Strathkinness Blebocraigs - the come back!
Some 20 months after I'd last pinned a number to my chest I decided to take the plunge once more. I've always liked the Fife AC midweek series and, having missed the first race (4 of 5 to count), it was now or never.
I felt fatigued all day and wondered at the wisdom of my decision. I was still wondering if I was doing the right thing as I hoped from foot to foot in the Strathkinness village hall, chewing a stick of liquorice and watching the clock. I had a short jog and went through as much of the dynamic warm up as I could remember. At the start, out of habit, I looked around trying to figure out who the competition was. I'd been gone so long that there were too many new faces to judge. I knew Kirsty was on form and would beat me for sure, another four or five looked faster than me too.
I lined up a couple of rows behind Kirsty. Then we were off, I set off too fast, in about third place, then slowed and was passed by half a dozen women. So, I thought, I'm not so fit then. I struggled up that first drag but as the road levelled I pulled back the gap to a couple of women. On the descent I caught a couple more. Seeing Dave on the corner made me smile as I turned to face The Hill. I was re-passed by some hill runners but focused on keeping my stride short, cadence high, head up... I clung on until the track levelled off. I found I could accelerate into the flatter sections, no doubt a direct result of all the weight training and plyometrics with Alex. I found the descents really comfortable too and was feeling surprisingly fresh as we wound through the undulations of Blebocraigs. The increased muscle tone in my core also meant less twisting and - for the first time at this race - I didn't get a stitch! Coming out of Blebocraigs several people shouted for me by name. I love that about Fife AC, how a runner can disappear for 20 months and still be remembered and welcomed back.
One last small climb. I knew it was short, only about a third of a mile. I was about 40m back from the next (female) runner and decided to see what I could claw back on the hill, at the top it was nearer 20m. At the top it was also suddenly very atmospheric as a sea fog had rolled in and was squatting, toad like, over the rest of the course. I meanwhile was sneaking up on the runner ahead. I had hoped to pass before the single track field but didn't quite make it. However I was spurred into a spurt of speed by Ali, emerging from the fog to shout "what a come back!" It was exactly what I needed. With faith in my trusty Inov8 x-talons I took to the rough and claimed another place. From predator to prey I then realised two things: 1, I had to keep going at that pace if I didn't want to be caught and 2, the finish was considerably further away than I thought.
When I do weights with Alex he has stopped telling me how many reps I'm doing, waiting until there's only one or two left. I think he's figured out that I automatically pace myself if I know there's another 10 to go. I pulled the same trick on myself and was surprised and immensely relieved to find that there was enough in the tank for the half mile of unexpected racing!
I looked back a couple of times and saw only male runners. I crossed the line feeling pretty good. A shot of post-race endorphins (natural, of course) later and I was feeling great. I asked Neil how many women were ahead of me, expecting three or so. He held up a single finger. I was astonished and very happy. Happiest of all was the fact that my mast cells hadn't done anything stupid or dramatic. All the toys were in the pram. I could breathe, I wasn't dizzy, my fingers weren't swollen... Not for the first time did I thank Fate for having such a competent NHS consultant! I realise not only am I lucky to be in the catchment area of a specialist, but also to live in a country that looks after its own.
All this soppiness was brought to a halt by Dan when he assumed that the consultant in question was a psychiatrist. I suppose being allergic to exercise and doing it anyway might make some question my sanity! We jogged off into the mist to warm down, I felt hugely energised and would probably have run another couple of miles if Dan hadn't slowed to a walk and headed off for tea and cake. Apart from the liquorice, I had eaten well the rest of the day (lots of quinoa, fruit and vegetables) so decided that a muffin was allowed.
I enjoyed catching up with everyone and hung around until pretty much everyone else had headed home for baths and beds. I headed home to celebrate with a protein shake.
Sometimes I curse my luck. Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am.
I feel like a runner again.
I felt fatigued all day and wondered at the wisdom of my decision. I was still wondering if I was doing the right thing as I hoped from foot to foot in the Strathkinness village hall, chewing a stick of liquorice and watching the clock. I had a short jog and went through as much of the dynamic warm up as I could remember. At the start, out of habit, I looked around trying to figure out who the competition was. I'd been gone so long that there were too many new faces to judge. I knew Kirsty was on form and would beat me for sure, another four or five looked faster than me too.
I lined up a couple of rows behind Kirsty. Then we were off, I set off too fast, in about third place, then slowed and was passed by half a dozen women. So, I thought, I'm not so fit then. I struggled up that first drag but as the road levelled I pulled back the gap to a couple of women. On the descent I caught a couple more. Seeing Dave on the corner made me smile as I turned to face The Hill. I was re-passed by some hill runners but focused on keeping my stride short, cadence high, head up... I clung on until the track levelled off. I found I could accelerate into the flatter sections, no doubt a direct result of all the weight training and plyometrics with Alex. I found the descents really comfortable too and was feeling surprisingly fresh as we wound through the undulations of Blebocraigs. The increased muscle tone in my core also meant less twisting and - for the first time at this race - I didn't get a stitch! Coming out of Blebocraigs several people shouted for me by name. I love that about Fife AC, how a runner can disappear for 20 months and still be remembered and welcomed back.
One last small climb. I knew it was short, only about a third of a mile. I was about 40m back from the next (female) runner and decided to see what I could claw back on the hill, at the top it was nearer 20m. At the top it was also suddenly very atmospheric as a sea fog had rolled in and was squatting, toad like, over the rest of the course. I meanwhile was sneaking up on the runner ahead. I had hoped to pass before the single track field but didn't quite make it. However I was spurred into a spurt of speed by Ali, emerging from the fog to shout "what a come back!" It was exactly what I needed. With faith in my trusty Inov8 x-talons I took to the rough and claimed another place. From predator to prey I then realised two things: 1, I had to keep going at that pace if I didn't want to be caught and 2, the finish was considerably further away than I thought.
When I do weights with Alex he has stopped telling me how many reps I'm doing, waiting until there's only one or two left. I think he's figured out that I automatically pace myself if I know there's another 10 to go. I pulled the same trick on myself and was surprised and immensely relieved to find that there was enough in the tank for the half mile of unexpected racing!
I looked back a couple of times and saw only male runners. I crossed the line feeling pretty good. A shot of post-race endorphins (natural, of course) later and I was feeling great. I asked Neil how many women were ahead of me, expecting three or so. He held up a single finger. I was astonished and very happy. Happiest of all was the fact that my mast cells hadn't done anything stupid or dramatic. All the toys were in the pram. I could breathe, I wasn't dizzy, my fingers weren't swollen... Not for the first time did I thank Fate for having such a competent NHS consultant! I realise not only am I lucky to be in the catchment area of a specialist, but also to live in a country that looks after its own.
I enjoyed catching up with everyone and hung around until pretty much everyone else had headed home for baths and beds. I headed home to celebrate with a protein shake.
Sometimes I curse my luck. Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am.
I feel like a runner again.
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