lt’s 8.30 on a Sunday morning and I am driving into Glasgow. All sorts of things are going through my head - did I remember my Chip and Velcro strap, where will I park, have I got my water bottle, do I need the loo (again), is there a hill in the course, will I manage to finish. I tell myself its silly, it’s not a life or death situation - just go for it girl, and remember your weeks of training - but I am really nervous. And all because this is my first 10K.

However after parking I made my way to Cochrane Street for the shuttle bus and there I met some of my jogging buddies. Soon the nerves changed to excitement and at times almost hysteria as we laughed, joked, supported and encouraged each other before the big event.

Linda (on the the right) with some other jogscotland Chryston runners

Getting off the bus we paid a final visit to the toilets and made our way to the Green assembly point (Green means you have a predicted time of 65-90 minutes for the race). Being my first race I wanted to take it slow and steady - well really I just wanted to finish. When we arrived at our assembly point in Nithsdale Road there was just a mass of women as far as the eye could see, I had never seen so many women in one place before - not even at the January sales. Music erupted and the warm up began. We danced through some aerobic workouts, sang, clapped and cheered till the start time. Way, way, ahead of us we could hear the race had started. Slowly and steadily we inched our way forward to the start line and the mats which would activate our chips. I glanced down several times to ensure mine was still there - is was.

Hands held high, we smiled at the cameras as we crossed the start mats. There were a lot of supporters around at this point. I do think the people in Nithsdale Road deserve a huge thank you from all of us as they are virtually imprisoned in their houses until thousands of us have jogged passed. I don’ t know the collective name for a crowd of women joggers - anyone got any ideas?

We are still smiling and talking together at this point and wait is that the sound of pipes I hear? - yes we have just completed our first kilometre. The atmosphere and my buddies have helped; I am beginning to feel relaxed and confident. Remember your weeks of training girl, deep breaths, relax those shoulders and just keep going. I didn’t wear a watch so I had no idea of how I was doing but the kilometre markers kept on coming, 2, 3, 4, 5 - half way and into Pollock Park. I have lost my jogging buddies at this point but among the crowds of running women it is no surprise that we got separated. I was feeling pretty good until we got to the dreaded ‘hill’.

Everyone had told me the route was fairly flat until the hill in Pollock Park, which although not steep appeared endless. I was about to see for myself. Now what did Margaret tell you about running hills - oh yes - small steps, lean into it slightly, slow your pace and make those elbows work for you. I kept it going and I have to say (quietly, because I don’t want to admit it) it was not that bad. You see when Margaret and the other jog leaders take you round some of the training routes around Chryston you come across some real hills.

Kirsty in yet another photo

On Dumbreck Road now and passing the 9 kilometre mark, I am beginning to feel a little tired now but with only one more kilometre to go nothing is going to stop me. The body is a little weak but the mind is kicking in now, I am determined to continue. The spectators lining the route thickened as we approached Bellahouston Park and the finish line encouraging everyone with their comments. Crossing the finishing mats I felt tired but excited and a little emotional. I had completed the course in 1 hr 17 min. Ok, so it’s not exactly world shattering but I felt very proud of myself. I had slow jogged all the way round at a steady pace and look forward to my next 10K with the knowledge that I can do it.

I met up with some of my buddies in the park and we did some gentle stretching for a couple of minutes. I felt a bit of a fool doing this but the next day it made it worthwhile. I suffered no aches or reactions to the race. However, a work colleague of mine was ever so slightly stiff the next day. When I asked if she had stretched at the end of the race she said ’stretch - no, I went straight to the pub for a burger and a beer’. Now tell me, who did the right thing?

I have to give a huge thank you to all the jog leaders and my jogging buddies at Chryston who helped and supported me through the race and the weeks of training beforehand. It was all worth it and as for another 10K - BRING IT ON.

Linda Bruce

Apologies to Linda for taking so long to add this to the website - Adrian