Tom Scott 10 Mile 2019

By Stuart McGeachy

As some of you will be aware I'll be running the London marathon this year (which is at the end of April this year), so as most marathoners will advise it's wise to get a race sharpener on the lead up to the race. I had entered the Balloch Half at the start of March, however it never quite went to plan as injured my hip at mile 8 and then limped home to the finish. I still managed a decent workout prior to the injury, but I wasn't satisfied with the outcome so knew I'd need another tune up race.

I always had half an eye on the Tom Scott 10 miler at the end of March as it was 4 weeks to the marathon. I knew I'd have plenty of time to recover and it's been a few years since I've ran a 10 mile race (I've only ever done Kyles 10 miles...and it's hilly!) and hoped on getting a PB time as I knew the route would be flat. Elaine was also running, although was taking it as a medium long run training session rather than pushing it as still having some issue with her lower back.

The Tom Scott race took place on 31st March around Strathclyde Park, which is a cracking venue for an event. The weather was outstanding with glorious sunshine and just a light breeze. This is a popular race with 363 competing and there is always a strong line up, so I knew I'd get a good push with similar paced runners....if I could hang onto a group !

As soon as the race started I tried to keep up with a group of runners who I knew would be good pacers. I was running in a group with Darren McQuade from Bellahouston Harriers, who I've got to know well over the years at races and is very similar in pace. There's nothing to split us in most races and generally who is up for it more, so I knew if I was keeping with him then we'd pace it right. We were in a good group of 5-6 runners for the first 6-7 miles and our pace was consistent (around 5:35min mile). I was hoping to be closer to 5:30's, but that was the best I could do on the day.

As we got to mile 7 we hit a small incline and I eased off a bit, but the guys kept pushing hard on the hill and I dropped of the group by about 5-10 metres...which can be fatal! I dug in from mile 8 and 9 on my own and managed to keep the group within range. As we approached the last mile I felt I still had a final push so didn't attack to early. With half a mile to go I could the group getting closer without me putting any additional effort so knew they were tiring. I picked up the pace of the last 400m and managed to catch up and finish in a respectable 16th in 55:12...the same time as Darren! Paced well!

Before the race I had half an eye on finishing in 54 mins, but still happy with that so can't be greedy.

Elaine finished in 297th in 1:28:56 which was good for an injured training run! Unfortunately every day is different for Elaine at the moment with some days pain free and some days sore, but I think she's happy just to be running rather than worrying about times. There is progress so hopefully she'll be back to full fitness in the near future.