TroonTortoises

AGM

The AGM took place on Thursday 26 August.

It was well attended and the President’s summary of the year was well received

The winners of the Road Running Championship and the Hill Running Championship will not be known until December.  However, the Cross Country Champions of 2009-10 are Gordon Dobbie and Anne Noble.  The winner of the Xmas Handicap was Anita Johnson.

The President also thanked his predecessor, George Malone for his two years tenure and excellent service.

This has been Owen Light’s tenth years service as club Treasurer and Owen has decided that it is time for another to take up the challenge.  When Owen first took on the books, the club’s financial existence was doubtful.  He is leaving the club with a healthy balance sheet which will now be picked up by our current Membership Secretary, Ian McNee.  Ian’s job as Membership Secretary will be taken on by past president, Gordon Dobbie.

The President thanked Owen on behalf of the club and led a round of applause.

Key office bearers for the next year are as follows:

President – Alastair Skeoch
Vice President – Niall MacPherson
Secretary – John McKinlay
Treasurer – Ian McNee
Membership Secretary – Gordon Dobbie
Club Captain – George MacGregor
Press Secretary, web updater, championships organiser and general dogsbody – Alex Drain

Subs for the coming year are now due and have been set at last years rate of £25 for new members and £10 for current members.

Craigengower (Straiton) Hill Race

Well, the weather gods were kind to us yesterday and gave the runners near perfect conditions for this grand wee race. Four Tortoises were there for the run, Anne, Alex, Ian (wearing a dress) and myself. Ian was hoping for a spot “fancy dress” prize but it seems you have to try pretty hard to impress the judges at the Straiton gala. Maybe a tutu next year Ian?

As per usual, the start line was a slightly chaotic mix of kids and adults all looking for a clear stretch of road ahead of us in a bid to avoid “doing an Andy” and flattening some poor waif. [1] I set of at the front with Toni just to try an put a bit of distance between myself and the nearest anklebiters and once clear, I backed off having enjoyed, oh, maybe 5 seconds of being *ahead* of Toni!

Of course, having led the Tortoises, they then all charged past me long before we reached the primary school. As we entered the field I gradually began to recoup some of the distance and as the field levelled out and we entered the woods, I was able to regain my place as first Tortoise by the time we reached the stile.

Then it’s time for the calf burning haul up the hill. Not too bad to start with but by the time I hauled myself up to the summit I was crying out “ouch ouch ouch ouch” with every step. I staggered over to the marshal and received my “post-it” note and started my descent, constantly wondering at what point Alex was going to come charging past me.

Whilst I’m pretty good at running down long shallow slopes, the technique for steep hills still evades me and I came down like a girly. (Apologies to all girlies in our club but you know what I mean). Despite this, there was no sign of Alex breathing down my neck when I reached the stile and I reckoned that if he hadn’t caught me by then, I could hold him off through the woods and field. I had a great gallop down the hill and once onto the road I still hadn’t been passed by anyone. As I neared the village hall a young lad I had been creeping up on suddenly realised I was behind and took off like a rocket only to slow down again after 100 yards clutching his side. Always one to take advantage of others’ misfortune , I quietened my breathing and starting sprinting quietly up behind him and flew by. He couldn’t respond again and for the first time ever, I actually moved up one position on the second half of a hill race!

I finished in about 22:31, Alex in 23:08, Ian 24:09 and Anne in 25:02. All times are approximate, not official. Congrats to Anne on what I believe was a big PB.

[1] Actually, this is a little unfair as if memory serves me right, I don’t think Andy knocked the kid over. I think he fell in front of Andy and Andy gallantly stopped to help the kid up and make sure he was okay.

Postscript from Alex

Actually, Andy did indeed trip the wee fella. I was just to Andy’s left when it happened. Unfortunately, I have to admit that it was an accident and not a ‘professional’ foul At the end of the race, the jammy sod got about 20 seconds knocked off his official finish time for his ’sporting’ behaviour (wish I’d remembered that for this year)

Karen – The Devil O’ The Highlands

It’s a long story but will keep it as short as possible.

This was my first ever Ultra 2007 and had no clue how to run it, well this year I’ve done 2 more and thought I was pretty clued up on what was needed. I set my myself the time of 9hrs, a whole 57 mins faster than 07 but thought it was a reasonable target in terms of my fitness. I now sneer at my utter niavity!!

By the time we arrived Friday with my wee team of Bryan (driver) Anne (runner) and Munro (dog) I was already hyped up with nerves and excitment. Could barely eat my fish supper, my beer in the pub (wee half pint) literally stunk. Back to the cottage. Tim & Muriel hadn’t came to the pub and Geroge Ian & Alison stayed on a while longer (all back up). Early to bed, but I couldn’t sleep, was that the nerves or Munro barking at every sound?? up and down to the loo, coudn’t sleep rotten night. Must have dropped of at some point as the alarm woke me up. 0430 I’m first up, coffee, weetabix, dressed, another toilet visit, up to the green welly, registraton, another toilet visit, pre race talk, another toilet visit.. oh just the usual nerves I thought.

All excited and were off, usual back of the pack stuff, plodding along chatting to fellow runners and feeling glad to be started.
Tim was away slower than normal and at first I thought he was pacing himself, then he took off as usual

Ok.. thats all the good bits gone, by 4 miles I’m starting to feel the stomach cramps, not bothering me too much as I know I can nip into the Bridge of Orchy Hotel. I had not planned on this as a stop, but stop I did. Feeling slightly better and a wee cheer on from the crew I’m off up the hill, down the other side feeling ok but still getting cramps. I managed 2 wee tatties and 2 spoonfuls of beans, which I was boaking on..yukk… little did I know this was going to be the most I eat all day. I had to take of my bum belt at this point as I was finding it was making my stomach 100 times worse, so all I had for the moor was a bottle of water with nuun.. Onwards to Victoria bridge, by this time I’m ill and under the bridge for another toilet stop, but thinking positively and still hopefull things will get better.

Onto the moor and here is where I lost all the will I had to live. Every step hurt my gut ??? when I tried any effort at all I was repayed by seering cramps that were doubling me over. I walked/plodded and met Karen Donaghue, she really kept me going, lots of advice, lots of support and lots of taking my mind of things, just bimbling along . 3 toilet stops on the moor and my feet are soaked tramping through the grass to hide and my butt bitten to pieces by those bloody midges, I was covered Soon seen Anne coming running towards us, she was trying to get 30 miles in for the Speyside Ultra. The 3 of us ran to Glencoe chatting and I was feeling a lot better mentaly if not physically. Anne ran to get Bryan to meet me at Kingshouse instead of the checkpointn as he had had to go back to the car with the dog cos the midges were eating him alive!!! poor Munro.

At this point I realised for sure my race was over, there was no way I could force myself to eat anything, I was glad I had made up a couple of complan drinks, not full meals but I was hopeful it was enough to keep me going. After downing a drink and a crisp .. yep 1 crisp, changed my socks and shoes I was on my way again. The next part to the Devils Staircase hurt but was ok, I was shuffling and struggling on the rocks but thanks to Karens previous advice and Anne’s constant encouragement I was now more determined I was going to finish. Up the staircase was a slow drag, but got there we did, took a photo for another runner, scenery was spectacular. It is what makes the run after all. I did manage to run most of the way down the rocky path but it was taking it’s toll and I was back in the ferns at the side of the road. Walking at points as my legs were now aching to the point of drawing tears and the thought of another 14miles from KLL was unthinkable, so I stopped thinking it, had to, I was already pretty rock bottom without scaring the sh*t out myself with thoughts like that.

Into KLL was just another shuffle and we had already decided we were going to walk/shuffle the rest of the way. Food stop again, had another wee drink of complan and a crisp. We had to walk to the hill cos all my concentration was going on keeping it down. Felt so sick but knew I had to keep what I could in me. We walked and chatted all the way up the hill, still couldn’t run at the top but we tramped on and eventually got into a decent shuffle. Thinking about it now we probably shuffled more than we walked, at the time it just seemed way much harder!!!

Only one person passed us on this part of the route, the guy who fell and hurt his head, that looked so bad, we still didn’t put a dent in his lead though!!! The mountain medics were amazing, happy and cheery, just what was needed at low points.
We went through Lundavra, met Bryan topped up the water wee natter with George Ried who had pulled out due to cramp and on we went for the last stretch. I do like the forest part and even though it hurt like hell I was still managing to move forward, wouldn’t say I was enjoying it as by now the legs were like chip board and I felt like an auld bag of shite, as I kept telling Anne when she enquired how I was The stomach problems had been relegated to 2nd place in the pain list by this time

Onto the road and I knew I was almost there, is there anything that can describe that feeling.. when you just KNOW you are going to finish!! We truged, we sung, we shuffled, we stopped while I got myself together a few times, but we got there. Down towards Braveheart carpark and we saw Munro bounding about, he came charging when I shouted him Bryan at his back then we all ran down towards the road together. Bryan ran on so he could get a photo at the end (on facebook, a calamity)!! Anne dropped behind so I could take all the credit of running it myself… when I so didn’t!!

All in all it was a very difficult race, I’m glad I struggled on but not sure if it was the best idea. A very big thank you to my back up, to Anne and everyone else who encouraged and congratulated us as we made our way to THE END

Striding the Clyde

Weather man got it all wrong.. well bits of it it rained it was windy, the sun shone it was warm and the wind died down.. just another day of our good auld scottish weather

To the run, well.. confused is a word better known for car insurance, but on The Stride today there were a lot of bloody well frustrated and confused people as they tried, and most did suceed, to run along the newly opened Clyde Walkway. It was in no way the organisers fault who tried as hard as humanley possible to have the route signed, but when neds and.. ADULTS (who really don’t like PEOPLE passing there house on a public path) remove and vandalise signs what chance do you have???????

Personally I started of slow, by the first bridge across the Clyde, maybe 1 mile, I had stopped to remove my gloves, jacket and fleece and a nip into the bushes.. you gotta go and all that!! I was sitting in the proudest places of LAST… hehhe, I’m getting good at fighting for and winning the hounor.

My plan was 12.5 min miles all the way. Not much chance when I left my garmin at home and had to rely on.. a quick look at Stans map shortly before the start. 2 miles to the Kingston Bridge.. got there in 20 something so new I was going to fast, but I was catching folks and even RAN with & SPOKE to some… gawd I’m getting soft.
Anyway, quick version, I ran faster than I wanted to, felt like a bag of shit, planned on retiring at CP2 as I was having an evil day.
(Did I mention I got stung on the forehead by a bloody big bee.. and it hurt like blazes!!)

Then I met Stan, who had took a slightly different route than me, this happended a lot to a lot of people we gabbed I forgot how bad I was realy feeling and we plodded on. Got lost soon after, diversion to somewhere, found our way back, and met Tim coming out of another part of the route we tagged together till almost the Check Point. Tim however thought it much more fun to cross major motroway junctions, we took the other route All joined up again at Strathclyde Park CP2.
Me and Stan left first, Tim shortly after at our backs.
Onwards we plodded, it rained, the jackets went on, Tim caught us then fell behind. Stan was soon struggling with a long term injury to his toes. He stopped to stretch his foot, I pushed him real hard down an embankment (ok thats a lie) but ran on and left him struggle on his own anyway

Plodded plodded plodded as you do in these runs, then low and behold, Bobby is joining me from the wrong path that he took… and added at least 4 miles to his run. Not a happy bunny!! We all run together, then Bobby and the I think Italian guy? he’s running with fall behind. So on I plod to CP3.

Quick as I can I eat and move on, why give them a chance to catch me I have about 12 to go. On I plod, and soon I catch up with a couple of ex colleauges from London Rd… hehe, snigger,snigger, young whipper snappers are not getting to beat the auld crabbit one today…. much to my delight and thier disgust

By now I’m hinging in and struggling on.. walking bits, shuffling most but knowing if I don’t put one foot in front of the other I’m never going to finish, and all I wanted was to finish. So, on I plodded.

What a great finish, I had never been so glad to see the end of a run in my life!!! I’ll tell you’s about the bloody gawd damed awful loop that took you to 100m of the finish then made you run another mile up hill down hill before actually getting you to the finish, gggrrrrrrr, some other time as it is still too raw

2 bits of knowledge I wish to pass on,
if you don’t enter you’ll never finish
never underestimate your ability to be motivated by sheer blind stupidness

Karen

Summer Training Nights

With the school closed we will meet outside the Walker Hall.

Any changes will be noted on the website.

Meeting times will remain Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm.

Glenrosa Horseshoe Hill Race

The Glenrosa hill race is a long distance Scottish Hill Running Championship race set on Arran.

I met Ian on the boat going over.  He had brought his bike to as to have a quick gataway after the race to catch the 4:40 back to Ardrossan.  The likelihood was that it would take us around 4 hours to complete the course which is billed as 12 miles but probably closer to a ½ marathon when you take in twists and turns in a race that has very few paths and only one flagged section – and that’s simply to stop you plunging over cliffs in a lemming impression (quote race organiser).

There are three main climbs: Bienn a’ Chliabhain, Cir Mhor, Goatfell.  Sounds pretty straight forward.  Unfortunately, like a lot of hill races, the sting is in the tail.  The climb to Goatfell isn’t the simply drag up the tourist route, instead, it’s up North Goatfell and then across.  By the time that final climb comes along you’re exhausted, disorientated and dehydrated.  Not the best condition to having to negotiate grade 2 scrambles up rock faces as well as making sure you don’t take the wrong route in an area devoid of clear paths.

We started about 200 yards back from the usual start position but I think Paul simply wanted to make sure there was plenty of space for the field of 124 runners (only about 20 odd of us last year).  This meant extra distance so any failures on my part, I knew I could blame on that J.  Ian and I wished each other luck and off we went.  Iain Fraser and his wife were over on holiday and were there to cheer us on – really helps and makes a difference – thanks Iain.

The first couple of miles are over trail and I found the going tough.  That sort of ground I always like to have a clear view ahead.  Nothing worse than following someone’s footsteps too closely and clipping a tree root or rock.  I therefore did all I could to keep at least 10ft between me and the person ahead.  Ian was just behind at this point.

The climb to Bienn a’ Chliabhain is over pathless rough ground and there are two main routes.  I took what’s called the ‘alternate’ route.  It’s shorter but steeper (think Straiton, but much longer).  From the top the race is flagged.  A good idea because it would be really difficult to get 100 or so body bags up those cliffs.  However, the descent is probably the worst possible before it would become an abseiling job.  The steepness needs to be experienced to be believed.  I caught and passed Ian on the descent (which I was actually taking easy due to a dodgy ankle).  Ian had taken the different route to me and had arrived at the top first.  Once I had passed him I pushed on to Cir Mhor.

Cir Mhor is probably the easiest of the climbs – and that’s saying something!  It’s also the first of the checkpoints where slow runners are timed out.  I had loads of time and completed a rather unremarkable ascent and descent to take me onto the very difficult contouring stage to the Saddle.

This stage is difficult not because it’s steep (though there are parts you wouldn’t want to slip on), but because there’s no path and you’re contouring round Cir Mhor – ½ way down!  Take the wrong route here and you could be floundering around in waist height heather covering hidden gullies on a 1:4 hillside.

Amazingly enough, I took a near perfect route from the col to the saddle.  Final time check point and up North Goatfell.

North Goat fell is a brute of a climb.  It’s hard to get grip due to the steep gritty ground.  It’s completely un-uniform so it’s impossible to get into a rhythm.  Parts are very steep, parts have precipitous drops and parts require climbing skills.

Eventually you’re rewarded with the top of Goatfell and all downhill to the finish.  It’s a long, long descent that needs to be taken far more carefully than in the Goatfell Hill race where you’re nothing like as tired.  I had long since lost Ian and I finished in a time of 4 hours and 5 minutes.  1^st time over the 4 hour mark.

As already said, Ian was on his bike so I didn’t hang around when I was told that there was a bus just leaving for the ferry.  I changed on the bus and got onto the boat.  Searching didn’t reveal Ian and I found out on Sunday that he’d missed the boat.

Winner was Andy Simonds followed by Brian Marshall and Prasad Prasad.

Tortoises Spotted on Hills

Ptarmigan, grouse or the occasional red deer but surely not tortoises??

Over the past couple of weeks they’ve been observed on two Ayrshire hills and appear to be fairly at home with the conditions.

The first sighting was on the Saugh Hill, just outside the picturesque seaside town of Girvan. First to appear was the larger of the species, Ianus McNeeus followed by the lesser Drainus. Finally, the female of the genus Nobela was spotted. They seemed to be comfortable in this new habitat and socialised with other hill fauna before disappearing to who knows where.

The second sighting was on the hill, Cairn Table, a few miles from the Village of Muirkirk. This is a fundamentally different hill to the previous and it was heartening to find Tortoises expanding their habitat.

The genus of the species spotted on Saugh Hill were also spotted on Cairn Table. This time they were joined by the shy Timus Downieus.

Timus wasn’t around long and rapidly departed from the hill at speeds amazing for a Tortoise. He was followed by the quickly disappearing McNeeus and then the Nobela. Fortunately for wildlife enthusiasts, the extremely wild Drainus had clearly been injured, possibly from tripping over a blade of grass.

It is believed that Tortoises are becoming far more comfortable and confident on hills and this adoption of a new habitat could herald an expansion of this rare and lovable little creature.

25th Anniversary 10K Results

TROON 10K RESULTS

There have been no further requests for change to the results which have now been finalised.

Click here for a link to the full results (NB – scroll down for summary results)

There’s a tab at the top of the page to a survey. I’ve also provided a link: Click here Please take just a few minutes to fill it in. It will make a difference.

HELP!!! If anyone still has their chip from the race, please will you contact me.

Results:

Men

1^st David Millar 31:29

2^nd Kerry Wilson 32:34

3^rd Grant Baillie 32:43

Women

1^st Lesley Chisholm 37:49

2^nd Joasia Zakrzewski 38:08

3^rd Laura McGarrity 39:02

Vets men (40-49) David Millar 31:29

Vets women (35-44) Lesley Chisholm 37:49

SuperVets men (50-59) Ian Berryman 36:59

SuperVets women (45-54) Susan Finch 39:08

Men (60-69) Andrew Rennie 38:18

Women (55-64) Geraldine Craig 54:14

Men over 70 William Lusk 54:16

Junior Male (15-17) Stephen Paris 37:37

Junor Female (15-17) Natalie Sharp 1:27:10

TROON TORTOISES 25th ANNIVERSARY 10K – RESULTS

TROON 10K RESULTS

Please note that these results are provisional. Check your result and let me know if there is a problem.  Use the ‘Comments’ section (just above – in yellow)    – As soon as possible – but, please see my responses below (I may have provided an answer already).   Any other errors or omissions, ‘Comments’ section please. Cheers! 
NB  RESULTS WILL BE FINALISED ON WEDNESDAY 12th.
Click here for a link to the full results Updated Sunday 9th  (NB – scroll down for summary results)

There’s a tab at the top of the page to a survey. I’ve also provided a link: Click here Please take just a few minutes to fill it in. It will make a difference.

HELP!!! If anyone still has their chip from the race, please will you contact me.

A special thank-you to Toni McIntosh, who provided free massage on a first come basis.  Donations went to the very worthwhile charity, Prader-Willi syndrome (Click here for link) further donations will be gratefully received.  (Click here for link to Toni’s own website)

RESPONSE TO COMMENTS

• Q – Why has everyone been recorded as belonging to a club?
  A – This was how it was passed to me by the chip timing company.  Some of the CSV SS columns appear to have been merged.  I’ve run a ‘Lookup’ from the original SS and think I’ve sorted that issue.
• Q – Why did some manage to get registered on the night?
  A – No one registered on the night.  There were a couple of folk whose numbers had been inadvertently taken by someone else (another thing for me to sort out).  We had to stick them in somehow and couldn’t put them in under their own names which were already there.
• Q – Why were no places kept back for elite runners?
  A – We are a small club that is interested in YOU and not only a few elite runners.  We did all we could to make sure that everyone knew the situation.  Our race runs at around the same time every year.  We are really sorry that some elite runners didn’t register in time but have to stress that we cannot be held responsible for their failure to plan ahead.  Also, we don’t do appearance money!
• Q – There seemed to be a lot of runners without numbers; why?
  A – Due to us not being able to register on the night there were a number of disappointed runners who decided to run without numbers so haven’t been recorded.
• Q – I registered, I ran, I didn’t get a time; why?
  A – There appear to be a very small number of runners whose chips have not recorded a time.  I’ve been told by the chip timing company that a few may have ‘missed’ the mat due to being too close to its edge.  In addition, if the chip wasn’t on either foot eg in pocket, it wouldn’t record.  I know how important the recording of times are to runners and I’ll do all I can to rectify for those who get in touch.
• Q – I’m struggling to complete the final bit of the survey.  What’s wrong?
  A – Not sure.  It did that with me first time round and I persevered and it seemed to work.  Any problems, drop me a line and I’ll make sure that your opinion is counted when we do the analysis (alex.drain@tiscali.co.uk).

Results:

Men

1^st David Millar 31:29

2^nd Kerry Wilson 32:34

3^rd Grant Baillie 32:43

Women

1^st Lesley Chisholm 37:49

2^nd Joasia Zakrzewski 38:08

3^rd Laura McGarrity 39:02

Vets men (40-49) David Millar 31:29

Vets women (35-44) Lesley Chisholm 37:49

SuperVets men (50-59) Ian Berryman 36:59

SuperVets women (45-54) Susan Finch 39:08

Men (60-69) Andrew Rennie 38:18

Women (55-64) Geraldine Craig 54:14

Men over 70 William Lusk 54:16

Junior Male (15-17) Stephen Paris 37:37

Junor Female (15-17) Natalie Sharp 1:27:10

Hazel’s London Report

Hazel has written a report on the London marathon which she would like everyone to share. It is, in fact, a tribute to everyone in Troon Tortoises who has supported her since she first joined us two years ago. There are many of you who have encouraged her and run with her but special thanks to George McGregor who looks after all of us but was always determined that Hazel be a full member of our Club.

London Marathon 2010
I was very fortunate to travel to London for the Marathon with two experienced marathon runners, Anne as guide runner and Anita. They both knew the ropes in terms of the expo, getting around London and importantly encouraged me to drink water for two days beforehand – and lots of it!

When we walked into the expo and the marathon theme music was playing, it just made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end , you can’t help but feel part of something big. The people at the expo were incredibly welcoming and helpful. The advice given by two sports psychologists (part of the Virgin stage) stuck with me; the crowd will get you through the first third of the marathon, your training will get you through the second third and your mind will get you through the final third.

I had felt nervous, verging on petrified about running the marathon, actually I was petrified that I wouldn’t make it! That unknown quantity beyond 22 miles had been freaking me out! However, I woke on the day of the marathon feeling surprisingly calm, I just kept telling myself this is what we have trained for and if it’s your mind that gets you through the final third – I’m hardy!

As we walked into the start area there was a real party atmosphere, Bruce Springstein blasting Baby we were born to run – totally upstaged by Anne singing at the top of her voice. Can you believe this woman’s talents, guide runner extrordinaire and she can sing and even did both while going round the marathon!

Although within the start area there were about a million portaloos, we nonetheless queued behind another 50 people for a last wee before actually going to the start. Such a long que for the loo we got to the start with just minutes to spare – which meant I didn’t have time for any last minute nerves. The pace was nice and slow to start with, utterly packed and soon we were into cheers from the crowds. The pace picked up a little bit, the comfortable pace and massive crowds meant the first 8 miles went by in a flash. We were in good company – spiderman, scoobydoo and men wearing curly wigs and dresses with running shoes of course. At Cutty Sark we were almost bulldozed by a running ice-cream cone. At this stage the course was still utterly jammed packed, but we thought just a few more miles and it will open up.

I had joked with Anne that no matter where we were on the course , when we passed Sir Richard Branson she was to get her phone out and take a photo of me with him. If only we had known we were right behind him and passed him at around 12 miles, cleverly disguised by his butterfly wings. By the half way point we realised that the field was not going to open up at all, this was really positive as we just relaxed, soaked up the atmosphere and enjoyed ourselves.

We had our names on our vests and people from the crowd were shouting to us as if they knew us. Loads of people thought we were either twins or sisters! I think the catch phrase from London has to be looking good girl – shouted with a really strong London accent. The crowds were just incredible, it was a very emotional experience to turn a corner to be met with a welcoming wall of noise, cheers, horns blowing, people shouting your name. I just kept thinking I can’t believe these people who don’t know me have come out to provide this tremendous support. I have never experienced anything like it in my life. It was amazing and just carried you around the course.

One of my concerns about the marathon was whether I would be able to hear Anne above the crowds, which on the day was absolutely fine. The course was so packed Anne had to give me an almost constant stream of instructions and had to invent a new instruction ‘pause’ when runners had slowed down to get around someone walking or everyone had jammed up because the route had narrowed. In these circumstances we found ourselves putting the brakes on, something we were not accustomed to and it was sore on the legs within the first ten miles.

The distance began to kick in for me at 23 miles, my legs felt heavy and tired. At this point I kept thinking that I have to go to Ciaran’s school on the 10th of May to tell them all about the marathon. I just kept thinking, I have to tell them I finished, I want to be able to tell them I ran the whole way – and the thought of not letting Ciaran and his schoolfriends down and all the people who had given sponsorship and sent messages of support really kept me going until I felt a bit better at 25 miles. I actually found myself gritting my teeth a few times. Throughout Anne was describing what was going on, people we were passing who were in fancy dress – we passed a donkey, giraffe and four fat controllers carrying Thomas the Tank. We met another blind runner, whom we had met a couple of times at other races, as much as I felt sure he must have sustained an injury or was having a bad day, he gave us loads of encouragement as we passed him.

With 800 meters to go to the finish another runner clipped me as we turned right. The next thing I knew I was sliding along the road surface on my front. I heard a first aider ask Anne if I needed oxygen. I realised they thought I had collapsed and got up and shouted to them that I’d been tripped up, but was ok to continue. During this time there seemed to be silence. Anne told me later that the crowd were completely silent. When Anne came up to me and handed me the running rope the crowd started to chant Go go go! When we started to run the place erupted, it was an intensely emotional moment, the wave of support from the crowd just carried us to the finish. With 200 meters to go to the finish Anne asked me if I wanted to sprint to the line! I honestly wasn’t sure if I had it in me to sprint, I did try to speed up, but I don’t think you could call it a sprint!

The sense of achievement when I realised we had actually finished the marathon was just amazing. It had been such a strong personal goal to run the London Marathon, it was just fantastic to achieve it.

The magnitude of what we had achieved started to hit me on the way home the next day. All the way round the marathon I was just in awe of Anne, her ability to instruct and direct me round the course, describe what was happening around us, runners fancy dress costumes, bands, singers, banners, mile markers – all details that meant I felt fully included all the way round. If Anne felt tired at any point, she didn’t show it. Her concentration, enthusiasm and good humour did not falter once. The marathon was a really special experience for me and much of that was down to Anne and her willingness to take on the challenge of guide running round a marathon course.

Another aspect of the weekend was having the opportunity to travel with and get to know Anita, Stephen and his friend John. Anita had a bad fall during the marathon, resulting in her requiring 11 stitches in her mouth. It is a real testament to Anita’s strength of character and determination that she completed the marathon with such a severe injury.

All in all an amazing experience, I loved running the marathon and now would like to look towards a quieter event to see if I could run it closer to four hours.

A huge thank you to everyone in the club for your encouragement, support and text messages of support over the marathon weekend.