Runs Writes Code

This was the race I nearly didn't start (or finish). "Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings." - Ralph Waldo Emerson I had booked an Enterprise Car Club car to drive down to Peebles the afternoon before the race. When I went down to the car I discovered a massive gouge in one of the tyres. I am 100% certain that the tyre would have blown had I tried to drive it to Peebles. Given how badly I had felt in the lead up  I was beginning to think the whole thing was a bad idea. I was sat on the pavement close to tears while Enterprise sorted another car. I knew I would miss registration and have to register on race morning. Leaving hours after I had planned meant driving a strange car in heavy traffic in the dark, none of which seemed appealing. I arrived in Peebles stressed and with only some cold rice for dinner. At the Lindores Guesthouse I was just checking in when I saw a little grey snout and two deep brown eyes looking around the door to

The week before the race felt strange, like time was passing too fast and too slow. I had got myself into the shape of my life and all I had to do was keep ticking over, not do anything stupid, not get sick. It was of course a week of niggles, along with a slight sore throat and headache. Having fallen ill right before most of my key races in 2018 I tried not to worry but it was hard not to. Debbie had requested our race plans 10 days before but I kept holding off. I had a hunch I could get close to 8 hours, but that would mean going 30 minutes faster than I had before. My real target was a medal, a gold one if I could, and I didn’t want to blow that by chasing an unachievable time. So the race plan was to stay in the pack - if there was a suitable one - for the first 50km or so, then…  The weekend before I ran 20km by feel in full kit (including the hair tie!) around the Meadows in Edinburgh (a near-identical length lap to Perth and with the same headwind down one side).