2009 Progress Entrant - Graeme Dunnett

Contents:- -Intro- Report -1- -2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8- -9- -10- -11- -12- -13- -14- -15- -16- -17- -Final-

Report (Final) - 10/05/09

Well here we are, race day is upon us. It's eight thirty in the morning and my first dilemma of the day is what to have for breakfast. All sorts of thoughts go through your head about what will I eat, will it give me a stitch? Then reality strikes home, I've got over five hours until the race so I could just about get away with a steak dinner! I decide on toast and a yogurt; that should be ok.

As the morning progressed, there was nervousness in the air, will the training over the last four months come good? Anyway, I didn't have time to dwell on it too much as Sophie had gone out early to help set out the race circuit and had left me some tasks to do. One of which was ironing the t-shirts for the pace runners complete with their iron on motifs; diversional therapy or what!

Emma and Oonagh returned from their training run so we got our bags packed and were ready to go. I thought it would be better to pace around at the Castle of Mey and meet people with the same anxious look instead of hanging around the house. I arrived just before twelve to be met by Rotary Club car park stewards who efficiently pointed me to an appropriate parking place. I made my way to the marquee to register for the race where I got my number; fifty eight, it's all mine!

As time passed I met a variety of runners, from experienced to novices, who all were looking forward to the inaugural race. It was nearly time, fifteen minutes to go, and every good running book tells you that a warm up session is required. Oonagh did the warm up with me, and then Sophie and I were of to the start line. I was in a fortunate position that Sophie gave up any aspirations of having a good time herself, as she gave that up to be my running partner; there's devotion for you! We positioned ourselves in the middle of the pack. I had deliberately not set a target to complete the course in but to break the hour would be a big achievement!

BANG, we're off. Stop watches started. All that pent up energy, now it was time to release it. Sophie had said to me, 'don't start to hard, don't get pulled along with the pack, stick to your game plan'. We approached the first bend at the Castle to be greeted by my friend, lone piper, Grant Coghill, an enthusiastic crowd and A.I. Willie's euphoric announcements. The first 1¾ miles were mostly uphill albeit a gradual incline; I think Dave Hall calls it undulating! This I thought was going to be a difficult section but I very quickly got into my running stride and felt comfortable with my pace.

We turned towards at the end of the out and back section to be met by a moderate breeze which was very refreshing and we were going downhill, yippee! We passed the Army Cadets and received another dose of encouragement! Only half a mile to go until the watering station, and half way beckons. The watering station was in sight but in order to reach that destination I had to overcome another up-hill stretch. For the second time in the race I was being used as a human wind shield by thinner (female) runners. Don't knock it everyone has their used in life!

By this stage the sun was beating hard on us and it was warm. I shortened my stride and worked my arms, all text books stuff; my coach was proud of me! Made it, the Girl Guides supplied me with that much sought after bottle of water. Oh, it's not chilled but it was much needed and now we were approximately half way. A nice downhill just to aid recovery, we were now heading towards our first stretch on the main road. As we turned onto the main road, I was greeted by more encouragement from spectators, marshals and the police. This gave me that extra lift which boosts your moral.

Shortly after, we turned left on to another single track road and guess what, yes your right, I was met by another uphill stretch. What made this one worse was the niggle in my knee had returned and this section of the course was very sheltered and was a 'sun trap'. We were sheltered from the wind and it was scorching, it would have been more appropriate sitting at a table with a nice gin and tonic!! I dug deep, got to the top of the hill and turned right and light relief, the gentle Caithness breeze was back, never was it so welcome.

Not long to go now..... I just need to keep focused and block out the increasing pain in my knee. Turned right at the Gate House, we've passed the five mile mark so it is downhill all the way. My work colleague Julie Morgan, who was running with me for a period of time started to show me a clean pair of heels.... go Julie! A few bends later I was on the home straight having just passed an enthusiastic gathering at the top of the Castle of Mey approach road.

The finishing line was in sight albeit nearly half a mile away. At this point 'coach' Sophie said 'you can make it, you can break the hour, just keep focused'. My knee was really sore now and Sophie tried to take my mind off of it by stating the obvious 'remember and lift your feet high as you go over the speed bumps!' I thought, that would be good idea, falling flat on my face on the finishing straight wouldn't be the best look! Only two hundred yards to go and I hear the lone piper. What a welcoming sound, almost like days gone by, welcoming you back from battle.

One hundred yards to go, A.I.Willie is still spouting forth, keeping the spectators and finishers up to date. The spectators that have been so supportive all the way round, again show their appreciation with rapturous applause as I was taking my final few steps. I am crossing the line hand in hand with my wife Sophie and yes, I achieved it, that is completing the race without the aid of emergency services and the bonus was I did it in 59mins 21secs. Not a bad achievement for a mature novice with only four months training! I was greeted by my mother, father and my twin girls, where I was presented with my goody bag and a much needed drink. This was a memorable occasion.

In conclusion, what can I say? Would I do it all over again? Yes without hesitation. It was a challenge that had its highs and lows but with support, encourage and commitment I achieved it and I implore everyone else out there to give it a go.... its life changing!!