Archie's page
Archie Hunter is raising money for Alzheimer Scotland
Story
This is not a drill!
Sunday morning, wee walk with the dogs, breakfast then head in to for the big event. Park in and join the hundreds, thousands heading down to the start near the .
There’s an hour to kill before my section – the Pink Wave (!) sets off. Follow instructions - drink lots of fluid, especially energy drinks. After 15 minutes, call of nature. Then there’s some guy up on a high platform giving warm up instructions to everybody. Start to join in, wave arms in air, stretch the left hamstring then stretch right hamstring. Find myself doing the hokey-kokey and getting funny looks from everybody. Decide to go off to the loo again. It’s a good job I’m male because they’ve got these 4 man urinal blocks where you don’t want to be too bashful, if you get my drift, but by golly, it’s a lot quicker than standing for twenty minutes waiting for a portaloo.
Wander back to Pink (!) Assembly Zone trying to look casual and wander about limbering up with great panache as if I do this every day of the week. Not very successful. Think I need the loo again, you know, go before you go. Bloody energy drinks!
Really not too happy being part of the Pink Wave (!), but hey, I’m a New Age kind of guy. Eventually, everybody starts drifting towards the start line. It has taken about 45 minutes to get 10,000 bodies running up . Frankly, if they used cattle prods they’d get it done in half the time. Anyway, we’re off and the long slow climb up starts to take its toll. Find myself running on the grass to get past all those poor souls struggling and falling by the wayside. Actually, I think they were just ordinary folk out for a walk in the wrong place at the wrong time. Collateral damage is the term, I believe. Saw black running about and was about to shout at it when I realised it wasn’t Tess and this wasn’t a drill but the real thing – minus dogs.
So, toar up and cruised past Pollock Halls and Commonwealth Pool (after a fashion). Sprinted down the Pleasance and wheeled into the Cowgate (well, sort of). Support from onlookers was fantastic although I was beginning to wonder if it wasn’t just me they were cheering on! Skited on through the Grassmarket, up and before long we’re into the Meadows and approaching the half way point.
You have to have your wits about you in a crowded run and you need to be looking at the road a few paces ahead. However, there’s usually somebody’s bum between you and that bit of road which, depending on which way you lean, can be a pleasant or not so pleasant sight. Personally, I found pacing myself with a nice (female!!) bum a few paces ahead was a good tactic and basically went from bum to bum up the field, in a manner of speaking.
I was conscious that I was passing more and more people and catching up with some Green and White Wave runners, but then they had probably stopped for a quick fag somewhere along the route. Soon, I’m stomping along and up round Potter Row and on to . So many people cheering me on – it’s quite humbling. I hope they give the other runners an encouraging clap.
Wheeched down the Mound and along past Scott Monument, down to and up . Now for the final sprint down the Royal Mile and past the front of the . Sure I saw the curtains twitch and a regal thumbs up as I went past. Only yards to go now and the crowd is cheering me on (and, well, possibly some of the others). They must have run out of finishing tape because there was none but I wasn’t too upset.
Picked up goody bag with t shirt, more bloody energy drink and energy bars. Oh, and the medal. I actually had intended to skip the presentation ceremony as I was meeting up with family but wondered how the organisers knew that as I had not mentioned it to them. Maybe they’re psychic.
So that was it folks. My first formal run since school days. I did it in 58 minutes 20 seconds but I’m told that the Olympic selection team for the 10,000 metres has filled its quota. Wonder if the Commonwealth Games selection committee has met yet………..
Seriously though, I thoroughly enjoyed it and really appreciate the sponsorship from you all. We’ve raised in excess of £500 for Alzheimers . That was perhaps the strongest motivational factors – knowing that you buggers would all be wanting a refund if I did not complete!
Thanks to one and all.