Brilliant day out today at Rothesay with a bunch of Bellas running in the Bute Highland Games 10k. Great weather for the best part of the day -- almost a little too warm for racing. Ran the distance according to plan, at marathon pace with Andy, Maddie and Stevie -- great photo opportunity finish when I grabbed Stevie's hand as we sprinted for the line and we both simultaneously did a superman -- hope somebody got the picture. The four of us set off as a team and we finished as a team. There were some good race performances from the other Bellas. Thanks to Louise and Craig for support -- Louise took the team picture -- looks great in the centre arena surrounded by crowds. Had time to shoot the breeze with Bobby Kath and Marina from Clydesdale -- all ran good races. Also managed a quick hello with Mark Coyle from Motherwell -- great to see him back. Afterwards a few lemonades before catching the ferry home. Many thanks to Andy and Maddie for the lift to and from the ferry, good craic and some great music.
Long run this morning with Karlyn and Jim O. 20 miles at 9 minute miles -- 1 minute slower that my target marathon pace. The Garmin averaged the run at 8.59 a mile. Next stop Bute Highland Games 10k -- not to race but to run it at marathon pace. It's just good to take part in the event with fellow Bellas and run without any pressure -- don't do enough of that. Last year the 10k was great fun.
Official time for the Bella 5k was 20.57. According to the club statistician that makes me the lead supervet with one race to go. I include an extract from his report . The Super Vets Competition: although my (Ian Goudie) time of 21:04 was enough to earn an additional five points, enough to overtake Tom McMillan, the inaugural Super Vet Champion looks set to be Norman Boyle who came storming in to pole position with 82 points from his time of 20:57 given him an 18 point lead and a total of 643. With one race to go -- the Glasgow Half -- Ian reckons I can't be caught. We'll see !!!
That's me completed the club championship with the last short race available to me. Ran the Bella 5k in around 20.57 ish -- a bit uncertain of the time as I was wearing a borrowed watch. Another strong performance -- but I just don't seem able to push it to the next level at the moment. Quite happy though -- interested to see how that will place me in the championship table. Great prizes and a fantastic spread as usual after the race. Overheard two other runners waiting in the toilet queue complementing the club for the friendliness and the great organisation of the race, know what -- they're right !!! PS Bella won both the men's and ladies' team prizes. Emma Birnie won the first female vet 35. Pic shows Colin McGill receiving the prize on behalf of the Bella men.
