Meadows marathon diary 2009: week 2

Now that temperatures are above freezing, I have no excuses. And my competitive side is kicking in – I really want a good time on this run! So my training is now in full swing and the most difficult part of training at the moment is negotiating running seven times around the meadows; a task proving to be less easy as it sounds.

There are many obstacles impeding a smooth run around a route which, no matter what time of day it is, be it 6am or 8pm, always seems to have half the population of Edinburgh on it.  I personally think that runners have a right of way over walkers; we have more speed, walkers are much more at leisure to move to the side and kindly let you pass. However, they don’t. And you have to perform elaborate twists and swerves to get around them, expending even more energy.

But walkers are nothing compared to the group of women trying to regain their pre pregnancy body and fitness. I always seem to be facing the onslaught that is a group of determined looking women who jog with the pushchairs and babies in tow; a very frightening sight and one that generally has me running into a large patch of mud. Or a tree.

But even more intimidating is having the members of a running club behind you. My competitive side appears and I get so determined to not let them overtake me that I nearly collapse with the effort of trying and so let all fifty of them gallop past with no red or sweaty faces in sight, crushing my spirit as they sprint off into the distance.

The fourth obstacle? Dogs. Ever since a dog attacked me (well, it ran after me and tried to bite my ankles) while running on a beach in Spain, I have been very wary of them. Especially the little snappy ones. And just when I finally stopped running far out of my way to avoid them, or eyeing them up suspiciously when I pass them, the other day a little barky dog chased after me; so very embarrassing.

And that is my final issue about running in the meadows; the embarrassment of bumping into someone you know while sweaty, red faced and very out of breath. There is no way you can avoid the university rush. An hour long run will usually overlap two of these, making running into someone you would not want to see you not looking your best almost inevitable.

But, get over the embarrassment and be proud of the fact you are exercising and be smug in declaring that you are training for the Meadows Marathon and are therefore not only fit and healthy with a super-toned body, but also philanthropic and generous. And don’t forget to ask them to sponsor you!