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Future Races
Personal Bests (3)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schneider Electric Paris Marathon | Marathon | Paris, France | 2013 | 4:18:40 |
| Seven Hills of Edinburgh | 14 Miler | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | Jun 22, 2014 | 3:15:56 |
| Edinburgh Marathon Festival | Half Marathon | Edinburgh, Scotland | 2012 | 1:53:28 |
Future Races (0)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Paid |
|---|
Past Races (4)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result | My Raves | My Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Hills of Edinburgh | 14 Miler | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | Jun 22, 2014 | 3:15:56 | ||
| Schneider Electric Paris Marathon | Marathon | Paris, France | 2013 | 4:18:40 | ||
| Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running | Marathon | Inverness, United Kingdom | 2013 |
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| Edinburgh Marathon Festival | Half Marathon | Edinburgh, Scotland | 2012 | 1:53:28 |
Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running
Less fancy dress than I was expecting
Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running
I ran this in 2012 as my first marathon, finishing 8 seconds shy of my time goal. Obviously, a repeat performance was required. Sadly, I was about 17 minutes SLOWER … MORE
I ran this in 2012 as my first marathon, finishing 8 seconds shy of my time goal. Obviously, a repeat performance was required. Sadly, I was about 17 minutes SLOWER in 2013, but I attribute that to the 25 pound sled I was carrying (race report below for more details). FYI – when they say “no strollers”, it’s clearly to avoid babies being catapulted across the road.
The course starts with 5-6 miles downhill, which destroyed my quads the first time. I guess it never really crossed my mind that I should train for downhill sections. You should do this.
The rest of the course is ‘undulating’, with a noticeable hill after Dores at around mile 16/17/ You crest it (at least you think you do), but there’s on final incline before the crowd support starts trickling onto the radar, and you make your approach into Inverness.
Scenery is pretty good, though a lot is on a closed B road flanked by trees, through which you catch glimpses of the loch. There are porta-loos throughout, but if you can make it to Dores, wait for the pub and rest your cheeks on porcelain!
Crowd support is sparse until the final 3-4 miles, but you are never running on your own, as it’s one of Scotland’s biggest marathons. Aid stations are regular, but I stick anything in my mouth during a course, I can’t really comment on choice (though I seem to remember little).
The main kicker (other than the hill after Dores) is the 7am bus to the start line at Fort Augustus. The start time being 10:00. Take a leak before the bus (though there are porta-loos at the start and you will have time to use them). Also at the start line: bag drop – so wear warm layers and strip them off at the last possible moment.
There are massages at the end, but the wait is unholy. However, if you’re running for a charity, Macmillan have a massage table just for their runners. Worth hassling people at work for some donation cash, believe me!
I had signed up for my third year running (ho ho ho), but injury forced me to drop down to the 5k fun run, which will remain a low point in my life.
General weekend info: Inverness is in the ass end of nowhere, so allow plenty of travel time if you’re driving. You’ll probably need to arrive Saturday for packet pick-up (though they do allow some people to register early Sunday, it is not highly advertized). If you want to eat anywhere decent, book a restaurant ASAP. The week before the marathon is not a suitable time to try and find anywhere willing to accommodate you (no matter how much you beg), unless eating at 3pm or 10:30 pm is your style.
Oh, and the medal ain’t bad, but it hasn’t changed in years.