Wednesday 10 May 2017
Saturday 6 May 2017
Edinburgh to North Berwick Road Race (E2NB)
I wanted to increase my distance after following Craig Stewart's training runs for the London Marathon. The longest distance I had previously run was the 7hills 15miler so decided to test myself by running 16miles. If that was ok, then the 20miles of the E2NB was also achievable. The logic followed that another 6miles on that distance would be straightforward to do.
On the 23rd of April, I ran from home to South Queensferry to join the John Muir Way for a section past Hopetoun, Blackness and finally to Linlithgow where I caught the train home. This was 26.3km (16.3miles) and I definitely still had something in the tank. I therefore entered the E2NB race on the back of that effort.
All week the wind was blowing from the east, without relent and when I disembarked the 26 bus on Portobello High Street it was still gusting in my face. I registered at the Powerleague building near the shore, pinned my numbers (front and back unusually) and then sat down to wait. I noticed a lot of people were hydrating. Of course I had stupidly wanted to be independent without a bag drop so now realised my error. I ventured along the High Street to a newsagent to buy some water and sweets.
Eventually we were shepherded onto the Promenade into the wind, the sun shining brightly off the lycra and sweat bands. Westwards we walked at a trot, some nervously chatting, others silent and alone. Some running, others jogging, most walking. Eventually, almost at the Edinburgh Cat and Dog home, we turned to face east and the start line was established. In the very far distance along the curving coast I could just make out Berwick Law. Oh my goodness, that is a long way. "Don't think about it, don't look at it again," I told myself and focused on the starter.
This race started with a gun. Not many of those!! Off we went along the prom dodging the other strollers. I got past a few slower runners and aimed for a couple of blokes who seemed to be going at my kind of pace. I joined in behind them and we cruised along. Coming through Musselburgh the older bloke introduced himself as Roger and we had a nice chat while passing the race course. At around 7miles I started to feel the pace and gradually dropped off with a couple of other runners coming in between us.
After Longniddry Mrs AB and kids passed me in their car and peeped the horn/waved out the window. A bit of encouragement got me into Aberlady where they were waiting at the roadside for some more shouts of support.
Things became rather jaded between Aberlady and Gullane except for a fairly bad fall by a runner in front. He had just overtaken me and 5metres ahead tripped over a large lump in the pavement to fall in a heap, water bottle spraying over the road. Suddenly there were 5 other runners stopped helping him, we got him up, checked he was ok and we all carried on.
The hill into Gullane was torture with the wind gusting over the exposed golf course and my pace really took a drop. But I kept going and managed to 'power' through the town. On the other side, the long sections of straight road were quite draining and I had to stop to stretch as an excuse for a break.
Short of Dirleton, a mother and son stepped out from a driveway offering a box of Jelly Babies - "You're a life saver! I'm dying!" I said and grabbed a handful.
After Dirleton I was sure there'd be a water station and thankfully my prayers were answered with sponges and cups of water. I stopped again and guzzled the rest of my sweets from Portobello.
I was really struggling now, and restarting running was tough. With the wind still blowing strong in my face it felt like walking would be quicker. I tried this for a few metres but realised my legs were so attuned to running that I looked drunk as I staggered long. The buildings of North Berwick were the marker I headed for and knew I could reach the finish line from there. Throughout all of this faffery I was being overtaken by stronger runners and slipping down the field.
Down the hill to Beach Road, I upped the pace and across the links to the finish waving to Roger on the way in. I collapsed in a heap just past the line.
2hr 48m
66/139
On the 23rd of April, I ran from home to South Queensferry to join the John Muir Way for a section past Hopetoun, Blackness and finally to Linlithgow where I caught the train home. This was 26.3km (16.3miles) and I definitely still had something in the tank. I therefore entered the E2NB race on the back of that effort.
All week the wind was blowing from the east, without relent and when I disembarked the 26 bus on Portobello High Street it was still gusting in my face. I registered at the Powerleague building near the shore, pinned my numbers (front and back unusually) and then sat down to wait. I noticed a lot of people were hydrating. Of course I had stupidly wanted to be independent without a bag drop so now realised my error. I ventured along the High Street to a newsagent to buy some water and sweets.
Eventually we were shepherded onto the Promenade into the wind, the sun shining brightly off the lycra and sweat bands. Westwards we walked at a trot, some nervously chatting, others silent and alone. Some running, others jogging, most walking. Eventually, almost at the Edinburgh Cat and Dog home, we turned to face east and the start line was established. In the very far distance along the curving coast I could just make out Berwick Law. Oh my goodness, that is a long way. "Don't think about it, don't look at it again," I told myself and focused on the starter.
This race started with a gun. Not many of those!! Off we went along the prom dodging the other strollers. I got past a few slower runners and aimed for a couple of blokes who seemed to be going at my kind of pace. I joined in behind them and we cruised along. Coming through Musselburgh the older bloke introduced himself as Roger and we had a nice chat while passing the race course. At around 7miles I started to feel the pace and gradually dropped off with a couple of other runners coming in between us.
After Longniddry Mrs AB and kids passed me in their car and peeped the horn/waved out the window. A bit of encouragement got me into Aberlady where they were waiting at the roadside for some more shouts of support.
Things became rather jaded between Aberlady and Gullane except for a fairly bad fall by a runner in front. He had just overtaken me and 5metres ahead tripped over a large lump in the pavement to fall in a heap, water bottle spraying over the road. Suddenly there were 5 other runners stopped helping him, we got him up, checked he was ok and we all carried on.
The hill into Gullane was torture with the wind gusting over the exposed golf course and my pace really took a drop. But I kept going and managed to 'power' through the town. On the other side, the long sections of straight road were quite draining and I had to stop to stretch as an excuse for a break.
Short of Dirleton, a mother and son stepped out from a driveway offering a box of Jelly Babies - "You're a life saver! I'm dying!" I said and grabbed a handful.
After Dirleton I was sure there'd be a water station and thankfully my prayers were answered with sponges and cups of water. I stopped again and guzzled the rest of my sweets from Portobello.
I was really struggling now, and restarting running was tough. With the wind still blowing strong in my face it felt like walking would be quicker. I tried this for a few metres but realised my legs were so attuned to running that I looked drunk as I staggered long. The buildings of North Berwick were the marker I headed for and knew I could reach the finish line from there. Throughout all of this faffery I was being overtaken by stronger runners and slipping down the field.
Down the hill to Beach Road, I upped the pace and across the links to the finish waving to Roger on the way in. I collapsed in a heap just past the line.
2hr 48m
66/139
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| Me chasing Roger and son |
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