http://www.justgiving.com/mikesgot-the-runs
After 165 miles of training over the last 8 weeks, race day was finally upon me and I was a bit nervous. I took the pre-race nerves to be a sign that I was taking this seriously but mercifully that didn't last too long.
The sports centre was packed to almost critical mass with Lycra and the build up of static electricity was in danger of setting off the fire alarms. I did my best to blend in amongst them, doing the sort of stretches that I hoped gave off the message that I was a bona fide runner or possibly just here are my testicles please kick them. I thought, however that it was only fair to give my ligaments plenty of warning to try and avoid any fraying, snapping or otherwise inconveniencing of my forward motion.
Eventually the build up was over and we were off. The first few miles passed uneventfully enough and even the uphill section wasn't too bad. I'd spent most of the week telling anyone who would listen that there was no wind forecast so of course it was blowing a gale. Well maybe not quite that bad but turning into the wind for the eighth mile was not pleasant. Fortunately I managed to tuck in behind one of the Aberdeen Harriers whose unfeasibly hairy shoulders were acting as a very effective wind break.
I faded a bit on the last mile but the sight of Steph and Ava at the finishing line was enough to lift me to a passable sprint around the running track and a time of 1:27:44.
Before
After (NB not lactating - vaseline anti-chaffing measures!)
