Continuing my aims to race more often and recapture my enjoyment of running, I put in an entry for this 10 miler, the furthest I would have raced in the last 2 years with the exception of the biggest mistake of my running life on 28th October 2013. I've read back my report on the Dublin Marathon and note that I said the following:-
"I certainly don't regret having a go (the training was a worthwhile learning curve) but those of you who run marathons are welcome to them. I've been told by a few sources my time entitles me to an automatic place at the London Marathon. Absoloutely no thanks. Stuff it where the sun doesn't shine!"
The Tom Scott Road Race took place on the same morning as the London Marathon so you will gather that I did indeed send the opportunity of a guaranteed place in the UK's largest marathon to an area where the central star of the solar system cannot expose its hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields! Given a choice of 26.2 miles in London and 10 miles in Carluke, there was only one winner.
I knew the course would be no pancake but was hopeful of doing okay and, with the race doubling as a Scottish and West District Championship, carried some hope of slipping into medal territory. A field of 150 runners, 8.67% of whom were in Ronhill Cambuslang colours, were set off from the John Cummings athletics track at 10am. I aimed to get as far into the race as possible feeling as well as I could and joined a fairly large leading group. I was happy enough to take shelter in it as we headed out the town into the country roads. Hilly courses help me a lot since I can compensate for my lack of leg speed compared to others by grinding up the hills. By 3 miles, the group was down to 3, myself, Robert Gilroy and Tewelde Mengisteab. David Millar however stayed close enough to remain a threat.
Above: running alongside Robert Gilroy with David Millar in the background. In hindsight, I look like I got dressed in the dark. Photo courtesy of That One Moment.
The course was an out and back one and as we went through 4 miles towards the turning point, I felt strong. We turned halfway up a hill and I was confident enough to take the lead. My plan thereafter was to try and stride away towards victory. Little did I know about the galeforce wind so I changed tack and decided to stick with the other 2 guys. I didn't want them to hide behind me then ambush me with a sprint finish so was content for them to retake the lead while I sat on their shoulders. Driving wind and rain started to drain me. I knew the times wouldn't be quick and I wasn't going to trouble my personal best of 50:41 from Brampton in November 2011 but the race was a great one to be part of.
I stayed with Robert and Tewelde until between 6 and 7 miles when the weather conditions finally took their toll on me. They gained a few metres. I gritted my teeth and tried to battle back towards them. They were on their way to a straight shootout for both Scottish and West District gold. Exercising my golden rule of racing, I didn't look behind though as we took a right turn between 7 and 8 miles, I allowed myself a sideways glance to see there wasn't another runner in sight. This boosted me because it appeared all I needed to do was keep moving to earn myself two bronze medals.
Having turned out the wind and with the course flattening out, I summoned some energy through the streets of Carluke back to the sports centre. A rather cruel uphill took us back onto the track for a full lap to the finish. While out of contention myself, I got close enough to see Robert outgun Tewelde for the race win. I meanwhile realised Lachlan Oates had gained on me so had to find some extra effort to see him off by 13 seconds. Having taken District bronze and also my first ever podium finish in a Scottish championship, I finished a very tired but happy 3rd place.
An extensive prize giving saw me leave with District bronze, Scottish bronze, Scottish team silver (Kerry-Liam Wilson and Robert were the other team counters) and £60. The London Marathon played in the background which reminded me how much I hadn't wanted to be there. Mug's game!
The full list of Cambuslang performances is below and full race results are here.
1st: Robert Gilroy, 53:21
3rd: Stuart Gibson, 53:44
9th: Kerry-Liam Wilson, 55:04- 2nd V40
13th: Kenny O'Neil, 58:19
23rd: James Healey, 1:01:06
27th: Colin Feechan, 1:02:04- 1st V50
28th: John Macnamara, 1:02:07
30th: Shazad Hakeem, 1:02:38
34th: George Pettit, 1:03:25
39th: Robert Rossborough, 1:04:31
40th: Alex Lamond, 1:04:50- 4th lady
50th: Tony McCutcheon, 1:07:27
54th: Dave Thom, 1:08:12
Above: Colin Feechan (1st over 50), Robert Gilroy (race winner) and me (3rd place). The photo is my own.
No comments:
Post a Comment