The finish line photo

Finish line photos are great. To catch people's immediate emotions as they cross the line of whatever race they are doing as they meet their targets, achieve what they once thought they would never be able to do as they are cheered and applauded on by crowds of family, friends and strangers. I love being at the finish line watching people cross the line and reach their goals. For me it's one of my favorite parts of race day. However sometimes we aren't always happy. Which is shown in my Stirling Marathon finish line photo. I think it sums up just about every ounce of disappointment I felt that day.

Stirling was the only 'proper' race I had on this year. Due to great planning, my marathon training was due to start the week my baby was born, so I got off to a flyer by taking a rest week to hang about with the newest addition. The next 9 weeks or so involved the soon to be Mrs Shaw allowing me to run whenever I wanted, however the appeal of home life was far too great and my training was littered with missed runs and runs that were cut short so I could get home to my growing family. I did turn up on race day hopeful as ever but my lack of decent training showed and I ended up finishing with what I feel was my most disappointing performance to date, despite me having  huge pool of underwhelming performances to choose from. It is still my favorite finish line photo I've had, and it will take a lot to beat for many reasons.

Moving swiftly on and I didn't have any races at all over the summer. What I did have was pretty much non stop beer drinking just about every day. Doesn't really help the running in any way but it did help me sleep through the night while my soon to be wife won at wifeing for me and the kids. Who knows how I would survive without her doing everything for me and supporting me everywhere.

In September the soon to be Mrs Shaw finally became Mrs Shaw...woooop woooop! Then I had a cheeky 5 weeks off work, which was felt with a bang when I went back to work and run the Kielder Marathon in a little over 3:30.

For those who are wondering, the above picture is what it looks like to drink constantly for months, do zero training and then run a marathon. It hurt a good bit. But it doesn't take me too long to get back into it and with a solid 2 weeks training under my belt, and some days off the beer I managed a PB at the Lochaber half marathon in 1:20 with a good bit less pain in my face and body.

So it aint all bad! 2018 will be a bit different. Back to the proper racing with a middle sized ultra and hopefully another 24 hour race, that's where it's at! I didn't achieve much running in 2017 but I did extend my wee family to 1 more daughter, and upgraded my number 1 supporter to my wife, so I can safely say it's my best year I've had yet. Different, but I've never looked this happy in a finish line photo...

A year in review

It's taken a while to write this, although it has been on my mind for sometime. As I look back to my running in 2016, a few things stick out; some good, some not so good. As 2016 started I had one clear goal in mind and that was to return to Glenmore 24 and make amends for failing to achieve what I had aimed for in the previous year (blog post for that here
Glenmore 24 2016 http://daveeeshaw.blogspot.com/2016/09/glenmore-24-2016.html)

There was also some minor goals to meet along the way. The year didn't begin as planned. I turned up to the glentress trail marathon which consisted of 2 half marathon loops. I ran one loop and then packed it in, for no other reason that I couldn't be bothered.  A poor reason to quit. Next I had the dreaded solo trip up to Aberdeen for the d33 which I had done the previous year. I tried to find a reason not to go, but having got into the west Highland way I felt I had to at least finish a race before getting to the start line. Drive up, run half way, decide I can't be bothered again and dilly dally back to the finish. Completed the race but a wasted trip.

Next up was the west Highland way (blog post here http://daveeeshaw.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/west-highland-way-race-2016.html?m=1 )
Which although I finished, I finished with disappointment.

Then a few months later glenmore, which thankfully went as planned. One race a year is better than no races.

One of the things I'm asked the most about my running, particularly in the last few months, is...what has been my favorite run? I'm split between two.

1. https://www.strava.com/activities/557597909/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1461698861

Never really been tickled by the idea of the fling for some unknown reason I decided to run the route myself. The future Mrs Shaw dropped me off at Milngavie train station and I had an absolutely great time making my way to Tyndrum to get picked up again, which I did in a little under 8 and a half hours. I had an absolutely great time and unbelievably - did not pass a single runner on the entire way. I think this was down to everyone tapering for the actual race. I think this added to the day for me. I loved the solitude, loved being able to run hard when I wanted to, and plod along when I wanted to with zero pressure of time, or other runners overtaking me. My food worked well, my drink worked well and for the first time for a while - my legs worked well. I arrived in Tyndrum shortly after Theresa and Reiah had arrived and into the real food cafe for a vegan burger and chips.  8 hours and 23 minutes of running alone and I loved every second of it. It also gave me a bit of a boost knowing that if I ever ran the fling I should be able to get a sub 8 hours. However given the amount of fun I had that day I think the solo day out on the route will be me for the next few years instead.

2. Glenmore 24

Not for the reasons folk might imagine. As I've said before and if you have read the previous blog about it, this was the plan for the year and I was lucky enough to have the plan work out on the day. Mostly down to Theresa. Finishing the race and seeing her smile at the end, knowing how much she gives up for me, sacrifices herself for me to chase my dreams around a running track, a field, a forest or where ever, for those brief few seconds made my entire year. I know without having her give up what she wants to do for me, I'd never be able to run as much as I can, race whenever I want and have such a great time doing it. She doesn't only just follow me about on race weekends - I don't think I've washed any of my own running kit all year, probably not bought any of it and certainly not found any of it when I'm rushing about looking for it. She does all this for me every day without fail. So for that reason alone this was one of my favorite runs of 2016. It was hard and a slog but it was worth it to give Theresa a reason to cheer, for without her I wouldn't have been at the start line.

There are another few things too, finishing the west Highland way running with Reiah was an absolute joy (although the race ended in disappointment) and finishing my 3000 miles for the year with Stevie, Richie and a hangover. It was great to finish the year with 2 of the people who dragged me along on the times I didn't feel like it, although I could barely stomach the whisky they brought for me. Every mile I run with daddy cool is always a highlight and he will always be my number 1 sporting hero. 

So 2017 will be totally different in a lot of ways. A lot less miles, no ultras, maybe a few faster races, a new baby, and turning the future Mrs Shaw into an actual Mrs Shaw.  Let's see what happens!