Petite Feet Runaway

Thirty-something minutes, thirty-something miles. That was my motto throughout the run. It’s ok that I had only just worked the legs up to 30 minutes of running the week before. All I had to do was laugh, grit my teeth and enjoy the view to get myself through the 36.5 miles (I’ve rounded that up and been telling everyone that it was 37). We took the scenic route to Ballindalloch on the Friday evening; over the Cairngorms and past Glenshee ski field. It wasn’t the route we thought we were taking and we arrived at our B&B in Ballindalloch slightly frazzled from the journey! I would really recommend Woodville B&B to anyone running the race next year. I spent the night before the race having a lovely lavender bubble bath and then sat watching red squirrels play at breakfast the next morning! Not only were they my first red squirrel sightings but Robin also made me my first ‘soldiers’ for breakfast. These paired with my winning porridge and berry combo had me set until my b...

I was meant to enter next year’s race. I’m young and I wanted more experience. They were solid excuses and I repeated them like a mantra until I watched the Commonwealth 24-hour Championships in Wales. November came and I pumped my entry form in so quickly that I entered as a male.  I didn’t need a cheque written so Scott didn’t find out about the entry until it came up in a conversation at the pub a few weeks later…  Phantom injuries and list-writing consumed my thoughts for the entire week pre-race.  The overwhelming joy of being allowed to sort my spare running kit into labelled snap-lock bags had me packed the weekend before. I lovingly squashed the air out of each bag and placed them into one of my newly acquired clear boxes; complete with a list of the boxes’ contents in a plastic sleeve attached to the lid. I began to get a bit competitive; what happens if someone else has better lists and boxes than I do? Michael, Olivia, myself and Scott My sister...

Friday 8.30pm – Milngavie After fajitas with a side of chips for dinner we head across the car park to the glamour of our Premier Inn standard double. Drop bag specifics are finalised with the addition of banana cake baked by Nicole.  I am number 130. The zero cancels out the bad luck that number 13 might bring so I have no concerns there. After a long discussion (and a pro and con list) I decide to shower the night before and set my alarm for five minutes later in the morning;  5.45am. Saturday 5.20am – Milngavie My cell phone vibrates with a text from Keith. Scott gets up to check the time. Probably should have set my alarm for  4.45am  because my race starts at 6am. Rookie error. I am pretty speedy getting ready although I almost forget to fill my bladder up with water. I do have time to moisturise my legs though and I now smell of juicy mango (I know that you will appreciate this Hillary). Saturday 5.45am – Milngavie Registration accomplished and ...

Scott wanted to do another half marathon and I needed a training run. I decide that it would be a good idea to celebrate my birthday by running the Meadows Marathon while Scott runs the half. I'll pace him to a pb and then continue my training run. The entire course is just down the road and my sick head thinks that I'll probably enjoy running around in circles.  Pre-race -  we had to walk to a grass area for our ‘warm up’. It was freezing cold and there were some numpty’s dancing on a stage. There are too many rich English students in dress-up. Gahh. Lap 1 – we started right at the back as I needed to nip to the toilet. Had to jump around lions and tigers most of the lap. We go through a tiny bit slower than our set pace but I knew that would happen. Lap 2 – at one point I exclaim that I can’t keep up as we are running too fast for me. Continuing to pass zoo animals. We make up the time from the first lap. Lap 3 – we pass Carrie who is running the half mara...