I’m sure we all have some form of pre-race ritual. For me I don’t like to shave in the days leading up to race. So, on Saturday when I 1) had to shave for my best friend’s birthday and 2) took a notch out of my moustache, I was fearing the worst.
What followed has made me reconsider my ritual completely.
On Sunday, 8 Harriers headed back to Strathclyde Park for the latest installment of the Merit League. After opening the season with a 5k there in November, today’s entertainment was 3-and-a-bit laps round the loch. The recent sunny spell had definitely ended, with Baltic conditions all morning.
The 8 included Natalie, who realised the night before she hadn’t actually entered the race! Fortunately Hannah and the Harriers WhatsApp group got things sorted.
I’ve been running well this year, but after 3 weeks off in April I wasn’t sure what to expect. So I did the only logical thing – set off at PB pace and try to hold on.
The race started with an out-and-back to a marshal. No cone, narrow path, far too risky for any Prior turns. Scott set out strong early on and was quickly in the distance, and everyone was looking happy heading on to lap 1.
I quickly settled into a good rhythm (4:10, 4:11, 4:11, 4:09 for the first 4km). Then came the sole hill on the course. Scott’s new nickname should be ‘PPI’, because he completely missold this by saying it was a short hill! A sharp climb took what felt like a lifetime in the context of this race, with 2 more to come. A steep descent to a tight bend didn’t help, but a steady downhill back to the loch got things back on track.
After that the race settled into the monotony of loch laps. 10k and 5k races were going on at the same time, so we all had confusion at some point with runners flying past. I carried on at a good pace until halfway when attempt 2 at the hill came. Better than lap 1 but not long after the legs were starting to struggle. 15k onwards became a grind as I entered the gurning and grunting phase. At this point I heard a spectator say to her friend “I know him from work”. I was too focused on the run to acknowledge who it was, so I’m sure that’ll be a fun conversation in the office this week!
Elsewhere on route some excellent Harrier performances were developing.
Scott was first over the line to take 4th overall and 2nd senior male, with an impressive PB of 1:24. I followed with a 1:30 to take my horror show at the National XC out of my merit league score. James was next home in 1:36, taking 2nd 50-54 male in the process.
Natalie was first female Harrier in. This was another fantastic result, taking 2nd senior female and 4th overall in 1:37. Heather was next up in a new PB of 1:46, insisting on watching everyone else come in before getting a jumper despite the cold. Cat’s 1:52 put her 2nd in the 40-44 female category. Kenny hit the finish with an age-PB of 1:58. Linda rounded off the group with a 2:02 that should have won her age category, but the organisers have completely missed her result. A shame, but I’m sure the club will give the recognition this result deserves.
Overall this was a fun local race and good value for a half marathon. Thanks to the organisers and volunteers who ensured all three races ran smoothly. Everyone in the club had a great achievement, be it a PB or a medal place (or in my case realising that rituals maybe aren’t worth getting worked up about). A great way to start a busy month of merit league races as we approach the end of the season.
Results
Scott Coulter – 1:24:09
Daniel Nixon – 1:30:47
James Prior – 1:36:32
Natalie Somerville – 1:37:21
Heather Stevenson – 1:46:25
Cat Nisbet – 1:52:54
Kenny Henderson – 1:58:13
Linda Sinclair – 2:02:47
