Round Arran Relay 20/07/13

First ran this race in back in 1991 when it was a actual relay and finished in Corrie. Back then you had to wait for your team mate to cross the line before you started your own leg and i can remember running 11 miles on the 2nd leg on the south of the island(which had the longer legs then) and not seeing another runner!
I didn't return to race again till 1994 by which time the race had changed ,with the north legs being the longer legs,now, and the race finishing at Brodick Town Hall. Another change in the few years that i missed was that clubs like Cambuslang,Kilbarchan and HBT had stopped travelling over to compete, making it a far less competitive event...
So, in 1994 i was sent round to run North 2 10.5 miles from Pirnmill through Lochranza and was told there was "a wee hill at the end"..In those days i hadn't ever been round that side of the island and had no idea what i was letting myself in for...somethings you learn the hard way! I was 23 at the time and really fit but after running as hard as i could through to Lochranza i was on my knees by the time i got halfway up that "wee hill" called the Bouglie.
With a depleted team going over this year i knew i would have to tackle the leg again. Wasn't in the best frame of mind going into it due to another bust up at work with managers over me getting the day off...was so stressed about it i never really slept the night before the race and the thought of running in the predicted 30 degree heat was really worrying me.
Anyway...i ran ok...not great but it was just good to be doing something i love and enjoy.
Ran with a water bottle for the first time ever,it was a bit cumbersome but found it a really good help in the soaring heat. The last few miles were absolute murder but scraped home in 66 mins ,2nd place (full 10 mins behind the winner!)..team wise we finished 3rd behind Killie and Central AC...Good runs from all the guys especially in those conditions. Hopefully we can get everyone over next year