The plan was to run through Dalmeny Estate. Thinking about it last night and checking bus times I decided to get the bus out and run back. Had some nice wholemeal bread for breakfast, got into the running gear and off I went for the bus. Felt surprisingly nervous and excited about my little adventure.
Off the bus at Dalmeny Station at 9:20 (had a quick look for Malcy but no sign) then along the path by the railway to Hawes Pier. The 100+ wet wooden steps down from railway level to the shore were a bit of a challenge, making sure I didn't slip right at the start. I could hear sounds from a PA system and thought it was the boat trips getting ready to leave but when I got to the Hawes Inn there was a little crowd of people watching a group abseiling off the rail bridge for charity. (There are people madder than me!).
Into the run then. It was quite a misty morning so not good to see across the Forth but it gave a strange enclosed feeling and seemed to make the bird song more clear as you didn't get the traffic noise so much. Lots of spring flowers in evidence too; cowslips, primroses, bluebells, comfrey, pink campion, saxifrage.
It's a route I know reasonably well from walking so I had mentally mapped out some staging points - Hound Point tanker terminal, the white gates, Barnbougle Castle, the golf course etc. Just took it steady and kept going as best I could and didn't worry if I had to walk up the hills. Didn't see any other runners but met a few walkers and cyclists. There also seemed to be a Guide or Scout Camp in progress. They must have been absolutely miserable in the rain yesterday.
Doing the route this way round was definitely a good idea as the landmarks became more familiar as I went along. I could see the "teeth" marking the causeway to Cramond Island and the houses on the other side of the river. After a vicious little hilly bit which I walked, I recognised I was back on the tracked I'd sussed out the other day and that it would be mainly downhill from here. Slight irritation was I could feel my sock rubbing on my big toe but after stopping to loosening my shoe even that felt better. Seeing the gate at the entrance to the estate spurred me on past some walkers with a cheery hello.
I'd half thought of stopping at this point and phoning for a lift home but the 5x50 total beckoned and I was still feeling OK at least for running the flat bits. Got home in 1 hour and 10 minutes for about 11k which I'm pleased enough with because today was about getting round not time. Unfortunately Endomondo failed me or I did something to it at some point so I don't have details to pore over but that may not be a bad thing.
Took some photos on my phone and will try and post them later today.
5x50 day 4 - I went for a swim!
My final long run before my HM, couldn't have gone better!
5x50 Day 19
