Runners make final plans for Mey 10k showdown
WITH only four days to go, attention is turning to the final preparations for the fourth Castle of Mey 10k.
It has been a busy time for the team of race organisers and also for runners as they, in their different ways, fine-tune the months of planning and training, all ready for May 13.
Our featured runners have been busy making sure that everything is ready for race day and, like them, there will be other runners who are tackling one of their first races.
It is important above all that for the novice runners the theme of enjoyment is high on the priority list so that they go away from the race with a desire to run another such event again.
Further opportunities to race or run socially can be found on the North Highland Harriers website (www. northhighlandharriers.co.uk) along with details of training groups.
The Castle of Mey e-mail system has been busy with runners who have queries relating to the race and if you arrive on race day with unanswered questions, then the race organisation team will be able to answer your questions; just look out for the yellow event T-shirts.
There has been no waiting list this year for entries and some runners who had previously not entered the race have now managed to secure places by arranging swaps and notifying us through the Castle of Mey e-mail system.
However, this option is now closed and swaps cannot be confirmed on race day, therefore runners are reminded not to turn up with another runner’s race details on the day. The opportunity to enter as a late entrant will be available and those hoping to secure a late entry should book in with the registration team by 1.15pm.Registration for those who have already entered is from noon and closes at 1.30pm sharp. Details of full race-day instructions and race numbers can be found on the Castle of Mey 10k webpage (www. northhighlandharriers.co.uk/mey10k/Default.asp).
If you have ordered T-shirts, these can also be collected from the registration tent prior to your race, and order forms for T-shirts will also be available on the day.
In the interests of the runners’ safety, everyone is asked to provide updated medical details either before the race or on the day at time of registration. Runners are also asked to complete the medical details on the back of their race numbers prior to the start of the race. Also, from a safety perspective, no music devices can be worn on race day so that runners are able to hear instructions from the marshals at all time.
As we approach the Castle of Mey 10k we will hear from the three featured runners as they reflect on the training they have undertaken in preparation for Sunday.
People take part in races such as the Castle of Mey 10k for lots of reasons. Some, like the featured runners, have personal goals to beat and achievements to be ticked off from "to do" lists.
Other people have times from previous races they wish to better or have someone that they are keeping company during the race. Some runners are taking part to raise money for charity and the organisers wish them every success.
Some of the runners will be at the racing end of the field of runners and have their sights set on personal achievements against those they have raced before or some they may not have gone head to head against previously. In the women’s race, last year’s winner, Carolyn Milne, who recently won the Balmoral 10k, is not entered and therefore the race for the women is likely to be between local runners Joan Henry, NHH, and Emma Dunnett, running for Edinburgh AC.
Emma has a personal best over four minutes faster than Joan and is currently ranked number one in the UK over 5k, but with the prospect of running the Castle of Mey 10k the day after the National Hill Race Championships at Ben Lomond, this may take its toll.
Also on form and looking for solid performances on the new flat course will be Lorna Stanger, Nicola Falconer and Oonagh Dunnett, who is also competing at Ben Lomond.
Unfortunately the 10k race is missing Andrew Douglas, from Halkirk, who has just returned from racing in Denmark in an international half-marathon where he placed third recording a new personal best of 65.55 min.
His absence will provide an interesting showdown between Jack Trevelyan and Kevin Cormack, both NHH, and Dave Patton, who lives locally but runs for Corstorphine AAC. Of course, with the change of the route from last year, a new course record for the first female and male is up for grabs.
The fun run is back on the same route as last year and race organisers hope to see an increase on 2011’s entry of 62 young runners. This race is open to anyone of primary or secondary age. Under fives can also join in but must be accompanied by an adult.
An entry fee of £2 will be taken on the day and there are prizes for the first three girls and boys and also trophies for the first girls and boys primary and secondary.
Graham Winkle
Training this week: what, where, when and with whom?
Week 13 – After the strain of several months of training I’ve been dreaming of a beautiful sun-soaked beach, so here we are at Dunnet beach for this week’s training. We have run three days this week for five miles, two miles and five miles again. I trained with my son this week and most of it in beautiful sunshine.
Week 14 – Well done everyone! This is the last report before the race and I’m really pleased I’ve got this far. If you are running too then good luck, and thanks for reading my rambles every other week, I hope they’ve helped in some way... laughter is good for you.
This week we have continued on the beach and have run for 45 minutes, 40 minutes and 65 minutes. Also did a few miles cycling. I really hope this is enough as I have gone off schedule to protect my body a bit.
I trained with my son this week at various times in the evening and he has also suffered with a cold recently. Poor thing.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned?
Week 13 – We had planned to run more days this week but I find my body does not recover quickly enough to make this possible. So we have decided to start running on the beach to protect my creaking knee and hip.
Week 14 – Birthdays, children, animals, gardening, work and all usually come before training and this week has been no different. This has sometimes meant we have trained at different times, but we have still done it.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 13 – The first five-mile run we did this week was the hardest run I have had for the whole period I’ve been training. I felt completely shattered after the run – the wind was gale force the sand was heavy and I was finding it difficult to breath. However, the recovery from this was the positive. I had half the aches and pains and felt much better overall.
Week 14 – I’ve felt a bit lethargic and I had a bout of asthma, but I’m not sure what brought it on. Oh well" Really enjoyed running down the beautiful Dunnet beach, I feel quite lucky to live here at times.
Are you seeing improvements in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 13 – Hard to compare this week as we’ve been running on a different surface. But my breathing is still not as it was before the cold virus.
Week 14 – My breathing is more difficult with this touch of asthma but bearable, which is nice to know.
Any injuries/concerns?
Are you feeling any benefits as a result of the training – health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 13 – After this week’s training I feel much happier as I’ve been able to do some decent miles but have not suffered the side effects.
Week 14 – I feel I still have the capacity to improve my physical endurance and hope to continue to do this after the race. I’ve learned a lot about myself during the course of my training and I have hopes for more challenges in the future.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 13 – I really appreciate the time running gives me to relax mentally. I hope to carry on after the race as I do enjoy it in a strange way.
I was asked this week if I was going to run in a "Loch Mey Monster" suit ? Unfortunately I don’t have one any more and if I did I’m sure my son would run nowhere near me.
Week 14 – I can hardly believe how far I have been since the start of my training, literally I’ve run several marathons. More than this I’ve found a new door open for experiences for myself and my family.
I have found my training difficult, frustrating and at times enjoyable. I’ve found some limits I didn’t know I had and some strengths that I’ve not been using.
I’ve had some great experiences with my son, wife and the rest of the family and I’ve found that Caithness has a rich beauty that can only be discovered while running at strange times throughout the evening. My three goals for the race were to finish, to finish without stopping, and to make under 60 minutes. My last goal has been changed to 70 minutes.
I’ll be pleased with any or all of them as I’ve not achieved them in a race situation before, especially when I consider my struggle to run for more than two or three minutes a few months back.
Kirsty Mackay
Training this week: what, where, when and with whom?
Week 13 – Thursday, April 19: Two hours of lifeguard training in the pool. Saturday 21st: Three hours of lifeguard training in the pool. Sunday 22nd: 8am, three-mile run out of Thurso on my own. Monday 23rd: 1.5 hours of lifeguard training in the pool.
Week 14 – Friday 27th: Six-mile run including lighthouse run on my own in the morning. Saturday 28th: Three hours of lifeguard training in the pool. Sunday 29th: One hour of lifeguarding in the pool. Tuesday, May 1: NHH endurance training on the moors.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned?
Week 13 – Where do I begin? Lots of things have got in the way. Poorly children, work commitments, lifeguard training and revision, helping at a duathlon, life in general. Just not enough time.
Week 14 – My lifeguard training is now complete, thankfully, so that is one less thing to try and fit in. The kids have smitten me with their cold bug, and on Tuesday night I really struggled running back up the hill but did the best I could. I decided not to fit another run in as I was feeling really tired from this cold and probably having such a hectic couple of weeks
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 13 – The run that I did manage to do I felt good while I was doing it and could have continued, but, unfortunately, I didn’t have the time. Low has to be not fitting in any more runs.
Week 14 – For me my high has to be during my six-mile run, I managed to run up Scrabster hill coming back up from the lighthouse. It has been a long time coming but I have finally managed to do it, which I am thrilled with. Low – I am really nervous about the amount of training that I have managed to fit in over the last couple of weeks. I really wanted to do some more with race day just around the corner, but I would have needed another couple of days in the week to manage any more
Are you seeing improvements in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 13 – Hopefully this week will not have been to detrimental to my training, possibly a rest may help.
Week 14 – During my long run by breathing at parts felt really comfortable, and I could have kept on running but I had to get Megan from nursery and obviously there is an improvement in running up hills.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week 13 – No worries on this front.
Week 14 – No, thankfully.
Are you feeling any benefits as a result of the training – health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 14 – For me at the moment I feel really tired but I know this is due to being so hectic for the last couple of weeks.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 13 – Race day is fast approaching and I haven’t managed to do a long run this week, but I will definitely be fitting one in next week.
Week 14 – I can’t believe that this is my last report before the Mey 10k, the time has flown in. I don’t know if I am going to make the time that I said in my very first report but overall I am happy with how I have progressed since January. It has been tough getting out and doing it but thinking back to my runs at the start of the year and looking now at what distances I can cover I couldn’t ask for more.
I hope that come May 13 I can just go out there and enjoy my day. I know I have prepared for it so, hopefully, it will go well. I hope everyone who has signed up for the race has a really good day too. See you all there.
Maxine Whale
Training this week: what, where, when and with whom?
Week 13 – Monday: Went to the NHH’s beginners’ session. We ran from the Blue Door Café all the way to the lighthouse and back! Pretty much ran all the way and in a good time, so I was very pleased. It helped that I made a friend along the way, it was great to have someone to chat to and keep me going.
Was in Edinburgh for the rest of the week and didn’t manage to fit in a run. I did, however, go to a boot camp class on Saturday morning. I actually really enjoyed being at an exercise class in a muddy field but I was in agony for about four days afterwards.
Week 14 – Got back from Edinburgh on Tuesday so went to toning that evening which I really enjoyed. Was still aching from the boot camp class though!
Disappointed I haven’t fitted in a run this week but have a long one planned for Saturday.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned?
Week 13 – Being in Edinburgh, took my trainers but didn’t manage to fit in any running.
Week 14 – My usual excuses this week.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 13 – Really enjoyed Monday’s run. It was great to run such a long distance, especially with the hills added in.
Are you seeing improvements in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 13 – Was delighted I managed to run for as long as I did on Monday.
Week 14 – Overall since January my everything has improved! I can run a lot further, especially with the help from others. My speed seems lots quicker than when I was training for the first 10k I did so I’m hoping that means I can meet my previous time of 1 hour 5 minutes. My breathing has improved too, it takes me about 15 minutes to get into it but once I get there I’m okay.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week 13 – Minus the aches after the boot camp class I’m fine.
Are you feeling any benefits as a result of the training – health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 14 – Definitely feel fitter overall and hope to continue running after the Mey 10k. Plan to register for the Baxters 10k to motivate me to keep running.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 14 – I’m looking forward to the 10k and hope to fit in a few more runs before then. I have really enjoyed running with the beginners’ group and met lots of lovely people along the way.
It’s been great being a featured runner, everyone has been really supportive and it’s lovely when people ask how I’m getting on. So thanks to everyone and hopefully I do well on the day.
