The snow has (almost) gone!

After a long spell in which we had intended to start our training for the Inverness Half in March, but were hindered by all the snow, we have at last got out for a proper run!

There's still plenty of snow and ice lying about but by sticking to the main routes you can avoid the worst of it.

So we've done a 48-minute gentle run tonight and I was quite pleased I managed to run the whole way after a very quiet winter. I've not even cycled every day so I need to get some serious fitness back ready for all the routes I've got planned for this year!

Married life

We're back from our honeymoon, where we did absolutely no running at all!
But we did do the 10k at Inverness the week before the wedding. I'll not post our time because it was too slow to shout about, but we ran the course together (normally we are far too competitive to do that!).
This morning we went out for a nice run in the soaking rain and bumped into Meg's cousin Ian en route, so we all ran together. We did 45 minutes or so and had a good catch up!
Must dash now as I only came online to sign up for the Inverness half in March :)

Loch Ness 10k

Next weekend we're doing the 10k at Inverness - just six days before we get
married!
At least it will get us in shape for the big day.
I've only done a couple of runs recently after doing lots of cycling over
the summer and then falling off my bike quite badly a few weeks ago, so I've
no idea how I'll get on.
Meg and I are planning on running it together so hopefully I won't hold her
back too much!

Back in action

I took a long break from running after the Lochaber Marathon - spending my
time on the bike instead - but this week I have put on the running shoes for
the first time in three months.

On Thursday, Meg and I did a five-and-a-half mile run and this morning we
did a longer one, just over 8 miles, at a gentle pace with Meg's cousin Ian.

Once I had remembered how to put one foot in front of another, it actually
felt ok. I think the amount of cycling has helped my stamina and it's just a
case of translating that into the runs now.

No major training is planned but we'll just enjoy getting out and about
again now!

Lochaber Marathon

I'm pleased to say it's all over! The Lochaber Marathon 2009 took place on a beautifully sunny and warm day in Fort William, so conditions weren't exactly what any of the runners expected!

Meg finished in 4hrs 16mins and I was a way behind in a few seconds under 4hrs 30mins (on my watch at least!). The full results are on the Lochaber Athletics Club website.

My own race started well and I was running between 8.00 and 8.30 miles for the first 16 miles, on target to beat my time from Edinburgh in 2007. But beyond 16 miles, I think the heat and dehydration got to me and - to coin a phrase - I hit the wall.

From about 19 miles, I walked most of the way. Meg caught and passed me around 23 miles and I only ran most of the last mile thanks to the guy who finished just ahead of me. He encouraged me to get moving again and we had a chat over the last mile, which ended in a sprint finish which I have no idea how I managed!

Thankfully, Meg has promised never to make me do a marathon again - so it's back to halfs, 10ks and cycling for me!

On your marks...

There are just a few days to go now before the Lochaber Marathon and we're just about ready to go - despite going to a wedding in Ireland earlier this week!

We've run up to 20 miles, a long run which we did a couple of Sundays ago (three weeks before race day). That was a fairly flat route taking in the lovely shore road between North Kessock and Redcastle, and back. We did an out-and-back route to try to prepare psychologically as well as physically for marathon day, when the route turns back on itself after 13.1 miles.

This week has just involved a few half-hour or less 'jogs' to keep the legs ticking over, and I guess it'll be pasta for dinner!