Race with a view! Road to the Isles 10k - Bridge to 10K

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Race with a view! Road to the Isles 10k

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10
35 Replies

After reading inspiring and entertaining race reports by Anniemurph and Hidden I thought I better post my race report from last Saturday.

Our long day started early. We left home at 6.30am with the car packed with clothes, gear, dog food etc etc (faffing about gear all done the evening before!). The ferry trip across to the mainland was lovely although a bit chilly on the top deck. I collected my number from the community centre (the finish) - there was a hive of activity in the hall and outside with officials setting up barriers, banners and signs.........excitement rising! We drove down the route to the start - oh my, it was rather undulating, in fact I would describe it hilly in places.....nerves and gremlins whispering! We had time to stroll on the beautiful white beaches before the start at 1pm. The start must be one of the most picturesque in the country (see photo). We gathered in a field - the sheep and lambs had been shooed to the other end, and it was rather chilly in the sea breeze so I was wearing my jacket, thin gloves, buff and long tights. After some star jumps and stretching exercises to loud music, which didn't seem to fit with the surroundings, we were off. I started at the back of the runners and went a slow jog initially. I passed a few people and rather quickly, after about five minutes I began to regret wearing all those clothes - gloves off, buff off, jacket tied round my waist! The undulating route made it really difficult to settle into a rhythm, I was trying hard to breath out for two and in for three but it was difficult. However, I surprised myself because I did manage a little chat with a lady as I ran along, she was doing a nice steady pace and I tried to keep up with her (although not for very long!). The gremlins were out to get me saying things like, 'you are too hot', 'you need a drink', 'you can't keep running up this hill' but despite finding it quite hard I kept plodding along. There was plenty of water available , but why in bottles? I only wanted a little sip - what a waste (reminder to myself to look up waist belts for carrying a bottle). Oh, for those who read my other post about chasing the train, I have to inform you that I didn't beat the train....too hilly and hot (well that is my excuse!). The last part of the race was on a pavement along the main road and it was very gradually going up hill - phew, what a slog! At one point I was running with a dad who was running and carrying his young daughter on his back - they were doing the 5k. I was determined not to let him go past me so tried to go a little faster... Eventually the road levelled out and the community hall was in sight. I 'sprinted' to the finish - well it felt like it anyway ;) Really pleased with the lovely medal and t-shirt and very pleased with myself for coming 54 out of 77 in 1 hour 12 minutes. We had a celebratory fish and chips before travelling back on the ferry and home. What a great day out.

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skysue16 profile image
skysue16
Graduate10
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35 Replies

Ooh that sounds so beautiful! I don't want to waste another 10k on a non-picturesque route ever again. I'm determined to find a beautiful trail run somewhere. And knowing you left so early and committed your whole day to this makes me feel I should look further afield too. It was definitely a warm day last saturday but I'd rather have been too hot where you were than stuck on tarmac going round and round an olympic velopark. And fish and chips as post-run recovery fuel sounds absolutely ideal. I'm lusting after that infinite horizon line I think :)

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply to

Yes, it was a beautiful place to run and I am glad that we had time to walk on the beach before the race because it was more difficult to look at the views while running!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply to

I'm very fussy where I run races Ruth and only choose lovely routes. My logic is that if the worst happened and I couldn't run then at least I get a walk in a gorgeous area!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Graduate10

Congratulations sue!that looks beautiful and worth battling the hills for !you did great! 😊

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toaliboo70

Thank you, I was pleased with myself for fighting off those gremlins!

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10

A lovely place to run - we are so lucky as runners!

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toJaySeeSkinny

Yes, since starting running I look at places and think.. .this would be a nice place to run or not!

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Graduate10

That looks lovely Sue, well done you, and a great time for a challenging route. Yes, everywhere we go now we're eyeing up places for run routes 😂.....don't know what's happened to me.....🤔

Mx

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toMadge50

Ha, ha yes it is amazing how couch to 5k changes us!

runningnearbeirut profile image
runningnearbeirutGraduate10

Sounds like a great day out and a brilliant run, well done.

I hope the finish was as picturesque as the start even if you weren't able to take in much of the view in between!

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply torunningnearbeirut

Yes, the finish at Mallaig also has stunning views. :)

runningnearbeirut profile image
runningnearbeirutGraduate10 in reply toskysue16

Ah now that's somewhere I've actually been I think! Many years ago. Would I have got a boat/ferry to Eigg from there?

I had a great time on my one and only visit to Scotland. It was May and the hottest place in the UK for the whole week. Unbroken sunshine and very few gnats. I've always treasured the memory of a fantastic week, and am reluctant to revisit in case it rains for the whole time and all the views are hidden by low clouds. But views like the one you posted make me think that I ought to risk it at some point...

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply torunningnearbeirut

Yes, visit! May is a good time, we have just had a week of unbroken sunshine and warm days (but cooler today). You can see Eigg in the photo I think, one is Eigg and the other Rum.

runningnearbeirut profile image
runningnearbeirutGraduate10 in reply toskysue16

Problem is I'm never in the UK in May... :(

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply torunningnearbeirut

:(

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate10

Oh, well done! Great report, thank you. I giggled at the thought of shooing the sheep and lambs away so you could all start :D What a beautiful place too, although that word 'undulating'... hmmm. I agree with you about water as well - I much prefer it when they provide it in cups rather than bottles because I won't carry the bottle with me for the rest of the run so it's such a waste. A great time and finish position, and how fab to celebrate with fish and chips! Well done :)

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toAnniemurph

I am pleased with the finish position considering I went last through the start gate! There was a huge dish of homemade paella at the finish, which smelt lovely but a banana and satsuma was all I could manage, also there was a very long queue!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate10 in reply toskysue16

Paella! Mmmmmm!

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J

Fabulous run, terrific report, glorious photo and route, mighty fine time!

Well done Sue.🏃🏻‍♀️

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toMillsie-J

Thanks for reading my report - it was a bit long ;) and yes, a grand day out :)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10

Lovely race report Sue and what a beautiful photo. I can smell the sea! Well done to you

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Thank you Irishprincess....how lucky I am to be able to run in such a beautiful place.

atomicpiper profile image
atomicpiperGraduate10

Congratulations! I'd thought about signing up for that one as it's not too far away but didn't in the end and I'd wondered what the route was like so thank you for posting! Maybe next year! Well done 😀

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toatomicpiper

Oh, it is a shame you didn't, we could have had a C25k meet up! You would have coped well with the undulating route since your last race had hills. Where are you - in the Highlands?

atomicpiper profile image
atomicpiperGraduate10 in reply toskysue16

Oh yes! Maybe next year - I'm in Highland not far from Fort William so no excuse really!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10

Simply glorious.. what a lovely day out and fish and chips too!!!

You had a brilliant run and a brilliant time too :) x

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toOldfloss

Thank you Floss, yes the fish and chips were a treat - only a child size portion for me though ;)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toskysue16

:) Like me... I cannot eat regular portions.. and often share husband's :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10

PS

Never mind about beating that train... you had some stunning views....and you finished with a sprint!!!

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toOldfloss

'Sprint' with inverted commas!! Hubby videoed the finish and I certainly looked better than my 13k finish in Edinburgh!

runner56 profile image
runner56

Well done Sue. Sounds fantastic. Where exactly was the run?

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply torunner56

From Traigh beach to Mallaig (North west Scotland) - are you anywhere near?

runner56 profile image
runner56 in reply toskysue16

I'm in Glasgow but I might have a look at it next year

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate10

Well done! And all those hills, whew - I feel a bit knackered just reading it! Well done indeed :)

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toIrish-John

Thanks John. Yes, it was a bit of a huff and puff especially when the sun came out :)

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