Thursday 29 July: Subway Footlongs are not enough and building mental strength!

Mileage: 16.75 miles

AM: 3.75 miles; PM: 13 miles

For lunch today I was so hungry that I knew a Subway Footlong would simply not be enough as I walked into the shop. I felt a little sheepish going in there and ordering my usual footlong Subway Club and then a 6 inch Sub of the day, which was some sort of spicy meet combo with salami, ham and peperoni. I think the guys behind the counter realised they were both for me when I not only ordered the same bread, but had the salad exactly the same way in each one. I am quite picky about how I have the salad. I always leave out the jalapenos and olives, but have extra pickles, light mayo, mustard and black pepper. A little bit too specific to be a coincidence. The staff member that rang it through the till and asked with a certain amount of sarcasm, "Would you like anything else?" I replied no and in full view of him, put both sandwiches in my  Scotmid bag that had a flapjack, two chocolate Freddos and a Lucozade. God knows what he thought, but he looked a little shocked.

I was a little worried what my colleagues would think about me sitting down with two Subways so in order to avoid answering awkward questions I stuffed the smaller of the two sandwiches down my throat before getting back to the office, where in next to no time I finished off the footlong. I have to admit that afterwards I was fairly stuffed and doubted my ability to eat the chocolate and the flapjack. However, without fail two hours later that familiar feeling of hunger and gargles of "feed me" came ringing out from my tummy and I made short work of my remaining food. All I can say is I am glad that I had a lot running to do today to burn off all those calories!! No wonder I am 4kg over my ideal weight, It will be 5kg tomorrow morning.

Today's training was tough, no two ways about it! I've enjoyed good running this week, so was fully expecting to go well again today. I had a nice gentle run to work in the morning and knew that my legs were feeling good. Tonight's planned session was three sets of 3*800m with 45 secs recovery between reps and 4 minutes recovery between sets. After Tuesday's mile reps and as a way of continuing to build my endurance session I decided, after consulting with Garry, to do a fourth set - so twelve 800ms in total. We used the half mile course in the Meadows that starts at the bottom of Middle Meadow Walk and races up towards Melville Drive, along the path on the left and then the first right back down which leads in a triangle shape back to the bottom of Middle Meadow Walk. It's the same route I did a few Saturday's ago and although we call it 800m, it's actually about 850m.

It was a humid night in the meadows and my warm up jog told me that my legs were not quite as fresh as they had felt earlier in the day. Not sure if this was some down to a hard day at work or as a result of the six 1 mile reps on Tuesday. The humidity certainly didn't help me to feel any fresher. Thankfully tonight's fast group was good one with myself, Colin, Dan, Graham  (making his quarterly visit to the running club) and Ben. We were fairly close and packed together so carried each other through the early reps, which I certainly needed.

I knew Colin was planning to only do two sets and that Dan, due to recent illness, was also not planning to do the lot, but I hadn't banked on Ben and Graham only doing two sets. In fact it was only when I set off to the start line for my third set that I realised they were not joking when they said they weren't coming. We had done the first six 800m fairly quickly. Most of mine were between 2.46-49 (I think, as I wasn't accurately measuring them as I was trying to run on effort rather than time). Lining up on my own for the start of the third rep was pretty demoralising and I had to shake my head into it. I also wasn't sure what I had left having ran so hard on the first two sets. It was pretty tough to maintain that speed and to push myself without someone to follow and the others around me to keep me going. I did think half way through my seventh rep that I would maybe call it a night after the third set. I was pleasantly surprised with the time, which I measured this time, finishing in 2.47. It gave me heart and I ploughed on to finish the third set with my remaining two reps both around 2.48/9. 

Wednesday 28 July 2010: Running really brings out the geek in me!

Mileage: 12.5 miles

AM: 3.75 miles; PM: 8.75 miles

After yesterday's mile reps today was an easy running day. My usual run to work followed by a longer run home via the gym for some core and strengthening work. I felt fairly fresh again tonight and my usual mid week tweaks and twinges were no where to be seen. I managed to be a little more controlled on today's run and didn't have to reign myself in like I did on Monday night. I still ran pretty quickly for an evening recovery run with the first 8 miles in 55 minutes. I've felt really good all week, apart from some tiredness that comes with heavy mileage. I think part of the reason I have felt good this week (so far) has been down to the fact that after 4 hard weeks I had an easier week last week as I prepared for the 10k. It makes sense, as a lot of training manuals and coaches suggest that you do 3/4 weeks hard training and follow-up with an easier week. This allows recovery and strengthening.

I got home tonight and realised just how much of a running geek I am. There waiting for me in the letter box was my latest edition of Runners World. I swear I did a little skip and dance with it as I dashed to the living room to put the European Athletics Championships on. In order to sit on the couch I had to move two books, Dean Karnazes book and Paula Radcliffe's biography! Once sat down I tore into the plastic packaging that contained my magazine and got stuck into the interviews and articles telling me how to be quicker and for longer! It's moments like these that I realise how much running shapes my life. I must be a real bore to all those around me! Well apart from all those reading this who like me received their Runner's World and dashed quicker than Dwain Chambers to the living room to watch the athletics. 

I have to admit I really enjoyed the athletics again tonight. The 100m, missing the three big world stars, was a fantastic and close race. The French guy that won did really well. I hope he moves up a gear now and starts to get closer to the big 3, it would be great to see 4 or 5 runners all aiming to catch and pass Bolt, although that will take some effort! I was really pleased to see Mark Lewis Francis get the silver too. I think in his early career he took a lot of things for granted and just expected medals and championships to fall into his lap, especially after Athens and the relay gold. It was good to see that after having the rug pulled out from under him that he still worked and trained hard and didn't give up. In many ways, very similar to Chris Thompson, who got the silver in the 10k yesterday. It reassures me that, as a late starter in this running game,  hard work, dedication and solid training can bring results. Okay, I may never win international medals, but I certainly have a few targets and ambitions that I know I can get with that mind set and determination. 

Tuesday 27 July: Mile Reps and revelling in Britain's success in Euro 10,000m

Mileage: 15.5 miles

AM: 3.75 miles; PM: 11.75 miles

After my disappointing race on Saturday and a good run on Sunday I was keen to get back to some solid interval training this week. The planned track session was made up of 100, 200 and 500 meters and not really designed for marathon training, so I decided to do some mile reps instead. I'd missed them at training last Thursday as I was taking it easy in preparation for the 10k race and I really like the session so felt like I'd missed out. A few others in the club are also training for endurance events including iron mans, marathons and half marathons, so several of us agreed to meet in the Meadows this evening to do 6 one mile reps with 2 and a half minutes recovery. In the end it was myself, Ben and Colin who turned out, unfortunately Dan had called off due to sickness.

I felt okay as we did a small warm-up jog. My legs felt tired and a little heavy, but I couldn't feel any twinges and my lungs felt fresh so I was ready for the session. Colin told us he was aiming for around 5.20s and Ben around 5.30s. I was aiming to do each rep in under 5.30 and so I decided to try and follow Colin for as long as possible and see where that left me.

The first one was pretty tough. My legs were stiffer than I thought and I really struggled to hang on to Colin. I finished the rep in 5.25 and was pretty pleased, but did wonder how many more I could do at that pace. Again for the second one I tried to follow Colin and this time managed to stay a little closer to him and was only just behind him as I finished the rep in 5.25 again. I was surprised, but actually felt as if my legs had loosened up quite a bit. The third rep was difficult and I crossed the line still just a little bit behind Colin, but getting quicker in 5.22. This time I could feel it in my legs and lungs and I knew we had worked harder. I had little bit of wobbly leg feeling after the rep, but I still felt quite good. For the fourth rep I again tried to follow Colin and for most of the rep I was a few strides behind him, but towards the end as we moved down the finishing straight I managed to drag myself up to level terms and we crossed the line together in 5.19. I was amazed we were so quick, as it had felt really, really hard running the rep. With only 2 reps left we knew we had done a lot of the hard work and so I think we felt we could push it a little more on the fifth rep. It certainly felt like hard work and again I only just managed to cling on to Colin. It was a good job he was there tonight, as there was no way I could have done the reps that fast without him. We crossed the line and I was really surprised to hear we had gone through in 5.16. We were doubled over and trying desperately trying to catch our breath but it was a good feeling. The last rep, as always, took care of itself and although we weren't racing we were certainly pushing each other as Colin and I fell over the finishing line in 5.19. Ben, who is training for his second iron man of the year, wasn't far back on each rep and also seemed pretty pleased with his efforts. What's even more impressive was that Ben was finishing off his mile reps by going to swimming training for more reps in the pool! I had the joy of running home to watch the last of the day's athletics (see below).

I was really happy with tonight's reps and especially the times. The fact that we had run the first half a mile of each of these reps into a strong stiff breeze means that on a better night we could have easily knocked 2-3 seconds off each of those reps. I was also really pleased with my recovery. By the time I had ran home I genuinely felt as if I could have carried on for several more miles. I felt great.

I was pretty glad not to have ran those extra miles, as I got home just in time to watch the European championships and the 10,000 meters with two British medal hopes running, Mo Farah and Chris Thompson. It was a great race. Yes, I know there were no African superstars running, which we all love to watch and marvel at, but it was really good to be able to watch a well controlled race and to see a strong British presence. I found myself on the edge of my seat screaming at the TV as Mo and Chris raced round the track. When Mo ran clear to win and Chris gave it everything to cross the line in second it was hard not to be affected by the out pouring of emotion by the two athletes. I found it inspiring. Watching a race like that and sharing, even if only a tiny, tiny portion of their emotion and success acted as a true motivator making me want to get out there and train harder and work harder so that I too can one day hopefully feel some of that sense of achievement. I might struggle to sleep with the excitement I am currently feeling. Maybe I'll do some more mile reps tomorrow....

Monday 26 July: Running - easy to fall in and out of love with

Mileage: 12.5 miles (AM: 3.75 miles; 8.75 miles)

I think most runners will agree with this, running is something you can fall quickly in and out of love with. Injuries, bad form, poor races, lack of progress and all sorts of reasons can make you wonder why you run at all. However, good races, PBs, great training, physical and mental fitness can make you love running and wonder why you ever stop.

I have enjoyed the running roller coaster this last few days and today I thought I would talk a little bit about how much of a roller coaster it is.

On Saturday after running poorly in the Musselburgh 10k and finishing well short of what I hoped for I was left both disappointed and fed up with running. Okay, it wasn't going to make me give it up anytime soon, but it did make me question why I dedicate so much of my time to running and why I make my body hurt with the effort. I was little grumpy for the rest of Saturday as my performance stewed in my mind. Sunday morning brought a new day and my long Sunday run. It was amazing how different I felt after that run. I felt great, with a real sense of achievement at having done my planned 24 miles in a good, steady time. It had certainly helped re-balance my thoughts after Saturday. I was on the way back up.   

Then today I felt even better. Normally I feel pretty sluggish and stiff on a Monday after a long run and my run to work in the morning is usually a slog that I get through rather than anything I enjoy. Today was a lot different. I did have a slightly tight hamstring, but other than that I felt pretty good and fairly sharp as I dashed up the road. I got to work feeling quite fresh and already looking forward to my run home. My run home was my longer route along the canal towards where it meets the Water of Leith at Slateford and then on to the cycle path at Haymarket and down to Ferry Road and Ainsley Park gym. From the moment I set off this evening I felt really good and as I raced along the canal footpath I couldn't help but think about how much I was enjoying it and how much I loved running. I had to force myself to slow down and keep the run a recovery run rather than a tempo run. It made me think back to how I felt post race Saturday and how different I now felt. The funny thing is that even though I was going nowhere near as fast as I can, I wasn't running a race or heading for a PB I was simply running home and loving it. I guess that's the beauty about running at times for no real reason it can just feel great!

I finished my run tonight enthused, excited and simply can not wait to get back out tomorrow morning and then for my mile reps tomorrow night. I am, however, only another run away from feeling miserable and disliking it. A few bad mile reps tomorrow night would probably do it.

I guess that's the running roller coaster.

It's probably worth pointing out that my moods naturally swing from high to low and it may be that my feelings for running are no different than they are toward other things in life, it's just that I notice it more with running, because it takes up so much of my time and is a big focus of my life.

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July: Disappointing 10k, but good Sunday Run

Weekly Mileage: 65.5 miles


Saturday 24 July: 8 miles – including Musselburgh 10k – 11th place in 35.40


Sunday 25 July: 24 miles in 2hours 50 minutes



Saturday was all about the Musselburgh 10k. I had planned for this race for over a week and since last Sunday’s 22 mile run had been easing off in attempt to taper for it. I did the 2 mile race in the Meadows on Wednesday to tune up and although I hadn’t felt amazing, I had felt pretty quick. Thursday had been an easy day and Friday had been a complete rest, so I woke Saturday morning feeling pretty confident. Parking a short walk away from the field where the start and registration was the weather seemed perfect, no wind, cool air and light clouds.


There was a good collection of EAC runners entered in the race, so there was quite a crowd of us talking away near the start line. It was good to see such a good turnout from the club and by looking at the quality of our runners there was every chance we would be in with a chance of both the women’s and men’s team prizes. I was part of the men's winning team last year.


With 30 minutes to the start I began my warm up with a gentle mile jog with some strides. Straight away my legs felt heavy, but I just put it down to pre-race nerves and lethargic feelings I usually get before a race. The Musselburgh 10k always attracts a top class field and at the start line I could see a dozen or so quality local athletes. This I hoped would help drag me to a fast time, as there would be plenty of groups and people to work with. At the start line I was joined by club mate’s Neil Calder and Martin Ferguson. We set off and the front line of runners blasted out of the blocks. Recently I have been running faster than Martin and I full expected to be ahead of him or at the very least alongside him. Martin is also well known for his excellent pacing, so when he pulled ahead of me in the first 500 meters I was surprised, so pushed hard to keep up with him.


It was only when we hit the 1k mark did I realise Martin and I were flying, clocking 3minutes and 17 seconds, we slowed a little, but still went through 2k at 6.40. It cost me a lot. I think my legs, which didn’t feel good to begin with filled with lactic acid and promptly stiffened up. As we moved through the 3k mark I was passed by several runners including a couple of HBT runners and Martin. I tried to tag on to the end of them and couldn’t and it was at this point I realised I was in a bit of trouble. I reached 5k in 17.14, which was about where I had planned to be, but I was already slowing with every km. At 5k, Martin, who was a few meters ahead of me, pulled up injured, clutching his calf muscle. I felt sorry for him, as he had been running really well. I hope he recovers in time for this Sunday's Scottish Gas 10k.  


After 5k everything just went to pieces for me. My legs felt so heavy and I simply couldn’t drag any performance out of them. My lungs felt pretty good, so I know that it was my legs more than anything, although I do wonder if mentally I gave up a little bit too easy as well. There was a strong head wind now and the ground was a little unforgiving, especially over the race course, but to be honest I was a spent force anyway. I tried a few times to push on and find some pace, but physically and mentally I had nothing. I kind of cruised back for the last couple of kms, until the last 500m where I suddenly found a bit of speed to sprint past a runner in front of me. The fact that I was able to pass this runner and finish 10 seconds clear of him by the end tells me that I had totally misjudged this race and not managed my legs very well at all. I crossed the line in 35.40 in a eleventh place.


Some of my club mates fared much better. Neil Calder ran an excellent 33.33 to finish 5th and Jenny MacLean won the women’s race in 36.19, followed by Kathryn Brownlee in 36.46. James Mittra got a PB and Kev ran strongly too. The women comfortably won the team prize with Lyndsay finishing well up the field. Emma also ran well finishing a minute faster than she had aimed for. Unfortunately the men finished one point behind HBT and we missed out on retaining the team prize - gutted The full results can be found here.

After the race we were greeted by a goody bag and a free ice cream from Luca Ice Cream made in Musselburgh. It eased my disappointment greatly. The Musselburgh Athletics Club also know how to put on a buffet and I enjoyed loading my arms up with as many sandwiches and cakes I could fit without drawing too many disapproving looks from the long cue snaking out the back of the door. It's a good race, but maybe not a PB course. Still I reckon I might be back again next year, if for no other reason than the buffet!Reflecting on the race, I think my recent high mileage was probably mostly behind my slow performance. I felt heavy legged on Wednesday at the 2 mile race too and I guess that race just did enough to keep my legs heavy into the weekend. I think next time I taper I will not race mid-week, just some strides to keep things ticking over. The extra rest might be enough. I don’t have a race now until 21 August, The Nairn Half Marathon, so I have some time to lose some weight and get some good training in so I can ensure a good result.


Sunday 25 July


My legs felt fine this morning, a little tired, but on the whole pretty good, perhaps a sign that I did not run as fast as I could have in yesterday’s race. I turned up at Craiglochart this morning not sure who would be there, as quite a few people had already said they were not going to make it. Thankfully Ben, Garry and Kev as well a few others were there and we all set off together.


I wasn’t planning on running too fast today. I was just aiming to get through the 24 miles in one piece. We set off at a comfortable pace and chatted along the way, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that we were moving along at just over an average 7minute a mile per pace by the four mile point. By the time we got to Balerno, Kev turned round to finish off his 12 miles, while Ben, Garry and I carried on. We worked hard up the two hills, although Garry had a small hamstring problem and held back. It was good to have Ben for company and we worked hard to reach the top of the hill and through the 8 mile mark in just over 57 minutes. I felt pretty good at this point and as we sped along through the next 4 or 5 miles I was beginning to think running 24 miles would be easy. At 15miles I said good bye to Ben who was turning off to finish at 16 miles. Garry, I suspect due to a sore hamstring, had dropped back a few miles back. I turned left when Ben went right and it was only then that it dawned on me that I still had another 9 miles to do. I was pretty jealous of Ben, but I pressed on.


The last 9 miles were tough, but I maintained my pace (well it felt like I did, no Garmin to confirm, but a stopwatch and recognised markers kept me right) and even managed to get quicker as I turned back to head to my car at the tennis centre. Those last few miles were tough on the mind as I had to keep talking to myself to keep moving and running at pace. I resisted the little voices telling me to take it easier, to back off and to leave it to next week, which really pleased me. Now I am up to 24 miles I feel as though my endurance running is becoming stronger. Hopefully as I do more running at that distance I’ll get stronger and more comfortable running for this long and it will feel like second nature by the time I get to Amsterdam. All in all another good long Sunday run, next week 26 miles – that will be tough too!!

Thursday 22 and Friday 23 July 2010: How do you train for an ultra race??

Thursday – 7.5 miles



Friday – Rest


Following my efforts on Wednesday night I was back on easy running for the rest of the week as I wait for this Saturday’s 10k. I am not going to tell you all about how I hate tapering and hate missing training on a Thursday, because everyone knows how much I do.


So, I thought I would talk a little about training for ultra marathons. With the MDS now only 250 (ish) days away I have to start thinking about my training. Currently, my focus is the Amsterdam marathon in October, but I can’t just wake up the Monday morning after that marathon and wonder how to train for an ultra. I need to prepare long before that. With that in mind I have begun reading about and talking to those in the know about ultra marathons and races.


This Wednesday I had lunch with Adrian Stott, The Manager of Run and Become in Edinburgh and an extremely experienced ultra marathon runner. His success includes running the 95 mile West Highland Way race 8 times, the quickest being 19 hours 49 minutes. At 24 hours he has represented Great Britain at European and world level, with a personal best of 143 miles 849 yards whilst finishing 8th in the 2000 European Championships, where GB also won team bronze. It’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about this game, so armed with a note pad and pen I went to learn.


Adrian started off by telling me that it takes about 2 years to experiment and learn to find your optimum training level for ultra marathons. Oh dear, I will have approximately 22 weeks after I finish Amsterdam. Adrian did seem quite impressed that I am already doing 90+ mile weeks and the odd 100 mile weeks and agreed that this would be a very good base or ultra marathon training.


Adrian informed me that his training involved a 4 week cycle of building up to a 100 miles and then dropping back to a gentler week. He would do a 4-5 hour run once on a weekend, as part of that. This he said, was about all his body could handle. Anymore and he would get injured and break down. As many of you know, I like running lots of miles. I think it’s a comfort thing, I feel fitter and faster the more miles I run. I genuinely thought that to be successful at ultra marathons and running you would need to put in even more miles than marathon training, so I was quite surprised to hear that many ultra marathon runners do not regularly run 100 mile weeks. William Sichel, Orkney’s world record holder of numerous age-related ultra distances including running 1000 miles in less than 14 days, does it on a 60mile training week. There also of course plenty of research and text to say that more is better too. Adrian pointed out that consistency is the key and that when it comes to mileage it is whatever your body can handle. I think I will see how I get on with my ambitious marathon training programme and then build from there.


He also made a very good point that, “Distance never killed anyone, it’s the pace that does it!”. He seemed very confident in saying that I could probably go out and do a 50 mile run tomorrow, but it would have to be slow, very slow in order to do it without breaking down. The long run is crucial to ultra distance training. Going out for 4, 5 or even 6 hours on a Saturday is not uncommon. It is also not uncommon for these runs to be walked in places too. The key, I learnt, was spending time on your feet. Many 40mile plus runs see competitors on their feet for many hours and that is why it is important to have built up that experience. I have also entered a couple of ultra marathon events in between now and the MDS so I will get that experience too.


For the long runs Adrian suggested just packing a light pack with food, drink and money and just heading off somewhere and then getting the train back to Edinburgh, which sounds both fun and a bit of an adventure too. I am already looking forward to these runs. I wonder where I can get myself too!


One of the things I was really surprised to hear was the importance of maintaining interval training, as part of ultra marathon training. This is to help maintain your body’s ability to burn different types of fat. When I first signed up to the MDS I thought I would have to give up interval training in favour of many more long steady runs. Turns out this is far from the way things should be done. I had heard tales of ultra marathon runners doing some interval training, but Adrian told me that I really should be doing 2 interval sessions a week. He also told me that I can pad them out by doing extra miles at the end of each session. This is actually something I usually do anyway, so who knows maybe I’ll make them even longer now!! Interestingly, several ultra marathon runners have gone on to get PBs at 10k, half-marathon and marathon distances following a sustained period of ultra running. Simon Pride, Scottish ultra marathon and 1999 World Champion at 100km got PBs at all those distances the year he won the World Championship. Maybe something else for me to look forward to!


Something I have learnt during my normal training is how important it is to have a strong core. This helps keep your body stable while running, as well as help with running efficiency, strength and posture. For ultra marathons this even more important and I have already upped my game here with 2minute planks!


The thing about ultra marathons is that they are long, very long! The more you can replicate the conditions towards the end of such a race the better prepared you will be when you get there. Again, Adrian emphasised to me that this is very much down to experimentation and finding out what works for me. One way he used to help prepare his body for dealing with a lack of food stores and dehydration was to not eat and drink in the morning before a run so the body started on empty. He would eat and drink on route, but by starting on empty it replicated (to some extent) the latter part of the race. He told me the first time he did this on a long run he was sick! However, every time he did it after and during races he didn’t, so that first training run clearly helped his body adapt.


Another misconception I had built up about ultras was around tapering. I was fairly certain that because speed isn’t too much of a factor in ultras that tapering wasn’t too important and that probably only a few days rest would be enough. The same rules apply for ultras as do for marathons. Three week tapers, cutting out quantity and leaving the quality, is the way to prepare. I hate tapering, but I guess I’ll have to do it!


However, I think the most important thing Adrian told me was something I already know, but it is worth hearing over and over again, and that is the most important thing in an ultra race is the mind. I discovered in marathon running that your legs only take you so far, the mind takes you the rest of the way. In every marathon I have ever run the last three miles have been run on strength of mind rather than legs, so it makes sense that ultras are the same. In fact, I am sure that the need for a strong mind and will power will be needed a hundred times more for the MDS than any marathon I will run. How do I train for that? Well I plan to take my personal determination, will power and drive to succeed in this race and ingrain it into my psyche. I plan to pull it out on every race, every rep, and every training run where I feel a moment’s weakness between now and the MDS, so that when I get to that race it will have become second nature to me.

Wednesday 21 July 2010: Achieving one of my running goals!

Mileage: 11 miles


Sri Chinmoy 2 Mile Race – 6th Place: 10mins 25secs


When I started running in 2007 I discovered the Sri Chinmoy 1, 2 mile and 5k races in the Meadows. Run by the good people of Edinburgh’s Run and Become shop, they are small races with about 50-75 runners, but often with incredibly competitive athletes including international runners on some occasions. They are very enjoyable races that certainly get the best out of you. I can’t quite remember which one I did first, but I know that I did a 5k and 2 mile race in July that year. The 5k I finished in 18.36 and finished about 18th and in the 2 mile run I ran 11.57 and again finished in the top 20.
 After each race there is a short prize giving where the first 7 men and women get special medals. I remember after running my first couple of these races watching these elite athletes collecting the medals and I was utterly mesmerised and awe struck by their times and their efforts. I instnantly wanted one! I made it a goal for my running career to win one of those medals! I ran a couple more of the races in 2007 and 2008 and managed to bring down my times, but still got nowhere near 7th place. Last year I only raced once, a 2 mile race where I finished in the top 15 (I think) in 10.45. The way my training and racing worked last year meant I just never made it up to the Meadows on a Wednesday night.


This year has been similar, as I have been focusing on Tuesday and Thursday night training sessions, both before and after my holiday so hadn’t entered one of these races. At the end of last week when I decided I would run the Musselburgh 10k as a target race with the aim of getting a PB I thought a Wednesday night 2 mile run would provide me with the perfect opportunity to tune up. I took Monday and Tuesday easily so as to recover a little from my 22mile run on Sunday. However, my legs felt quite heavy as I warmed up and I struggled to find any pace in them as I forced out some reluctant strides down Middle Meadow Walk. The weather was far from perfect too, the heavy drizzle had worked its way into my mind and I was far from excited about racing. With it being such a shitty night I was pretty pleased to see a number of my club mates including Adam, James and Kev at the start line, which lifted my mood. It was good, as always to chat races and training, and it helped me focus my mind more on running.


We massed under what was now a light drizzle at the start line and I felt a little tense and nervous, as I have to admit, as much as the race didn’t matter too much to me in terms of long term racing and training objectives, I really wanted to win one of those medals. I recognised several of the runners on the start line all of whom were pretty quick, as well as those from my own club too. I knew before we’d even set off that this was going to be a tough race!


I wasn’t sure what my race tactic was going to be until about 5 seconds after the race had started. It turned out that my tactic was simply run as fast as I could for as long as I could. I quickly found myself in a collection of about 6 or 7 runners behind 3 very fast runners who had already pulled away from us. By the time we had made our first turn after about a quarter of a mile we were down to a group of 4, myself, Adam Priestley, Jeff (A Pitreavie Runner) and Bryan (Corstorphine). We headed to the half mile mark together, but I was already feeling it. By the time we made the turn to head back to complete the first mile loop we had thinned out slightly with Bryan pulling ahead of Adam, Adam pulling ahead of Jeff and Jeff pulling ahead of me. I was just hanging on to the back. Our string stretched out a little bit more by the time we crossed the mile marker. With our times being called out I knew Bryan went through in just over 5 minutes. I was at 5.05, a bit faster than what I had thought I would have gone through in. The start of the final mile was definitely slower and I was in danger of dropping right off and getting swallowed up by the group of runners not too far behind me. I put in a bit of work after we turned the corner at about 1.25 miles and managed to get myself on even terms with Jeff. I have to admit I thought about pushing on a bit and trying to catch up with Adam. I perhaps didn’t give Adam the credit he deserved as I told myself that he would probably slow up considerably in the last half mile, so I concentrated on staying with Jeff and saving something for the end. When we approached the last couple of turns and the last half mile I put in another burst and moved ahead of Jeff. I was pleased about this and really wanted to make it stick, as earlier this year Jeff had beaten me to first place at the Kinross 10k. As we turned into the last 200m I looked ahead and although Adam was coming a little closer he had held his pace well and there was no way I was going to catch him. I did however finish strong and managed to finish in a new PB of 10.25 and 6th place. It was a great feeling. I am not sure my lungs have worked so hard in a race before. They were heaving to the point of bursting as I crossed the line and collapsed in a heap on the floor.


At the end it was with a big smile and a great sense of achievement that I went up and collected my sixth place medal. I’ve now achieved another one of my running goals, only about a million more to do before I can retire satisfied. It was a great race and I now feel in good shape for the 10k on Saturday. Hopefully with a couple of easier days between now and then I will get the PB I am looking for.


Top 10 Places from tonight’s race:


1 Michael Gillespie Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds 9.34 1st M


2 Stevie Cairns HBT 9.56 2nd M


3 Ben Cole Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds 10.08 3rd M


4 Bryan Clarke Corstorphine AAC 10.16 4th M


5 Adam Priestley Edinburgh AC 10.19 5th M


6 Richard Meade Edinburgh AC 10.25 6th M


7 Jeff Farquhar Pitreavie AAC 10.28 1st MV50


8 James Ruskin Edinburgh AC 10.38 7th M


9 Rory Downie Stirling Tri Club 10.39


10 Paul Brennan Edinburgh AC 10.53

Full results here