It’s thanks to Stephen Jones informative email’s that I found out this race was even on and as luck had it, the 10k in Pitlochry coincided with a visit to my hometown and a requirement to do a 10k race as part of my Loch Ness Marathon training.
I was a bit worried when I realised there was only 70 entrants – less opportunity of hiding among the throngs as I puffed and panted along red-faced – but I was assured from the nice friendly people at the Atholl Leisure Centre that they get many more entrants on the day, the numbers eventually swelled to 106.
I took part in this race a few years back in its inaugural year when the course was a good mixture of road and scenic forest track. The organisers have since changed the route on safety grounds, which is a real shame, because I really enjoyed running through Faskally Woods by Loch Faskally, via the Black Spout Woods, ending on a nice fast downhill into Pitlochry town centre. Apparently that first year many people tripped and stumbled on the more challenging bits, so, that must have explained why we were warned about some “particularly slippery leaves” on the one off-road section near the River Garry.
I didn’t really have a race strategy as I hadn’t run a 10k since one up in Nairn about 3 years ago when I was lucky to limp over the finishing line just under 1 hour – my slowest 10k ever. Decided I’d just enjoy it, and see how things went. I was told another Maryhill Harrier was taking part so I furtively looked around for a familiar blue top, but, alas I couldn’t see one.
Atholl Road, Pitlochry’s main thoroughfare, was closed for the start of the race. The route took us out of town towards Faskally, past the Caravan Park, beyond the Garry Bridge and then down a nice little off road bit, keeping nice and heavy footed in case of doing oneself a mischief on the “slippery leaves” to cross a little wrought iron bridge over the River Garry where I managed to sneak a little glance up towards Carn Liath, a munro part of the Beinn a Ghlo range. The route then took us up to the Garry Bridge car park via a cruel set of thigh burning steps to the water station. Then it was a simple case of going over the Garry Bridge and returning to Pitlochry on the same route we headed out on.
I decided to go out slowly in the first half, and then pick up the pace. I overtook a girl with swishy bobbed hair and a bandana, and increased the distance between us, but, after stopping for a swig off water, she overtook me but I managed to get past her again, not that I’m competitive or anything!
My next target was a slim man in his 50’s wearing tiny shorts and a vest, but as much as I tried I couldn’t catch him. I was feeling really quite strong and sailed up the hills. I’m not very good with my all singing and dancing sports watch, haven’t yet figured out how to set splits, but, I did have an inkling my time was going to be better than my anticipated 55 mins or so. It was a nice downhill back into Pitlochry, so, was able to keep the pace up, but, then it turned this way and that, before ending on a hill! Thankfully, a nice smiley man wearing a yellow and blue vest shouted some words of encouragement to spur me on to the end.
I headed along to the awards ceremony in the town hall to enjoy the free filled rolls, home baking and coffee. As I nattered to a nice man from Lenzie, I was gobsmacked to hear my name being read out as 3rd female vet! I came in at 51:31. I was very happy at my little bit of glory and was given my award by my old PE teacher, Mr Pattinson. I only wish it was the more formidable hard-to-please Mrs Beadie who was doing the presentation, then my “bronze” success would have been all the more sweet!
