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FRESH'N'LO Great Scottish Run
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Every race that me and my friend have ran in in the last 1 and half years have been scorching so I think I'm a jinx, blame me.
Well done to all of you, will def do half next year.
Tripped over a cat's eye on the GSR 10k crossing the bridge last year so sympathies to all who fell and grazed themselves. It's not pleasant.
TT ;0)
It was a phenomenal sight.
Today was my first half marathon - actually first race of any kind. Would baptism of fire be appropriate?
Had 1:50 down on the entry, so was amongst the greens. Started very conservatively, mostly due to congestion over the Kingston Bridge (the whole thing ground to a halt on a couple of occasions, right pain in the arse) but once onto Paisley Rd West I was feeling pretty good.
The heat didn't bother me until leaving Pollock Park, but that pretty much conincided with my longest distance in training (9 miles) and I started to feel it in me legs. Last two miles before hitting Glasgow Green were the worst, but the last half mile was great. Once I got within earshot of the crowds at the finish my pace suddenly picked up and I was really into my stride for the finish. Not sure of the time due to the staggered start, but I'm expecting around 1:55 which I'm kinda happy with. I guess it's both a PB and PW.
Great day in all (especially the first beer afterwards), definately intending to be back for more next year. Hopefully in the rain.
B
P.S. Was quite disturbed by the number of people needing medical attention en-route. Hope they've all recovered ok.
What a day! Well done to all those who took part.
10K
Started of well then got slower and slower. finished in about 46 min , 4min down on expected.
1/2
Quick change and refuel then jogged back to start made it just in time to start on the very back row.
Felt bad up to mile 5 then my body seemed to switch over to burning it's ample supply of fat.Ran 5 min walked 1 after that and made a lot of progress.
Uable to get finish time as watch was palying up, but around 2.30 hrs a pw by about 40 min, however it was good to run at the backjust enjoy the whole atmosphere, and to meet Nessie
As i just don't seem to be able to run in the heat Iam going to suggest to organisers that they hold it in December, it can't be too warm then can it.
Alan
TT ;0)
Had a good sleep last night and the only bit that's sore is my right quad and knee - probably because I ran to the right of the course as it was the most shaded.
I too was shocked by the number of people passed out and on oxygen. The more of them I saw the more I slowed down as I didn't want it to be me!!
Having had a day to reflect I'm pretty pleased with my effort. Was hoping for the sub 2 but in that heat it just wasn't possible for me.
BTW - the wee bubble I was talking about was actually me crying!! Never done this in a race before.
Well done everyone. Roll on next year!!
Kept on checking my RHR all last night and it just wouldn't come down,normally it is down near normal about 4 or 5 hours after finishing but at 11pm last night it was still about 20 beats p/m above that.
Phew-have just checked it this morning whilst sitting at computer and it is down at 50 BPM which is about average.
Although i really struggled yesterday my legs feel fine today and i feel like i could go out and run no problem.Its a weird game this running lark.
I finished in 2 hours and 38 seconds according to my watch which i am happy with considering the conditions and as it was my first half.
I had even looked out pain killers with a view to taking some before running. I eventually listened to my sensible side and let my head rule my heart. I decided that as I am only a fun runner, have done two 1/2's this year and there is always next year, I didn't need the pain I would end up with this week if I ran. I suppose it was a case of listening to my body and not being daft about it.
Was up with my son for the junior run. It was the first time he had done anything like this and he enjoyed it. All through the day he would suddenly recall something that had happened as he was running. Think he will want to do it again next year.
Well done to all that took part.
I was concerned about the heat prior to the start, as I really don't do heat very well. Felt fine running through the city in the shade of the buildings, but as soon as we got onto the bridge, I knew I was going to struggle. I was soaked in sweat by the time we came off the bridge, and was already looking for the water station. Speedy and I were running together, but as she was obviously faring better than me, I told her not to hold back.
I decided at that point that I would try to run the whole way, but not to look at my watch at all, and slow as much as I needed to to make it to the end in one piece.
I kept Speedy in sight for a while, but lost her in Bellahouston park, as I had to stop to get one of the First Aid ladies to cut part of the outsole of my shoe off, as it was flapping loose and was very annoying.
Lots of support from families in the Park really gave me a boost, and I perked up a bit. Chatted to a lady who was running her first half, and we ran together to the top of Haggs road. Got into the shade of the trees, and had a nice downhill to the opening of Pollock park.
Oh, how wonderful was the shade in Pollock Park? Although I was taking the inclines very slowly, my legs felt strong and I was gradually cooling down, and consequently started to feel good. I thought I might as well try to make up a bit of time on the downhills, and felt like I was sprinting, especially as I was passing a lot of walkers.
It was good to meet Dash Parr on the way round and also Gillian.
Vrap - I think I passed you in Pollock Park, but I wasn't sure it was you so didn't speak to you. It probably was, judging by our times...
Considering I had done under 30 miles in total in the six weeks prior to the race I don't feel too bad....
I'll be doing the Kinloss - Lossiemouth half in February - couldn't get there because of snow last year. Nice and cool!!
Im surprised today that my legs dont feel to bad although i have a bruised toenail.
Huge thanks to the residents who were out in force - 3 hoses, buckets of water to refill bottles, and cups of water. Also a guy with a microphone, giving encouragement and getting the crowd to cheer the runners. A great pick-up.
The cooling of the hose-shower was a welcome relief, especially as there is no shade for the next 3 miles. At 10 miles my legs were starting to seize a bit, and I had to do some strange goose-steps to loosen off. Somewhere around 11-11.5 miles, I could feel the relentless heat (it was now approaching 1pm, and must've been the hottest part of the day) and my hearbeat thumping in my ears. I decided to treat myself to a short walk, so that I could finish in style. I walked a bit/jogged a bit for about 10 mins.
Just before the entrance to Glasgow Green, someone recognised my forum vest - it was MarathonMaz. We chatted for a while, and walked as far as the 12 mile marker. I checked my watch for the first time, and realised that Mr Nessie should still be at the riverside, as I'd got over the start line quicker than I'd expected, so this had made up for the slower run. I was determined not to walk again, so was glad of the shade through the trees. Sure enough, I spotted Mr Nessie sunning himself on a bench, and I managed to give him a quick kiss while still jogging on the spot. A short distance ahead, I spotted Bear, V-rap and AimHigh (and someone else - sorry I can't remember who) and ran sideways for a while to make sure AimHigh recorded the moment on his camera.
That last corner was a struggle, but once I was on the home straight, I felt great. Heard a voice shouting "Hi Nessie" from the side - it was Brian the Snail and his camera. Huge smile for the camera, and then for the finish line photo too.
De-chipped, picked up the goodybag and banana, then headed towards the tea stand. Heard someone call my name - it was Speedy. She'd finished about 3 mins ahead of me, and was already looking well recovered.
Met up with Mr Nessie at the monument, then headed up to Central Station for a shower (there was a queue this year - pah!!), then went for a meal.
All in all, I ran close to a PW, but I had a great time. Never thought I'd be pleased with a 2:53 half marathon, but I felt that I actually dealt with the conditions as well as I could, and finished feeling pretty good. Which for me on a hot day is not something I've done before.
6th GSR in a row, and still one of my favourite 2 races.
After that I started to lift a my pace a bit, and realised I was actually going quite well. The next few miles seemed to fly in. Running through the parks was lovely, but even in the shade of the trees the heat was taking it's toll.
Just after mile 10 I got a really strong feeling that I was going to throw up. I wondered if I had maybe taken on too much water, but looking back it was maybe just over exertion.
Entering Glasgow Green gave me a boost as I knew if wasn't far now, and I picked up my pace again. I hadn't seen any of my family along the route so I assumed they were at the finish straight. That was enough to help me sprint the last few hundred yards. Something I've never managed in a race before.
By my watch I finished in 1:39, which is the same as last year. Slightly dissapointing as I had been hoping to get nearer 1:33 this year, but I lost 2 weeks of training to illness in August, and hearing that most people struggled with the heat as well I'm now pretty pleased to have managed under 1:40.
Back again for next year definatetly. My next challenge is finding a way to get down to Newcastle in a fortnight.
I loved all the support on the way round from the crowds and also the bands were superb and gave me a boost every time i passed one.
Im going to jump in and enter for next years race already. Having a full years training behind me by then will help a lot.