Penicuik 10k 13/5/06
The run of great weather which had made Greenock Esplanade seem like Cannes on Wednesday night (well almost) at the Tour of Clydeside 2 mile prom race continued at Penicuik on Saturday for the 10k. Despite other distractions a reasonable field showed up though we had no photographers to record the pained faces for posterity. [My husband was recovering in Fife from a night out on the town with his brothers - well he has to get the odd race off for good behaviour.]* Bert Logan was at the start line looking good for his great return and talking cautiously about being pleased with under 45 minutes. My money was on John Forker for the best dressed Porti runner in his coordinating yellow shorts. Karen Young, admittedly just a week since the Edinburgh to North Berwick race, was giving me her usual 'I'm no really that fit the now' which from experience I know to take with a large pinch of salt! The course is hilly and Debbie MacDonald's pre race description of a 10k version of the Harris half marathon rang very true - undulation at its finest. I had been warned by Rab and Karen not to hammer it up the first long hill. Apparently Karen had made that mistake before and paid for it.
We set off down the main street and sharp left up 'the hill'. The hill was bearable and I could still see Kate Jenkins in the distance as we came round the corner. The water station at 3 miles was very welcome in the heat though the wee boy in a maroon football strip (?) was having a difficult job coordinating the hand out and I had to dive around him for a cup to throw over my head. Isobel Knox started to make the gap bigger as we came back onto the main road. I could see Ricky well ahead and Bert appeared along side me making encouraging noises about closing the gap to Isobel. Gerry was out of sight. Bert and I then swapped places a few times which really kept me going and I think Bert too. Karen was not far behind and could see us up ahead. The last couple of miles are flat and then downhill which gives you the opportunity to pick up speed, if you can. Isobel Knox was too far out of reach, though she told me at the end that she was not really very fit (always encouraging when you think you are doing not too badly yourself!) I made some ground on Bert as we headed up the last short undulations towards the finishing field. Bert revealed at the finish that he had thought the 5 mile marker had been the 5k marker and thought there might be another lap! Onto the grass which is hard work after the roads and Bert crossed the line in front of me though we both ended up with the same time. There is no doubt in my mind that that is the last time I will see Bert up that close in a race. What a fantastic return!
Karen appeared very shortly behind me looking strong and pleased to beat her previous time on this course. I promptly told her that I wouldn't listen to a word of her protestations about lack of fitness again. A successful prize giving saw Gerry win 2nd vet and Karen win 1st vet for the second year running. I was wearing my Helensburgh colours so I can't claim a Porty victory for my 3rd female place, though Karen did shout 'ex Porty' as loudly as she could when I got my prize. [I should point out that I did pay a sub to Porty last year and feel I should this year if only for the web site space I get!] I think the Porty men were 2nd team but unfortunately no prizes there. I would recommend this race but don't expect a fast 10k time. See you at the Black Rock (if the Helensburgh 10k is just too far).
Gerry Scullion 36.51 6th place and 2nd Vet 40
Ricky Fraser 41.04 21st place
Bert Logan 42.02 28th place
Julia Henderson 42.02 29th place and 3rd F
Karen Young 42.31 33rd place and 1st Vet 35
John Forker 50.05 75th placeFull results here
*If there are no photos taken at the event I will randomly select stock photos and use accordingly. I was looking for hares but came up with tortoises. This in no way reflects the performances of the athletes.
Well done Bert - great to see you back on the racing circuit. pbReport Julia Henderson, showing up the lack of prc reporters!
