Race report from Alison

After an extremely early start, and an hour of Ann and I hanging around in the muster areas in the south side of Glasgow, the Ignis Management Woman's 10k started with a lively warm-up session at 9.30am. As loud up-beat music boomed out from the Radio Clyde stand at the start line, thousands of women followed the instructions of the fitness instructors on the strategically placed podiums in a 15 minute aerobic/stretch routine in preparation of the race.
The race began at 10am prompt, where the elite runners (in white) were first off the mark, followed by the purple group 2 minutes later. Our group, yellow (and the second largest group) began to cross over the start line at the 5 minute mark.
Pounding through the wide streets and avenues allowed plenty of space to allow for setting a personal pace without too much dodging from others. With no long straights, only a few slight inclines and declines and plenty of supporters in the sidelines, the first few kilometres of the route made pleasant conditions, and we managed to complete each kilometre in approx 5 mins. We managed to run a whole 7km before any significant struggles apeared.
Round about 6.5km, the route took a turn through the entrance to Pollok Park where the road became a path a third of the width of the roads. It became harder to stick to your own pace as personal space became more of an issue as others in front slowed down and faster runners overtook from behind. Around 7km there was a steep incline which we managed to run up with a bit of difficulty, but determination prevailed. After a short flat gave time to recover, turning round a bend revealed the real bone of contention - a very steep hill, trees either side closing us in and no end in sight. This hill was about 0.5km long with a bend halfway leading the first-timers into a false sense of security. Having done this run before, I knew what lay ahead, but didn't say too much to Ann who was enthusiastic as ever. However, mind over matter took over, and as I struggled to keep the momentum and motivation going, I had to admit defeat and broke the run into a walk. Although I had to give up, I insisted that my buddy carry on but she stayed with me (thank you). In 20 seconds, recovery was done and the remainder of the hill was tackled. Knowing that sub 1 time was running out, we allowed the downhill from the 8km mark to speed us to the park exit and back to the wider roads. The 8-9km seemed the longest part of the run, and the sun had come out by that point (as if we weren't hot and sweaty enough).
Turning into the boulevard to see the markers of the finish line was a welcome sight, albeit that the "homerun" was still a good 400m away. As we neared we could see the clock counting through the seconds toward 1h05m. We knew it was still viable to get a sub 1 time, and as we pounded along, gradually getting faster we decided at 1:04:46 that we needed to sprint and where we'd start. Keeping the eyes firmly on the clock, ignorant to everything else around, sprint commenced at 1:04:53, crossing the line at 1:05:05 and completely unsure whether we made it over or under the hour!!


inveraray jogscotland meets every Tuesday 7pm at the shelter shed at Inveraray primary school during term time. All levels of runner welcome. £1/session 01499 302160