Deafblind 10K

4 Hardy Harriers made their way to Bishopbriggs for the Deafblind 10k.
We arrived early in glorious sunshine but every time a cloud came over you could feel the huge drop in temprature. Plenty of time to relax and get properly warmed up but Frances and Hugh timed theirs wrong as they went up and down the canal to Cadder bridge. On their way back the heavens opened and everyone scarpered into the sports centre for cover and some 10mins later these 2 drowned rats turned up. At 5mins before the start everyone had to brave it and head to the start and Martin and Mandy on hand to support us drove up but never thought to offer a lift, cheers. Anyway as we waited for the off the rain changed to hail and then we were off up the road running through rivers running down the road and having to keep the head down. At 2k your onto the south side of the canal and the hail and rain stopped but had left the path in a state leaving a choice run down the huge puddles in the middle of the trail or run on mud. I tried the mud but nearly went up in the air looking like Bambi walking for the first time so it was down the middle in the puddles after that. As i came towards the canal crossing at the sports centre i spotted Frances just behind Davie Wardrope on the other side, couldnt see Hugh as he wasnt wearing his vest (bad boy). After this the running was fairly good with a few puddles to dodge but weather perfect for running, cloudy with the odd spit of rain. Through 4k i now had no sign of the other 3 but had a few runners in front that were slowly moving away round the golf course and a big gap behind me. When we hit the road Just before 7k to take us back to the canal i put on a spurt and caught 2 going up the hill but took a while to drop one of them and by 8k i had closed the gap on a lady to about 10metres. Alas my spurt was starting to hurt so started to drop back again after this and by 9k was about 30metres down. However even though im slower these days i still have that wee competitive devil inside me and wasnt giving it up and about 500metres out started to close the gap. As we approached the barrier with about 40 metres to go she started to sprint as she could hear me chasing and i had to open up completely and yes ive still got it i caught her. With troubled knees i was happy to post my fastest time of the year so far 53.49. Other times are David 44.42, Frances 45.48 and Hugh 48.04.
Thanks to Mandy and Martin for hanging out the car window getting soaked to cheer us on.

One other result from Saturday. Julie Beveridge down in London to watch the Marathon ran the Mile End parkrun in a time of 20.55 and 2nd lady.