And finally.....

In January this year I set a mileage total on Fetch of 1000 miles. Easy I thought, 20 miles a week should do it. At the end of January, having done my 40 mile Birthday run, I was already 45miles ahead of target. This was one goal I wouldn't have a problem achieving. I was confident, perhaps overly so. Now I know I'm always harping on about my broken ankle, it was a big deal after all so give me a break right? (perhaps not a literal one......) Well, when that happened I slowly saw the extra miles being eaten away to the point where I was about 120 miles behind. Even after the ankle was all better, the numbers of miles I was running hardly touched the deficit.

As "luck" would have it, I had already entered Loch Ness Marathon in December 2008. This gave me the perfect opportunity to ramp up the miles and claw my way back. By December I was ahead of target again by about 30 miles. When Fiona introduced me to the Marcothon (running every day in December minimum of 3 miles/25mins whichever came first) getting to 1000 was going to be a breeze.

Funny how life has a nasty habit of throwing crap at you just when you least expect it. This time it came in the form of a chest infection which knocked me for six for a week or so and stopped me in my tracks for 12 days. The Marcothon challenge was a gonner and the 1000 mile target was heading in a similar direction. That, coupled with the stupidest weather the Fife Riviera has seen in a long time (snow, ice, snow, ice, ice and more ice....) was making this a challenge to be fought to the bitter end.

So nothing like cutting it fine, after trudging through the snow, squelching through the slush and skating around the ice this last week, it came down to the final run on the final day of the year to put it in the bag. A social run with a few club members initially organised for Dalmeny estate was altered about half a mile in due to more stupid ice, making conditions underfoot treacherous to say the least. We headed instead towards Hopeton House, mainly along the cleared and gritted roads (Fife Council take note.....) and celebrated on the return journey with hugs and congratulations as my watch read 4.4miles, the balance due, with an extra 1.5 at the end for good measure.
Phew!

That was the year that was........

....12 PBs and a broken ankle.....

1 January - Portobello Promathon (4 miles) 31:42 PB
18 January - East District XC Dunfermline (6k?) 37:32
24 January - Devil's Burden Relay (Leg 1) 75ish minutes
24 January - Devil's Burden Relay (Leg 4) 60ish minutes
31 January - 40th Birthday run (40 miles!!) 9ish hours
12 February - BROKEN FECKIN ANKLE FFS!!!
4 April - Scottish Road Relays (3.2miles) 28:31
30 April - Kinross 10k 54:54
9 May - Cateran Trail Relay Race (Leg 1) 77ish minutes
17 May - Strathallan 5 Mile Road Race (5 miles) 43:49
22 May - Black Rock 5 (4.5 miles) 39:58
18 June - Carnegie Harriers Time Trial (3 miles) 23:06 PB
25 June - Milnathort Dash (5.5 miles) 43:31 PB
1 July - Brig Bash (5 miles) 40:07 PB
3 July - Friday Night Series (1 mile) 7:42
17 July - Beveridge Park 5k 25:04 PB
29 July - Tour of Fife Day 1 (Chicken Run 5 miles) 40:23
30 July - Tour of Fife Day 2 (Beach Race 4 miles) 30:20 PB
31 July - Tour of Fife Day 3 (Uphill time trial 2.25km) 17:45 PB
1 August - Tour of Fife Day 4 (Forest Race 5 miles) 40:05 PB
2 August - Tour of Fife Day 5 (Trail Race 3.7m) 33:26
9 August - Forth Road Bridge 10k 49:57 PB
20 August - Graham Clark Memorial Race (3.9m) 29:57 PB
6 September - Great Scottish Run Half Marathon 1:53:21 PB
27 September - East Neuk 10k 49:20 PB
4 October - Loch Ness Marathon 4:02:27
24 October - Scottish XC Relays (4km) 29:20
7 November - Tinto Hill Race (4.4miles) 60:23
14 November - Braid Hills XC (3 miles) 27:53

So for a girl with a broken ankle, I managed to fit in the odd race with a PB or 2 to boot. I also managed a 2nd F placing in one of the Friday Night Series 1 mile races but by default rather than talent. I also managed 2nd F40 at the club's road running Grand Prix, again because I happened to turn up but hey someone's got to......

Highlights for 2009 then:

• The 40 mile birthday run is the achievement I'm most proud of. Going from a maximum training run of 14 miles to 40 was something else but I have a lot to thank the company for.
• Getting under 50mins for a 10k not once but twice!
• Getting under 2 hours at the Glasgow half.
• Loch Ness marathon - the training itself was joyous to do and it makes me think that longer distances are more my thing than shorter ones

Despite the good bits however there were some very low points but I'm not going to dwell on them right now. Overall, I can take a lot of positives from the year and look ahead to 2010 with a fresh enthusiasm.

So what will 2010 bring? Well, having enjoyed the training for Loch Ness so much I'm planning on doing the Highland Fling (53 miles of the West Highland Way). I do like a challenge after all. Training for this will be tough with the complications of life getting in the way of training but at the point where my legs feel like giving up, I'll be relying on my head leading the way.

Hello Mojo

Braid Hills Cross Country, 14 November 2009, 3 miles
I wasn't planning to do this race but a tactical decision made my mind up for me (all will become clear much much later....).

Isobel, Helena, Morna, Linda and I travelled together and with Helena as our guide we arrived in plenty of time for a recce of the course. The recce put the heeby jeebies up me, not because of the vast quantities of water and mud, but the other challenging terrain and narrow pathways. In fact, after about half a mile into the race I did consider turning back and giving up. Having been round already, however, I knew that although the first mile was uphill, it did improve after that.

On the off, I assumed my usual cross country position right at the back and while the rest of the field sped off, I bimbled slowly up up and up the first mile. I was knackered already and finding breathing and running really hard going. But once I reached the downhill rocky bit I found my pace and was able to overtake a couple of people. Through the knee-deep puddles with ankle deep mud at the bottom, I remembered that I can run hard and breathe at the same time.

I could see a couple of girls at least half my age struggling ahead and made it my mission to pass them, particularly the girl sporting a vest with the words "you are being beaten by a dosser" on the back. Not for long! And in that final mile I found what has been lacking since Loch Ness, that feeling of pure enjoyment while running so I pushed as much as I could to the finish delighting in the fact that a) it was bloody great fun b) I had finished before the men's race had started, and c) I wasn't last. Phew!

First time for everything.....

Tinto Hill Race, 1500ft 4.4 miles
I didn't know George but I've heard an awful lot about him. I was speaking to a guy at training last week as we both limped back who said he always ran with George and it isn't the same now. He was certainly a well thought of man.
So that was it, decision made, I'd venture out onto the hills for the first time.
A first is always good, no pressure. But this was a hill and I don't do hills.
As always Gillian and I ran together but not and I was surprised at how hard I found it on the way up. I got slower and slower and slower. When we got to the top however I just let go and seemed to get to the bottom in no time. Brilliant! But now I can't decide whether I need some hill practice or if it's an experience not to be repeated. Time will tell....

National XC Champs

Why oh why do I even bother. Don't get me wrong, I love a good romp about in the mud but I ain't cut out to race in the feckin stuff. A pulled calf and dodgy glute (literally a pain in the arse) didn't help the cause.

Think I'll just go get my road shoes on and hit the tarmac.........

In at the deep end...

I've done it. I've completed my entry for the Highland Fling and the cheque's in the post. I have to question my sanity but what's life without a challenge?? I'm already scared. Not so much about the race but I can't help but wonder what next year will bring. In 2007 my running was hampered by a series of kidney infections, in 2008 I was left immobilised by Sarcoidosis and then of course this year I broke my ankle. I do appear to be made of rubber, however, as I keep bouncing back :o)

So this is a message to life; throw what the hell you like at me, it only makes me stronger.

One day like this a year would see me right....

The race...

Despite saying earlier in the week I would start the race conservatively and pick it up after half way if I was feeling good, I decide to start on comfort making sure my pace and breathing was easy. Fiona, Gillian and I start kinda together but I'm not particularly chatty in a race so I soldier on alone. 2 miles in 17:30. It's a bit quick but I'm not panicking yet. I take advantage of the downhill sections and easier on the uphills. In the early undulating miles, I'm playing leap-frog with a guy from North Yorkshire. I take him on the downhill, and him me on the uphill. It's gets a bit annoying because his shorts are about 2 sizes too small for his backside and I don't enjoy the view. After about 5 miles I'm pleased that I've lost him.

It's an amazing day, the scenery is fantastic. The trees are every shade of orange, green and brown and the only sound is from footfall and cheerful banter. I catch up with a guy from Cincinnatti who's come over especially for the race. I'm impressed and we agree he's chosen a good day. He hasn't a clue where Fife is tho....

My bag is full of jelly beans and dextrose tablets but for now I try to survive only on what's available - lucozade and water. 6 miles in 54mins, then 10 miles in 1.30. Everything's going so well. I dip very slightly but there's a couple of guys in front of me running around the same pace. One of them has a cracking pair of legs and lovely toned shoulders and from the front he may very well look like Alan Carr but from the back he'll do and I'm happy to follow. I do this for another few miles before the 2 of them disappear into the bushes presumably for a pee....

I catch up with a Geordie sounding woman about 15 miles in. She's feeling chatty but I'm not so I use the opportunity to stop for a paracetamol break as the underside of my feet are starting to ache and in training runs I've normally taken them around 12 miles. On Fiona's advice I have caffeine enhanced ones which seem to do the trick and I feel better almost instantly! At the next lucozade station I catch back up with the Geordie woman who drops her bottle and keeps going. I pick it up and run after her with it. That's my good deed for the day.

I get to the half way point in 1:57. Just a few weeks ago that would have been an 11 minute PB. I laugh to myself that there's no way I can sustain this and I'm bound to crash and burn at any point but I'm still feeling good. The nice legs come back and I try to keep up but they're running too quickly.

17 miles comes in quickly and I can't believe there's less than 10 miles to go. I'm soon stopped in my tracks however as we get to the mega hill around 18/19 miles. I try my best but have to walk up about halfway.

I reach 20 miles in 3.03 and again I'm feeling good. I start to think now that if I carry on like this I'll be under 4 hours! Unbelieveable. We get to the village of Dores and people are out in great numbers. I smile and wave at everyone. I feel fantastic and the people here are really spurring me on towards Inverness.

I charge on and about 23 miles in I see a club vest ahead. It's Gordon and he's walking. I laugh to myself. Not because he's suffering but because he's not going to expect me to creep up behind him. I tap him on the shoulder and he's amazed to see it's me. "Can't have you bloody pass me" he says and we start running together. A few minutes later and his legs are in agony so he walks again. Just up ahead I see another club vest. This time it's Morna. Again I chuckle to myself. I pass by saying "alright Morna?" and she grunts. She definitely wasn't expecting me!

Just ahead of this I see Alan on the corner. It's fantastic to see a familiar face and I remember that Val said she was going to be supporting at around 24 miles so I look to see if she's there too and there she and Pauline are, cheering and waving and saying I look great, I'm doing well and I smile and laugh and pose for the camera and say this is fantastic and I'm loving every minute.

I head towards the bridge full of confidence with just a couple of miles to go, cross the bridge and start heading towards the 25 mile marker. I get here and an invisible force field suddenly shoots up. I guess this is my crash point. I look at my watch. It's going to be so close to 4 hours but I find it really difficult to carry on. I walk for a minute then give myself a talking to and start running again. I see Julie & Pete just up ahead and they're cheering. This lifts me a little but with just half a mile to go I'm really struggling again and am reduced to a walk. I can't believe it. I've come so far and now I'm walking. I can hear the crowds in the stadium but it's a cruel long way round before I get to the end. Again I give myself a talking to and make a push for the end. I finally get to the back of the stadium, turn the corner and head in. I feel great again and sprint for my life to the finish, arms waving wildly. I've done it, I've bloody well done it!!! 4hrs 2mins 27 seconds. It's not quite under 4 but it's a close call and better than my predicted 4:15.

Post Race Blues

Val & Pauline have made their way to the finish line and they're full of congratulations. I'm so chuffed and jumping around like a lunatic. I feel fantastic!! I head off to get my goody bag and look to see how everyone else has got on. Inside the tent I finally find John but by now the life is rapidly draining out of me. I feel sick. I feel faint. I can hardly stand up. It all happens so quickly and before long I'm on my knees on the grass outside. Pauline appears from nowhere and gets me lying down with my feet up on my bag. Gillian's there and I work out through the tears that she's not finished. I feel okay lying down but every time I raise my head the nausea takes over. I do manage brief conversations and speak to Sophie, Karen, Jo, Linda & Sid but then I get really cold and start turning blue apparently! Val helps me get my clothes on which helps but after all the cold lucozade and water I really need something hot inside me. Hurray for the free post-race food after which I feel fantastic again. I'm gutted for Gillian and feel guilty for feeling so chuffed with myself but I worked bloody hard for this and I'm going to revel in the glory for some time to come.

Throw those curtains wide

Loch Ness Marathon - pre-race
12^th February 2009 and disaster strikes. I break my ankle while running. Fast forward 8 months and I'm about to embark on my first marathon. Cool! It's been a long time coming. I entered last November as soon as entries opened after seeing some video footage from last year's race. Thanks Gary :o)

We're going up in great numbers with many of us staying in the same guest house. Julie's injured but still coming up and Gillians's giving it a bash despite a possible injury. After much deliberation, I decide to drive up with Gillian and John for company. It's a ropey journey. The wind is howling with intermittent showers. Oh dear.....

It's a long long time since I've been in Inverness – about 25 years ago I think. I went on the bus one Saturday aged 15 shopping for clothes for what was, at the time, the highlight of Fort William's nightlife; DJ Tom Ferrie was coming to town. In the end I wasn't even allowed to go.

We arrive in Inverness and navigate our way to the registration point to collect our numbers. The first people I meet are Karen & Jane. They tell me to call down but I'm so excited. We then bump into Julie & Pete and then Fiona & Pauline. Inside we collect our numbers and I decide to buy a different bum bag to the one I've brought and some socks, making sure of course I get my 10% club discount!!

We then head off to the B&B, which is really nice, for a much needed cup of tea before heading into the town centre for some food. Everywhere is packed but we wander further afield and find a great wee place called Madisons where I indulge in a sweet chilli burger with cheese, chips and loads of tea – fantastic! It's a brilliant evening and we laugh and laugh. I can't remember what was so funny but at the time I had tears streaming down my face and could hardly breathe with laughing.

Back at the B&B, in between being awake, I sleep not bad. I dream about everything except the marathon and wake up tired but still excited and nervous as hell. At breakfast I struggle to eat my scrambled egg and toast and hope that the meal the night before keeps me well fuelled. As daylight breaks, it's looking good outside. The wind has died down and the rain has stopped. The lady in the B&B takes our photo before we leave and John, Pete, Gillian and I walk the 15mins or so down to the start.

We meet Fiona and Pauline, who's decided to come down to see us off, and then Morna and after a quick pit stop we head for the bus. There's a long queue and word spreads that some of the buses haven't turned up. Some people seem to be a bit annoyed but in a situation where it's totally outwith your control, I don't see the point. They're not going to start the race without us. Eventually we get led off and have to stand on the buses that are already full and although the scheduled set off time is 8am, we leave around 9.

I don't enjoy the journey. I'm not a good passenger at the best of times but standing on a double decker bus going up a windy road while a guy pees in a bottle in the corner (seriously....) doesn't help. By the time we get there I'm almost puking my scrambled egg. We get off and I bump into Kay and Donald and join in the fight for the portaloos. The start has been delayed by 50mins so I have just enough time to swig some caffeine boost lucozade and dump my bag in the van. The pipe band works its way from the back of the crowd down to the front. It's a nice touch which makes my heart swell and before you know it the claxon sounds and we're off......

Buttons and Zips - yup, it's race day (eh?)

Buttons and Zips by Elbow, an unusual song to wake up with in your head but lets not go there right now.....
Quick summary before the whole spiel - FANTASTIC!!!! Exceeded my expectations and then some for my first race at this distance. I may even have a wispa to celebrate :o)

East Neuk 10k 27/9/09

Not much to say about this one. Started off too fast as usual, suffered in miles 2 & 3 where I lost about a minute. The loose terrain is a nightmare for losing your stride and reminding me of losing your footing and breaking your ankle!!! Certainly wasn't expecting a PB so was surprised to cross the line in 49:20, 37 seconds off my previous PB!! Tommy at the end was great. I was happy enough to follow the girl ahead of me to the finish but no, Tommy was shouting at me to push and catch her so I obliged and sprinted as fast as my wee legs could take me. Bound to have got me a few extra seconds tho. Next stop Loch Ness marathon - yippee!!!!

Flogging a dead horse....badly

It's taper time, I should be celebrating. Loch Ness marathon, my first, is but 2 weeks away. I've done all the hard work (in as much as my make-it-up-as-you-go-along schedule dictates) and now it's time for that "rewarded" taper. Last Sunday I did a fantastic 24 miles. I struggled to force myself round, but after the half way point I felt great and was able to ramp it up to finish the 2nd half way quicker than the first. Good right? Even on those tired legs I managed to blast my way round the club session on Tuesday (3 x 8mins with 3mins recoveries) doing avg. 7.30 pace (that's fast for me by the way.....). Even on Wednesday morning I managed a decent paced 5 miler and on Thursday at the club managed to run ahead of my usual group in the pyramid session. So it's all good then? Hmm. Friday, I decided to have a well earned rest and on Saturday go out for a shorter long run - 15-18 miles, depending on how I felt. Saturday came but what a waste of time that turned out to be. The first 6 or so miles were okay. I hit the trails and explored the fields between Fordell Firs and Crossgates, heading towards Fordell Village and back into Crossgates. The road bit was a nightmare. My legs had turned to rubber and I struggled my way around the next 5 or so miles, the last of which I walked in a strop. I don't know what's going on. Even today I'm still knackered. I can't decide now whether I've done too much, too little or just enough.

Facing the enemy...........and kicking its ass!!!

I've never liked this raced. Partly becuase it's a big race with big crowds but mostly because of 2 bad experiences there. I had planned to drive to Linlithgow and go by train to Glasgow, a journey I successfully made last year. However, my good friend Julie had a last minute entry and Pete was going to drive us instead which, despite being grateful for, stressed me big time. The night before I got a message to say that rather than collect me at 7.30am it would be 7.45am. By the time they arrived at almost 8am I was having palpitations. No matter, I had done all I could do - number on vest, chip on ankle, favourite shorts and socks on, spare clothes in bag, food in bag, etc. etc.

After finally getting parked we were desperate for the loo so headed off to George Square just as the 10k was starting. Great, no queue for the portaloos!! We watched the various waves start and headed back to the car for some last-minute organisation. I opted for vest only no t-shirt despite the chill and no hat as it looked fair.

We warmed up briefly before getting herded into our pens. Although we were likely to be running different times, I suggested we wanted to head nearer the front of the pen to get a clear run up the road. Unfortunately the pen was already stuffed so we shuffled in about halfway.

As the rain started falling we were off (maybe I should have kept the cap....) First the wheelchair racers, the white wave, the blue wave then us, the green wave. Being in the middle of the pen was a tragic mistake as the majority of people ahead were either walking by the end of the first mile, or had grossly underestimated their finishing time (okay so it was the fat blokes and the larger ladies and getting past them was no easy task.....)

I was shocked and panicking when my Garmin told me the first mile took 9.23, a minute slower than my planned race pace. I never seen the attraction of running over the Kingston Bridge but for some reason it's a highlight of this race but shortly after getting over it the field spread out a bit and I was able to pick up the pace a bit. Not too much tho, don't want to burn out too early like last year!

I reached the 3 mile mark in about 26mins. Good. I was picking people off with every step and feeling good. 6 miles in 52mins meant I was keeping a good steady pace. I was feeling sluggish around 8-9 miles so popped a dextrose tablet in my mouth. The bloody thing wouldn't dissolve tho and it was like sucking on sandpaper. An unofficial water station saved me and I greedily gulped a cup of water to wash it down. I reached 10 miles around 1.25. Brilliant, 6 mins off my PB, I'm going well. Unfortunately after 10 miles I got a stitch. I had felt it a few miles before but it went away. This time it wasn't going anywhere and I had to stop and walk. Damn! That's my race finished I thought. I'd just caught up with and passed Debbie and now she was going by again but the stitch wasn't for shifting. I started running again to see how it felt and if I ran in a strange crouched over kinda way, it didn't feel too bad. And then a couple of minutes later it was gone. I suspected it could have been the cup of water so at the next water station despite feeling deperate for a drink, I thought better of it.

I finally got to Glasgow Green, around 12 miles - nearly there. This is the cruel deceptive part of the race where you think you're finished because you're in the park. Luckily previous experience has reminded me that there's still over a mile to go and as I passed Debbie again I knew I was definitely on for under 2 hours. If I can just keep the momentum up for the last mile then I might even make 1.55. I saw Donald and waved, then Pete and Oliver and from nowhere the finish was ahead. I picked up my pace and ran as fast as my wee legs could take me, seeing that the clock had just gone past 1.52 and I could get 1.53 if I shift it. Wee sprint to the finish and hurray, I've faced up to the race that's haunted me for 9 years and well and truly kicked its ass.
Great Scottish Run Half Marathon - official time 1:53:21 - oh yeah.......

Facing the enemy

This Sunday I'm off to Glasgow to hopefully conquer the Glasgow Half. This will be my third attempt. My first, long long before I started running "properly" was back in 2000 (??) where my training was nothing to speak off. Come 6 miles I was done in and had to run/walk the rest finishing in a pitiful 2hrs40mins :o( Last year after my post-illness comeback (it's a long story....) I had hoped to go under 2 hours. No way!! 2hrs8mins and some seconds too I believe. This year, despite saying never ever ever again, I hope to finally get that elusive sub 2hrs. It's achievable I know, but will my nerves get the better of me? Watch this space.....

Forth Road Bridge 10k - 9 August 2009

10ks - one of those love em or hate em kinda races. I don't know yet which category I belong to but after a fairly successful Tour of Fife I'm PB hunting. It's a nice day but after a warm-up with Isobel I realise I forgot to take my inhaler. Panic panic..... I rush back to the car and hope and pray I have one in my bag but no, nothing there. Shit, no PB for me then. Logic dictates I don't actually need it, as I've already taken the other one in the morning, but logic has left the building so I already have my excuse in hand as we make our way to the start line.

I shuffle in beside some friends, set my watch and we're off. My new race tactic is go like the clappers and try and keep it up. So I do, overtaking lots of people on the first downhill. Even as we go up past Gordon's house I'm still overtaking and doing a good pace. The lovely hill down towards Inverkeithing approaches and by now the drizzle that started as the race did has turned into torrential rain and it's absolutely bouncing. It's funny and cooling and slows a lot of people down but not me, I go downhill as hard as possible knowing I'll struggle once we get to the uphill section towards the bridge.

I'm right, the uphill section towards the middle of the bridge drags on and on and every bugger and their dog overtakes me. Still, I notice at the 5k mark that I'm on target for <50mins and blast off again downhill towards Queensferry, overtaking all the buggers that passed me earlier. Ha!! I toy with getting a drink or not and decide that the few seconds stop will do me good. It has and down under the bridge we go and I realise that the downhill is where I'm making the most time. Again I pass the 2 guys and the Fife AC woman (we've been piggybacking all the way and now I'm ahead) but as we head up towards the middle of the bridge again I know I won't be ahead for long. 2k to go. I glance at my watch and we're about 38minutes in. I try and work out how long it takes to do 2k and it shouldn't really take me any longer than 10 minutes but I'm struggling up towards the bridge and decide to kick in on the final stretch down to the finish. One of the guys has passed me now as has the woman but I set my sights on another guy in front and soon pass him. I miss the 9k mark and assume the finish is further away that it actually is and save my sprint for later but then I realise the finish is only just ahead so I've gone and cocked that one up!! I do manage to pass someone else on the line but as usual I forget to stop my watch and when I look it says 50:12. Okay so it's a PB but is it a sub 50 PB?

I spend the rest of the day analysing what I could have done differently and I don't think anything really. I'm chuffed to find out that evening that my official time was 49:57. Phew, just under 50 but a PB by almost 2 minutes and on what I'm told is quite a challenging course (aren't they all?). Job done, now I really must turn my attention to marathon training.....

Turning 40 - An Alternative Party

My bit

I had this mad crazy idea to celebrate my 40th Birthday; not a party, not a fancy holiday, but a 40 mile run. My non-running friends thought I was insane. I had to agree. When I thought about it some more the sensible option was to run 20 miles and cycle 20 miles to cover the distance. Then I spoke to Fiona……………

And so at 8am on Saturday 31st January 2009 Fiona, Pauline, Sue, Gillian, Julie and I set off from Dalgety Bay into the unknown and made our way to Kincardine. The day started out as it would end, with much hilarity and entertainment, the first source of which was a chap doing a sustrans survey in Inverkeithing. The poor man wasn’t expecting the wrong answers to his questions “Are you coming back this way?” Yeah, via Kincardine. “Will you be out for more than half an hour?” Oh yes, most likely!!! “How far approximately will you be going today?” Oh about 40 miles. I’m sure he didn’t believe a word of it!!

We continued along the coast enjoying the scenery and were soon joined at Culross by my buddy Karen, who ran with us towards Grangemouth before turning back for home. The road to Grangemouth marked the first huge milestone – 20 miles. Given that Gillian had never covered more than 10 miles, and Julie and I no more than half marathon distance, this was remarkable. Our next achievement was the 40k mark followed shortly thereafter by the marathon distance. We celebrated with whoops of joy, and a stop for more photos.

Bo’ness to Blackness was fantastic, an opportunity to get off the tarmac. It felt like running on carpet with cosy slippers on by comparison. At Blackness I had a much-needed painkiller stop then onwards through Hopetoun estate where a ‘nice’ man with a gun informed us the grounds were closed. Oops!!

I don’t seem to remember 30 miles; I guess we were around Blackness at that point. I do remember 33 however, 7 miles to go or as Gillian said a Donkey Brae! Then it was a 10k, a Cupar 5 and finally towards the Forth Road Bridge a mere 5k!!! This was not the time for a PB tho…..

The final mile across the bridge was hard going but we weren’t walking any part of this despite the undulation. With half a mile to go we dug deep and picked up the pace to the finish. 40 miles…….we did it, we actually ran 40 miles!!!! Jubilation, whoops of excitement and photos followed but the journey wasn’t quite over. We still had to get to the Park & Ride where Ken was waiting to transport us back to Dalgety Bay but hey we had just run 40 miles, we could float the other 0.8!!!!!

I personally have to thank all of the wonderful ladies who ran with me. Rest assured I could not have done this alone! From Sue’s perfectly planned route plan, to Pauline & Fiona’s expertise and Julie & Gillian’s gutsy determination and to Karen for keeping us entertained with her sense of direction (how that girl’s getting round the WHW worries me). Huge thanks to Ken for driving us home, being a friendly face at various points along the route and providing much needed supplies. And final thanks to my hubby Glenn for providing bacon butties and champagne at the end. I’ve never had such a laugh, Julie on the phone to Pete telling him Ken was just filling her bladder was just about the end of me. We had an incredibly special day and I could not have shared it with better people. Well I could, they just weren’t available.

Fiona’s Bit

Yesterday was an amazing day watching four runners taking on a challenge into the unknown. With quiet tenacity and lots of blether and laughter, every step taken confidence grew and nobody was going to bail. It was a privilege to be part of this adventure and the final bridge crossing will be something I'll remember with pride. Thank you all for a special day.


Pauline’s Bit
LESLEY’S 40th BIRTHDAY BASH

A wee whilst ago Lesley had expressed a desire to celebrate her birthday by running 40 miles so at dawn on Saturday 31st January 2009 Fiona, Sue, Julie, Gillian and myself were at Lesley’s house setting off on an adventure with the pink sunrise at our backs as we headed west.

With military precision Sue had mapped out our route and by using a combination of coast paths, cycle ways, forest trails and footpaths we followed the direction of the classic Two Bridges race (the original road route would have been too dodgy and also a bit boring!)

Within ten minutes of starting we had baffled a chappy conducting a road usage survey, we left him scratching his head as to how to complete his tick boxes with our answers. We made it clear that we were not recreational joggers but athletes on a mission and when asked if we were “working girls” Julie put him right in that we were employed in respectable law-abiding activities.

We followed the tactic of “West Highland Way rules” ie if it goes up we walk plus a five minute walk every half hour which worked extremely well. We also stopped at Sue’s house at Limekilns for a “comfort break” which was wonderfully civilised for ultra running. It was not long before we reached Torryburn and heading into Culross we met Karen Donoghue (one of Lesley’s chums) who ran with us over the Kincardine Bridge and on for a good few miles before heading back to try and find her car which she had abandoned somewhere in Culross. From Kincardine we were running into a stiff headwind so employed the tactic of running in single file taking turns at being the poor sod in front acting as windbreak. We were also met by Ken at various intervals who offered glugs of coffee and drinks top ups. I was a bit suspicious of Lesley who appeared to be drinking cider and wasn’t sharing!

We ticked off the milestones at regular intervals, the first Bridge, halfway, 40K, marathon - Fiona and I were impressed - these girls were now in unknown territory and were making it all look very easy indeed! I particularly enjoyed the coast path section from Bo’ness to Hopetoun House (although we were politely advised that the grounds are closed until Good Friday!) Oops!

It was now dark and with the second Bridge and end in sight we continued to “tootle on” and closing on the 40 mile mark at the end of the Bridge there was a distinct bunching ready for a sprint finish with Lesley nudging ahead with arms raised and a “woooohoooooo” we made it. There were hugs, photos and phone calls to broadcast the news. However we were not quite finished, although we had reached 40 miles our finish line was the Park and Ride (where Ken was parked with the car!) we resumed our happy trot and on a cloud of adrenalin and sense of achievement we floated along to the car and officially declared our mission accomplished.

We headed back to Lesley’s house for bacon butties and bubbly – what a marvellous combination! Lesley presented us all with a party bag which contained a survivor’s tee shirt, a medal and other goodies. Glenn, Pete and Ken put up with our hilarious babbling as we were as hyper as bunch of five year olds on red smarties.

What a brilliant day out, what a buzz and what a way to celebrate your 40th birthday!

Gillian’s bit

I remember when Lesley first mentioned her mad idea a few months ago and I said yes I would love to take part - maybe I would even manage to do 10 miles......

Roll on to 31 January at 8am and I still didn't know if I would manage more than 10 miles!! But, with the help of our inspiration - Lesley, our experts - Fiona and Pauline, our organiser extraordinaire - Sue, my fellow rooky - Julie, Karen, a fresh face! and the very welcome support - Ken, we ALL did it.

It's certainly one of my biggest achievements - ever. Better start training then for those 50th birthdays - how long have we got?!


Sue’s bit

Highlights for me were:- the company which was great, the comfortable pace we covered the distance in, the laughs, correcting the survey man that we were recreational runners not joggers and that yes we were all working girls(!), running over Kincardine bridge for the first time, seeing lots of houses behind Skinflats when I thought there were only 2 farms, being industrial tourists around the central belt(!), Ken appearing to offer support, the lovely running between Bo’ness and Hopetoun, not getting shot by the Hopetoun gamekeeper, running just about our fastest mile as we ran over the Forth Road Bridge in the dark with Lesley forging ahead like she was a woman with a goal in mind(!!!), getting my first ever party bag, and once again the company. I had a ball.

Julie’s bit

My highlights - the cyclist and pedestrian survey - "Are you Working girls?". Lesley saying in Bo'ness that she felt like she was walking like John Wayne and me on closer observation noticed she actually was! Nearly being shot by the gamekeeper and really feeling I should keep quite as he may have licence to shoot the English. Having the best bacon and egg butty ever - thank you so much Glenn. Meeting Karen, good company and a welcome reunion pit stop. Thanks to Fiona and Pauline the most generous and kind spirited people I have ever met. Sue the most determined and organised friend you would want on any expedition. Reliable Ken - my bladder fill and cheesy cheddars another highlight. Gillian and Lesley - I want to thank you for taking me on this journey – love and thanks to you all XXX

Karen’s bit

I had a ball doing a section with you lot and I'll always laugh at how a group of women running together can chat about vibrators, orange squash and superdrug in the same sentence!!! I had no idea some of the other girls weren't mad ultra runners as well from the dark side, they did fantastic too!!

Tour of Fife 2009

Day 1 - The Chicken Run, 5 undulating miles
I warm up with Isobel which is good cos she runs much faster than me and by the start I'm raring to go. I start quite far back but soon make up a lot of ground. The first hill isn't too bad and I'm pleased that my pace is consistent with those around me. Downhill section finally comes and I blast along as fast as possible and I'm still surprised to be ahead of Fiona. The path to the chicken farm goes down slightly and I feel like I'm flying here then the turn and the long drag back. Gillian has caught me by now and we run along this part together until she finds another gear and storms off ahead. The hill back up comes but by this time I'm got my second wind and overtake the chap whose noisy breathing was distracting me and try and keep ahead til the end. The final descent comes but it's down the side of a field and I panic and memories of breaking my ankle come flooding back. I slow down drastically allowing a few people by but I don't mind if I get there limbs intact! Day 1 over - 40:23, happy with that and then some

Day 2 Chariots of Fife Beach Race - 4 miles
I remember this race from last year with dread. Running on sand is tough. I warm up today with Julie & Mehrnaz but have to go on ahead and do my own thing as I don't feel ready yet. A quick blast down the sand to the start and I'm ready. I set off at a pace I'm not entirely comfortable but I can see Fiona ahead and I have her in my sights. I pass her early on and hope to keep her behind me. I struggle along the harder sand and die a death in the soft sand. The wind doesn't help and I'm losing a lot of ground. At the turn Fiona sails by followed shortly thereafter by Clive. Where did he come from?? I decide just to try and make it back out of the soft stuff as easily as possible and try and pick it up towards the finish. This turns out to be a good plan and I'm soon making ground on the both of them. I hang onto Clive's shoulder but he sees me and runs away! I keep my pace tho and manage to get past Fiona - just - to finish in 30:20. That's over 7 minutes faster than last year - I can hardly believe it but I later find out that the course was cut short so I'm not that good after all

Day 3 - Up Hell Time Trial - 2.25km/754ft climb
This is not my favourite race. I'm no hill runner - I'm hopeless at them, I'm not looking forward to this. The November-like weather conditions help none. My strategy today is zone out with music and get on with it. I've made myself a wee playlist including some Kasabian, Elbow, Franz Ferdinand and stuff and get everything ready. We do a warm-up but again I don't feel it's enough, especially as it's so flippin cold. On the way back to the car I hear a friendly voice and it's Caniggia/Mike come to 'lend his support' or laugh at the inflicted!! I meet Gillian who's setting off 2 minutes before me and we head down to the start together, jogging lightly and having a good old chinwag. It's a helluva long way down, shit the drive up took long enough. This is one helluva hill The minutes pass slowly and I'm freezing cold but decide to ditch my tshirt and jacket and just go with my vest and cap. My name is called and I tentatively approach the start, trying to get my MP3 player to work. GO! and the girl who's alongside me takes off like a rocket. I decide that's not for me and bimble slowly up the hill while still trying to work the music. Finally it's sorted and I start to feel the pain. Slowly slowly and actually fairly soon I'm at half-way. Great, 9 minutes or so and it's all over. A steeper section slows me to a walk which I do for about 20 seconds, give myself a talking to, and set off running again. I can't see the damn masts tho because of the fog so I don't know how close to the top I am. I've gained a lot of ground on the other girl who is only a bit ahead now and managed to overtake someone who set off earlier. Music malfunction again and one of the earphones has gone so while the music is going on in one ear, Guy Gurvey's wonderful voice is missing, But I can hear cowbells, it's just like the Tour de France This picks me up and I can now just about see the masts. I hear my name and try and maintain it up the final hill before getting to the finish in 17:45. I'm chuffed to bits I'm under 18mins.

Day 4 - Run Forrest Run - Tentsmuir Forest, Leuchars 5 miles flat
The mixed weather has turned to glorious sunshine and it's July again. Gillian, Isobel and I warm up round the course and head back to the start which has thankfully been delayed by 15mins due to traffic. Gillian and I set off together today but we're quite far back and spend the first mile running pretty quickly to get to 'our places'. Fiona has started ahead and disappears while Clive has started behind. It's flat but it's hard work. The first lap is hard and at the turn to start the second lap Pete who's watching shouts 'well done Gillian, Lesley and Clive all running together'. Eh?? Where did he come from??? We pick up the pace without even discussing it but we're working so hard Gillian has to slow down and I go on ahead. I look at my watch and we have 1.5 miles to go. Boy it's hard work. It's so hot and with no downhill recoveries the pace is relentless. Gillian catches back up again and by this time we have half a mile to go. We turn the corner to go back and see that Fiona is only just ahead. We pick up the pace again and gain some more ground but just not quite enough. Ah, she's really got me now. I'm delighted to see my watching says sub 40 - it's a PB!!! But the official results say different and I'm down as 40:05. Disappointing but still a PB by 3 seconds Boy I ache tho.....

Day 5 - Arso Vertitus, Falkland - 3.7 miles hilly
I have mixed feelings with it being the last day. It's been a great tour but I'm absolutely done in. I've spent the evening massaging my quads which seems to have helped but I am feeling pretty sluggish. I've decided today tho that the only way to approach this one is to attack it. It's the last one, give it everything. So the 3 usual suspects set off again on a warmup and we get ready for the start. Gillian and I place ourselves a bit further up the field this time - we're not getting left behind today!! And we're off. I start hard but don't find it easy at all. The undulations are killing me and I'm dreading when we start climbing out of Maspie Den. Gillian's ahead and Fiona's long gone so I just keep plodding on as best as I can. We start climbing and I'm desperate to walk but don't want to be the first. Finally someone else starts a trend and we all start walking up, running on the flatter bits, then walking uphill again. A lot of people are walking pretty slowly so I take advantage and pass them. As I approach the waterfall I see Fiona's not too far ahead and maybe I could catch her on the downhill? I run under the waterfall - well there's a photographer there, wouldn't be right to walk and walk up the final section. I've managed to pass a few people just walking but when I look behind me I see Clive's on his way to the waterfall. Bugger! The first downhill section is loose stones and again I'm having ankle breaking memories. I try my best here but suddenly there's someone on my shoulder so when we get to the nicer trail bit I go for it. I remember I have to lean forward with my head and off I go. I'm flying down here - I've never run so fast in my life and it's absolutely exhilerating. The person on my shoulder hasn't caught me and I try and keep this pace going. It's fabulous. Even on the wee uphill to the farm I blast it and knowing the finish isn't too far away I keep going as hard as I can. I can see Gillian again, she's only a few seconds ahead. No-one is behind me and I feel so alive in this moment I don't want it to end. Except I do because it's really hurting and the finish is just ahead. I keep my pace and expecting to come in nearer 40 minutes I'm again elated that I've come in at 33:26. I've definitely earned my cake today. My total time for the tour last year was 2:57:51. This year my total was 2:41:59 and the race total was about 2 miles more this time. Happy days indeed Fiona finishes a few places ahead and Clive a few behind me and out of 173 starters I finish 112th overall. Not bad as I finished 130th on Day 1. I'm so chuffed, I've had a brilliant few days and my confidence has rocketed. When's the next one then