Self Transcendence 5k Silverknowes 26/4/06
After a disappointing race there is always a temptation to hurry back too soon to the next event in an effort to re-write the form book. While nobody would recommend racing on the Wednesday after a marathon on the Sunday, the 5k along the esplanade seemed such a short distance that I reckoned it would be over before I did myself a mischief. I had thought about going along just to take photos but earlier in the day I had tried a few strides and found my legs felt reasonably recovered.
The cycle down to the esplanade let me know there was a stiff breeze from Cramond to Silverknowes - pretty much the same weather as last year. The course was the same also, although we started and finished at the pavilion rather than at the Almond estuary.
A smaller field than last year, and I think the sun may have been out more as well, we set off into the wind before turning round the flagpole at Cramond and running most of the way to the other end before turning round a cone and returning to the pavilion. A good choice as it gave a rest from the headwind during the middle stretch.
I had kept my warm-up to a minimum as I felt I probably only had a few miles in the tank before the marathon caught up with me. I was telling myself not to go too fast at the start, but as usual the excitement took over and I spent a hundred yards in third place or so. Shortly after the turn and I recognised Gerry's shadow approaching (from his distinctive running style) before he cruised past.
After the drawn out horrors of the marathon it was a delight to know it would be over in under twenty minutes. The last stretch into the wind was tough but I was pleased to finish within about 20 seconds of my time last year.
As we were recovering word went round of Zac, a brand new PRC recruit who had come 2nd overall in a rather brisk 15+ minutes. Welcome to the club Zac.
On the cycle back along the front I stopped to take a couple of shots of the sun setting behind the forth bridges which hopefully heralds in a summer of decent weather and successful running.
Report PB
Photos Karen Munro, Peter Buchanan
Full results here
2 Zac Bouchenka 15.34
18 Gerard Scullion 17.31
21 Peter Buchanan 18.05
23 Andrew Jeske 18.25
28 Andrew Livingston 18.51
29 Leo Zijerveld 18.51
50 Paul Eunson 20.02
53 David Carnegy 20.16
54 Ben Carter 20.17
55 Derek Elms 20.37
61 Paul Edwards 21.02
62 Sheena Sutherland 21.05
69 Richard Dennis 22.08
80 Maureen Gallanach 23.40
90 Chris Melvile 25.03
