Scenic

Following on from the Edinburgh 10k, I entered the Great Scottish Run Half-Marathon in Glasgow on Sept 6th. Training for this has been going well, abetted by some great advice from Twitter. Today is Sunday, and Sunday is long run day. Logistics suggested the Glen Fruin Loop or Garelochead Station - Home. Then, in the week, I spotted a sign saying the Helensburgh Half Marathon was today, and the plans changed. I'd discounted running it because I thought it too close to Glasgow, but 4 weeks is a different story, so I entered with the intention of making it a longer than usual training run - especially as the Garelochead route takes in most of the Half course anyway.

Weather forecast said overcast with occasional showers, but the walk down to the pier was in suspiciously sunny and warm conditions, which "improved" in the hour before start. Warming up on the pier reminds you what a great race this is scenically - views out over the Clyde, to Arran and up the Gare Loch.

The race plan was quite simple - no great exertions (this is supposed to be a training run!) and try and run steady 7:30 miles. If that happens, then the year's goal of a sub 1:40 half was possible. Starting at 9.30, and with only about 350 runners, the (shared) roads are quiet and establishing a pace and routine easy.

After a slightly fast 7:17 first mile, I adjust and just keep on running at almost smack-on 7:30 pace. 4 miles in 29:55, 8 in 60:07 and 11 in 82:38. This is now beyond normal run length, and the short hill at just beyond 11 starts to take its toll on the legs. 12 miles comes up in 90:27, but happily there's plenty left in the energy tank, and I push the legs on over the last 1.1 to cross the line - in blazing sunshine - in 98:30 exactly; which I think makes my last mile my fastest! Race tactics were good too - steady pace and gradually reel in the vest in front of you, awarding extra points where it had the words "Athletic Club" or "Road Runners" somewhere on it. Was only passed twice after mile 4, and I repassed one of them at mile 10 - hah!

Very pleased with the time - a massive PB that eclipses a 26 year-old record, but mainly it was a really good run, well paced over a beautiful course, and which should help Glasgow preparations hugely. The section up and back the Gare Loch is stunning, and the comments I'd heard about the marshalling were spot on - absolutely brilliant and very supportive. Having lived here 13 years before doing this run, I suspect it won't be as long before I repeat...