There was a decent turn out from Musselburgh for the Haddington Half Marathon.  This Weekend. Myself, Dermot Neil and Craig and Jean all turned out on what proved to be a hot and challenging day for running

Not sure what it is about racing in Haddington, but each time I turn up there it ends up being scorchio. This is a hard run at the best of times but as its always done in the heat it makes it twice as challenging but also rewarding as well.

The start was relatively overcast so got a few odd looks when I made sure I was starting with a hat. It proved to be the correct move as three miles in the Sun was relentlessly beating down as per usual.

Don’t get me wrong I m really beginning to love this race but there is no getting away from the fact it’s a toughie. And will test the legs and stamina round the back roads above Haddington of the hardiest of souls.

I set of at a relatively comfortable pace and tucked in behind a group of four or five runners. So far so good. Reached the hill at 4 miles and took my foot of the gas a little as didn’t want to wear myself out too soon. Had to stop and tie my shoe lace at around 5 miles  which was a bit of a bummer as had a nice rhythm by this point and never really fully recovered after that. I ran this in 1 hour 38 last year and  was hoping on current form to come in this time at around 1:30. I was doing Ok  at half way and was clocking just under 7 minute miles so was on schedule. Then the wheels came off at mile 8. There is a nasty little climb just after the 8 mile marker and to make matters worse the road had been resurfaced in  grey loose chips which made it quite hard going. I was burst by mile 10,and was passed by Rhona Anderson from Dunbar who was absolutely flying into the home straight . I  was very glad to see both the last water station as well as my Girlfriend  Rachel with some choice words of encouragement and was also now  joined by Dermort  which galvanized me  and spurred me on through the last few miles. 

The last lap round the park was torture  and was glad to  see the finish  line and awaiting Cakes!!

Dermot  ran a PB in a great time made even more impressive by the testing conditions  and came in 36th in 1:32:25. I shuffled in about half a minute behind in  1:33:07  in 41st. Craig again put in a great performance  and another PB in 1:42:09  in 81st ,Neil knocked about ten minutes of his time for last year and came in 1:49:27 and Jean came home in  2:14:12. 

Well done to all on a tough day for running.