....and we're off!

Well the Marcothon is underway and the sponsorship is pouring in, however, the prospect of getting through December is still a daunting one.

On Friday night our training took a new twist – the SOL runleaders pub run. A very respectful 19 turned-up for the inaugural pub run.  Although it has to be said Moira and John’s costumes were a bit shabby compared to the others on show.  The undoubted star was Golden Gordon masquerading as  He-man. The light suits of Nick and Michael were also pretty impressive. Well seen that this was not the Carnethy Boy’s first pub run.  Unfortunately, Moira and John had to leave early to catch the last train home. So the run from the Sheeps Heid was undertaken with heads stooped and full of regret.

Thanks to Corrie Roberts for Photo

Saturday morning brought with it freezing temperatures and the prospect of day one of the marcothon taking place at Strathclyde parkrun’s alternative course again. Sure enough we turned up to be confronted with the sight of the start position moved closer to the Watersport Centre, a sure sign that the alternative course was the challenge today.  It wasn’t long before the parkrunners arrived, among them Marco and Debbie Consani – the couple behind the Marcothon challenge.  All too quickly we were set-off by Iain and were heading out on the arduous there and back and there and back course. By the time you are on the final push, you question the wisdom of running in icy conditions.  It was quite a sight seeing the bunch of runners congregated at the finish and the condensation rising from the crowd.

Thanks to Bob Marshall for photo

Sunday saw the inaugural running of the 7 Reservoirs multi-terrain half marathon. The conditions in the Pentlands were pretty treacherous but the race went ahead.  I was in two minds about taking part in the race all week and my thoughts were that I would get to half-way and make a decision about completing the course or not.  The first six miles of the race went very well and I was holding my own in the field of runners.  However, once we left Glencorse Reservoir and started heading across the snow towards Bonaly car park the surface was playing havoc with my ankle and numerous runners were gliding past me, the decision was made for me.  I hobbled out of the race at mile 8, and with that I had the ignominy of my first DNF.  It was a tough decision to make but on reflection, it was the correct decision as we had too many sponsors backing the Marcothon attempt. Moira continued and finished the race in a personal worse time for a half, but the views from the varoius points in the pentalnds on such a sunny day were compensation enough.

Thanks to Bob Marshall for photo

Day 3 and Day 4 of the Marcothon saw us simply run three laps of the hospital each day and fulfil our obligation.  The runs were particularly hard for me as my Achilles was aching, even when it was heavily strapped up. Day 3 was completed in darkness and Day 4 was run at lunchtime. So yes safe to say we are off and running!