny Leitch 1.21.13
Peter Buchanan 1.23.37
Keith Mayfield 1.25.18
Scott Hutchison 1.26.30
Marc Thomson 1.28.40
Jim Scott 1.29.34
Scott Jarvie 1.29.54
Tom Watson 1.30.37
Karen Young 1.33.32 (2nd LV)
Paul Eunson 1.34.34
Douglas Young 1.41.31
Mary Hunter 1.41.57
Werner Kittel 1.46.19
John Forker 1.49.38
Zoe Leitch 1.49.38
Paul Edwards 1.49.47
Zoe on her first Mars Bar!
And yet more....here is the way Sergeant Henry saw it and his photos below
Vue de mon Velo
Haddington Half Marathon on a sunny day. I really enjoyed watching this one. I have hated the last two Edinburgh Marathons as a spectator and what a difference 13.1 miles make. Nobody in any serious problems with only Mark the Shades and Paul Edwards looking like the first 4 miles had taken their toll. My own theory on running is that we can run up to 18 miles, anything above that and the body does not like it. So you all did really well with good times for the course. Nice to be able to give Chairman Mao a bit of verbal. Watch the fees go up. Osaman looked a bit younger (hiding in caves will be the next fad) and Tom Watson needs to get off his sun bed and get running. Star turn was Psycho Mary. As you can see from the photos how to pass two runners in 5 secs, I thought she was going to win it, sprinting two miles from home. None of the Logan tactics 2 miles from home please, just go for the jugular. Allez PRC
Report and photos Graham Henry
