Wednesday 21 March 2012

Alloa Half Marathon

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My last half marathon was the 2011 Balloch - Clydebank where I set a pb of 1:26:06. I was hoping for something around the 1:21 mark having trained over winter with the Bellahouston Harriers but as the starting gun fired in the bright spring sunshine my plan went straight out the window.

The Ochill foothills - credit: runpics.com


The first 4 miles were amazing, much faster than I had planned for but hugely enjoyable, passing the 3 mile marker in 17.40. Ahead of me was a strong group working together which included George Taylor (Giffnock North), Ewan Jack (Central Athletics) and Rodger Clark (Carnegie Harriers). I kept them in my sights and once passed the 10k point (36.40) took on a gel and focused on Ochill foothills ahead. I sensed I could go faster so hung onto the shoulder of a pacey Anster Haddie runner called Dell.


Dell (Anster Haddies), Crispin Walsh (Bellahouston Harriers) and Jennifer Emsley (Central AC) - credit: runpics.com
We picked off flagging runners along the foothills until the long hill at 11 miles, I couldn't match his pace here so shrugged it off and blasted the last 2 miles with what I had left!

I ran a 1:18:19 and finished 30th overall, 10th M40.

From left - Craig Lamont, Crispin Walsh, Angela Campbell, Kristina Greig, Stewart Mullholland. - credit: Claire Lamont.