OK here’s my report as brief as I can.

Well All I can say is I am just glad I made it to the start line.

It seemed I was destined not to run this marathon. I had shin splints a few months before hand and that curtailed my training and once I got back into it ended up doing some longer runs way too close to the race. Then developed a throat infection the week before and after taking a course of antibiotics it cleared up almost just in time. (Don’t anyone else try this mad training strategy -not advisable, but it was either my stubbornness that I had to do it as missed one last year due to not checking the diary or maybe the Scottish shrewdness that well I had paid my money I was damn well going to run/walk no matter what).

A few inconveniences then followed. My hotel I had booked (back in January may I add!) phoned to say it was full and they were transferring me. However when they told me it was the Caledonian Hilton at the end of Princes Street I immediately toned down my irate voice! It was nice but as you can imagine on a Saturday night very noisy which didn’t lend to a great nights sleep. I also managed to lose my confirmation letter on route from car to Expo and left my mobile in the flat but all par for the course.

The weather didn’t seem to deter many as we gathered on Princes Street under our umbrellas, Space blankets etc. The race was very well organised and coordinated. They even had pace makers for the first time which was great. I started off behind them thinking this will be a great way to keep steady pace but quickly forgot that idea as their balloons disappeared off into the distance and I hadn’t left Princess Street!!

The first 6 miles did as we were warned feel fairly easy as there were some down hills. However for the rest of it I know they said it was a flatter course but I thought some if it was a bit undulating or perhaps that was just how my legs were feeling. Running along Portobello Promenade brought back memories of last year and the scorching heat. No worries this time. Intermittent rain and side winds were what we were headed for.

At 8 miles we passed the finishing area of Musselburgh Race Course and how tempting it was to nip in there and then. We ran right along the coastline (which on a better day could have given some great views) and into Preston pans, Port Seaton and Longniddry. The wind was in our faces all the way but at least it would be behind us on the way back. I was feeling not bad as I hit 13 miles in 1hr 44 but knew there was no way I could maintain that pace for the next half. Moving along the coast road it felt a bit disheartening as you see the first runners coming back and all you can see ahead of you is one long path of runners that never seemed to end or turn. However just after Mile 17 we turned into Gosford Mansion House (quite outstanding) and run round it. I was just desperate to get to the Lucozade station leaving the park at this point to fully appreciate it! Then back virtually the same way we came in. This I felt was hard and as legs ached more and more I realised it was going to take a lot of mental determination to keep it up at more than a snails pace.

I ran for a bit behind Wonder woman and Ewan I think his name was who was running for charity donned in his kilt! As one spectator aptly put it “Well Done – Yir Aff Yir Heid but Well Done Son!” The final mile took us into the straight in front of the Grandstand but I think a gentle trot rather than a flat out gallop was the order of the day! However the crowd support was just fantastic not just there but all the way round. A huge thanks to them without whom I imagine many would not have done as well. I could not hear a thing on my ipod as we entered the race course for the crowd shouting and cheering.

A final canter to the finishing post and I was pleased having taken 3 mins off from last year. However probably due to the cooler conditions and less hilly course than anything else. Feel not too bad as I write this (even taken the dog for a walk) but I imagine tomorrow will be a different story. Only injury I sustained was a sore on the inside of my thigh were my shorts decided to rub. I can truely sympathise now Karen! All in all a good race and Well worth doing.