Glenlivet 10k

Sunday is runday as we headed off into the hills of Glenlivet for a 10k which has been voted "The most beautiful run in Scotland" And there is no doubt that the scenery is stunning but when you are slogging yourself up a seemingly endless hill looking at your surroundings is the last thing you feel like doing"

An action shot - that is me in the white T shirt.

But we made it and the moment had to be captured forever with many finishing line photos! Glad there wasn't one of me on the rickety moving wooden bridge just after the finish line - that was more scary than the race itself - but it was the only way to get my medal. 

My Garmin recorded my time as 59.06 but I think I like my chip time better!

You have to love a goody bag which includes a dram and shortbread.

Miltonduff 10k

Last Sunday was the warmest day of the year so far in the North East of Scotland.

In March we are more used to wearing woolly hats and gloves.

But it was definately t shirt weather for running 10k starting and finishing at Miltonduff Distillery.

Who knew it was so hilly around Miltonduff??

I got up the hills fine but then struggled to keep going without a short walking break.

Was never so glad to see the water stop at 3.5 miles.

Approaching the finish line.

But I got round in under an hour and slightly bettered my Brodie 10k time in 58.30

Next weekend is the Glenlivet 10k
Bring on the even bigger hills!!@

Skywatch Friday

Another photo taken with my phone whilst out running. 10k down a local cycle path on a beautiful clear and cold Sunday morning.

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

New parkrun pb

Not sure where it came from this morning.

Didn't feel great when I woke up - so a couple of Ibuprofen along with my cuppa when I woke up.

Turned up at the allotted time thinking I would just go for my usual plod round the park.

Met a friend - had a chat - he gave me several power beans - was told they are jelly beans for runners - tasted OK.

Got stuck behind a small dog on a lead which was weaving all over the path.

Put on my usual attempt at a spring finish and was amazed to see a time of under 28 minutes - 27.55 which is 4 seconds off my previous pb.

There is life in the old dog yet :)  

Skywatch Friday

A 7 mile run through the forest with this fabulous group of girls.

It was icy in places.

It was cold.

We had big smiles.

But who cares when you are rewarded with a view like this.

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

Saturday parkrun fun

Saturday isn't Saturday without parkrun. If I'm not running then you will find me volunteering.

Today I was tailrunner for the very first time.

At first I felt frustrated as it felt too slow and I really wanted to run.

Then I started chatting to 2 ladies who were at the beginning of their Couch to 5k journey. They were doing great and soon caught up with Dennis.

Dennis has been a parkrun regular for a while now - easily identifiable by his purple pully! He is 66, recently retired and suffering with shin splints. He walked a bit and ran a bit and we had a good old blether. As we approached the finish funnel Dennis suggested a sprint finish. he took my hand and we crossed the finish line together in a time of 45.33 minutes. We had a celebratory hug.

This is what parkrun is all about and I am so pleased to be a part of it.  

Orienteering

Today I went orienteering for the very first time. It was organised by my local orienteering club Moravian Orienteers which just happenens to be the largest orienteering club in Scotland.

But it was also parkrun day (also known as Saturday) so 5k dash around the park dodging the icy bits.

The straight across town to Morriston Park. I was a complete novice so did the easier yellow route and I have to say I was up against some formidable kids!

But I found all the markers (and in the right order too) so I was quite pleased with my time.

In a fortnight there is an event right in town - at night! Need to dig out that head torch.

parkrun day aka Saturday

Best day of the week :)

Love this one too :)

My Month In Numbers - October.

There was only one important number in October - one I had been building up to for months and months.

13.1

This was the total number of miles I ran (some walking, a little staggering and a few tears) round the streets of Glasgow with 15000 other nutters for The Great Scottish Run.

I am sure the rest of my real life friends are fed up of me going on and on about it - but it was a huge deal to me.

My friend was due to run with me but she was injured and had pulled out - but then at the last minute decided to give it a go. Here we are lined up with 15000 other runners in St Georges Square.

I have to say it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But I have decided it is a bit like childbirth - once it is over you forget all the nasty bits and want to do it all over again!

The official photos of my approaching the finishing line aren't great.

 Those last 3 miles were a real struggle. I cried when I reached the Squinty Bridge (not sure why - perhaps because it is an iconic landmark of the city), I cried just around the corner at the Clutha Bar (it has been decorated with murals depiciting the history of the bar since the devastating helicopter crash of November 2013 when 10 people died) And I cried again when I reached the electronic message board 1k from the finish and saw messages from my Dad and Wendy and Andy and the boys.

I was running for Parkinsons and headed for their tent at the finish in Glasgow Green. Another photo although I'm not sure it is any better. I raised £335.00 for the charity. And the final important number was my finishing time 2:18:10 - which I don't think is too bad for a first effort.

I would definately take part again but next year the Great Run series is coming to Aberdeen - would be rude not too seeing as how it is on my doorstep. And Aviemore half marathon too.

Please pop over to see Julie at Notes on Paper and see everyone elses Month in Numbers  

Skywatch Friday

I am off work this week.

So instead of getting up and going out to work in the morning I can get up and head out for a run.

And see beautiful skies like this.

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog to see more skies from around the world.

parkrun

parkrun (with a small p!)  finally arrived in Moray on 5th March.

parkrun  for the uninitiated is a timed 5k run held every Saturday morning come rain or shine. It is open to all abilities - including pushing buggys, dogs on leads and well behaved children. It is most definatley not a race.

Elgin now hosts the most Northerly parkrun in the British Isles.

A team of volunteers stage the event - I was a marshall on the first corner - and entry is free. All you need to do is register on the parkrun website, print off your barcode and arrive for 9.30am.

We were all amazed when 216 runners turned up for our inaugural event - including a chap who had driven all the way up from Southport!

An amazing write up in the local press.

This Saturday I decided to run - along with 158 other like minded people.

Even though it was raining.

And was chuffed with my sub 30 time.

Roll on next Saturday.

Skywatch Friday

The view from the back of my house as I head out on a morning run.

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

What I Did Today.

No running for me today.

Instead I watched over 140 other people run.

I was at my first ever Parkrun today in Inverness

Learning how to become a Parkrun volunteer.

Ready for when Parkrun comes to Elgin.

Excited.

Muchly.