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This was my first "proper" race. I missed the Jack Crawford 10k last month because of a cold so I was really looking forward to this. The sun was out so the hat and gloves were off! Only 200 runners max. so it wasn't even as busy as a Parkrun.
I found the first half of the course quite tough, mostly uphill on a trail through the woods. I couldn't appreciate the scenery trying to dodge uneven ground, tree roots & other runners! There were several wooden bridges over streams and a couple of steep embankments before we reached Gartmorn reservoir after nearly a couple of miles.
The reservoir just looks huge when you've got to run all the way around it! By this time runners were overtaking me as I tired. My trail shoes were probably a wrong decision as the ground was quite firm and they don't give as much support as my road shoes. My legs were really tired after only 2 miles. The course was still pretty uneven up to the halfway mark. After that the trail was smooth with a gentle incline (decline?) downhill and I was able to pick up my pace a little. Leaving the reservoir I got a few seconds relief going down some concrete steps and the next half mile I was able to step up a gear and catch a couple of runners. It was easier to negotiate downhill on the same path that we came up on. I followed another runner who was going at a good pace for the last mile until the last corner, overtook my pacemaker and sprinted the last few hundred yards to the finish. The support at the end was a great lift! Pretty sure there was a fair margin on a negative split! Forgot to stop my timer at the end! 50:09, 77th out of 132.
At the end I received a banana and a Wee County Harriers/Gartmon 6 mug! Probably more useful than a medal!
The best bit I've left for last...a fantastic spread of sandwiches, cakes, tea & coffee! The (home baked?) cakes were absolutely delicious!
Top day, well organised, loads of marshals, changing facilities, toilets & car parking. Definitely recommended, will do this again next year!
See you all next week at the Alloa Half!
Last edited by WhiskyMurray; 14th Mar 10 at 08:30 PM..
Reason: Time & position.
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