Last weekend I travelled up to Balmoral with fellow Corstorphine AAC members to take part in the Tartan Balmoral 10k. The race is mainly offroad and has an infamous hill a few kilometres in. It was a very popular event (over 1000 entries in the 10k) and the sun was shining.
I started alongside fellow CAAC runners (some even sporting kilts). The first few km's were along flat road, but the hill soon approaches with a friendly sign informing us 'Beware of Hill Ahead'. It was indeed a hill - I was glad to hear the bagpipers in the distance marking the runners' arrival at the top. The plus side of running up a hill of course is the downhill which follows, but I think my legs were already shot and I decided to cruise down and enjoy the scenery as much as possible.
I finished in a time of 48min11, so not my fastest time by any means, but pleased nonetheless and even happier with the nice t-shirt and chunky medal I was presented with on crossing the line. There were some really good club performances, with Keith winning the event, Grant first vet, and a fe
w PBs!!The evening was spent celebrating the various victories in the pub. The next day involved an epic day of hill walking! 21 miles in total - 2 Munros (Ben Mheadhoinm 1182m and Beinn a' Chaorainn, 1083m), bringing my total to 34 - I'm on course for 50 by August.
A really great weekend!! Next weekend....rest!
Myself, Dean, Gillian and Martin were the only CAACers at the Penicuik 10k. I really enjoyed the race, although I'd definately describe this as my most 'eventful' 10k. The first km is flat but then the next 3km are all uphill, a steep hill at first and then a gradual incline for the remainder. My legs felt good, although I was concerned that a knee niggle I have at the moment would appear at some point. I was glad of the flat section after the hill. The weather conditions were however, some of the worst I've
raced in I think. Cold, rain, wind and more wind. So much so, that at just under 4 miles, a strong gust blew my cap off into an adjacent field. It was my favourite cap from the London marathon and I wasn't leaving it in Penicuik!! So I made my way over the wire fence, into the field, retreived my hat and got back onto the course. The two women I'd just spent the last couple of km's closing down, overtook me once more and I had some catching up to do! I still felt strong, but the knee pain started to make itself known and the last couple of miles were very painful. Fortunately, the last section was mostly downhill and so I pushed on till the end. I finished in a time of 45:46 which I was ple
ased with considering the conditions and slight detour. We were all very cold by the end of the race, but were rewarded with a shiny medal, a hot drink and all the home baking we could eat!!
