This was billed as the oldest race of its kind still organized by the same club. I still have a lovely medal and good memories from doing this as a 25 year old.

I give myself 6 - 7 months to train with this one race in mind. In March I could manage 10k in 60 minutes. By Sept 1st I could manage 10k in 42 minutes, so training went well.
The only hiccup was a cold/infection that meant virtualy no runs in the last 2 weeks. It probably meant I lost a bit of endurance, but not much.

THE RESULT
I was 105th in 1:42:15 (7:48 pace average).
I was originally aiming to match my 93 minute PB (June 1991), but on the day I'd have been happy to get around in sub 95 mins. I'd even have put money on getting under 100 mins. However I'm not disappointed, it was a respectable enough time and I learnt a lot (mainly, start slower, and run your own race - see later >>)

INTERESTING STATISTICS
1st Male = 72:50, 1st Female = 84:41, 1st Male 40 = 79:16
There were 220 finishers, about 2/3rds of those were over the age of 40. I finished in 1:42:15 and in 105th place. Of those who beat me, 21 were actually aged over 50, 9 of those were over 55, and 3 of those were over 60 (at least one was 65).

A LITTLE STORY
As I said, I was aiming somewhere between 'dream time'(sub 90) and 'no thanks time' (over 1: 40), and I believed I'd get close to my PB (93 mins).
The first mile was downhill and I hit it in 6:52 which I was excited about as I knew that was the exact pace for an 89:57 half marathon.
It was at this point that another runner struck up a conversation with me. Alistair turned out to be an experienced vet 65 years old, but alas there was no M65 category in this race. He'd won 9 out of 10 races this year and ran in the Inverness Marathon.
By mile 2 (14:15 oops) realizing I'd slowed I left my friend and picked up my pace. By mile 3 he'd caught up with me and suggested we help each other. An old ultra runner's trick he said, take turns to shelter from the wind and it could save minutes. I went along out of politeness and we were having a great chat too. At 4 miles (29 mins) I realized we were running at 7:15 pace (a 95 minute half marathon) and settled for that. However my new friend suggested changing the lead every 2 lamposts. In hindsight I think this constant change of pace took it out of my legs, but I'm not making excuses (much lol).
By 7 or 8 miles my legs felt heavy and I slowed leaving my much older friend to push ahead. He finished in 79th place in 1:37:34.
THE END / MY VERDICT
I'd been waiting so long to do this race (18 years) that I was just glad to get it out of my system and 'move forward'. So no disappointment with the time as I know it'll improve. A slight disappointment however was that the organizers didn't provide medals to all finishers. I'd have gladly paid extra for this. Instead we got a mug and a bottle of lucozade.
The 2 Best Bits: YouTube - Dumfries Half Marathon 2009

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Ernie's 2013 Running Goals(Results in Red)
1 Mile - sub 6 mins ()10k - sub 43 mins ()
10 Miles - sub 70 mins ()Half Marathon - sub 95 mins ()
Set New PBs for MPWeek (), MPMonth(131 in April), MPYear()

Well done Ernie and good race report.

After entering loads of races and getting loads of medals, I think the other momentos such as mugs, etc are often more interesting.

Thanks Grant. I wish I could say the mug is interesting I really do. I think I'll hide it lol.

I'm hoping for a medal in my next race, The Cumbrian Run, it cost £18 to enter. They used to make the medals out of slate for that one.

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Ernie's 2013 Running Goals(Results in Red)
1 Mile - sub 6 mins ()10k - sub 43 mins ()
10 Miles - sub 70 mins ()Half Marathon - sub 95 mins ()
Set New PBs for MPWeek (), MPMonth(131 in April), MPYear()

Looks like a lovely race and nice small field of competitors... sorry to hear you didn't get your 'dream time' (or medal).... anyone who suggests to you in a race about helping each other is only really helping themselves, I think you are right - you have to run your own race.

Great race report structure, and love the youtube clip too

Great report, and I agree with SB, I love the way you've structured it!

I shall also be adopting your categories of 'dream time' and 'no thanks time'!

Well done on a time that would be an impossible dream time for me.

great race report, i think its quite commendable that you went along with the 'old ultra runner' even though it affected your time, i'm sure many other people would have told him where to go!

good luck with your next race, hopefully you make your time (and get the all important medal!)

Keep on aiming for your goal and there is no reason why you can't get that time.

Great report, but as others have said, next time, drop the other guy and run your own race.

O.

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Blog: http://www.runningbeside.me - My journey to try and get a qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games!

Thanks everyone.
I'll definitely do the race again next year, seeing as it's local, and run smarter/faster.

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Ernie's 2013 Running Goals(Results in Red)
1 Mile - sub 6 mins ()10k - sub 43 mins ()
10 Miles - sub 70 mins ()Half Marathon - sub 95 mins ()
Set New PBs for MPWeek (), MPMonth(131 in April), MPYear()

So here I am a year later. Unofficially my time is 1:37:38 (aprox 5 mins faster than last year) ,that's under 98 mins, my best half time in 19 years, so I'm improving with each HM race. I also noted my recovery was quicker, probably due to a stronger heart etc from a good season's running. I've even ran a marathon this year.

Overall I'm pleased with my performance and know with the upcoming Winter's training I'll have a cracking year in 2011 and build on that for a few years to come yet.

Got a nicer mug after the race, well done Dumfries Running Club. Next years race is the 30th year so really looking forward to it already

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Ernie's 2013 Running Goals(Results in Red)
1 Mile - sub 6 mins ()10k - sub 43 mins ()
10 Miles - sub 70 mins ()Half Marathon - sub 95 mins ()
Set New PBs for MPWeek (), MPMonth(131 in April), MPYear()

Well done Ernie, good improvement. I live running races year on year which keep the same course, really gives you a good idea on how you are improving, hence the reason I look forward to Strathaven 10k each year

Great result and keep up with the training, its obviously working.

O.

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Twitter: @scottishrunner
Blog: http://www.runningbeside.me - My journey to try and get a qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games!

Well done, Ernie!

Here's to an amazing 2011!

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Those who say it can't be done shouldn't interrupt the ones who are doing it.

Running across Spain

well done Ernie!

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Blessed are the cracked for they let in the light.

Races: Santa 5k Llandysilio - 13/12/09 - COMPLETED 32.18
A sub-2.5hrs Half before end of 2010! (challenged by twinnies)

Cheers, official time 97:32 and 60th out of 186

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Ernie's 2013 Running Goals(Results in Red)
1 Mile - sub 6 mins ()10k - sub 43 mins ()
10 Miles - sub 70 mins ()Half Marathon - sub 95 mins ()
Set New PBs for MPWeek (), MPMonth(131 in April), MPYear()

Brilliant, nice work Ernie

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A loser is not the one who runs last in the race. It's the one who sits and watches and who has never tried to run. Bird in Boots

1:39:42 and 7:34 Pace. WHAT!! I'm currently in great shape, trained and tapered for this one, took 2 weeks holiday off work, took great care over my nutrition, even spending extra on superfoods, so what went bloody wrong?

I decided (based on recent times at 10miles, 6 miles, 4 miles etc) that 1:35 was in the bag. Then I let the occasion get the better of me, 20 years since my PB, 30th anniversary etc, and convinced myself that I could run 1:33:15 ,a new PB at 7:07 average pace.

I reached 4 miles in 28:28 bang on pace, was a few seconds off at 5 because of the hill but knew inside if I wanted my PB I should've hit 35:35 , so from there on I was just hanging on, and despite still being on for at least 1:37 at 7 miles, I hadn't much speed left in my legs.

In this race you have to leave something left for the second half so when other runners started passing me from 9 miles onwards, I knew I'd got it wrong. Some of my mates judged it right and ran well, but many more were affected by another factor WIND. Yes there was a cross wind the whole way that added 2 or more minutes to times, so from that I should've been 1:37 at least and 1:36 if I hadn't gone off so fast, lesson learned.

It still counts as good training though, and I'm still improving so 2012 here I come, sub 1:35 surely?

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100% Natural Electrolyte, nothing else added.
Ernie's 2013 Running Goals(Results in Red)
1 Mile - sub 6 mins ()10k - sub 43 mins ()
10 Miles - sub 70 mins ()Half Marathon - sub 95 mins ()
Set New PBs for MPWeek (), MPMonth(131 in April), MPYear()