Ally in Amsterdam! by Ally_R

thought, little ol' me the feature blogger, me the shy retiring type, keeps a low profile, blah,blah, blah!!!! NOT!!! Been a busy wee time at work, at home, and then there's the training - keeping plates spinning is really difficult, but less than 6weeks'till Amsterdam, I just want to go now! Where oh where has the time gone - it's been great not training in the dark, cold, frosty, snowy mornings and in spite of all the rain we're having, it's not affected my training at all, although it is hard to run wearing flippers!!!! I keep tripping!!

Since seeing the Chiropractor I've remained injury free (quick everyone, touch wood), I'm going back to see him on Friday after I've done a long run (20miles), he wants to check out how my legs are after such a distance! All being well I won't see him again until just before the race and then I'll see him for the occasional MOT!

Yesterday was the Great Scottish Run, it's a superb half marathon around Glasgow, but it is a busy one with a couple of bottle necks enroute and then there's the people who head to the front of the crowd and are walking within a mile - does this not do your head in, it drives me nuts, one of my pet hates!!! Anyway, it rained just as the wheelchair racers set off and it never stopped, I say rain, it was more of a drizzle, but it wasn't cold or windy, so quite pleasant really, with loads of support all the way round with families out in the streets handing out sweeties, fruit and water - along with all the banter and most of them lying through their teeth telling us 'you're nearly there' ' just a wee bit to go' when there's still anything from 1 - 9 miles. Then there were drummers out there banging away raising our spirits and the bagpipes every mile - You cannot beat the support of the Glasgow community, they're fab. Then at mile 11 I became a wee bit star struck when limbering up to take part in the celebrity relay was non other than Richard Gough - nobody was hooking him on - me I could hardly contain myself and forgot I was in the middle of a race and went over to him for a brief chat and to shake his hand - I was smitten, but alas I insisted that he let me go to complete my mission! About 10minutes later he zoomed by me - he was very, very fit, unlike many of our ex football players, like Ally McCoist - who I thought was a bit of a babe early on in his career - but hey I digress. I did complete my mission in a time of 1:53 and came in 3178 / 15579. Very pleased with that considering the odd hold up and my meeting with Mr G.

Talking of all things Scottish, I was at Hampden on Saturday - what a great game, again some pretty fit looking footballers and that McFadden is just wonderful - pity he won't be playing on Wednesday - Again I'll be back there to support the boys, and check out their fitness levels - Come on Scotland.

Tonight I went to a Spin class, Gemma the instructor is just back from her holibags and decided to put us through our paces, I'm sure that she was a witch in a previous life!! Only kidding - what a task master mistress she is. I'm undecided as to whether I'll do interval training or go for a tempo run with the dog tomorrow - he's feeling neglected as he didn't get out for a run yesterday, just a walk around the park with OH and youngest! I think it'll probably be a run with Harv. Friday is the 2nd last 20miler before Amsterdam so will have to plan what I'll eat on Thursday night.

Tina asked me recently if I use energy gells - I do if I'm running for at least 2hours. I use honey stingers and tend to take one every hour, I also use Nuun electrolite tablets in my water,  which is cheaper than Lucozade sport and doesn't taste as sweet either.

Anyway I've rambled on a fare bit here tonight, so I'll go and catch up on some of your blogs. Hope you all had a good weekend training or competing.