Long Run

With the end of the Tour of Fife I'm back to thinking about the Moray Marathon. We missed last week's long run due to the TOF so I needed to knock one out today. I chose the flattest, fastest route I know, - down the coast past the Pans and back, hoping to average about 9 minute miles. There was a light easterly wind blowing in my face on the way out so I knew I'd get some help on the way back when I needed it.

Meanwhile somewhere down the coast in North Berwick or Dunbar a new batch of green fly had just hatched and decided to fly up the Forth. I kept feeling little pats on the skin of my face and I thought it was maybe rain or petals or something. Upon investigation my face and running vest were covered in these tiny little green flies. A few got in my mouth...

I kept my music on the whole way, not something I do that often, but I was enjoying it today. After a week of being social it was good to withdraw into my shell and let my mind wander with the music bashing away in the background.

At Portobello I was  glad to see they're carrying on the tradition of bizarre art, with a collection of puggies scattered around looking out of place on the sand. It would be good to see with the tide in. Its a shame they can't be plugged in so they light up under water. I didn't like them as much as the sand pyramids last year but they were pretty good.

A bit further along the prom I saw Johnny Lawson (or "John Laws" as I see he's called in the Turnhouse results) who ran a stormer at Dollar Hill Race on Saturday. As Dollar was a counter for the British Fellrunning Championships this year he was amongst fierce competition but still did well.

I got through the Pans without incident, - always a relief, and turned around at the 10 mile point at Seton Sands.

And so the wind blew me home. On the way home I bumped into Ian Brodie, who was  out on his bike - and stopped and had a chat for a wee while - and then later on passed Alex Oliver who should have been doing the tour too because he loves short races and plenty of them. I had a bit of a race with myself to get to the door inside 3hrs but missed it by a minute. 3hrs 01min for 20.01 miles. I think it was 9.03 pace. Not far off...

Oh well, my turn to make the tea...