On Saturday I ran my first race of 2015 and it was Parkrun. I finished in 21:59 which is nearly 2 mins slower than my PB. The conditions were the worst ever which for Edinburgh Parkrun is really saying something. I awoke at 8am to the noise of the windows rattling in the wind. When I arrived at the race, I wondered whether it had been cancelled – there were hardly any cars where normally you are struggling for a space. However, once I saw some other mentalists in running gear get out the cars that were there, my heart sank as I realised I was going to have to run after all. Standing on the start line, I almost wimped out and went back to the car because the wind was so strong and it was icy. Only the acceptance that Parkrun or no Parkrun, I was going to have to run today anyway made me start the race. I was there now and I was dressed to run so I might as well. It’s hard to put into words the relief when I put my hands in my shorts pockets for some warmth, only to find my gloves that I thought I had forgotten to bring with me. Pre-race, the organisers always mention who has reached the 50 or 100 Parkrun milestones, and always thank the volunteers for making Parkrun happen. At this point everyone always claps. On this occasion the noise wasn’t so much “Clap, clap, clap” as it was “Fopp, fopp, fopp”. I don’t think many people were running without gloves.
Where is everyone?
So we got underway and the smaller than normal field headed off along Cramond Foreshore. As usual, it was a tail wind on the way out and my first 1km was 3:57, second km was 4:05. Meh. Not bad. About average. Maybe this wont be as bad as I thou….OH DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN!!!!!! Turning to go back (it’s an out and back course) was unreal. The headwind almost blew me to a complete standstill or even backwards. I wouldn’t have been surprised to have seen a 5 or even 6 minute km recorded. I had to turn my head to the side and away from the direct force of the wind so as I could breathe. At about 2km the snow started as well and despite this producing a beautiful rainbow, it was hard to appreciate the scenery. I finished in 21:59 and walking back to the car, watching people still running, I saw a row of 5 runners all bent into the wind, heads down , arms pumping, and eyes squinting. I wish I’d had my camera as it summed up in one picture what I couldn’t do with 1000 words.
So just when I thought I was a hero for my run in the wind, I got home to be reminded by Kata that we were going out to watch the international cross country event that was taking place on our doorstep in Holyrood Park. I quickly showered and headed back out. What we saw there was truly inspiring. The weather now was even worse. The snow was on heavy, occasionally turned to hail stones, and the icy wind was brutal. Spectating was hard going and we were dressed in layers of thermals, hats, gloves, and waterproofs. Watching the runners in short shorts and vests (or even less for some women) was mind boggling. There was a lot of bright pink skin on show. The park was a mud bath. We arrived in time to watch the Scottish Athletics Women’s 6km event in which Eillis was running. She finished 8th in an incredible time of 24:34. I went to take a photo of her at the end and decided against it. It seemed somehow disrespectful. She left nothing out there and looked broken, muddy, and freezing. A lot of women were bent double with arms wrapped around their body, presumably trying to get some body heat. My 21:59, 5km road race in the wind was put into sharp focus. Amazing effort from all the runners.
Some Very Fast Runners
Muddy
We went home for soup and warmth before returning at 2pm to watch the International Women’s event. Again the distance was 6km in what was now underfoot conditions that were difficult to walk never mind run in. The mud was thick and sticky and the hailstones were back. The race was won by Britain’s Emila Gorecka in 21:26. Incredible, inspiring, and hard to comprehend even though I saw it with my own eyes. It just makes me want to run faster.
