Mugdock Meander Trail Race

I wasn't able to run the Tour of Clydeside due to my rubbish, weak back.  But I was able today to run the Mugdock Meander which is part of it.  It was a really nice, intimate race.  Well organised and friendly.

It was my second ever trail race and I enjoyed it.  There were great views overlooking Glasgow and the park itself was nice.  I'd like to come back and check it out when I am not pegging through it like a polyester clad idiot.  

Earlier in the day the rain was biblical!  It had thankfully stopped by the time of the race but the conditions underfoot were to say the least.....wet.  There were huge muddy puddles that were unavoidable so off we all went straight through the middle of them.  The first 1km I could hear the laughter as racers splashed happily thorough the water obstacles, by 3km I couldn't hear laughing anymore.  :-)

The...ummm....start.  

The course was a loop but I never checked it out properly because the 2nd time I passed the ruined castle I realised it wasn't ONE loop.  Never mind.  No matter.  

2 loops

As a note, I had a sore right shoulder when running.  This used to happen to me years ago when I played at running and was total rubbish.  It's a one-off at the moment so I won't worry but I'll keep an eye on it.  

Milling about at the start.  It's wet underfoot. 

Experience gained from this race.  If the organisers advise what type of shoe to wear.  Wear the shoes they advise!  It was said that road shoes were fine despite it being a trail race.  Well I have trail shoes so I am damn well wearing them.  Wrong!  It was a trail race but it was basically tarmac.  I mean it looked like it had been laid as part of the 1901 (Googled it) tarmac pilot scheme and since then had been used for the annual Highland Cow migration route, but it was tarmac of a sort.  Trail shoes were a bit stiff and a bit slippy.  

Proudly wearing my race number.  I need to race with friends though.  I can't be that guy taking selfies of himself at the start line.  

At the end of the race I noticed that all the runners were absolutely steaming!  You could tell by looking at them!!!!!  At first I though someone had a barbecue on the go (in this weather) then I though someone was smoking (after a race?), then I noticed the haze of steam rising from all of the assembled finishers.  Science!

I finished the race in 32mins 13secs and I know this is the official time because I heard the nice lady say it when I crossed the finish line.  

Oh yeah, and this is Day 70 of consecutive running.