Linlithgow 10k 25/9/05On the walk across the Tesco's carpark I realised every second car contained folk in running outfits, either rubbing in unctions or doing stretches. I preferred the later start to the race - it makes for a more relaxed day. There was quite a queue forming at Tesco's facilities - more tracksuited individuals. As we made our way to the start we passed the 9k marker. There was a dip just before it I didn't remember from the year previous. Though by that time, I had given up hope of catching Bert and was just trying to hold on till the end.
The Sambalistic drumming group were bashing away good style in the vennel area of Linlithgow High Street as we gathered. The weather was ideal, though not quite as many Porty faces as expected for a club championship race. The race was co
rralled and walked up the street to the crossing where we were to set off. Gerry drew my attention to Lynn Hanley who was taking photos rather than running.
I got a good start having elbowed my way to the second row, then shot off with the leaders, in about 9th place. I counted those ahead as we crossed right, over the motorway bridge. I know this road well as I used to cycle up it to a job in Bo'ness 3 days a week, for the best part of a year, some time ago. I was woken up from my reverie as Pitreavie's Siobhan Coleman went past. This tiny specimen looked like she wasn't out her teens, but she certainly wasn't short of ability. On the next big downhill I overtook her, but she came past again as the route doubles back towards town. I had decided to go out as fast as possible and tr
y and sustain the position. A guy in a yellow vest had gone past in the first 2 k and I tried to judge from the hairiness of his back if he was a vet or not.
Coming back towards town there was a water stop which I benefited from as I had blown dry my mouth from gasping. Lynn was taking pictures and cheerily informed me Gerry was right behind me. Since Gerry is now a vet this news was received less cheerily than it was given. I stomped on and overtook Siobhan on the steep downhill to the loch-side path. She eventually came in first female by miles. A career to watch. (Along with John Newsom who won the race, also well clear of the competition. Pitreavie coaches must be doing something right.) I wanted to get as far up the field as possible as the path, as I remembered it, was narrow for overtaking. However it was quite straightforward to get past 2 flagging runners, so either they've
widened it or I've got narrower. Then the long gradient up the 6th and 7th ks to the farms at the top. I found this section hard going and it took forever to get to the 8k marker. The course turns the corner and heads back down towards the loch again and although it should be a dawdle to zoom down the long hill I remembered feeling bad at this point last year and sure enough this year I felt like hopping over a wall for a seat and an ice cream. Then I heard someone come up behind but not go past. In a change from usual practice I had a peek and sure enough it was Gerry. I was wondering why he hadn't gone past and thought I was maybe going to get kellyholmesed in the last 100 metres.
The downhill let me catch my breath sufficiently to catch up a bit on yellow-vest who had been just visible at an
uncatchable distance for some time. He seemed to be slowing. As the road began to level out we were marshalled through the driveway of a stately pile where a lady doing a good impression of the queen gave us a regal wave. Yellow-vest began to turn right - his instincts leading him to look for a route back to the palace which was off to the right, but I knew we returned to the main street and that 9k marker. Luckily he realised at the last moment and turned left. As we met the road and the small rise, I thought its time to get moving and pushed on past. I felt I stood a good chance of being caught so tried to give the impression of strength and speed. It seemed to be working and it w
as no time before we turned into the palace grounds and there, to my relief, a sign that read 100m to go. I lit the blue touch paper and made such an effort to sprint the last bit that the crowd audibly gasped in horror at the spectacle of an old man thrashing himself nearly to death. Yellow-vest, Paul MacIntyre, (2nd vet) was right behind, though looking quite grey and not terribly happy, and Gerry was right behind him.
I felt I probably benefited from Gerry being on a stag weekend the week prior as the weather for hill-walking was so bad they were obliged to sit indoors and drink. Thanks Gerry.
As the team came in and put on the distinctive red shirts they gave this year, we were joined
by Lynn who had been scaling the palace walls, the better to get some height from which to drop her camera. The photos came out never the less and its good to have some action shots for a change.
Mary, like myself, also got a pb for the second 10k in 8 days, so there was quite a lot of cheering in the Hunter-Buchanan vehicle on the way home.
And well done Karen, soldiering on despite injuries.
Peter Buchanan 35.27
Gerry Scullion 35.33
Willie Jarvie 36.46
Scott Jarvie 38.28
John Pickard 42.08
Mary Hunter 44.35
Sandra Murray 50.50
Karen Munro 53.34Full Results here
Report Peter Buchanan
Photos Lynn Hanley, Peter Buchanan, John at MyRace
