Hit the Pad, dad!

The change of start time from 2pm to 10am halved the entry to around 20 hardy souls, braving the ploughed-up muddy farmer’s field, the drizzle, and sundry “kye” (that’s cattle to youse toonies!). Only 4 club vests in evidence, if you count my dickie-bow enhanced Hoey vest – the rest were that brave bunch, the fun runners. The course is a scenic 4.5 miles of mixed undulating road and trail with a mid-race loop round (not up) the Neilston Pad.
In such races my tactic, such as there is one, is “LLL” (=Latch on to Leading Lady, while muttering “‘Ell, ‘ell, ‘ell” under my breath!). I found a helpful leading lassie to follow from about halfway to the 5k mark, where I zoomed ahead – at least so I fantasised. Imagine my chagrin (I rin, I get “chag”ed) when aforesaid lassie zooms past me some 150 yards from the finish! My time: 38m13.
Meanwhile, my new old “pad” will be fit for a house-warming some time soon. Main attraction will be a club run round the Pad trail. I can also investigate the nearest curry shop in Baurheid!