I have been a bit delayed in getting around to doing a race report for the Isle of Skye half Marathon. Been kept preoccupied with my training and getting things together for when I travel to compete in the Berlin marathon in September.
Skye Half Marathon Garmin Connect Details.
The evening before the Skye half I was very nervous. I knew I was in good shape physically but strange doubts were creeping into my mind. I had small niggles such as a stiff muscle around my shin which were causing me much more elevated anxiety than normal.
I would be defending my title this year and knew Keith Hood (Corstorphine AC) would be competing so I would have to put in a good performance to retain my title. The weather forecast said very low wind speed and 14 degree heat. The conditions would make for fast racing if a little on the warm side.
I decided I would opt to go to bed early and get up in good time for the race in the morning. The nerves never went away and my sleep was very intermittent. I managed to get a few hours which was better than nothing.
Waking up in the morning the nerves had eased. I had my routine pre-race shower and had some cereal and toast for breakfast. I always like to get some Carbohydrate in a few hours before a race just to top up the Carbohydrate loading I did Thursday/Friday evening.
I passed some time on my laptop and eventually it was 9.45 and time to head for the Fingal centre in Portree where the race was to be hosted. I put on my tracksuit and headed outside. The first thing I noticed was the warmth and complete lack of wind. These conditions are normally very welcomed in the middle of Summer. They would however, make things very difficult for the 300 competitors trying to run 13 miles as fast as they could.
On arrival at the Fingal centre I immediately went to the changing rooms and changed into my racing kit. I wanted to do a good warm up today with some Strides, mainly just to reassure myself that I was over exaggerating the niggles that I had.
I began doing some stretches at the side of the building outside. At this point local man Donnie Nicolson came over and we had a quick chat. He then informed me that he would be filming throughout the race and he would try not to be too distracting. I then did a pre race interview for the video. I have to admit I found that this did add a little extra pressure to put in a good performance. I was feeling good though so I was able to focus in on running well.
After stretching I did some progressive jogging and then some Strides. I was then ready for the race to start. Soon enough I heard Lucky2Bhere charity founder Ross Cowie who was MCing for the race announce for the runners to gather behind the pipe band.
The Skye Half has a very special beginning in that the runners are lead to the start line behind the Isle of Skye Pipe Band. This is a great start to the event and really appeals to the supporting crowd.
Once on the start line we waited for a moment as the organisers got in position. 5..4..3..2..1.. and we were off. I set of into a natural pace which was initially hard to settle into as the first mile is mostly uphill. I started fast and managed to earn a 200 yard lead on the climb of the first mile over Keith Hood.
The next couple of miles are very undulating but I had settled into a rhythm and was running slightly behind the lead vehicle. At mile 4 I was in good shape, I had run the last three miles in 5:18, 5:19, 5:17. This was good solid running and I was maintaining my advantage on Keith.
As we dropped down past Macdiarmid School I was still going strong. I did however, begin to notice the heat and I was losing much more fluid than I would normally. I used the water station at the main road junction, however in a bid to maintain my pace a spilt a lot of the water and only managed to take a mouthful.
At Tote I began to climb a hill. The hill is very steep and requires a lot of mental strength to run hard. Once at the top I used the slight downhill to the Kensaleyre turn off to steady my breathing and regain my form. I always like turning around here onto the main road as it seems to give me a mental lift that I'm running back to Portree.
Miles 8 and 9 are long drags up a slight incline. My pace dropped to 5.30 and 5.27 and I began to notice the heat taking it's toll on me. I then approached the notorious hill at Borve. Almost 1 Mile of relatively sharp climbing. I made a decision here I would probably look back on as a mistake.
I knew I had run well and still only had a bit of a lead on Keith who was running just behind me. I decided to attack the hill hard. I covered the mile of steep ascent in 5.37. On reaching the top I became fully aware of the mistake I had just made.
I had made no allowance for the conditions and I was losing a lot of fluid at the top. On top of that the fast climb had severely taxed my leg muscles and they were very fatigued.
The final couple of miles drop down into Portree and the final 2 miles are mostly flat. I was able to regain my pace and dropped down the next mile in 5.17. I decided to keep pushing and try get myself to the finish as best I could. Again I probably pushed myself to hard here as I covered mile 12 in 5.12.
Mile 13 it all started to go wrong. My running form completely deteriorated and I felt light headed and slightly sick. I was becoming very dehydrated. It was now a question of just reaching the finishing line. I was putting my body through so much that I made a deal with it. All I would ask was to get to the finish line and no further.
As I passed through Portree 200 yards from the finish I was having to concentrate on keeping myself upright. My head had tilted right back in order to compensate for my complete lack of balance. Mile 13 was covered in 5.43 and I knew my lead was shortening.
I turned around towards Portree High School I could hear a crowd cheering. I was unable to take in any of my surroundings as my soul focus became putting one foot in-front of the other. I broke the tape in 1 hour 11 minutes and 15 seconds, a new local record. True to my word, I collapsed on the line. I had nothing left.
I lay there for a moment, mainly relieved that I had made it to the end. After a few moments I was helped to my feet by two of the organisers and had to be treated for dehydration by an Ambulance crew who were thankfully on hand.
I was taken to Portree hospital for checks and thankfully I was given the OK. It was a bit of a surreal entry as the staff at the hospital had been listening to the race on the local Radio station and they all gave a big cheer as I was wheeled in. It was great though and really cheered me up.
I made it in time to return for the prize giving and caught up with various friends and fellow runners. Keith Hood had a great run and finished in 1.12.14. Local runner John Maclean also had a great run finishing 8th overall.
On reflection of the race it was clearly a bit of a learning curve for myself. Living on Skye doesn't best prepare you for racing 13 miles in very warm conditions so I have to admit I was very naive in the way I ran. On a more positive note it made me appreciate that conditions must be taken into account more and I must better monitor my body.
So, a classic case of learning the hard way. At least I'll know for next time :)
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