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Edinburgh Great Run 10K: Edinburgh, Scotland Traveling to Scotland to do a 10K is not my usual race schedule, but since this race coincided with a trip my Dad and I had planned to visit my sister (an Edinburgh resident of 4 years now), I happily signed up for it. The trip also involved crossing off another item on my Dad's bucket list, which was to see Willie Nelson in concert in Scotland (a topic best reserved for an entirely different post on an entirely different blog), so he would be there as well to record the event by snapping a picture every 12-18 seconds. I arriv ed on Saturday, the day before the race without my luggage (thank you, efficient JFK baggage handlers), which included all of my gear. And so I began the arduous process of finding some running shoes for my size 14 feet in a city of smaller (or "wee" as the Scots say) folks. I finally found some shoes and promptly paid double for them, due to the brutal dollar to pound exchange rate. I really wanted to do the race, my first of the season and it turned out to be worth it. Unfortunately, my Dad had not made the connecting flight to Edinburgh from Raleigh, NC and wouldn't arrive until later the following day, post-race. Thus, it was left to my sister to be my lone support crew. She gratefully left me at the start, happy not to hear anymore quotes from Chariots of Fire in my faux Scottish accent ("You came to see a race today! To see someone win!") The run, which is a big event for the pros and elites in Europe, had about 10,000 people running. I was glad I'd shelled out the ridiculous sum for the new shoes and gear, as the course included all the great highlights of one of the most beautiful cities in the UK/Europe - Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Parliament, Holyrood Park, The Meadows and a long, slow climb up the famous Arthur's Seat, which overlooks the city. Not having my HRM, I had to judge by "feel" which is sometimes difficult in a race, especially when you have seemingly been put in the slowest wave. Thus, I felt very much the Aggressive American, darting around many, many runners with a polite yet urgent "Pardon me, please." Have to respect British civility, after all. I felt great the first few kilometers, and began to get my legs under me at around 3K. Being of Scottis h heritage (my grandfather was born in Edinburgh, and we still have many cousins there out in the Highlands) I felt an emotional pull as each kilometer was clicked off with a bagpiper - thus, every time I heard that piper, I knew I was closing in on another kilometer. As I hit the base of Arthur's Seat for the start of the kilometer and a half climb, I was treated to the Nike Plus "Powersong Mile" (a great marketing idea by Nike) as speakers were set up along the entire climb playing - of course - "Eye of the Tiger." This made me laugh yet I used that 80s hit for all the inspiration I could get out of it. I was greeted at the top by a group of Scots who gave me a polite "Well done." The view was spectacular and I began the downhill back into the city. Winding through the touristy Grassmarket area, I ran past my sister - who cheered like an American and snapped a few photos. At that point I hit about 7KM and let it rip, with one short climb and then a sprint to the finish. The sun came out (a rarity in Scotland) and my Dad had arrived, just a few minutes too late - we met him by the Elvis impersonator bringing home the runners near the finish. All in all, it was a great first training race of the season and a great trip overall. So great, I think I'll put the Edinburgh Marathon on my calendar for next year.
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