Half Marathon a Month Challenge #31 - Dundee & The Eastwood Loop - July 2016

The original plan was for both Chris and I to run the Dundee Half Marathon this month, as we had done on a glorious sunny day last year for month #19. However, due to a change in circumstances I was going to be out of the country that weekend, so Chris went ahead on his ownsome. In the absence of any other formal event being available, I had to return again to the famous Eastwood Loop!


Dundee Half Marathon - 17th July 2016

I participated in this excellent event for the first time last year, but this was the third time in a row that Chris had run the 13.1 miles from Camperdown Country Park to the beach at Broughty Ferry.

Normally Chris would drive north from Falkirk on the day of the race, but due to circumstances he had to travel south from Aberdeen this year. Setting off with very little fuel in his car he struggled to find a petrol station en route. The car was practically running on fumes when he finally located one in Laurencekirk. 

And the drama wasn't over! On the way up to the start line from the car park, Chris lost his wallet. When at the end of the race he realised what had happened he approached the lost and found in the vain hope it had been handed in. "Are you Chris Marsh?", said the bloke. The wallet had been found and all was well !

Usually this event takes pace in temperatures that are 20+ C, but this year it was a much more pleasant 17C. I'm personally looking forward to getting back up to Dundee next year for another shot at it.

Results:

Chris - 02:00:40 

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Eastwood Loop Half Marathon -  30th July 2016

So, back to the old reliable Eastwood Loop Half , which I had run for the first time on the very last day of January this year. As you may recall there is a looping route starting and finishing outside my home which is exactly one third of a half marathon. So, if you run three loops then bingo! 

In January I was very slowly coming back from a very problematic knee injury and my slow time reflected that. On this occasion my knees were in better in shape, but I was still pretty unfit and the time below is an indication of that. I still ran a PB for this route though! 

In January I received some moral support from my daughter Scarlett, who ran the last third with me. Once again she joined me for part of the run, but this time it was for the first third, and this time she was cycling!

Results:
Frank - 02:27:08 

It was good to get July out of the way. Now on to August (and the next blog post), when Chris and I planned to run the Perth Half Marathon in kilts...