return to John

Katrina and I left home at 10.15am on Saturday morning. We drove past Loch Lomond and up to Fort William. We had a quick stop at the Green Welly at Tyndrum for petrol. At Fort William we called in at MacDonalds for a coffee and hot chocolate to go with our sandwiches.

We continued our journey to Fort Augustus and then took the B862 road around the south of Loch Ness. So we were able to drive along the Marathon route. I know some people don't like to do this but I found it really helpful. The route looked great with stunning scenery. As we passed the start we saw volunteers setting up with lots of portaloos. The mile markers were also marked on the ground so it was good to know where they were.

We arrived at Inverness at about 3.45pm. We drove to Queen's Park stadium and registered for the Marathon. I received my pack with race number, race chip and various freebees. I said a quick hello to Adrian Stott who had a stall with his Run & Become shop. We then had a quick look around Inverness where I met Ian Rae (part of the whw family).

We drove over to our b&b and then went to Pizza Hut for a meal. Saturday evening we spent watching a bit of TV and relaxing before the race.

I woke at 4.20am! but was able to doze off and on until 6.30am when I got up. Our b&b host kindly said she would make breakfast for us at 7am. Katrina stayed in bed and was planning a later breakfast. I had breakfast with John from Northants who was also running the Marathon and Margaret who is from Denmark who had come over especially to be a marshal. Now that is commitment. A good bowl of porridge with banana, honey and mable syrup. A good start to the day.

I gave John a lift to the stadium where we saw a whole line of coaches ready to take the runners to the start. I met up with John, Michael and Lesley from Kilbarchan. Then we waited for whw runner, Phil and Liz. The coaches were filling up and when they eventually arrived we managed to squeeze on to the last coach. It was good to chat on the way to the start.

We arrived at 9.15am which is ideal giving 45mins to warm up and get ready for the 10am start. John, Michael, Lesley and I went for a walk and stretch before getting ready for the run.

I met up with Ellen, Tim, Bobby among others and made my way to the start. I decided to stand a little way from the start. I knew whw runner, Phil and John were nearer the front but I was determined to start comfortable and not get caught up running with them.

I started with Michael who was also planning to run at 7.30 pace. Just before the start a pipe band marched through the runners to the start and then we were off. There were about 2,000 runners which is ideal as there are plenty of runners but not too many. It only took me 9secs to get to the start line when I started my watch.

I set off nice and steady and worked my way through a few runners. I went through the first mile in 7.25 and then the next 2 in 6.42 & 6.44. I felt I was running fine was enjoying the miles ticking by.

The route is basically downhill for the first 4-5 miles but there are a few up hills as well. At the first water station I took a bottle of water and had planned to carry it in my bum bag and take sips over the next few miles but there was no top on it so I drank it over the next mile or so. At the next water station I asked for a bottle with a lid and kept the lid for the whole way.

I went through 5miles in 35.26 which I felt was a bit quicker than I'd planned but I still fine okay so didn't worry too much. The next few miles felt fine and I got to 10miles in 1.11.06 (35.40 for the second 5 mile split). I think it was somewhere around this point that I was joined by a female runner from Dumfries Running Club who I later discovered was Mhairi. We ran together for the next 7-8miles. At one point a camera man on a motocycle came alongside us and filmed us for a good 2-3 mins. We were both trying to look relaxed and I said at one point, 'make sure you smile.' After he had gone we chatted for a bit. Mhairi is from Paisley and her parents live just round the corner from us. This was her first Marathon and she was aiming for 3.15 but at that point we were running at nearer to 3.10 pace. We both felt comfortable and so pushed on.

I got to 15miles in 1.47.23 (36.17 for the last 5miles). I was still feeling fairly comfortable and we were catching a few runners and no-one was overtaking us. There was a big crowd of supporters at Dores. At that point we had caught a couple of other female runners so the a few in the crowd where shouting 'go, girls, go.' I nearly shouted 'and me!!'. I was running in my Kilbarchan vest so a number of spectators were shouting 'go Kilbarchan' so that was good. At about 17 miles at Dores there was a water station and I saw Phil. He joined up with us. He said that he had gone off too quick and his knee was sore so I was expecting to leave him behind! But oh no, he proceeded to run really well up the hill.

I could sense that I was struggling to keep with Phil and Mhairi and as the hill started they pushed on and I was hanging on a bit. A couple of runners went past me up the hill but I kept it going and made it to the top. But that 2oth mile was my slowest (8.15). I got to 20miles in 2.25.31 (38.08 for the last 5miles).

I was still on schedule for 3.12 if I could keep going at 7.30 pace but I knew that I was slowing. So I decided if I could run inside 8.00 pace I could still break 3.15 but it was getting harder.

Over the next few miles a few runners went past me but I was still catching one or two as well which helped mentally. I decided it felt very much like the whw run when I got to Kingshouse after 72 miles with not much left and I was able to keep going for another 23miles so surely I couple keep it going for another 5miles!

At each mile marker I was calculating whether I could do it and knew that it was going to be very close. As I approached the 24 mile marker I could remember whether it was going to be 24 or 23. I panicked thinking it was the 23 and I still had 3 miles to go so was very relieved to see it was the 24. The last couple of miles once I'd got over the bridge felt hard but the end was in sight and I tried to keep going as hard as I could. I got to the 25mile marker at 3.05 and knew I had to push as hard as I could but there wasn't much left!! My time at the 25 mile mark was 3.05.38 (40.05 for the last 5miles)

The route takes you around the back of the stadium and when I saw the 26mile marker I realised I wasn't going to break 3.15. I ran in as quick as I could but it was sore. I crossed the finish line with the clock showing 3hrs 15mins 35secs and my watch (and chip time) 3hrs 15mins 16secs. I felt disappointed to miss out by 16secs but pleased that I'd run a decent time.

As soon as I stopped my legs felt very sore and I limped to get my medal, t-shirt and goody bag. A marshal took off my chip and John was waiting for me at the finish. John ran run a superb pb of 3hrs 6mins 43 secs. I was so pleased for him.

I found Katrina and then went off to get my bag and have a shower. I met whw runner & Phil in the changing room and enjoying a long hot shower. I could feel my legs really starting to seize up! I had one large blister on the big toe on my left foot.

After the shower I went into the food marquee with Katrina and tried to eat a baked potato with chilly but didn't eat too much of it. The soup was nice though.

We then headed off to the car and left about 3.4opm. This time we drove now to A9 to Perth and then Glasgow. The driving was fine but my legs were pretty sore when we stopped and got out. We arrived about about 6.15pm.

In the evening I received a text from the www.raceahead.net web site with my time and position. I finished 110th overall and 41st in the M40+ category. The full results are now on the web site. I've copied them and you can see them below.

We really enjoyed the weekend and the run. I would like to do it again and Katrina is keen to have a go at the 10k race so we could well be back next year.