Kirkcudbright Half Marathon 26/05/07
Great day, great run, some hills, some rain, some sun.
Report and Photos Katie Blake. Extra photos Jennie Willies
Douglas's day out...
I had run the Kirkcudbright half four times before and each time came up
with a time of 1:37, so this time I was planning a repeat performance.Katie Blake decided to run the race, taking her daughter Sarah with her and
leaving husband Johnny in Edinburgh to enter a zen-like state of preparation
for the following day's marathon. Kerry came along for support and to look
after the wean for a while by way of practice. At the start line Keith and
Fiona Mayfield turned up - on holiday in the area and looking for a bit of
exercise. I had forgotten my club vest, an improvement at least on the time
I forgot my shorts and discovered there was no sports shop in town. A pair
of hastily sewn-up tartan boxer shorts had to suffice. They looked like
something Willie Murray would wear under his kilt on a Sunday, but at least
I didn't draw the attention of the local constabulary.The weather was perfect with a hesitant sun and a light, cool breeze so all
was set fair at the off, taking the long, flat curve around the estuary for
over four miles until a hairpin bend and up the hill. This goes on for
another four miles until the village of Twynholm, and after a steep run down
and then up, onto a flat plateau. Unusually, I had overtaken a few people
up the hill and now began to take back a few places I had lost. Checking my
watch on the long fast descent I realised I was in for a good time - even
under the 1:37.Alas, it was not to be. The moment I hit a slight rise after coming off the
hill I could feel my legs buckling. Even with a light breeze behind me and
on the flat, I managed to drop exactly a minute per mile over the last three
miles, coming in at 1:40. Keith finished briskly in 1:27, Katie 1:46 and
Fiona in 1:52. Next year it will all be different.Report Douglas Young
If you close your eyes you're bound to drop your egg and spoon
