Loch Ness

Well having had a good night's sleep and managed to get downstairs -- taking the stairs backwards does work, by the way -- time to reflect on yesterday. My official time was 3.59.56. Overall a great wee marathon. Highlights - the secenery; the pipe band marching through the massed runners at the start; the spectator dressed as a gorrilla at mile 16 and of course Bryan Burnett's great commentary - plus free food for the runners after the race !!!
PROBLEMS
There was a big hassle with the buses at the start which left a good number of runners standing in the cold for about an hour -- seriously not good., I was lucky having turned up early I got on a nice luxury coach with a toilet -- but not a good start to the day. The organisers held up their hands and admitted they were let down by the bus company who sent two too few vehicles -- also one broke down -- not their fault, let's hope it's a one off. The start of the race was delayed by 50 minutes so more hanging about, but there was free tea and coffee on the go.
THE RACE
The route itself is spectacular. Starting on a wee country road at Whitebridge, undulating down to Foyers, then flattish until the hill at Dores -- which was not too bad actually, then a nice downhill finish to the city itself -- not a car in sight until you get to Inverness and some of the most breathtaking scenery of any marathon I would suggest. I can see why people go back year after year.
TACTICS
I had pencilled in the idea that I might attempt 8.00 minute miles which I know is quick running all the way. I started pretty well, the first mile was 8.19 despite the narrow start, the next mile better at 8.05, mile 3 was 8.07 and already I was not really on the pace. Mile 4, 8.34. The hilly sections were slowing me down. By half way a re-think was needed. It was quite clear that 3.30ish was beyond me on the day so I refocusesd -- aimed to achieve a new PB and got it... by a good 4 minutes.
POSITIVE
The really positive stuff to come out of this race. I felt that I ran really well and strongly. I felt relaxed and confident and didn't get fixated on an arbitrary time. I finished well and strongly, the last 5 miles were 8.15;821;8.18;8.23 and 8.37 -- I was willing my legs to go faster on that last bit but they wouldn't. My fuelling and rehydration strategy worked -- I had plenty of energy and never felt thirsty all the way.
HILLS
What took its toll on my pace were the hills. I slowed noticeably on all the inclines and didn't pick up enough on the downhills -- perhaps I was too cautious -- but I was worried about taking off too fast and running out of steam at 20 miles. That didn't happen in fact it was me who was overtaking runners along the way -- that was good for my confidence. I felt much more in control in this race rather than the race controlling me.
NEXT YEAR
So more hill practice for me and perhaps next time I'll set a pace of 8.15 a mile. Berlin seems an attractive option next year -- not too many hills there