6.2 miles (10km) 45:56

¹ 7:08 ² 7:34 ³ 7:31 ⁴ 7:24 ⁵ 7:45 ⁶ 7:13 ^6.2 1:23 (5:54 pace)  Average 7:22 min/miles

Another year, another great Troon 10k, and another nice T-shirt! As always this event was really well organised and a joy to run, especially on such a fabulous evening.

I wasn’t sure I would be running as I hadn’t registered. I knew last year that they had been allowing people to sign up on the night, and when I saw that it was WHW Tim on the desk, I knew I’d be OK. So after a quick chat about said WHW, and a comment regarding Mars Bar fueling strategies, I had my number. I had to remind him to charge me… shucks, I’m too honest!

I had told Crazyboy that I would run round with him if I got a number… I like to make sure he works as hard as he can, but to be honest, I was worried I’d struggle to keep up after Monday’s efforts. We had a short warm up and my legs felt terrible, I had no idea what was coming, whether I would literally crawl round, or just hang on to Crazyboy’s shirt and be dragged round. Mrs Crazyboy’s comment of “Neal, you can’t run slowly”, couldn’t have been truer though. As we set off, Crazyboy like a greyhound out of trap 4, I felt pretty good though. My GPS was showing at sub 6:40 pace. I pulled Crazyboy back, for my benefit as much as his, but the crowds and the narrow sea front path soon slowed things down anyway.

I tried to pull the boy that’s crazy around, but slowed to let him catch me if the gap became too big. I was loving it, the pace felt easy and I was enjoying running somewhere new, yet familiar. Crazyboy didn’t look quite so happy, but much better than last time we raced together! (see my Liverpool Half Marathon report for details!) Having survived 53+ miles of tough terrain on Monday, I wasn’t best pleased to go over on my ankle running on flat path. I was looking back to check Crazyboy was OK, and I just missed my footing. It wouldn’t really have been his fault, but I wouldn’t have spoken to him for a while if I’d done serious damage. Once over the shock, normal service resumed.

Me & Crazyboy - In There Somewhere!

I was trying to encourage him all the way round, which probably did his head in, and was pointing out Bellahouston runners that we had to catch all the way round the course. We passed them all but one. When I spied one with 1km to go I looked at Crazyboy and he just shook his head. I let him off, he still passed a few other runners on the final stretch. I went for a fast finish over the last 400 meters or so. I felt like a bit of a fraud, but it was fun, especially when a guy appeared on my shoulder looking for a sprint finish. I did my best, but my legs laughed at me! I finished level with him, and if you’re reading this, please note my previous blog entry regarding a certain run! Thanks though, it was fun!

Crazyboy heard a voice behind him a little way from the finish, “you’re not gonna let an old guy like me beat you are you?” He replied, “it’s tempting” but kicked on, only to hear the same voice say, “I’m still here!” He beat the guy in the end though!

Mrs pacepusher - Almost Home!

It was a good run from him, still trying to find his fitness and old speed. Well done my man, great effort, and you’ll be back to top notch soon! Mrs pacepusher also ran well, I think she surprised herself with a 49:15, sadly 5 seconds behind her PB. Had she realised this, I think she would have beaten it. My mother-in-law Shelly, also had a good run, as did many of the guys from the club. The Headless Chicken finished an excellent 39th, and JK beat Ian to take a 3-2 lead into the WHWR! Well done all, and those I haven’t mentioned by name.

A special mention is reserved for JK’s wife Katrina, running 61 minutes in her very first race. Well done, now what’s the next challenge?!?!?!

Only in Scotland do you get Tunnocks Wafer’s after a race, and I love them! I managed to get my own, and gained 3 others, from Mrs p, Shelly and THC… I donated one to Crazyboy though! It was then off to the chippy, where the shop was probably having it’s busiest day, almost the whole queue wearing Troon 10k T-shirts! A well deserved treat all round!

Thanks as always to Pete for driving us all and offering his support. His words to me after the race, “I thought you were taking it easy?” I did, honest. I just started and finished running faster than I should have, and that’s when you saw me!

Neal Gibson