Running for Hugs

Two races in 9 days...and not a blog written in between!

D33 - Photo by Chen Chee Kong

Last weekend saw me take part in my second Deeside Way 33 (D33), and in a nutshell, I enjoyed this much more than I remember from last year.

Probably a few reasons why.  Firstly, the benefit of having a buddy drive me all the way there, certainly took the stress off the early start, and gave Angela and I plenty time to catch up (and bore David with our chat I suspect!)

Second, I'd had the week off work on holiday, so was a bit better rested, and organised than last year (when I'd spent 2 days in Dublin with work, and had a late night and a few whiskies on the Thursday, and a late evening flight home).  Although I had done a brutal 11 miler on the Tuesday at Loch Turret, complete with scrambling along snow cliffs!

Third, I think my training year-to-date has been better quality - albeit not specific to running 33 flat miles on mostly tarmac!  The Thursday night club sessions have encouraged me to run at pace, and I've done more hilly miles this year.

I'd been unsure before the race what to do in terms of a plan but felt motivated by a blog from Rhona - Red Wine Runner that races should be 'raced' and also feeling that we all owed it to George, the Race Director, who hasn't been very well (and is handling it in a brilliantly positive way) to put a good effort in.  I also wanted to go a wee bit faster than last year, although doing sub-10 minute miles is something I've not done for a prolonged distance for some time...

After the usual faffing about, gathering hugs aplenty and visiting the toilets more than once, we were off. It's flat, with flat bits...and a few minor climbs....  I started out quicker than planned....caught up in the enthusiasm, and kinda wanting to keep Rhona in view as she was planning a good pace.  We ran together for a few miles until the first checkpoint, and then she was off, and while I did have her in view a couple of times, never caught her again.  Her pacing was spot on and delivered a well deserved PB.  My pace was ok, apart from fannying at the checkpoints (especially the half-way one) and a couple of erratic miles later on and I felt I was pushing out a good effort.  I ran with John Munro for a mile or so just after half way (he'd been taking it 'easy' on the way out..) and on and off with David Meldrum.  Mostly on the return stretch I had my music on to keep me going.  I struggled at a couple of bits but managed to find some oomph for the final mile and into the park, through the finish to collect my medal, race beer and a hug from George....oh, and a PB by about 8 minutes (5hrs 20m, average 9:40min/mile).  Job done!

Managed to eat some of the great post-race scoff, and hurried off to get changed into a million layers of thermals and down-jackets as it was Baltic, and I quickly fell into my post race blue coma!  Also remembered to go collect the new kit I'd ordered from Out-Run (exciting new Injinji socks were the order of the day!), and caught up with many of the finishers (most of whom seemed to have run well) and supporters, before Angela finished her finish line support/photo duties and kindly drove us all the way home!

A great day out, well organised and efficient (from the runners perspective certainly!), and a great crowd of runners this year.  Definitely a potential to do again next year....

Today, saw my first encounter of the Loch Katrine Marathon, and event/festival organised by Audrey McIntosh to raise funds for Alzheimers (one of the many things she does to support the charity).  It was never going to be easy doing another tarmac race so soon after D33, and this one is particularly HILLY (not undulating!).  What a beautiful setting though, even if I don't think I'd ever run a marathon PB here!

Again, wasn't very sure how to run this one.  I'd never been along the road all the way to Stronachlacher so had no concept of what lay ahead (maybe wise!) and I'd developed a sore big toe joint/pad after yesterday's 10 miler, which even with a compeed on it first thing, had me wondering just how far I might actually get. 

No problem with parking and the facilities at the Trossachs Pier are great (no toilet queues as there is a relative small entry field), and not long after many hugs and hellos, and a fly over by a perfect V formation of geese during the race briefing we were off!

I fell into step with Fiona Rennie for the first 7-ish miles, along with Ellen McVey for some of that and it was great to have company.  Fiona was planning to run all the hills, and looked very strong doing so, and eventually I just dropped back a wee bit. 

After the chilly start, I was starting to heat up (all those climbs!) so at the 8 mile drink station, I peeled off my windproof top and left it with Helen/John/Ross who were manning the drinks and tunes!  It felt better to lighten the load (although this has resulted in some lovely chaffing!) and as the weather continued to improve I didn't need my top again!  If anything, from about mile 19-26 I was too hot!


Loch Katrine (before half-way)
Me & John Cassidy - Photo by Chen Chee Kong

From about mile 10 to the half way return point I ran with John Cassidy and we talked about his impending first Fling (for his 50th birthday year) and passed away the miles.  It was great to see Lorna, David and Lois at the half-way checkpoints (and to be able to drop off my bottle to be re-filled while we did the wee extra stretch).

Just after half-way - munching chedds nibbles
Photo by Lorna Maclean

I had a wee good feeling on the stretch from 13-18 and was still managing to average 10min/miles despite the hills (I'd rewarded myself with a headphone and some tunes in one ear).  After that, it got a bit warmer, and the 'graveyard hill' (which was the last of the hills I managed to run all the way up) then tipped me a wee bit over the edge in terms of heat and a bit of cramp, and things slowed down and became a bit more 'effort' from there on in.

I battled a bit with the head and legs, especially when a few folk passed me and looked strong.  However, was still broadly on course for a circa 4 hours 30 min finish (which was playing around my head from fairly early on), so there was nothing for it but to keep plugging away.  I was quite emotional just before (and after) the finish, so that's a good indication of the battle!

In hindsight, I'm not sure if maybe I started too fast, or didn't hydrate well enough for the heat (I didn't carry the spare NUUN tablet I should have...), or was just a bit tired, or still under-the-weather from some medical guff earlier in the week.  I think I ate enough - a combination of banana loaf, chedds nibbles, a GU Espresso Love and a Viper Lime gel and some jelly babies from the guy out at c17 miles (not sure if he was official marshal or just a lovely man from the house).

On the whole, I'm pleased with the effort I put in and the result (4hrs 33). Taking me to a 43 mile week (after a 50 miler the D33 week).

Plenty finish line hugs (and some 'abuse' to Audrey about 'undulations'!)...followed by a blue coma and car park change (hopefully the pensioner buses weren't too upset...).  I shuffled upstairs to the café and bartered with the lovely girl there to exchange all my crappy change for a coffee (I don't think it was enough) and that sorted me out a bit, allowing me to loiter around for a short while to see Angela cross the line for more hugs (and then very impressed to see her launch into a set of glute stretches straight after!)

A great event, well organised and plenty drinks stations.  Epic course, and the beauty does something to offset the efforts needed for the hills!  Another definite contender for next year...hills are our friend....