20th March 2016
Another hour and a quarter’s drive on a Sunday morning and in the sunshine. However this week we were running 20 miles rather than 10. It’s a track start and the whole race is off-road on cycle paths and pavements which are open to the public as well. It is a fast, flat course apart from the finish at the castle which of course is at the top of a hill, not easy after 19 miles. The race was well organized with plenty of marshals.
The start was quite congested but I managed to wiggle my way through to run at a comfortable speed. The runners around me were quite friendly and we swapped notes on timings and pace. I was just getting into a rhythm and thinking maybe all that marathon training was worthwhile when a dog jumped up and bit me on the arm! I was so shocked I just kept on running . The show must go on – unfortunately the owner of the dog got off very lightly!
I still had over ten miles to run which was a long way when all I wanted to do was sit down and cry – I absolutely hate dogs! A fellow runner was very supportive: ‘you just show that dog what you’re made of!’
When I got back I found out that we had two other ‘casualties’. Both Alan and Sharon had to drop out because of injuries. Patrick and Christian finished soon after me and we all cheered in Carolyn and Bernard so they had to ‘grimace’ their way up the hill!
Under Dr Mowat’s strict instructions I spent Sunday evening in A&E at Macc to avoid cellulitis and I promise I won’t turn up to training tomorrow frothing at the mouth!
Nicky
1st Iraltz Arrospide 1:52:36
1stF Joasie Zakrzewski 2:05:28
184 Nicky Mowat 2:34:51 (new WRC record for V55 20 miles)
265 Patrick Grannan 2:44:06
285 Christian Hook 2:47:50
368 Bernard McCarron 2:58:08
369 Carolyn Hirons 2:58:09
Oh dear Nicky, well done for carrying on… Well done all that finished and commiserations to those that couldn’t , Jan