Isle of Skye Half Marathon 2011

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 :)

Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon

A few days ago I took part in the Balloch to Clydebank half marathon. Not the most scenic of races although I was enjoying the relative flatness of the route. Certainly made a change from my usual hilly Skye training sessions.


Garmin details can be found here: Balloch to Clyebank Half Marathon


The race was scheduled for a 9am start, with competitors meeting at the Playdrome to be transported out at 8am to the start line. This mean't their was a bit of time to hang around before the race was due to start. The reason for being sent out so early soon became evident when the queue for the toilets started forming!


After a non-to-brief visit to the gents I began doing some gentle stretching. I was in my racing gear and had decided to brave the weather and wear simple my vest and shorts. This made for a rather unpleasant warm up in the cold wet car park at Loch Lomond shores.


Bellahouston had a few members taking part in the race, so I took the time before the start to catch up with a few of them. Everybody seemed to be feeling good and we were all desperate to get the race going and warm up.


Just before 9 competitors began to assemble around the corner at the start line. There was a slight delay as police checked a section of road which apparently had significant pot holes. Eventually a race organiser appeared with an air horn and we were off.


Immediately a lead group of four formed; myself, club mate Kenny Richmond, Iain Reid of Ronhill Cambuslang and local favourite Michael Deason of Glasgow University. We went through the first mile in 5:06, this is much faster than my normal half marathon pace but I was feeling good and wanted to hang with the leaders as long as I could. 


We navigated through the pot holes at mile one and came out to a roundabout still in a lead group of four. We went through the next mile in 5:10 and I was still feeling good. Iain Reid began to surge and Michael Deason followed him. I immediately responded and pulled back towards them. At this point Kenny dropped back slightly but was still only slightly behind. 


Mile 3 was passed in 5:10 again and Kenny pulled back in to the lead group. I knew I could't sustain that pace for much longer and sure enough at mile 4 Michael Deason made another surge to which Iain Reid responded. I had to let them go at this point as the surge was around 5 minute miling and I decided to play the sensible card.


Mile 4 was passed in 5.24 which was slightly slower than my intended pace of 5.20 but I suspect I was recovering from the initial fast start. At this point Kenny and I were running alongside each other. We tried small surges here and there but neither of us seemed to gain much ground.


Mile 6 passed in 5:10 which again is faster than my intended pace but I was still feeling pretty good and breathing was controlled. From Miles 6-11 I ran beside Kenny and we were both running well. I was actually on for a PB until we both took a wrong turn at an un-marshalled junction around mile 8 which probably added enough time on to deny me my PB. 


Around mile 9 I managed to gain some ground on Kenny and tried to keep on top of my pace to try and create a gap. At this point my breathing was again fine but my leg muscles started to ache. It was quite unpleasant and had to really concentrate on maintaining form. 


At mile 10 I had gained a 100 yard gap and was sitting in third place. Unfortunately I could not see either Michael Deason or Iain Reid so there was no chance of chasing them down. I had to concentrate on sustaining my pace and keeping my position.


Miles 11 & 12 were past in 5:25 and 5:22 and my legs were feeling a little worse for wear. I was still maintaining my gap on Kenny and knew I had to prepare myself for a strong finish. The last mile includes two long straights which at the time seemed to go on forever!


I came around the last bend and could see the finish area 300 yards ahead. I gave one final surge and covered the distance in 4:55 pace, crossing the line in 1.11.16. Immediately on stopping my legs stiffened up so I tried to stretch my calfs against a building wall. 


The race finishes in an Industrial estate so it definitely has a very "urban" feel to it. Kenny came in soon after in 1.11.33. We both shook hands and with the combination of our efforts and club-mate Russel Whittington (who ran a PB of 1:15:02) Bellahouston won the team event.


The race was won Michael Deason in 1:08:51, taking a massive 3 minutes of his Half Marathon PB. Second place was Iain Reid in 1:09:47, also taking a minute of his PB for the distance.


Although I had missed out on a PB, (partly due to my poor navigational skills!) I was still happy with the performance. I felt strong throughout and although I suffered from muscle pains in the final stages I still rate this performance as one of my better ones.


The next day I did a 6 mile recovery run with my Coach Scott Kennedy and the race had taken its toll on me. My thys were very stiff and running down hills was very painful. I often moan about the long bus journey home but the opportunity to sit for a long period of time was very welcomed. I also got a nice plate of Mince and Tatties in the Morrisons in Fort William to round of a good weekend ;)