It’s spring time and a niggling thought has crossed my mind; ‘its been a while…’. Then a text pops up on my phone from club chair Aly, ‘fancy this?!’, all I could see was the word ‘marathon’ in the website link and I knew, uh oh, here was go again! For many reasons it had been a while since I’d ran the distance, and 2025 was a pretty tough year in a lot of ways but I can honestly say training for and running the Strathearn marathon on 8th June was one of the year’s highlights. The training block wasn’t as structured as I’ve become used to, but I found the long runs, fitted in where I could, were a real joy. Its true that I’m writing this report with over 6 months of reflection time in between, so there may be some rose tinted glasses here! But life events took over quite quickly into training and I knew PB style preparation wouldn’t be possible, which actually relieved a lot of the pressure we so often put on ourselves ahead of our next big runs. By the time the day arrived I felt a sense of calm and excitement different to other start lines; I was just so grateful to be there injury free and ready to see what I could do.

After the obligatory 50 pre race pees (slight exaggeration, but only just… some things never change!) Aly and I were there, in the Scottish sunshine, with around 140 other runners ready to go. The race itself starts in the Cultybraggan former prisoner of war camp, in Perthshire. I’m a big fan of the area but the camp itself I’d never visited before, quite a fascinating place. I really love these local Scottish events, the friendly atmosphere is so different to the tens of thousands in the higher profile marathons. And not for the first time for me (thank you Dramathon) we were treated to a bag piper as we walked to the start line. Looking at the rugged Scottish skyline around us, I was struck with so much patriotism that I temporarily forgot we’d shortly be running up that gradient! And then we were off. I spent the first mile fiddling with my Garmin / music / headphones combo meaning I missed recording it on my watch (maybe I was too relaxed on that start line after all, having not sorted this out before the 3, 2, 1). However, this turned out to be another blessing in disguise. I did start tracking into the second mile but I was never sure exactly what my actual time was for the rest of the run, taking another bit of that self imposed pressure off.

The course itself is brilliant, definitely not flat but with every up must come a down! We got lucky with the weather on the day and there was so much lovely scenery to distract you. The route follows quiet roads so you’re not really bothered by traffic. Rather there were plenty of race marshalls and photographers along the way, who had lists of the participants so that when you passed they would give you personal shout outs of encouragement by name, this never failed to make me smile on route. The first few miles ticked off surprisingly quickly but by mile 13 I was feeling it, as you’re treated by one of the longer upward sections at that point. Though after the relief of passing half way, and being on the home straight (sort of!), I was enjoying it again. When we passed through Crieff I got a real boost seeing my cheerleaders Julian and Mum there, jumping and whooping, spurring me on. ‘You’re one of the first females we’ve seen’ they said… was I really? I was totally in my own wee world that I had no idea! The latter part of the race was more low level, through wooded areas and a couple of towns. Into the last 5 miles I had spotted my nearest female competitor ahead, but had nothing in the legs to even contemplate getting closer, so I stuck to running my own race. As with any marathon after about mile 23 I did start questioning my life choices but once out the other side of Comrie and into the final stretch, the end was in sight (the Cultybraggan Camp again (from a practical standpoint alone, its a great race not too far to travel, and plenty of parking at the start / finish line)). In the last mile I got that rush of gratefulness remembering how amazing it is that we get to do these things; have bodies able to carry us over the distances, so many local events to choose from, and with family and friends cheering us on in presence and spirit.

As it turns out I crossed the line as third female in my second fastest marathon time, just 3 mins off my PB; there might be something in this chilled training block thing! Aly wasn’t far behind and it was fab to cheer her into the finish and celebrate together. After accepting my prize from the Strathearn Harriers mascot, a life size squirrel, and enjoying the home baking stand it was time to head home. I’m also really glad to have been able to take my medal in to show my Dad in hospital the next day. Though he was struggling so much in his last few weeks, when he could, his first question always was ‘so, have you been out a run this morning?’. Well Dad, yesterday I smashed the Strathearn Marathon, and that one was for you.