Tuesday 1 September 2009

The need for speed

Well, Thursday's club run really burst my bubble. I was fine for the first couple of miles, but then something went - and my heart went with it. I just felt knackered. Not muscle fatigue, just general lack of sleep.

On Saturday we had to go to another wedding. An old school friend of Sonic's. I wasn't particularly excited about going, as we weren't allowed to take Cairn. It was a no-children wedding - which is just weird in my books. The bride in question is a bit, erm, alternative. Sonic was convinced she would come down the aisle in a black ensemble, but she appeared looking radiant in white - bearing more tattoos than our favourite pirate. Sonic had informed me they had booked a rock band for the reception. After doing my head-banging rendition of "Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter", I said: "If they have 'Don't Want to Miss a Thing' as their first dance, I will p*ss myself laughing". Not that I don't think it's a nice song, but given that we're practically profession wedding go-ers, I heard it quite a few times. Note to any bride-to-be: Google top 10 wedding songs and don't use any of them.

The wedding ceremony was lovely. The bride looked like she was going to burst with joy and giggled all the way through the vows. The groom cried and they generally looked like the happiest couple ever.

The reception was out in Houston. Although we hadn't discussed designated driver duties, Sonic managed to sink champagne and two whisky liqueurs within five minutes of arriving, so I was sidelined to diet coke and large jug of water. After shifting uncomfortably through a cringe worthy Father-of-the-Bride speech, where he mentioned that she had got into the wrong crowd at school (a la Sonic)quite a few times, it was time for dinner. Haggis followed by Venison. Although both are quite special as far as wedding dinners go, neither were my cup of tea. Haggis is full of sh*te only Scottish people would eat and venison? Well, it's Bambi. It's all wrong. Of course I looked like a weirdo, as everyone else looked like they'd died and gone to heaven.

Sonic discovered he had a little red wine monopoly going on, as everyone else on the table drank white. Oh joy. This generally means he will talk no stop, most sentences will start "one time on the West Highland Way" regardless of who he's speaking too and he'll pass out in the car home. He got talking to a chap that went to his school who claimed he used to run and did the London Marathon in 1991 in 2:41. It was blindingly obviously the guy was talking rubbish, but Sonic continued to probe and salute him - even after several shift kicks under the table. Despite various convincing attempts, I doubt he will be signing up for Garscube.

Then arrived the band - who were more Orson than rock - and time for the first dance. No guesses what the first song was. I managed to contain p*ssing myself. Especially as the band were really good. And the couple didn't take it remotely seriously. Before the party really kicked off, we had to bow out to pick up Cairn. Someone else to sleep on the journey home. I was glad I was driving though, as I would probably still be dancing round my handbag in the wee small hours.

I had signed up for the Paisley 10K on Sunday morning, which I couldn't see far enough. I never hid the fact that I was only there for the club league points. I felt OK for the first two miles and then blew up. I considered bowing out at 5K (even though I got a 5K PB) but then I'd be stranded in Fegie Park, which ain't exactly suburbia. I couldn't shake the negative "don't want to be there" thoughts. Again it wasn't muscle fatigue, I just didn't have any drive. Runners were passing me on the hill, but I kept going. I didn't look at my watch much, but I glanced at 9k to see what I was faced with. I finished in 47:46 which is a PB by two whole seconds. I'm not going to be one of those pain-in-arse runners who get a PB and still moan, so I won't. So far I haven't had to act disappointed. Everyone I told has done it for me. You know and I know that I should be faster, but I think I will always be a better long-distance runner. Considering I could probably count in the one hand how many speed sessions I have done since I had Cairn. And it has only be three weeks since the Devils race. Excuses, excuses. Maybe one day I should focus my efforts and get a good 10k time. In the meantime I prefer something with a bit of endurance.

On a more positive note, Garscube Ladies won the first team prize. I never thought I'd be placed in the same team as the superfast Kirsty Husband and Ali "whippet" Winship. Obviously the team prize was won on their amazing times. But hey, if I hadn't run we wouldn't have won it. The prize was £120 (£40 each) so that more than covers the entry fee. I've been quids-in in the last three races. Woohoo. Hey, Mrs Pacepusher, if you had run on Sunday you would have won the prize along with Hailey and Leanne. Imagine taking a team prize with Hailey Haining??

Yesterday I did a seven-miler round the horseshoe. Average 8m/m. And today I did 5 x 500 reps after feeling inspired to sort out the lack of speed training situation.

5 comments:

John Kynaston said...

Congrats on your team prize!! I saw the results before I read your blog and was VERY impressed.

Thanks for 'lending' Marco the other night and for dropping him off at Rowardennan!

JK

PS I hope the wedding party don't read your blog!!

Subversive Runner said...

Good post Deb. Personally I refuse to go to weddings where children are not invited....regardless of how many tatts the bride has.x

neets next mara said...

congrats on pb debs!! and so soon after running ultra! still my idol- you are always a winner!!

Lee Maclean said...

A wedding without children is like a wedding without drink. Lifeless and devoid of atmosphere. I've only ever been to one 'dry' wedding, it was 'wee free' into the bargin. Did I upset someone in a past life?!?

Cracking running missus.
Mrs Mac x

Ian Goudie said...

Well done you a 1st prize in the team event and a PB too ! x