The D33 is the first race in the Scottish Ultra Marathon Series for 2011. This is the second time that this ultra has been organised and because I did it last year I decided that I would do it this year again to see if my training was progressing forwards or backwards. Since the Nationals I have felt a little bit more tired than usual and this has resulted in me having an easier weekend last week. But this week I felt rejuvenated and actually started to look forward to the D33.
Last year I finished in 3 hours 57 minutes in 5th place. I was ecstatic with how it had gone. To be honest I was a bit more worried about this year because of that. This year though like last I would run it as a training run. This would mean that I would not taper and the race would be at the end of a normal training week. Well not quite because I would take Thursday easier (aqua jogging) then train as normal on Friday before travelling to Aberdeen and racing on Saturday. The first half of the week consisted of a hill run and two speed sessions. So no way that I was tapering.
So we travelled up to Aberdeen on Friday and stayed at my friend Tom's house. Waking up on Saturday I was very relaxed and didn't worry at all. In Duffie Park I registered and said Hi to Karen and George the organisers before walking about a bit and then wandering up to the start line.
I met some of the usual faces and some new ones too at the start. Matt Williamson and Bob Souter were both here and would be the first time I had ran a race with them. Both are strong runners and I knew would do well. Grant Jeans and Scott Bradley were here and a welcome return by Lucy as well. I also met Mark Cooper for the first time as well. Bob Malcolm, Ian Beattie and others meant that this would be a really social run..
Last year started very easy and I ran an 8 min mile. This year my thoughts were if I did a 7 min mile I could ease back to last years pace and a PB would be certain.
George started the race and I ran with Lucy and Matt. It really was great to see Lucy enjoying running again and she really did seem happy. So the first mile went by quickly as I chatted away and I took a look to see I had run it at 6:45. Result I thought. But it felt very easy and I felt relaxed. Lucy said to go on and so I ran up to the next group and joined in the conversation with them. There was a runner in this group who was running in a pair of plimsoles. I worried how his feet would feel at the end of the run.
Starting with Lucy and Matt
By the second mile I had left the group and was by myself. I kept checking my watch and it would say under 6:50's. But my heart rate was still under 150 so I wasn't taxing myself. I would try to slow down but then my pace would shift back up again as if my body was actually more efficient at the faster pace. At the 6 miles mark I crossed a main road and saw Debbie and Tom taking pictures. It was good to see some people and have some cheers. Looking at my watch my average pace had now dropped below 6:40 so I decided to slow a bit again. But still my natural pace seemed to keep pushing me faster and after the next hilly section my pace had again dropped back down. I decided now that as long as my HR didn't start to cause any concern I would stick at a pace that felt comfortable and hope that my body would feel okay for all 33 miles.
Arriving at the road crossing at 6 miles
At 8 miles there was a checkpoint and I was 5 minutes ahead of my time last year. By now I was in the countryside. The sun was out and I could feel the warmth from the early Spring sun. I was glad because I had decided to just wear short sleeves today and I felt sorry for anyone with warmer clothes on. By now I hadn't seen a runner since the second mile and in fact couldn't see anyone in the distance either but I knew from last year that a lot of people slow down in the second half of the run and I would hopefully catch them then. I wasn't sure what position I was in either but thought I must be in top 10. I didn't care though and just made sure that I was okay. No 1 priority to make sure the body is fine and the race will take care of itself. That's what Mark Johnston always tells me and so far its working.
At about 12 miles I finally caught sight of another runner in the distance. Over the next few miles I slowly caught up with him until when I was only a couple of hundred meters from him I saw Debbie who was there to change around my bumbag just before the half way point. But I was totally preoccupied with the guy in front and I threw the bumbag at Debbie and continued on.
Throwing my bumbag at Debbie
Instantly I felt lighter and within a minute I was right behind him. I waited for a space and then went by.
At just before 16 miles I saw the first of the faster runners going past. It was Grant Jeans looking relaxed with Scott Bradley hot on his heels. I cheered both of them on. Next was Bob Souter. I cheered him on but he looked like he was starting to struggle a bit as he wasn't his usual cheery self. Fourth place also looked like he was struggling and then I reached the checkpoint. Excellent, I was in 5th place. Spurred on and knowing that I would be able to increase the pace over the next few miles I went up a gear and was happy that the headwind instantly disappeared as it started to push me on now.
Straight away I started to go past the runners going the opposite way. Matt wasn't far behind me and looking very relaxed. Certainly someone that is going to do well this year. I was so surprised at how many people cheered me on by name as I went past. This spurred me on more and I caught 4th place quite quickly. He stayed with me for a bit but I soon couldn't hear his steps behind me anymore.
Then I caught sight of Bob Souters blue vest in the distance. I was surprised to catch up so soon with him so I knew that something must be wrong and as I came up behind him I could see he was limping and holding his hamstring. When I past him I asked if he was okay and if he needed anything. But he said he was fine and told me to get going.
The next few miles went by quickly. I was ecstatic to be in 3rd place but knew that I had very competent runners not far behind me. I was well aware that I hadn't refuelled since I had met Debbie and thrown my bumbag at her. So I got back to my 30 min fuelling regime. Because it was a faster run today my food of choice was gels, energy drink and red bull. I quickly ate all three and felt a surge of energy and so pushed on again. The hills I walked up last year, this felt easier this year and I was able to run up them. This gave me more confidence and when I looked at my watch my average pace was now 6:34's and I still felt very good.
With 6 miles to go I met Debbie again. I didn't stop but kept going. The end was close. But things started to go a bit wrong with 3 miles to go. At first it was a tingling in my calves. Then they started to twitch. Then I felt one of them feel like it was going to cramp. I instantly slowed the pace and it went away.
Damn I thought. This is all I need. If my calf cramps I might have to walk the last 3 miles and that would be the end of all my hard work. The twitching went away so I sped up and it would come back again. On a long straight section I stopped and looked round. No-one was in sight so I stretched my calves. This worked great and I managed to get going again at 6:30's. After a mile though it came back again. So I stopped and went through the stretching again.
Finally at the park and I again had to think where I was going like last year. I didn't want to get lost in the last half mile. Any moment I thought that someone would over take me.
Then I saw the finish line. I could see everyone smiling and loads of people taking pictures. Wow. This is what its like to finish on the podium. Just as I crossed the line my calf started to cramp. No not now I thought but the moment i stopped it went away.
Finishing in 3rd position
So I finished in 3rd position in 3 hours 38 minutes. I am very happy at that. Looking at my stats I was at halfway in 1 hour 49 minutes and so my pacing was pretty bang on. The only issue I had was my calves which I need to look into.
1st place Grant Jeans, 2nd place Scott Bradley and 3rd place Me
Lucy was 1st Female
Matt was 4th (With Jayne his support and me with Debbie my support)
So I just want to say thank you to my support - Debbie and Cairn and also to George, Karen and all the marshals. It was a fab race and I hope to be back next year.
The D33 Medal
3rd Place Prize
