A fun Sunday run with 3000 others

[swanscot]

Most of my running is done alone, along the quiet minor roads around the village or along empty forest tracks. Today’s run was different. I ran alongside about 2600 runners in the Baxter’s River Ness 10K run. This run is part of the Festival of Running which also includes the Loch Ness Marathon, The River Ness 5K (which I did as a newbie runner last year) and the Wee Nessie 400m run for under 5s.

Although I don’t like crowds I loved the whole ‘family fun’ atmosphere at the event with thousands of runners from all over the UK and beyond. It was so great to see the wee tots walking around wearing their 5K and 400m medals!

The weather was perfect for running at about 14°C, but hotter in places in the direct sun. I felt I positioned myself well at the start as I was running alongside many similarly paced runners. I passed quite a few, but rarely felt I was ‘wasting’ time dodging and weaving past crowds.

The course is great in that I felt I was going downhill more than up, although the total elevation loss was only 30m more than the gain. I knew I had run a good first 5km, but didn’t really check my Garmin at all until the final stage. The final two kms are along the River Ness, one km heading towards the town centre, across the main road bridge, then one back towards the sports ground. This final bit was really tough, but I kept on as best I could and tried to smile at the waving, cheering crowds and gave the occasional high five to the children.

I had thought it would be super if I could run the 10K in about 55 mins and I just beat that, with a chip time of 54:46. My category position for F50+ = 25, from a total of about 185 in that category.

I’m especially pleased since I’ve done no real speed training all summer. Since my return to running following the injury lay-off in June, I’ve usually only managed one 7km run, one 8-10km tempo run and one long, slow run each week. Plus about 150kms cycling. All this must have been sufficient to help me develop the stamina to get this PB!

Edited to add the link to the map/stats on Garmin: connect.garmin.com/activity...

[loulou51 Graduate]

Wow that's so impressive. It sounds like you had a great run in every respect. Well done

[swanscot Graduate in reply to loulou51]

It was better than I dared hope for with reduced training.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Wow, Sheila, that's just great! And it sounds like a really nice course as well. Glad you had such a good time - both during the run and your time for the run, if you see what I mean

[swanscot Graduate in reply to Anniemurph]

Anniemurph, it was nice to run in a town full of people - such a change for me!

[sfb350 Graduate]

Brilliant time, well done ! And sounds like a lovely run too.

[swanscot Graduate in reply to sfb350]

Thanks, I truely can say I enjoyed it.

[OldNed Graduate]

That sounds like a lovely run in a great venue. It's a long time since I've been to Inverness but I can picture the river and the location of your run (I have a near-photographic memory for roads and can recall them long afterwards, even after just a single visit)

[swanscot Graduate in reply to OldNed]

I envy your near-photographic memory. But just to help others I've edited my post to include the link to my Garmin stats and map.

[SBG356 Graduate]

Fantastic Sheila! What a great run and atmosphere too!

[swanscot Graduate in reply to SBG356]

Thanks, Sue. I'm usually reserved, but the atmosphere was such that I found I was chatting away to complete strangers (other runner) before and after the race.

[earl-grey-sian Graduate]

Fantastic. Well done

[swanscot Graduate in reply to earl-grey-sian]

Thanks, earl-grey-sian and great to see you here! You've been absent for a while. I hope you are keeping well.

[earl-grey-sian Graduate in reply to swanscot]

I'm surprised you remember me Sheila. 2013 hasn't been the best of years for me, with psychological problems, injuries and asthma. I'm away from a week from tomorrow, but by the time I get back, my calf and lungs should be healed and I'm desperate to get back out there. I'm amazed how much I've missed it. Siân x

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Brilliant Sheila and what a great photo

[swanscot Graduate in reply to DeliaItaly]

Thanks, Delia. I felt I was floating around on cloud nine when I finished and couldn't stop grinning.

[Eve1975 Graduate]

Wow and what an amazing time.

[Eve1975 Graduate]

My partner is from Inverness and said it is a great run.

[swanscot Graduate in reply to Eve1975]

Thanks Eve, it is a lovely run and it was great to run down the centre of the (closed) dual-carraigeway on the new distributor road, then go along the river in two directions!

[Malcy Graduate]

Echoing all the above. It is a fantastic city, especially when the weather is good. It's such a change from your normal terrain though - but a run is often all the better for that. Well done from Malcy.

[swanscot Graduate in reply to Malcy]

Exactly, Malcy. Although I much prefer off-road running on my own, this was great for a change.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

A great run report. Thanks and well done.

[swanscot Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you. I really enjoyed the whole run.

[rockchick69 Graduate]

A great run and a great post. Well done Sheila

[alex1303 Graduate]

Well done and what a great time. I also did this run though not quite as fast - 1h 17m. This was my first run after completing cto5k a few weeks ago so was really pleased. I had never run 10k before but thoroughly enjoyed it.

My 6 year old son did the 5k with his dad and was really chuffed with his medal. He's taken it in to school today to show his pals and teacher.

The atmosphere was brilliant and we all had a great day.

[swanscot Graduate in reply to alex1303]

Well done to you, too Alex1313 and to your son. How nice that he's taken the medal to school!

> "The atmosphere was brilliant and we all had a great day."

It was a lovely fun atmosphere (the sun helped ) and I, who am usually shy, chatted to so many strangers. I'm looking forward to next year.