The Cambuslang ‘Down by the river’ 10K is another race I dodged due to injury last year, but Theresa did it then and we both went back over last Sunday to run it. Theresa did a good time last year, close to a PB set 6 years ago, so i’d been ribbing her about getting a decent PB this time around. It’s a fairly small field (118), but with some fast west coast club runners.
A ‘fast’ route, out from Cambuslang, along the Clyde then a turn back to retrace the steps. Once out of the industrial start area,quite scenic for an urban race, and the Clyde is a constant distraction for me at least. I felt like I was trying hard all the way – overtaken by first lady about 5K in, but managed to keep a fairly steady pace. Managed a PB at 39.09, 3 seconds quicker than my Boxing Day PB at Ayr a couple of months ago - this pleased me, as it gave evidence of maintained form, in spite of low weekly mileage. Pleased also to come 20th, which is about as good as it gets for me. Analysis of my splits bore out my hunch that I felt (and was) considerably faster at Ayr for the last 1.5 miles, but with overall the same performance across both races. I need to figure out what suits me best…..steady start, then fast burst at end or vice versa.
As for T, well she shaved over a minute off her 10K PB set 6 years ago. She was really pleased and rightly so. Well done!!
In an attempt to kick-start my distance running, I popped out last night and ran to Haddington in the twilight – despite the misty gloom, it was a nice, atmospheric run, taking in the bottom of Doon Hill, out to Pitcox, then along to Whittinghame, and the distant glow of Haddington’s lights beckoned warmly. All on quiet, out of the way country roads, with deer, hares and buzzards for company. A couple of hours later, 14 miles under the belt, I felt good and glad to get a lift back home from T.
Well done, T&B, hope you enjoy Paris