tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84559578524556807212024-03-19T09:31:04.630+00:00Runner Wanderings(The home of sport and nonsense. Wipe your feet before entering...)AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.comBlogger498125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-36227136997427003882024-02-28T09:01:00.011+00:002024-02-28T11:43:00.958+00:00Jura no more<p>Its been a good wee while since I last put my thoughts down on record. After a routine blood test motivated by nothing more than age and gender, I found myself dealing with a 'medical' which has now been, thankfully, sorted. My recovery is, in no small way, a result of terrific expertise within the health service, not to mention supervision from Mrs Mac who excels in this arena. I am indebted. But its safe to say my fitness is taking a while to return. While I have reduced my parkrun time in the last 3 weeks from 27 minutes to 23 minutes, I am still lacking motivation to lace up the trainers. I have been swimming again though, which is something positive at least. </p><p>Jura has always been up there on the to-do list. I filled in the form early January and subsequently found myself on the reserve list for this 18 miler. Its 5000m of ascent. A day or two later I was invited to run. A dilemma. I wavered between paying the fifty quid and convincing myself that the calf injury would resolve itself by May, and, then, conversely, staring at the screen and realising that it probably wouldn't. So last night I declined the invite and will look for other pastures to make my comeback on. The calf seems happy enough on the flat, but faced with some proper gradient, it goes all William Tell and I'm left to hobble back to base. There is nothing else for it than to go and see someone and I will look around for a running shamen of repute to allow me to regain last years form. Given the above, I shouldn't be too hard on myself and might try a low profile race this weekend, should any take my fancy. Alternatively, I might just continue taking the tiles off the bathroom in preparation for the new bath. Nice to have choices. What excitement! <br /></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-87733556910024081892023-12-05T18:00:00.005+00:002023-12-05T18:05:18.494+00:00Winter Training Camp 23<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t7WFE3btiuHjjGlREEha7MuwKe46iNzldNwn8bp86n_oRw5QLiNElVrx56GrSk0vGwymMdeBWNfVo1SA25jOwkLivEeQcqLNjyiJsg9iKpeRSLr_lGvwCN6JlOxu0_ptNDWm4igMpU6IDKx-VaW1rZbzJM-b56Nu8F_8XWmrW_QG-wVplCVUgjpQlbh4/s4272/20231201_093255.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="4272" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t7WFE3btiuHjjGlREEha7MuwKe46iNzldNwn8bp86n_oRw5QLiNElVrx56GrSk0vGwymMdeBWNfVo1SA25jOwkLivEeQcqLNjyiJsg9iKpeRSLr_lGvwCN6JlOxu0_ptNDWm4igMpU6IDKx-VaW1rZbzJM-b56Nu8F_8XWmrW_QG-wVplCVUgjpQlbh4/w470-h189/20231201_093255.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>What with one thing and another its been a busy wee time at Al's HQ. I had nothing much planned a month ago. It was a Sunday early in November and the Elswick 10k at Exhibition Park was on. Rememberance day. They were taking entries on the line, which was refreshing. It was a beautiful morning, crisp, autumnal with very little wind. I asked Linds, who had left before me, to see if she could get me a number. I was overdressed at the start and lined up without my club vest. I was running below the radar and didnt want any pressure. With comparatively few miles on the clock, I started well enough and clocked along at a bearable pace. A 10k is tough, no doubt about it. I caught up with Linds with 8k to go - she looked like she had started too fast. I eased a little for a kilometre and then went ahead toward the end. The course is too twisty-turny for my liking. I scraped 41 minutes at the end. My first 10k in a good while. Not an event I like. <br /><p></p><p>Last Saturday I turned up for the last cross country league event at Akeley Heads on the edge of Durham City. It was a very decent day again and I set off steady from the slow pack. I was committed to keeping my heart-rate down as I knew we had the Giffordtown 5k in deepest Fife the next day. So there was no drama on this 3 lapper and I noticed no obvious difference in the way I ran or where I finished compared to my usual eyeballs-out and slightly misguided previous efforts. Taking it steady is certainly the way to go. </p><p>We left for Fife on the Sunday morning and arrived at a cold and frosty Charlottetown with plenty of time to spare. There were around 150 names down for this gig, but only 100 or so turned up which made the field seem very modest indeed. The course is ace. Flat as a pancake, its just an honest 'out and back' affair. You get a skank at the leaders as they glide back. After a visit to the woods to 'see a bear' and a less than convincing warm up, we were sent on our way and I tried to find my pace early. With not a breath of wind I knew it could be a fast day, but, alas, not for me. A 6.18 first mile was followed by a 6.26 second mile. I was on my own for the last mile and came in at 20:15. Not a disaster and probably a fair reflection of my form. The event was won by a East Sutherland runner, but no one got below 15 minutes. There was no prize-giving (not that I was on for anything). The first V60 runner came in with an early 18, which is pretty impressive. </p><p>We took off northward, stopping at the Bridge of Earn farmhouse cafe for tea and scone and then for a wander around Tiso in Perth where I tried on a couple of pairs of walking boots. The prices were, regrettably, astronomic. </p><p>We spent a week in the Moulin winter running camp, visiting the hotel for a pint once or twice. I love the pub, with its low ceilings and real fires but this time around I found the beer too yeasty and the place and welcome not quite as warm as I remember. The weather, however, was ideal; cold and clear with an occasional flurry of snow. I was out each day for over an hour either up Vrackie or Craigower, or running along the valley to Killiecrankie. With all the hill miles, I felt my calf tighten on the Friday. Come Saturday, I graced the West District Cross Country Championships in Strathaven with my presence. My efforts to upstage Feechan and Williams, however, went south as the calf tightened at the end of the second kilometre and I pulled up. It was disappointing, but I live to fight another day. Back to the swimming pool this week I guess.<br /></p><p><br /></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-46065955676169664512023-11-08T16:22:00.000+00:002023-11-08T16:22:32.571+00:00Short Course Reality Check<p>I attended the Scottish Vets cross country training session at Tollcross early in October and 'enjoyed' a session of eight 4 minute efforts with a sprinkling of other oldies. It was a total of 32 minutes of expended flat-outtishness commitment. Suitably cooked, I had to take myself off to the Wellshot cafe afterwards where I dined royally on a veggie cooked breakfast supplemented by a sausage or two and tea for a fiver. Nearly veggie but not quite. It was the thought that counts.<br /></p><p>As the bus wandered back toward Glasgow city centre, I alighted beside the Saracens Head Public House and availed myself of the facilities.A well known pub, it was pretty spartan inside and there was nothing that wasn't fixed to the wall or floor. As the low autumnal sun flooded through the half opened door, I sat in my downy jacket with a half and watched a young irish accordion player begin her matinee performance. Somewhat regrettably I had to leave to catch my train back down south. Later, as I waited in the cafe in Central Glasgow for my tea I watched a hooded hoodlum attempt to bolt crop a padlock off a voodoo mountain bike parked on the busy bike rack outside Queen Street. It was in bright daylight with a rake of folk wandering about either ignoring him or oblivious to the ongoing mischief. As it was, he fled empty handed before I had made up my mind to intervene. I compared notes with a P.C. shortly afterwards.She strolled around the corner and casually inquired if he had got away with the bike. I said he hadn't, but would no doubt be back. I guess they see alot of this sort of thing.<br /></p><p>I didnt manage to attend the second cross country training session late in October. I subsequently failed to make the old boys team at the Home International Cross Country. Should I have attended? Who knows...who cares!<br /></p><p></p><p>Reflecting on last years Scottish XC Short Course in Kirkcaldy, had I been V60, I would have been 6th. I ran a hilly wet course in 15:10. This year it was back in Lanark. I did it 2 years ago and finished in around 16:30. I recall I was carrying an injury. This year I had no excuse, but got round in a lack-lustre 16:10 in good weather and firm conditions. The course is flat. Very flat, and at 4k in length, its full on and ideal for the speed merchants. I am not one. However, I finished 13th V60 which brought me back down to earth. True, I'm not as fit as I was a month ago, but I guess everyone who was anyone in the Central Belt was in attendance. So it's back to the drawing board. An easy return to some miles coupled with some swimming should see me tackling a modest handful of races this winter. But its been a good and interesting season. It would be nice to finish on a high, but I'm a bit more laid back these days and theres a few things on my plate at present to occupy me. If it would stop raining for a wee while we could get out that bit more. <br /></p><p><br /></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-84035148962393074462023-10-08T09:31:00.002+01:002023-10-08T09:31:52.099+01:00Thropton & Yetholm Show Races<p> I had a good run at the Thropton show race at Rothbury a fortnight ago. It was back to the old course and the course had a bit of everything. I took a way a bottle of frothing ale for my top 10 finish (right enough, there were only 30 or so that ran). At last, a first v60! Its taken long enough... <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWHEaHQL6FdLOpLKQ8lHofiaUq1CGPWebABskPT0eQLWPVn7olbY3a9956i3GHxo1TZgHkld6I_oWGtbwjryghwjYEfVPqc5ovoduOdLhyUq4m_BkmSiMHiI6VgJPHNcbfkUMRj8adSb44IKE0LIQBVff-b3fmvBoUr1WKzOiDe2Jo5VQJhCrFEAGB8Ds/s2048/thropton%20show%2023%20start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWHEaHQL6FdLOpLKQ8lHofiaUq1CGPWebABskPT0eQLWPVn7olbY3a9956i3GHxo1TZgHkld6I_oWGtbwjryghwjYEfVPqc5ovoduOdLhyUq4m_BkmSiMHiI6VgJPHNcbfkUMRj8adSb44IKE0LIQBVff-b3fmvBoUr1WKzOiDe2Jo5VQJhCrFEAGB8Ds/s320/thropton%20show%2023%20start.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>After an easy week of doing not very much, I grasped the chance to have another go at the Yetholm Shepherds race, part of the Yetholm Show. You might recall last year I took a rather different approach wandering up the first hill with my camera before losing my footing in the stream crossing and taking a fully body dip. The saturated camera was a binned afterwards. Cheap entertainment for the locals and Les, the organiser of the race is now using the clip of my immersion to drum up interest. </p><p>This year there was no bloated field that comes with a Scottish Champs Counter. There was, however, no shortage of rain with 4 inches falling over 48 hours. As I drove northward it got steadily wetter and the roads were a bit tricky after Wooler. There was also no stream crossing in the race programme, the burn having more water than it knew what to do with and was in full spate. So, instead, it was the bridge crossing. Ironically, it was so wet, we might as well have gone for a dip. It was £6 to get into the show and another £5 for the race. Around 42 had turned out including a good dozen of youngsters from the village. They were apparently going by the name of the Lochtower Harriers. We warmed up and I noted Brian Marshall and Colin Donnelly. 6.5km and 1000ft of ascent lay in wait. Two short but respectable Cheviot hills. We were set off by Les and my plan was to stick to Donnelly for as long as possible. At the top of the first hill, Venchan Hill I was with Marshall with Donnelly (CD) around 15 seconds ahead. Marshalls long legs put 10 second me at the bottom of the hill and I was on my own but driving hard. I tried to focus and ignore the oversized cabbages, overpriced burger vans and best dog in show as we went through the fairground for the first time. At the end of the show field another bloke was coming back to me. He was in a cap and baggy t shirt. I stuck to my task and used him as a target up Stearough. I put him right as he began to deviate in the mist that clung to the top of the hill and I suggested that the marshall moved down abit into the foggy dip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HhwpzVU3i1B0pNw0AFl_aWkcbenr2AzdiNzumNEZT-KNbr_Zg4cGe7jQ-vWn_-cjnkKWAXQjBeymJkjJkGAlNLus-9yRWvVYE8W8yfsVTKaqyxqnb9F4_359w65EdCrkIan-EsykfbtClGNNhNkFvfsxjXg45_3QSaNsTdP8HyYQW4jW3DuJFG0stRhe/s2048/yetholm%20shep%202023%20al.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1482" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HhwpzVU3i1B0pNw0AFl_aWkcbenr2AzdiNzumNEZT-KNbr_Zg4cGe7jQ-vWn_-cjnkKWAXQjBeymJkjJkGAlNLus-9yRWvVYE8W8yfsVTKaqyxqnb9F4_359w65EdCrkIan-EsykfbtClGNNhNkFvfsxjXg45_3QSaNsTdP8HyYQW4jW3DuJFG0stRhe/s320/yetholm%20shep%202023%20al.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It was time for the descent after the short run along the ridge and I caught baggy t shirt man, but he was a member of the Lochtower Brethern and had the advantage of youth over my experience and my lead was short lived once we were off the hill. He took 10 seconds out of me at the line. No matter, 40 minutes, 8th overall and a solid performance. Norhams McCall and North Shields Hemy were a good 2 or 3 minutes behind. I changed in the tent and after a chat with CD, I had a wander through the tent village, nothing much attracting me to part with my money other than a plate of chips and greasy burger and a cuppa. <br /></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-65774715685728633252023-09-12T10:02:00.004+01:002023-09-12T10:10:24.068+01:00Scottish Masters XC Trials<p>A target for my newly acquired M60 status was to try for a
Scottish Masters cross country vest. I was aware it was quite a long shot. Even
though I am not a member of the Scottish Vets Association, I emailed the selectors
with my details. They advised that I could join if I was selected. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I duly trooped
up to Glasgow on Saturday, arriving by train at Queens Street in good time. After a series of
earlier minor mishaps (initial train delay, spilled juice) I found myself sat in the cool and
quiet upstairs of St. Enoch Square supping a mug of tea, reading Glasgow educated William Boyd’s
novel ‘The Romantics’ and surreptitiously eating my home made cheese roll. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wandered to the bus stop and was re-directed
to another, eventually boarding the No 61 at the Gallowgate. </p><p class="MsoNormal">It took no time to
arrive at Tollcross and I was still early for the 2pm kick-off. It was another
cuppa for a quid at the Wellshot café in Shettleston (full breakfast for a fiver!) and an easy amble to the
park. It occurred to me that the trials might not be on the grass but, instead, on the
paths. I had only brought spikes and was wearing my trail shoes. Thankfully as I crested the hill I
saw the tape and gave a gasp of relief. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The temperature was well into the 70’s,
as were a good handful of competitors, all either in denial or just living life
and running 'cause they could. I lay under a tree finding the shade and listened
to the various observations and pearls of wisdom rolling out from all corners. ‘Start
steady and consolidate’; ‘There’s only 2 places for sure, so make sure youre up
there' and so on..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The familiar sound of
drums and flutes from a small band making its way along Tollcross Road reached
us and slowly ebbed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of happy hot motorists
backed up behind them, no doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Steve
Cairns was warming up and I noted a few other notables. I pinned my M60 number
on the back of my Bella vest and warmed up. I noticed one or two DNF’s in the Womens
& M65+ race that preceded the 'young mans race' and wondered how hot it actually was. We lined up and after a
3,2,1 we were off. I found myself near the back of the field within 100 metres
and the penny dropped that I was in the oldest age group and, as a result,
should expect to be at the back. It was, nevertheless a surprise. Upson from Cambuslang was alongside but not
for long and he bagan to steadily pull away. Halfway through lap 1 of 4, two wrinkly
M60 grafters from Shettleston and Central AC pulled up alongside and then went ahead. They
got around 30 or 40 metres on me and then I pegged the gap into the next lap where
the Central boy pulled out. 'Happy days', I muttered. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I continued to sweat my way around the
laps and on the 3<sup>rd</sup> lap convinced myself that Shettleston’s Williams
was coming back. I tried to up the pace (this resulting in an impressive
acceleration from 7 minute mile pace to 6.50 pace!). However, he was still
around 10 seconds ahead well into the 4<sup>th</sup> lap and I ran out
of grass in the end. I finished the 8k in 34 minutes and 4<sup>th</sup> M60. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I have no
illusions of selection, but was pleased I’d made the effort and after towelling
myself and rehydrating on the way to the bus stop, I quaffed a cool pint of
lager at the Tollbooth bar where I was royally entertained watching the
characters and interaction from a corner of the bar, before moving on for a hot
roll and another pint in Max’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A session! </span>It was
an easy train ride home and I had the next day off, cause I’m old and that
recovery thing is important. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-82721390849132772822023-09-04T11:06:00.015+01:002023-09-04T11:15:10.350+01:00Ben Nevis 2023: Top Run in the Sun
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkb2PVULHwrHfZantE204rUKVPb5fWsY5QT7LVaB2eGPDCcv_QqX3or_Y4IUUddjS62u3Sx-_w0BDahPfsXOuw_Ky538n7hZftsxU37C1pt4wfAFd7aXjwBWPb8Z3_aMghKGDDuR5vEM97FkG2GDrAJEKn06AHgxfYzgHdaUBZi-De3tJP5L4eqpGHHCP/s5915/DSC_1868%20(2).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2063" data-original-width="5915" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkb2PVULHwrHfZantE204rUKVPb5fWsY5QT7LVaB2eGPDCcv_QqX3or_Y4IUUddjS62u3Sx-_w0BDahPfsXOuw_Ky538n7hZftsxU37C1pt4wfAFd7aXjwBWPb8Z3_aMghKGDDuR5vEM97FkG2GDrAJEKn06AHgxfYzgHdaUBZi-De3tJP5L4eqpGHHCP/w400-h140/DSC_1868%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The penultimate long trip of this years season. The Ben
Nevis Mountain Race in Fort William. Britain’s biggest hill and a race I took
part in back in 2009 when the conditions were atrocious. I recall being intimidated
by them, the prospect of running across wet boulder fields and super saturated
scree probably armed with Salomon Speedcrosses which were, on reflection, not really
suited to the steep terrain. It was unfinished business for me. I extended the
invite and Speedy joe said she was ‘in’, although it was fair to say she
dithered for a good while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good
path all the way, only the race takes off up the side and ignores the walkers
path. If the clag is down, you can’t see where you’re heading and as the grey
boulder field merges with the grey mist, you can become a disorientated towards
the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise from the Red Burn
down, about the halfway point, it’s straightforward and you have only the
walkers to dodge. <p></p>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We got up around 5.30pm on the Friday evening and we went
for a shake down along the Loch front. I felt remarkably chipper as the pace greased
along at 7 minute miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bowl of pasta
and a comfy bed for 8 hours kip and it was up at 7am. The forecast was good,
but I didn’t want to tempt fate. I had a 2 mile jog around the town then wolfed
down some Weetabix and a caramel shortie before driving Missus Mac and Ant to
the Parkrun. </span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was five quid for the parking at the Ski and Mountain
Bike centre, but we decided to just accept that the town is pricey and with no
shortage of tourists, rates for most things are greatly inflated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park run was a modest affair and a little
traily and before we knew it we were back in the car and heading for a jog to
registration for the Ben race followed by a 40 minute lie down: a little time
to consider your future, to imagineer the race, to fortify your mind. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We returned to the football park at 12.20pm and completed
our preparations, pinning on numbers, nodding to the various great and the good.
There were around 430 or so athletes from across the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Headed by the pipe band, we walked around the
field for a lap, gladiators before the cheering crowd bathed in early afternoon
sunshine. It was a good day to run. We were soon off and I must admit I was pretty
focused. Having made such as hash of the 2009 race, I was adamant that there
would be no fear today, no distractions from the task in hand. We were soon
threading our way up the hill and I was at the first checkpoint at about 32
minutes. We passed the red burn on the ascent and I gulped 3 handfuls before
moving on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hung a sharp left and hit
the scree slope and then it was up and up for 2 miles. My 4<sup>th</sup> mile
took me 27 minutes, a slow slog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alan
Smith and a Highland Hillrunner came past on the right at around 4 mile. I
wondered if I should have tucked in behind him, but he seemed happier on the
boulders than on the finer scree and I stayed put. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some bloke behind wanted to chat, but I have no time for the misplaced false bonhomie in a race and I was happy when the one-way chatter stopped
toward the top. Soon the bodies were careering back down. Speedy passed me on her
way back – she looked to be in 3<sup>rd</sup> place and gave me a wave – always
a good sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01MCo1YTcdtQmFkhZSUWhP4ktF8CfhUTiKG6tlIVPCSxQxLPjZYSPxHrZVuCKI0ZnCn4CPpLo10s4I8FOG4sVaWZ3-iOA7jKl9bph02H7SGXERGRCyZcIgwR9_xNptKNKKrUPyXoRLFIWKsszfdB3_QSSOfnbK7msqWcV-M_tknxfh4Tlo88D1jXUwY12/s1943/DSC_1922%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1943" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01MCo1YTcdtQmFkhZSUWhP4ktF8CfhUTiKG6tlIVPCSxQxLPjZYSPxHrZVuCKI0ZnCn4CPpLo10s4I8FOG4sVaWZ3-iOA7jKl9bph02H7SGXERGRCyZcIgwR9_xNptKNKKrUPyXoRLFIWKsszfdB3_QSSOfnbK7msqWcV-M_tknxfh4Tlo88D1jXUwY12/s320/DSC_1922%20(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />There was some light mist around but visibility was good as
I came to the turn. It was busy and it was as though we had ambushed the
walkers on the hill – they looked bewildered as runners selected their own line
down the hill cutting across paths and appearing and disappearing in a sweaty
arm flailing morass. As I descended, I was very happy with my shoes, VJ Irocks,
and I got past a good handful of less suicidal or committed athletes.
Conversely, I was passed by a good handful as well and tried to take
inspiration from some and a better line down the hill from the others who
looked like they had some confidence or route knowledge about them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hitting the walkers path at the Burn, I gubbed
5 mouthfuls of water and was off again. I vowed to take it easy on the way down
as I didn’t want the legs to go all rowntrees jelly in the last mile on the
tarmac run in to the finish. I was still making good progress and elected to
take only one cut through the ferns near the base of the hill, gaining me
perhaps 2 or 3 places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missus Mac made
an appearance in support and Ant handed out the water bottle, which, as
arranged, was gratefully received. It had been hot and I gulped another
mouthful before discarding it. Three of us ran along the tarmac. As we entered the
football field the Highland Hill runner and Calder Valley runner forged ahead, but I
suspected neither were in my category and had just about energy to fall over
the line in 2:20 and 128<sup>th</sup> place, a minute slower than 13 years earlier but 80 places higher up. Smithy had taken 3 minutes out of
me in the last mile of ascent and a further 5 minutes on the descent, so hats
off to him. As it was, I was 2<sup>nd</sup> M60 and had executed my plan successfully,
the weather making this race such a contrast to my earlier experience. I cramped
for a bit as I caught my breath, lying spreadeagled on the grass, but was soon
up and about and well chuffed with my race performance. We dined royally in the
evening and I slept the sleep of Hades afterwards. </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speedy managed to conjure up 2<sup>nd</sup> (womens) place,
passing previous multiple winner Sharon Taylor in the last wee bit of the hill
in just over 2 hours, so it was a double celebration, and with the parkrun experience,
our wee party were a pretty happy bunch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the news that Linds had won her race in
the Cheviots earlier in the day, it was all going very well, I must say. <br /></span></p>
AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-7510076390870945682023-08-31T08:41:00.008+01:002023-08-31T09:06:28.190+01:00Watergate 5k: Verdict - Misadventure<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p>Spooling back in sepia history, I can regale you of the Watergate 5k trail
race last Thursday night. I have assiduously avoided these short events,
all flat out and no prisoners. I have mainly been preferring to immerse
myself in the fell and hill running scene this season tagging along with Speedy. In this theatre of running, if you
slow down, or find a stretch of the course tiresome, you can slow down, you can
even walk. Yes, you might lose a place or two, but frequently if you walk, the
runners behind take this as a signal and they start walking. All very civilised.</p>
<p>I noticed a little while ago that the Scottish Vets Association was holding
trials in Tollcross for the Home Nations vets cross country championships.
Might I be considered? I realise that this is a fanciful notion, a dopey whim.
After all, I reckon on the strength of parkruns alone, I figure around 20th or
30th in the M60 arena. I understand that if the selectors (on my radio) are
undecided, they will refer to the Power of 10 website, the 'go to' website for
all anorak runners; a website that likes UKA licenced events. A website that doesn’t
report fell or hill running races, those soiled off-grid races I have been
running all season. Well, 'running' in its loosest sense. </p><p>My addled state
of mind figured that maybe it would be an idea to populate my page with a
couple of recent decent performances, should I make the radar of the
Bo-selectors. I could see them sitting at their desks, pencils in their hair,
adjusting their steamed up glasses as they gasp incredulously at my
credentials and reach for another gin. </p>
<p>I lined up with Mrs Mac, the Dark Destroyer, a generous splattering of
clubmates and another 200 around me. Watergate is a two lapper of a country park.
Its not flat, but its not a bad course. It was a lovely night and I was
confident that even though I still had Sedbergh in my legs, I could deliver a
19-minuter. It could be ugly, but it would be my sort of ugly. There was
just a suggestion of misplaced smugness as the whistle went and I pulled my cap down to
its aero-position. </p>
<p>A kilometre into the race and the bunch were still shaking out, thinning as we hit a
left turn here, a short drag there. I found
myself with Lizzie and Stephen sitting just behind Mr G, who was acting as
pacer for the night. </p>
<p>MizBen. arrived at the 2k mark and then there were 5 of the blue and white hoops.
I felt ok and just had to 'hang-in there' I thought as I peered through the
mist of sweat dripping from the end of my cap over my monobrow. </p><p>I could see the
Dark Destroyer just ahead with JJ, a target for those willing and able to move
up a gear. However, my legs had other plans and promptly moved down a gear, the
axles beginning to creak, the carburettors stuttering as I came over all
jangly and heavy legged. I had diesel in the petrol tank and there was no way back. The 'Peth groupetto moved on and I began to lose
places. The 4k marker came and went and I was still losing places. I shambled
in a slow motion death march to the finish line. It was lined with a thin group
of supporters, officials and helpers with groups of the already finished
huddled into clans of their club colours, the post mortems already
developing.. I glanced at my watch. 20.05. With a first mile of 6.15, I
had capitulated to a 6.50 mile by the end of the affair. A sorry mess. But this
is what happens when you spend your time avoiding interval training, track and
road events. Lets hope that the selectors don't bother to look at the Power of
10 website. Best just pull on my crimplene shorts, refresh the insulating tape
holding my glasses together and give it some. If nothing else I will be a
target for the Neds, a stooge in a future Still Game episode. </p>
<p>This weekends training gig is Ben Nevis. Its been 2009 since I last ran it
on a horrible wet day. Although there is little opportunity of me beating my
previous 2:20 time. I was passed by around 40 coming down the hill. It was a
poor run. So I have always felt that I needed to return to make a better fist
of the race. If I can stay on my feet, I might even enjoy myself. I will be joined by Speedy Joe. <br /></p>
<p>After finishing Tim Moores Vuelta Skelter and Mr Cadmus by Peter Ackroyd, I
am due a new read. Choices, choices. </p>
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AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-8272977521332117492023-08-21T09:15:00.004+01:002023-08-23T09:35:51.150+01:00Sedbergh: Camber Hell<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisccr2VFwp2fPuGay7XMp9PJo_LcPYDMLbuWRC3NyVn_BTwcwUcXkJkBf9_tTeRilt_gWfKHuvpqQLkx1oUpwgHR8CdxA9I_MuAs8RWEzeomcCBDAgj2SYtj6dLhL5yQJ2oUi0K9LOB7eRPpYhCh2DJxgp8dKp0lFuYkbXEmfFcXMkYPhSz_iGXFdgi5-M/s3840/IMG-20230820-WA0002.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisccr2VFwp2fPuGay7XMp9PJo_LcPYDMLbuWRC3NyVn_BTwcwUcXkJkBf9_tTeRilt_gWfKHuvpqQLkx1oUpwgHR8CdxA9I_MuAs8RWEzeomcCBDAgj2SYtj6dLhL5yQJ2oUi0K9LOB7eRPpYhCh2DJxgp8dKp0lFuYkbXEmfFcXMkYPhSz_iGXFdgi5-M/s320/IMG-20230820-WA0002.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We entered the Sedbergh Fell Race a good while ago knowing
that it would be busy. The race is the long distance counter for the English
and British Championships. We thought we’d have a crack at the latter this year,
but in a moment of weakness, or simply good judgement, we bailed out of running
the Welsh Counter at Llanberis a fortnight ago. The entry on the wall calendar
stood like a monolith among the other fixtures. I had heard of several folk
that it was a tough. A ‘toughie’ they described it as in an attempt to
informalise it, to infantilise 5000ft of climbing in the Howgills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJaZn74MVH1BQ8VYjv7TPA-Woj4sVFF0gWgCEEeKYinJgE55Qa5wC5d3P0JbQmELWSxUGx-7ZBPPY9KNQfI_LqXiKtYXg07jCtMrXLZyhUg_RJ4nvU9rv9LpfejXv-ZoezfsPfw_IM9abJFa6BCCyCPeebaa6YTdkqrqvvsfHFJhDe_Wib3VYKaMSuzkY/s4000/20230820_110526.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJaZn74MVH1BQ8VYjv7TPA-Woj4sVFF0gWgCEEeKYinJgE55Qa5wC5d3P0JbQmELWSxUGx-7ZBPPY9KNQfI_LqXiKtYXg07jCtMrXLZyhUg_RJ4nvU9rv9LpfejXv-ZoezfsPfw_IM9abJFa6BCCyCPeebaa6YTdkqrqvvsfHFJhDe_Wib3VYKaMSuzkY/s320/20230820_110526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had ran the Blyth Park run the week earlier and crept under the 20 minute mark, so I knew I was in reasonable shape, but still a little off the pace.It was me and Speedy joe in the jalopy as we
hit the M6 going south. We’d been to Sedbergh twice before this year both for
middle distance runs. However, we’d never gone deep, never penetrated the
backwaters of the range and we weren’t fully sure what to expect. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBCwsYb1cuCkFWdyMY7hJ4ZhrH-NacvoJOsT1F1m5PchkY51GalQBTvlS0gSmJCu0eJNU0lAMEoks1e7hSX1qgMyS8syoDgOXkwC8saB88kWYjNTCEj58R0dN-8-17HiYjtOqjoPeQA1Dig_uO7m8xU0Aeu63VC7RrezcFntQN9SBL-2KSuApQReMyFlh/s4000/20230820_110633.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBCwsYb1cuCkFWdyMY7hJ4ZhrH-NacvoJOsT1F1m5PchkY51GalQBTvlS0gSmJCu0eJNU0lAMEoks1e7hSX1qgMyS8syoDgOXkwC8saB88kWYjNTCEj58R0dN-8-17HiYjtOqjoPeQA1Dig_uO7m8xU0Aeu63VC7RrezcFntQN9SBL-2KSuApQReMyFlh/s320/20230820_110633.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> We got off to a sketchy start at the kit check where my checker
was taking no prisoners and failed my jacket on the lack of taped seams. The
flimsy orange jacket had been with me since thick and thin and seen me over the
Stuc and the Ben. However, on a quiet Sunday morning in the Western Dales, it
was consigned to the scrapheap. Luckily Speedy had two and I sailed through the
2<sup>nd</sup> check, albeit with a different checker. We got our dibbers (to
register our locations at checkpoints) and I decided on the backpack rather
than the bumbag, adding a couple of flexible water flasks. I also added 3 gels
and a packet of oatcakes. Yes, I know they’re about the most difficult food to masticate
when running, but I have every confidence in the food choice of my ancestors,
and I didn’t have enough space in the bag for a couple of cheese rolls and a hipflask
of malt, although God knows, it might have made for a more pleasant run. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCbo8G_oeeoK9woU98Y1rsO-2MDjW6SO7FcQ0NsehICpFIExqdbsZwScoCwfiFqdXLFUXXv9ps49gOhMasoKbkIZgBAzcFrJsMJ3PBB8xxadb7eLqLjudOmHex78O8QHLwSXrU8OQGFRPy-dr4_XhlSuyTxuu4jZz05HJVnWKIUu23GDca5JjEIkX4g9j/s4000/20230820_113828.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCbo8G_oeeoK9woU98Y1rsO-2MDjW6SO7FcQ0NsehICpFIExqdbsZwScoCwfiFqdXLFUXXv9ps49gOhMasoKbkIZgBAzcFrJsMJ3PBB8xxadb7eLqLjudOmHex78O8QHLwSXrU8OQGFRPy-dr4_XhlSuyTxuu4jZz05HJVnWKIUu23GDca5JjEIkX4g9j/s320/20230820_113828.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flat bit!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There were around 350 starters at the Peoples Hall, and off
we hoofed. The first 2 miles are a long steep climb to get up the first hill.
The paths are for the most part in this area are well trodden and it was a long
line of runners I photographed in front of me. Soon afterwards we ascended into
the mist. It was a little showery and noticeably cool when the drizzle swung by,
but most runners had adopted a single layer strategy and for a change I was in
singlet and shorts. I found myself largely with the same group through the
early stages of the race, some passing on the up then dropping back on the down,
others passing on the down….you get the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were faced with a river crossing after around 3 miles and my new
trail shoes were baptized with full clear water immersion and then a boggy
desert afterwards. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBPTB9fW9X5RZ40Bw5mDkZlDNZxLQhI-CJjTKoUMBJnZVqfNKw5jN-7Y-4qIlaZICemGmqO6QaastDGnhTfULYevPLOBt0aQYqY7qUmp5-XUk_g6wIMZEl__s5upjKPizL9g92PfEAx805jAvqeYZaZL81WSQS9hskAExNViWLejokzZUf_Jb7JyS9Ksg/s4000/20230820_120953.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBPTB9fW9X5RZ40Bw5mDkZlDNZxLQhI-CJjTKoUMBJnZVqfNKw5jN-7Y-4qIlaZICemGmqO6QaastDGnhTfULYevPLOBt0aQYqY7qUmp5-XUk_g6wIMZEl__s5upjKPizL9g92PfEAx805jAvqeYZaZL81WSQS9hskAExNViWLejokzZUf_Jb7JyS9Ksg/s320/20230820_120953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">As the miles clocked
past I remembered to dip into my runners picnic, a gel here and an oatcake
there. I began to take on water from around 5 miles as
we would our way around the slopes of the course. There was nothing flat in the
middle stages of the race. We followed each other through the very narrow,
hummocky, reedy sheep trails, the occasional peat washout giving way under the
repeated pounding of earlier runners. The width of the paths, the irregular grassy
surfaces but mostly the awful cambers were exhausting. Cross slopes designed to
drain your reserves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>My mental fortitude began to crumple. As I tired, so my
peripheral activities came to a halt: I stopped taking photos after a while,
then hadn’t even the energy to wipe my legs or check for ticks after the sections
through the rusty early autumnal ferns. I heard the occasional bleep
from my garmin and after a while I glanced at it as it registered 8 miles. I
thought this race was 16 miles and was ready to chuck it. However, even though I
had a map, I hadn’t given it a look and presumed that we were at the farthest point
away from the start. Our wee group ground on. There was another stream
crossing. More squelchy feet. The two Keswick girls slowly moved on ahead and I
was joined by some new faces and vests and some I’d been with at the start. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind wandered a few times but for the most
part my eyes were fixed on the track and I tried to keep my mind empty, which
these days is an easy task. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK582x3p2vgfKyzwEyiRgwyY89e1VHShbSbMyy3ikCaksymuWfbLUt-XdgH56qqC8oXIyY-NKkX03gJRbNVOm4-kLQLXk5MADJiZxePYnQLabnpNR2If4aHoiC1txdUoXvPlEMOzP5IjjzFy6Xz5lFZ6KWPluXdpoxcNUHXKIaXcK0CpopFluJ5WgpfpW/s4000/20230820_113830.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK582x3p2vgfKyzwEyiRgwyY89e1VHShbSbMyy3ikCaksymuWfbLUt-XdgH56qqC8oXIyY-NKkX03gJRbNVOm4-kLQLXk5MADJiZxePYnQLabnpNR2If4aHoiC1txdUoXvPlEMOzP5IjjzFy6Xz5lFZ6KWPluXdpoxcNUHXKIaXcK0CpopFluJ5WgpfpW/s320/20230820_113830.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We began a long slow climb around the 10 mile mark and I sat
sheltering behind a younger runner. It was a good move and I felt abit more
upbeat as we crested the Calf and I hoped that we were on the last leg. Sure
enough after a stretch of wide gravel followed by another plod around the side
of another grassy knoll. We were in the sun 11 miles and I recognised where I
was and it was all downhill from there. I upped my pace a little, finished my
water and crushed up the remains of my oatcakes in my sweaty palm in
celebration. I hoovered up an early scalp and then picked off another two old
timers on the last slope before waving to Speedy as I hit the tarmac. </p><p class="MsoNormal">It was
all over at 3:14 and 14.5 miles and 5000ft of camber hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a change I had run within myself and didn’t
feel the need to collapse in a heap or take myself off to a quiet corner for a
dry boak. Speedy was 5<sup>th</sup> and I was 220nd and 11<sup>th</sup> v60
which was adequate. I’ll continue my swimming this week and with a 5k on
Thursday evening, It might be quite a low mileage week. We took off armed with
a couple of hot rolls, pints of cool milk and hot drinks for the journey home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-74472358710288433092023-07-29T16:55:00.001+01:002023-07-31T18:00:45.493+01:00Ben Rinnes<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OtDyt1o3ySr2LHhg4wGV6nWEw0wmfW6F-z9eoF2U1zlMmhsXKL-xc_FOZhQl6DQDCCa8pOZ1XTS83h1BEW_5Uq9Mtz88DVwXeDbQmCTS55vfcj0xlxfUi0cuvNklfgtwVsuJYw7bVEeJZ0nlxLbCdYqkvjSOP2vRgoI6c5zAN81v5nXH4ZrkCWIcWG11/s4000/20230729_115230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OtDyt1o3ySr2LHhg4wGV6nWEw0wmfW6F-z9eoF2U1zlMmhsXKL-xc_FOZhQl6DQDCCa8pOZ1XTS83h1BEW_5Uq9Mtz88DVwXeDbQmCTS55vfcj0xlxfUi0cuvNklfgtwVsuJYw7bVEeJZ0nlxLbCdYqkvjSOP2vRgoI6c5zAN81v5nXH4ZrkCWIcWG11/s320/20230729_115230.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ben Rinnes was one of two long distance Scottish Hill
Running Championship qualifiers this year. We didn’t fancy the Ochils race (the other qualifier),
so it was a trip to Dufftown Highland Games which hosts the show. <span> </span>Me and Speedy Joe drove up to Dyce on the Friday night, getting
bogged down in Dundee as we tried to avoid an incident, but otherwise it was a good journey and, arriving late evening,
we celebrated in the Carvery opposite the hotel with a plate of chips, pigs in
blankets (just without the blankets) and a carvery bap. I blagged more sausages after complaining about the scantily clad piggies. At nine o clock the
vegetables looked like they needed a little help. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">In the
morning after Coffee and good work by Speedy rounding up some porridge pots from the local Spar, we drove up to
Dufftown, home of my fave, The Mortlach Whisky. We arrived in good time at the
scenic highland town and got our numbers. Our entry for the race also included
free entry into the Games. The crowd began to gather around 11ish as blue sky
broke through the mid-morning gloom. The forecast had been very sketchy, and kit choice was tricky. This
14 miler with 5000ft of ascent had attracted a good field and after being
counted in, we were off, the caber-tossers grunting and gossamer light dancers
providing bookends to the 150 starters or so. <span> </span><span> </span> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sDEKCizbkiRrkuJ5sjtZL49EQxihsJSGN7dwvUgf3PI-Mhfd1wX95jt7D8A7W2VPp3SgeqPnZknKigbSoCli6glJxSPn6yy1eg5srYQsuXowvJxYNpeSXOUVhYrQy3oaikQYyLoixwCWx-F6k63gSwojyNzs9iiOtDZ4QzaJiLBNmi_VNp6CiXbQXm43/s4000/20230729_115311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sDEKCizbkiRrkuJ5sjtZL49EQxihsJSGN7dwvUgf3PI-Mhfd1wX95jt7D8A7W2VPp3SgeqPnZknKigbSoCli6glJxSPn6yy1eg5srYQsuXowvJxYNpeSXOUVhYrQy3oaikQYyLoixwCWx-F6k63gSwojyNzs9iiOtDZ4QzaJiLBNmi_VNp6CiXbQXm43/s320/20230729_115311.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">After a lap of the field, which allowed the
2000 strong audience to get a good look at the soon-to-be doomed and vanquished, we took
off up a lane and across the edge of the golf course, two golfers perched on
the grass by the bunker taking in the scene. <span> </span>Eighteen holes would surely have been a better
choice than 3 hours chomping across the heather and boulders that lay in front
of us. Smithy passed me just before the mile and Lomonder Davis at around 4
miles. We navigated Little Conval and then Meikle Conval taking a steady pace.
Smith was well out of view but Lommie with his distinctive red compression knee length socks wasn’t too far ahead and this gave me
something to work with. The descent from Meikle was steep and a water stop awaited
just before the ascent to Ben Rinnes. I think it was Damon Rodwell who kindly poured me the water out and swept his hand across the table of sugary delights, inviting me to help myself. As I started the ascent to yon big hill, it took an age to chew through the Haribos
Jellies, all the time holding my plastic bottle and supping the water to which
I had added some salt. By Roy Hill, about halfway up Rinnes the leaders were on
the return leg, weaving in and out of the ascenders. I was with a group of 2 yellow vests and a Cosmic. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibiUhbBdPJumhD8cLTns2DHZI0J9oLINeYSkpulgPLi9reA3vfHKYWt2gqruXcv3pIWUkOSQzcPj8351mnzLHN9AD7e6w0Gmoqbego6Y8dglAm91IRYex-OlaRVsh2cTm25qtpaG2ID1goSYThI5Rl5-ekg1Nros2jk0VPmx6o_zRowyKEn-cpuApUpLc/s4000/20230729_121923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibiUhbBdPJumhD8cLTns2DHZI0J9oLINeYSkpulgPLi9reA3vfHKYWt2gqruXcv3pIWUkOSQzcPj8351mnzLHN9AD7e6w0Gmoqbego6Y8dglAm91IRYex-OlaRVsh2cTm25qtpaG2ID1goSYThI5Rl5-ekg1Nros2jk0VPmx6o_zRowyKEn-cpuApUpLc/s320/20230729_121923.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Was Lommie coming back
to me?...'yes', I thought 'he was'...most definitely. I was less than 20 seconds off him at the summit, getting up there in
around 1:32. The sun was up and it was warm. Taking it steady on the descent I
refilled the bottle and worked hard back up Meikle. I caught a bloke with
grey hair. Clearly his wheels had come off and he was making very slow
progress. I fished out a gel. As I squeezed one end of the gooey pus into my
dry cavity, it was oozing out the other and at least one of my legs was coated
with the sugary sludge. I had another but couldn’t find the willpower to excavate it from
my bum bag. Maybe this explains why most of the fotos I took with the phone
were blurred. I stepped to the side of the narrow heathery path to let a runner pass me and immediately ended up in the undergrowth. It was a little more dramatic and embarrasing than it should have been.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvisoFjQf6KQYjv1dZcHTn8PsFXlFz4uquZcnFDvvQmFs4lBZPT2UkOec-Q0S9YDJqCiClPjvjNMsrQRAJUJdxvXHqZD0U7PJ7iaQdpzOR6wDejuWE7ZvR2fxSnYcP3xnF-wMmOvYO1Oqi3gcBHQhUgoY1N9bAwiBTTjAcGSkrNs6dDUbbKru1x33fgy8L/s4000/20230729_132404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvisoFjQf6KQYjv1dZcHTn8PsFXlFz4uquZcnFDvvQmFs4lBZPT2UkOec-Q0S9YDJqCiClPjvjNMsrQRAJUJdxvXHqZD0U7PJ7iaQdpzOR6wDejuWE7ZvR2fxSnYcP3xnF-wMmOvYO1Oqi3gcBHQhUgoY1N9bAwiBTTjAcGSkrNs6dDUbbKru1x33fgy8L/s320/20230729_132404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Anyway, back to the race. As I shuffled back up Meikle Conval there were
only 2 places between me and Davis and I hoped to catch him on the last climb
up the back of Little Conval. I imagined outsprinting him as we ran around the Games field, grabbing the glory, being interviewed later and perhaps being asked to
stay on to judge the Lemon Curd, Marmalade and Jam entries. However, as I tracked a
younger runner, staring at his heels all the way up, Lommie had discovered some
reserve of latent energy and he motored out of sight as we descended Little
Meikle and back toward the golf course. <span> </span>My
pace was slowing, my focus had evaporated, all hope dashed in the bunker of
life. <span> </span>I was bushed. I surveyed the approaching town with dead salty eyes, deperate to hear the ancient drone of
bagpipes from the Games that meant it was near. With no water left, I stuck the empty bottle down my
t-shirt. <span>I was on my own across the golf course, but was then caught by a youngster. He shuffled a little quicker than me and we both shuffled onto the Games playing field, my legs protesting as I tried to 'up the pace' to make it look like a comfortable last 100. I attempted to join the sack race which was lining up on part of the finishing straight, but was shooed away as the parents shielded their kids faces from the haggard mess in front of them. And then it was over. I poured a jug of water over me and lay on the grass, all the while surrounded by the fast and gleaming athletes for whom this sort of malarkey is a trifling diversion to the mundanity of the week. 2hrs 49 was the time - well within 3 hours, but at what cost? I was cream crackered. They can keep their Games. Next year I might be one of the golfers watching! <br /></span></span><p></p>
AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-28885927815128971742023-07-19T15:22:00.012+01:002023-07-19T15:32:57.519+01:00Snowden: Gwlyb a Gwyntog<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHIITgNtFv2794fVZRmcWYaY2FSUSV9cqI71lBdGvgwfOuymDdpsFAG2g1QP37d1tMeDtCBsSSXu1iAocN90W3o1C2lPgit3d3GhL3R4N_mErYNxB2w9BcaRHsF_A4cxD2kS9NNo0gQDZyEl3EPnGR6HEBZsxZuH4Sp5QLncctvhe6L093YgpLqaIij0T/s713/al%20snowdon%2023.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="713" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHIITgNtFv2794fVZRmcWYaY2FSUSV9cqI71lBdGvgwfOuymDdpsFAG2g1QP37d1tMeDtCBsSSXu1iAocN90W3o1C2lPgit3d3GhL3R4N_mErYNxB2w9BcaRHsF_A4cxD2kS9NNo0gQDZyEl3EPnGR6HEBZsxZuH4Sp5QLncctvhe6L093YgpLqaIij0T/w400-h249/al%20snowdon%2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Snowdon Race has been re-branded. Its now the Ras Yr Wyddfa. As we sat in the Hotel, the
rain lashing down and the wind having its evil way with the Sycamores outside, we
gazed with mouths agog at the board on the wall above the table opposite. The board contained 10 common
phrases in English such as ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘wheres the sun’ with their
Welsh equivalent. However, we didn’t know where to start. There was no
indication of how to pronounce these words nor any clues or phonetic guidance for us ignoramii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me it remains an inaccessible language. If we were to make a habit of running the
Snowdon International Race, we’d better brush up next time. As it was, the race
was shortened due to the conditions, the distance being reduced from 10 miles to 6.4 miles. It was a
complete contrast to last year where runners sweltered and teetered on the edge
of hydration and heat exhaustion as the mercury hit the high 70’s, where runners simmered slowly in their own juices and the ice cream
man did very nicely, thank you. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year in the saturated conditions no one was shouting
out for more water, no one was eating ice creams and no one was complaining that the course had been
shortened. The race commentator tried to be as
upbeat as possible as we warmed up in the field and checked we had packed our goggles,
trunks and kick-boards. It is chip
timing, so I took my place toward the back of the field with Marg and with Speedy
Joe somewhere at the front after making it into the elite field. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had my woolly
hat, gloves and waterproof jacket on. After the start the tarmac takes you for
half a mile to the lower slopes which are very steep. After this, there is a
turn around 1 mile onto the gravel and cobble path and the gradient, for the most part, is very reasonable. As I ascended I kept an eye
out for other old duffers who might be in the M60 class. There was a yellow
vested Mercia runner ahead and another red vested Northern Fells type in with the group I
was with and Mercia Man began to pull away toward the turn. A very tall Ranleagh runner kept stopping and starting just ahead of
me and I pushed on to tuck in where I could. Soon enough Richards, Costa and
Douglas were clambering past in the opposite direction with the enough momentum to flatten a bull, trying to get a clear line down the hill and shouting ‘track, track’ as they flew past.
The procession of runners soon became more intense and I knew we were near the
turn. It was blowing a hooly. The heavy showers came and came abit more. The bemused, fully hydrated and lightly salted walkers
on the hill, almost all clad in black coats and hoods hugged themselves nervously,
lifting their eyes and looking up and out occasionally to see if the coast was clear from these marauding
hoodlum type runners who were laying waste to the mountain path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After the turn I absolutely hammered it. Mercia man was dust
and Northern Fells blokey ate my shorts; all of them. I took a couple of random
scalps. Toward the lower gravel slopes I spied a group of 6 or 7 and took aim.
I was full tilt. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fssd8w9pqpqAXy5-Tpykt_i3vdhDcOwB3_Ovon47AeDdVdRfvh421Z5skdJpLr-UNvMgZ8Eu-l40D3KgHvxImOr6gAaL18WHbMiU03bO-bER3ZaRJRms_ScMSx2IEgG8xct7GeEHv7f6s7R5Zk_zrc3GG0CjLmdNp6nhZvNHdD0qz_teadH9bNmRvm2g/s302/cayoti.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="302" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fssd8w9pqpqAXy5-Tpykt_i3vdhDcOwB3_Ovon47AeDdVdRfvh421Z5skdJpLr-UNvMgZ8Eu-l40D3KgHvxImOr6gAaL18WHbMiU03bO-bER3ZaRJRms_ScMSx2IEgG8xct7GeEHv7f6s7R5Zk_zrc3GG0CjLmdNp6nhZvNHdD0qz_teadH9bNmRvm2g/s1600/cayoti.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just before the tarmac I was past all of them, but I could feel their
displeasure in the Matrix behind me as I cast my jacket and hat onto the grass verge with complete abandon. As the
gradient eased on the tarmac back into the village I could feel the turbulence
behind me. I was being used as a target and they were closing in. My pace slowed. I imagined being chased by Chuckie and his mates. The finishing straight is 100m of grass
and I was well in the lead of the gurning competition as I closed in on the
line, my face contorting into a hideous Munch-like feature as I squeezed
everything out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recalled how I’d been
overhauled on the flat tarmac at Goatfell after all the good work on the
downhill and I vowed to finish strongly or die trying. As it was, I died
strongly as Eyri M60 man 1 and Eyri M60 man 2 came past within 20m of the line
and I grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory, much like Partick Thistle last
season. I was only a neck ahead of Bronwen - where did she come from? It was all turning to sheet. Wet sheet. At the end the chip results gave me 10
or 15 seconds on the three locals. However, when the results came out, it was the
gun time that was used for the placings and I dropped from 2<sup>nd</sup> M60 on
chip to 4<sup>th</sup> M60, the local 'youngsters' grabbing 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup>
places by 1 and 2 seconds respectively. Gwych. I'm not bitter. Note to self: remember to ignore chip timing next time. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To rub salt into the wound, I found
a bourbon biscuit had been lodged under my roof rack with no explanation, and, back at the
accommodation, the owners hadn’t left any kindling, so we were huddled around the radiators trying to dry out until we eventually got the fire going. We toasted the soggy biscuit for dinner. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speedy had a good race and
Marg managed not to be last or get blown off the hill, which was a victory in
itself. Tidy. We all got a t-shirt and slate coaster. The good news is that my facial contortions got me a couple
of seconds on the BBC programme on Welsh TV. Fat lot of good that’ll do me. On
the plus side, I have got myself a new agent and a place at the Egremont Crab
Fair where the world gurning championships are held. Ysblenydd. Wonder if its chipped?! </span></p>
AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-86588308998843286122023-07-05T12:20:00.000+01:002023-07-05T12:20:44.908+01:00Melantee: Quad Hell<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ZPxg61iZZfBeR2xVKPSTpnoTkmIrZ3AqosdBEum5n_Gjn5L-G6WtC4NEsEFVXs7sxF4Lvze4sMrTOOUYS5bQLMB5tX-Eo0eaKg6I-ZMwLToDUBdFiuO2KdMiOfOYjh2F6zOTpm4thevX8GO5HsDjC3kfakjsx0spT_nokTxTfPXjhx0HlnEBAWEX5M-/s6000/DSCF7389%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ZPxg61iZZfBeR2xVKPSTpnoTkmIrZ3AqosdBEum5n_Gjn5L-G6WtC4NEsEFVXs7sxF4Lvze4sMrTOOUYS5bQLMB5tX-Eo0eaKg6I-ZMwLToDUBdFiuO2KdMiOfOYjh2F6zOTpm4thevX8GO5HsDjC3kfakjsx0spT_nokTxTfPXjhx0HlnEBAWEX5M-/s320/DSCF7389%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As well as being nearly unpronounceable to a non gaelic
speaker like me, the Meall an-t Suidhe (Melantee, Fort William) was a hill race
that just kept on giving. It’s given me the worst case of Doms (delayed onset muscle
soreness) I have ever had; and it wasn’t even delayed. After jiggling my wheezy
carcass down the impossibly steep grassy drop from the summit, I temporarily
lost the means of forward propulsion (‘running’ in other words); Sure, my legs
knew broadly what was expected of them, but my hips and quads were all over the
shop, melted under the gradient and I felt like Bambi. I had been done in on a
grassy knoll. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its 4 days later and I’m
still hobbling and even had to miss last nights 5 mile race at Newcastle Quayside.
<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXUx_u52pq3R4vfJNcemJE8ZUOrW7cmqo_Up-8oQWYusE305S7ee8A3qyQBQrlQ1adrSdcJHEmYMW5JOTy4_tRA77U1DLUYt61939063zJeIpVOq-hMGTkqU0AV3fa2irQIJY777OBau7FhEXBvr0PYlVch6a7xKYp3LkwgfNa5GH3s-AXJmfdt96xo2W/s6000/DSCF7504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXUx_u52pq3R4vfJNcemJE8ZUOrW7cmqo_Up-8oQWYusE305S7ee8A3qyQBQrlQ1adrSdcJHEmYMW5JOTy4_tRA77U1DLUYt61939063zJeIpVOq-hMGTkqU0AV3fa2irQIJY777OBau7FhEXBvr0PYlVch6a7xKYp3LkwgfNa5GH3s-AXJmfdt96xo2W/s320/DSCF7504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The 4 miler, a short affair on Saturday, was a Scottish and
British Championship race and there were some big hitters present both in the
mens race, and also in the womens which had taken place 2 hours earlier. We (me
and Speedy joe) had travelled up earlier in the day to Tyndrum. We had to
change cars and rearrange some insurances after my car decided it wasn’t going (and
jammed the rear handbrake caliper just to make sure). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The borrowed fiesta performed admirably and
got us up to Fort William in good time, the heavy rain and leaden skies beginning
to lift as we arrived at Claggan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got
our numbers and after a jog, I set off a little way up the course with the
camera. The women were soon on their way and Speedy was around 10<sup>th</sup>
sitting in the Sharon Taylor group. On the way back there was certainly some
fun and games as many navigated the muddy track successfully, but some misjudged
the terrain and found themselves face down in the bog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speedy, a relative novice at the fell race
game, dropped 10 places on the return and jogged in after getting down and
dirty in the mud. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She advised that we
had the wrong shoes on.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the start of the mens race around 150 lined up. Sure
enough as I cast my eye around the competitors footwear I saw a sea of Inov’s and
a handful of VJ’s but no Speedcross…’ Ah, well, I mused, can’t matter that
much, can it?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrody9zmYJrcZtFnCTNMi9E233Kdivsz4vUSyw1qtRAY4_sZ5-z7T0H4dp9l6-ZBadiEOQwf4DYJae5K2itanEmG81MIi3k5P_GJMdp16JmZ6yzr37maEIh2Y5_rHTc2w_tl3rJzDg5B9JhtEe7s0snEWeLaefN_yDk_DGc9ctZE7_8fcD1xeidaz39Pj/s2788/DSCF7536%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2078" data-original-width="2788" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrody9zmYJrcZtFnCTNMi9E233Kdivsz4vUSyw1qtRAY4_sZ5-z7T0H4dp9l6-ZBadiEOQwf4DYJae5K2itanEmG81MIi3k5P_GJMdp16JmZ6yzr37maEIh2Y5_rHTc2w_tl3rJzDg5B9JhtEe7s0snEWeLaefN_yDk_DGc9ctZE7_8fcD1xeidaz39Pj/s320/DSCF7536%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />For a crusty trooper like me, the hill ahead didn’t seem to
offer anything sinister and I was well up with Davis and then dropped to be
passed by Smith and his woolly socks halfway up. Near the top both had drifted
ahead and I began to falter, frothing gaily while grabbing at handfuls of grass
and reeds near the windy summit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Come
on shoes, get me up yon ‘kin hill,…’ I gasped…<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the turn I was 45 seconds down on Smith and an amazing 2
minutes on Davis. ‘Could I do anything on the way down’? ‘No’ was the answer. I
gathered my loins and headed downhill. My technique was crapulent and I was
passed by a good handful of punters. I haemorrhaged a shetload of more time on
the way back, tripping once on concrete near the track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me 28 minutes up and nearly 16
minutes to get back, coming in after an unconvincing lap of shame around the
football pitch in 122<sup>nd</sup> place. My claggy chest didn’t help, but I was
puggled. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We retired to the B&B after a mooch up the High Street
which never fails to disappoint and we dined at the Nevis in before having a
swift one in the Volunteers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day we were up and out and on the
Hill by 9 and spent the next 3 hours padding our way up and down Nevis in
between the showers. Both sets of legs were shot. We had 10 minutes at the
bottom to watch the ‘Half Ben’ racers come past, a handful of them having put
in a shift the previous day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do they
do that, then?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The order has gone in for a batch of VJ irocs. It remains to
be seen if these will arrive before Snowdon a week on Saturday, but either way,
that Welsh beauty is quite a different beast to the Meall. Thank frock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-54197274628608390132023-06-29T12:37:00.002+01:002023-06-29T12:37:53.873+01:00Incisive<p>I celebrated my 60 years on the planet by bustling my way through the lumpy crowd at the Morpeth Park run to claim 5th place and a new 20.25 p.b. on the testing course. </p><p>It was all going swimmingly. I was up, then, for the 4 miler at Keswick (Latrigg) on the Wednesday night, but I had a niggle and felt tired, so I opted for a pint and an early night. We were all set to then do the Eildon 3 Hills on Saturday. Money had changed hands - you can't seemingly rock up last minute anymore - you have to enter online and pay the money well in advance. This means that if youre knackered before the event, you lose your money. As Speedy joe was crocked as well, this left Mrs Mac to carry the torch. However, she said it was pointless going up for just her, so we didnt and someone else won. Mind you, that said, it was another Colin Donnelly appearance so I wouldn't have got near him, even if I had tried for the M60 prize.</p><p>I had been going out on the bike recently to assist Speedy in her ankle recovery, and I should know by now that when I do this, I almost always end up injured within the first week - not sure if its different muscles or what; sure enough, after a 6 mile run I developed tendonitis and my left calf was so tight you could have invited the GB trampoline team in to train on it. Its eased over the last week and we sent the team away; this weekends trip to Fort William to do Melantee and then a recce of Nevis seems back on the cards. I may have to take it easy however, as I really don't want to miss Snowdon in just over 2 weeks. </p><p>Ant meanwhile has got me an entry into the Bridges of Tyne 5 miler; so next week I should see how things are going. My weight was right down and I was feeling like a righteous dude. Hopefully this short setback will only be a blip. Regardless of how I do, I am assured that wherever I come in the next few races, I will be able to provide a full on 'scottie-beam me up' smile, having spent what seems to be half my pension on a new front tooth (implant). Even the temporary one they put on is better than the last one, which died when I was 7 after an accident and started going brown. I really wasnt looking forward to having an upper incisor pulled, but it was not too bad (after half a gallon of anaethestic) and both dental nurses in attendance were impressed by its length as it was withdrawn, so good to know my roots are up to scratch! </p><p>I will try 2 miles today after my fishnchips lunch, cut up smally, slowly and carefully masticated and eaten like a sleepy 2 year old. Its been mashed potatoes, mushed weetabix and yoghurts so far - no apples or raw carrots for a fortnight or 3. The good news is I might be allowed a shandy on Friday though at Tyndrum. I'll keep you posted.<br /></p><p><br /></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-49646071878728755182023-05-21T09:00:00.008+01:002023-05-21T14:20:47.422+01:00Goatfell Hill Race - Hypertension on the slopes<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKfkGw7RyTt1QrYxQzjg7R8ujq7UkdHlKrubyyxYSbLf4fek_VT3KYc-0kXBLGWmDVcWUwVljNYLrqMD9J2UMBZ3Rm2J3ZQBTKkDP_LZ4xRM9RnJPJwysT--03UBCqPUQ6PL11as_6l6zbjZIFexfTOd1iDQMPCM1Z7mrNRTHZXqMSxpRExCSpJ6EEw/s4000/20230520_120515.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKfkGw7RyTt1QrYxQzjg7R8ujq7UkdHlKrubyyxYSbLf4fek_VT3KYc-0kXBLGWmDVcWUwVljNYLrqMD9J2UMBZ3Rm2J3ZQBTKkDP_LZ4xRM9RnJPJwysT--03UBCqPUQ6PL11as_6l6zbjZIFexfTOd1iDQMPCM1Z7mrNRTHZXqMSxpRExCSpJ6EEw/s320/20230520_120515.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />A couple of weeks after the NEMAA relays at Jarrow it was
time for the Trip to Arran. This year, Goatfell is a Scottish Championship
counter in the hill running calendar. Apparently, it was also the Scottish
Athletics Hill Running Championship race, not that, it seemed, many knew about this
as Angela Mudge carried out a great armful of medals to the presentation table
at the end of the race. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Me, Speedy Joe and Marg took ourselves up the M74 to
Irvine on the Friday night to some accommodation at the Harbourside. The pubs
were in full swing and we ambled over to the Ship Inn which was quieter and
sampled their Neck Oil, with Speedy Joe opting for an Irn Bru. Athlete. I was sanguine
that we had driven past Glasgow on the way up and we could have picked up the footie
at Firhill where Thistle were playing Ayr. They won 3-0 so it would have been a
good game. Getting back to the room, I caught the last 5 minutes on the tele. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcbMI4ClDsiM_wJPvG4XtB9Js456U9oMf3NzZlcaHLPkhlmETZrQkcoCgcvoyZTPpruwzPx5glhtzm3JVEIhwVZvw_ox1jaOJGeTyT6uD-UkgpjKwJCEcQI-emAFteOmALvwaRYW6XyzWyiK35oOJC9zbRTI8U_A_p4NiChpGbxbf2eQ8obl6mRETqw/s4000/20230520_121507.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcbMI4ClDsiM_wJPvG4XtB9Js456U9oMf3NzZlcaHLPkhlmETZrQkcoCgcvoyZTPpruwzPx5glhtzm3JVEIhwVZvw_ox1jaOJGeTyT6uD-UkgpjKwJCEcQI-emAFteOmALvwaRYW6XyzWyiK35oOJC9zbRTI8U_A_p4NiChpGbxbf2eQ8obl6mRETqw/s320/20230520_121507.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />It was a reasonable nights sleep and we surfaced at 7am. After a coffee, I went
for a 2 mile jog along the river. The litter along the footpath was
disappointing but predictable, and as I jogged I reflected how easily the
morons who are responsible for this can get away with it with impunity. A disgrace. As I eyed the Greggs and McDonalds wrappers, my eyes were caught but something other than a discarded cup. I backtracked, stooped and picked up a soggy £10 note lying forlorn on the grass. A result. Buoyed up
with this good omen I got back to the accommodation, showered and breakfasted
on a plastic pot of porridge.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfHs_5bAZ5LyiY_Ai3LTRPUJKZM4O8mvlWgXE6N5noW2UngsIuuR12616wuKC6oSbWoG-YyxQC-B7aDqRA3enyJDJuYIAnXbGpIa1jRGILVnksW0bgwALw6zJ95MNvPul9m4VAZyiaaiyNPSNp0WnhqwuEQVJY63LpaMZAUUqfxZAFgLD7Gb3YEVX0Q/s4000/20230520_123153.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfHs_5bAZ5LyiY_Ai3LTRPUJKZM4O8mvlWgXE6N5noW2UngsIuuR12616wuKC6oSbWoG-YyxQC-B7aDqRA3enyJDJuYIAnXbGpIa1jRGILVnksW0bgwALw6zJ95MNvPul9m4VAZyiaaiyNPSNp0WnhqwuEQVJY63LpaMZAUUqfxZAFgLD7Gb3YEVX0Q/s320/20230520_123153.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqBN_ZoG_D5zJkiUrBZMU2ZT-I_whLU8GmXZk4OLTRpArKX89OfMgLQkpoKQplLat8OusukjDmleSoOxbEunUc1S8SLYevc5nyKES6BvcvglaCCF3f1Ch5DytFYsfOxp24zG6hzzU-m4yN8S4YNlK49yIpBPcSiPzxAEWQCC6h-WCAM8tH014aZ2dQw/s4000/20230520_123246.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqBN_ZoG_D5zJkiUrBZMU2ZT-I_whLU8GmXZk4OLTRpArKX89OfMgLQkpoKQplLat8OusukjDmleSoOxbEunUc1S8SLYevc5nyKES6BvcvglaCCF3f1Ch5DytFYsfOxp24zG6hzzU-m4yN8S4YNlK49yIpBPcSiPzxAEWQCC6h-WCAM8tH014aZ2dQw/s320/20230520_123246.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We were in Ardrossan by 9am and on the ferry to Brodick
shortly afterwards. We were travelling light as foot passengers. The ferry was
stowed out with golfers, runners, cyclists and grandparents taking their wards
for a day by the seaside. The golfers were engaged in a full on session with
bottles of Peroni and cans of Guinness in much demand. It was a calm crossing
and while we were on the boaty mcboatface, we picked up our numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Arriving at Brodick, we sauntered to the pavilion in a long line of running pilgrims, all of whom who had made the effort. We changed - it was mild and a 'one-layer' day for sure. After all, it is May. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9bSi9iczUYnnMLzWKBl5IgUtKzCsh9rZk7QdBYaFi1_cdegrhRZMPkglSHOaD5gHf5cKL5f9My_xZaXErNG3Mmo--ICdJzoay9ww12VhzGE7ruJIaUuzSd9-GuzTGLoxqN61fageBAkt5aTl9Vr8saLtaqsRcLbYzoFlHuDWlNjaZanj3xKWlOjDDQ/s4000/20230520_130902.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9bSi9iczUYnnMLzWKBl5IgUtKzCsh9rZk7QdBYaFi1_cdegrhRZMPkglSHOaD5gHf5cKL5f9My_xZaXErNG3Mmo--ICdJzoay9ww12VhzGE7ruJIaUuzSd9-GuzTGLoxqN61fageBAkt5aTl9Vr8saLtaqsRcLbYzoFlHuDWlNjaZanj3xKWlOjDDQ/s320/20230520_130902.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Goatfell was present on the skyline, grey whispy clouds grazing the peaked summit. The race has around 800m of ascent. There were comments about the long run
in, a mile and a half of tarmac before we hit the slopes proper. I took a bit
of salt and a swig of water and sagely advised Speedy Joe to keep a bit up her sleeve
for the long flat tarmac on the road back. We had a headcount; then another, and then just
after noon, with the pipe band giving it large, we were off. I was well toward the back, but felt good and had soon
worked up a sweat, passing Nicola Duncan and I soon found myself at the heels of Alan Smith on the lower slopes. We
worked through several competitors ahead, Alan cutting a familiar figure in his
woolly socks and small but relentless steps. I had the temerity to pass him after a while, but then, halfway up, I was sweating heavily
and took some snaps before fishing out more salt. However, as soon as I’d taken
it (without water), I wretched and my stomach heaved and I had to stop for half a minute. The severe reaction soon dissipated and I was soon back up behind Smith. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbavcKG6kUS3Bn6OvsWQWhgzYT2M0TtYblQ8x0brXU1Sy-dSzgHOBbFrjeoW8hCZZodcuP4Um5MS-NVTIILRbWy8uxKX6OF8_5-2VQTDVlTofeknNFiCREH4zNSlRs85wNu4JLgdvE8okTMfhLndbR3Qd9coQHIzffKSZQMIxqPnUh8eSD2TO0hFtUg/s4000/20230520_130910.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbavcKG6kUS3Bn6OvsWQWhgzYT2M0TtYblQ8x0brXU1Sy-dSzgHOBbFrjeoW8hCZZodcuP4Um5MS-NVTIILRbWy8uxKX6OF8_5-2VQTDVlTofeknNFiCREH4zNSlRs85wNu4JLgdvE8okTMfhLndbR3Qd9coQHIzffKSZQMIxqPnUh8eSD2TO0hFtUg/s320/20230520_130910.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Near the top the
leaders started haring down to the left and right of us including Speedy Joe,
and I dug out the phone again, but in doing so slipped and dropped it, and my
wee group got away a little. I had put the phone away by the time I crested the
summit and began to get into my stride on the downhill element. It was just
like old times. With dry conditions underfoot and a very technical descent with
a wide range of obstacles and mild risk of breaking bones, it was all coarse grey granite, I twisted and turned,
skipped and hopped at what seemed to be at high speed down the hill. There were plenty of punters who were stood bewildered by the side of the path. I passed
around 10 or so runners on the way down, stopping only at the wooden bridge to scoop up
handfuls of water from the burn. I was soon back on the case and passing
runners and was pleased to see and pass Penecuik man, and the big hitters Mudge and Davis toward the bottom of
the hill. As we came out of the wood and back onto the flat tarmac, I had
failed to take my own advice and slowing to a snails pace, I was passed in turn
by the two stalwarts that I had just passed plus another just for good measure. The finish couldn't come sooner and I was surely happy to reach the line in 1:40 for 9.4 miles. A warm shower at
the end was a bonus. The tea and cake were abundant and I chatted with Colin
Donnelly after initially thinking he was speaking to someone else beside me. There were also a few bloodied bodies. Speedy got 2</span><sup style="font-family: arial;">nd</sup><span style="font-family: arial;"> and we finished the day with a massive but lack-lustre curry on the boat and
a 3 hour drive back via Edinburgh. It was the first time this year I felt light
on my feet and was pleased with my race. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> More photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/XPofB28L5ebCjgVx8</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-7072506200020059542023-05-03T13:23:00.003+01:002023-05-03T13:23:24.721+01:00Hartlepool Marina 5<p> It was the last Sunday in April. With the recent arrival of Mollie, the Tulip killer (puppy), we were pretty much all up early. I was in the driving seat and it was the dark destroyer and Ant who joined me for this jolly charabang to Hartlepool, home of 'canoe man' who faked his own death, West Hartlepool, a very good rugby team in days gone by, (the football team not so much) and the Hartlepool Marina 5. I have done this event some time in the distant past and I recall a small cannon being used to start the runners. </p><p>There used to be quite a big field, but this year around 200 early risers coagulated around the Mecca bingo hall for the numbers and free t shirt. Me and Speedy Joe had been exploring the delight of the Howgills at Sedbergh the day before and very nice it is as a hilly running venue. All cropped grass and pathways and rolling hills. However, I wasn't feeling the love and plodded around the car park warming up, all the while looked down upon by the Napoleonic frigate HMS Trimcombalee, her icy stare, crows nest and rigging resplendent in the early morning sky. The North Easts answer to the Cutty Sark or the Discovery. </p><p>We kicked off at 10.30 and the conditions were mild, calm, near perfect. After things settled down I found myself tucked in behind 2 women who were running a 6.30 pace. I was struggling after a mile though. As I ran wondering how long I could keep this up, one looked behind and took a step to the right. The other did something similar, but to the left, and both made for me to pass. I said I was trying to keep out of the wind. There was a slight headwind. Sunderland girl then made some comment about 'feeling the drag' of me behind them. I said 'it wasnt a thing and it didn't work like that' and 'that when she was old she'd be doing something similar'. Sunderland then responded saying she was forty and suggested that she was old already. Far too much chatter. I didnt last long after this however, and the pace dropped to 6.45 for mile 3. And so it remained as I looked for shelter on the way back. But shelter from what?..,there was a slight tailwind and nothing to do but just run back up the pan flat prom. I was passed by a couple of lads, but was too far gone to stay with either, and there was nothing left at the end but a PW of 33.11 and the cold embrace of a dry boak. However, I was sweaty and sanguine. It wasnt <u>too</u> much more than the 33 minute ceiling that I had given myself before the event. </p><p>The Dark destroyer had had a great run and won, and Ant delivered a time to match his old PB and was 2nd m40, so all in all, it was a decent morning. The victors celebrated with a McDonalds. Decadent, I know.</p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-20241451980021187862023-04-04T07:54:00.003+01:002023-04-04T07:54:55.748+01:00Birnam Hill Race 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D2jtEUvBIy32-SwurtU1-7GkEYmbSylSzGwE4TqvaEIPsiw9FuJa2aUsCmHHaOGBc31eQ3uSVPRG24r5roygn_pYPwp86GEcwL7Nk6MOdmPG7N8XvYDXAU0ngsKk75eYnIW7C3k8hMkdNELFTDbyUaKcYfrHqwxC0dT1_F90zROv0imvvMRoR5f5TQ/s6000/DSC_1595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D2jtEUvBIy32-SwurtU1-7GkEYmbSylSzGwE4TqvaEIPsiw9FuJa2aUsCmHHaOGBc31eQ3uSVPRG24r5roygn_pYPwp86GEcwL7Nk6MOdmPG7N8XvYDXAU0ngsKk75eYnIW7C3k8hMkdNELFTDbyUaKcYfrHqwxC0dT1_F90zROv0imvvMRoR5f5TQ/s320/DSC_1595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was an all embracing full-to -the-brim field of Scotland's Best and
Blessed hill runners with a smattering of southerners which gathered at this years
Birnam Hill Race. This 4 miler, organised by Adrian Davis and the good folk
from the Lomond Hill Club, rises 1200ft up the side of a wooded hill nestled behind
Birnam Railway Station, then it spits you out and throws you down the other
side with a wee sting at the end; a mile of flattish uppy-downy running through the
woods. If you get up the hill at the start, it’s a downhillers delight; and I’m
a downhiller. Around 350 took the line. The field was so swollen, this being
the first of the Scottish Championship races, they had to run 2 races, rather
than 1: one for the wimmin and old gents at noon and one for the gents which
started half an hour later. Although well past my sell by date, I went with the
men on the 2<sup>nd</sup> race. Speedy left with the women half an hour
earlier.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I ran up the lane toward the Birnam Hill, I saw the bright
cavalcade, the cream of the crop, ahead of me. Of the oldies, Davis was tracking
Smith who was down on Whitlie. I was just behind Davis at the toe of the hill,
but as we ascended, he and Smith gradually pulled away and I ended up behind a
tall thin bloke with long legs who was high stepping up the hill. I just couldn't
go any faster. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the top we plodded through some wet peat, had our ankles
tickled by woody ground hugging heather and clambered over a crag before ‘the
hurlting’ began. I was already passing a couple of uncertain types along the
flattish gravel before it got tasty and as it steepened, I put it in top gear and careered past a
couple of carnethys and another. Once in the woods the gradient levelled off
and jelly legs took hold and I lost a place. As the gravel arrived to herald
the last 500m I caught sight of Smith, but he was a good 20 seconds ahead and I
had to make do with trying (and losing) the final mental slaver inducing sprint
with some random and a Penecuik m50. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
sweat was dripping off me. Job done tho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs mac was in attendance somewhere on the Hill, but her
being in the medical profession, she was seeing to a runner who had bloodied
himself, dashing himself on the rocks of despair, so she missed getting what
would surely have been a blurry image of a fleeting runner ghosting past her
camera-lense. Speedy finished 3<sup>rd</sup> in the womens race and picked up a
bottle of wine behind Page and Hodgson. I was 142<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strangely, quite similar in finishing position
to last weeks Mourne Race. Donnelly arrived late on his bike and still got round
in 34 minutes as first M60. An m65 Moorfoot runner beside me at the end seemed
chuffed to take Smiths scalp. However, they all will take some catching. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good cake stall and soup at the end
supplemented by Adrians sweetie throwing antics. Best short hill race
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-74168735437311203092023-03-26T16:31:00.004+01:002023-03-26T16:44:43.528+01:00Cupar 5 & the Mourne Marauder<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTnF9PEpAcXbPsRoELMFjN3ElPkMtc3EH4HIvP9_2uFT45JlMKzaoBjWyj6i_UXQc16cHS-R65-DrKD02O5Fpen7udwnp-jrcJdnRnlY9QIMG7y4EjDXDjtJqDOmlN6fu-B8Spqrt7Dg3lRwhqfwD3WWVnuU4hu38hZFPfby-LmBon3XXtORFAeZazg/s4000/20230323_111539.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTnF9PEpAcXbPsRoELMFjN3ElPkMtc3EH4HIvP9_2uFT45JlMKzaoBjWyj6i_UXQc16cHS-R65-DrKD02O5Fpen7udwnp-jrcJdnRnlY9QIMG7y4EjDXDjtJqDOmlN6fu-B8Spqrt7Dg3lRwhqfwD3WWVnuU4hu38hZFPfby-LmBon3XXtORFAeZazg/s320/20230323_111539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My cautious start to the year has been steady and if nothing else, without any unwelcome drama. I have not
covered myself in glory, but rather I have put in some reasonable shifts, first at the Cupar
5 and yesterday at the Mourne Marauder Mountain Race in Newcastle, County Down. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I had a
birthday party to attend in East Kilbride on the Saturday last and, as you do, I travelled up via
Fife. There was a very handy field who lined up for the Cupar 5 miler road race. It’s a very
reasonable course, but certainly not pan flat. They do, however, get a road
closure on so at least you’re not dodging the public or motorists. It used to
generate stunningly fast times; that was before they re-measured the course and
added a good few metres. I was aiming for a sub33 which I thought was a pretty<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>modest target. However, I stuck in behind a
very steady Central runner on the way out and then when he ran off, I dived in behind a Perth
runner on the way back as we ran into a light headwind. It was torture but he led me to a 32.50 and we passed Bryce Aitken of Fife
about 30m from the line. The Fife runner finished 3<sup>rd</sup> v60, so as a gauge,
I’m not too far off the pace for folk around my age, not that there are that many still competing.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D42wRjd55T3nf3Obg8WJ7MZOTV6QhZtRsP5uAdWTlR7IWhisSQeem-T29-hwcnNSqE5mEHnlwHCd45EAvoHYJrDtU4oCPIkSkLO2GoFg3ruFWKpPy44380zmalrF3smCRlokMUKHHIWYH8Viw0Oa4qHkiU9GL2s6p8NsuO9VwkS3CTFN9ty4wKiStw/s4000/20230323_173832.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D42wRjd55T3nf3Obg8WJ7MZOTV6QhZtRsP5uAdWTlR7IWhisSQeem-T29-hwcnNSqE5mEHnlwHCd45EAvoHYJrDtU4oCPIkSkLO2GoFg3ruFWKpPy44380zmalrF3smCRlokMUKHHIWYH8Viw0Oa4qHkiU9GL2s6p8NsuO9VwkS3CTFN9ty4wKiStw/s320/20230323_173832.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The big trip of the Spring was to the mountains of Mourne in
County Down for the first race of the British Fell Running Championships. Not done any of these before. We
normally have a week in Scotland in March, so this year we decided to extend
the trip to Northern Ireland and arrived in Belfast late on Wednesday to be
greeted by heavy downpours. Staying at a self-service hotel, we nipped out to Nicos
between the rain showers for some pizza and pasta and then after getting turned
away at the door by the burly but polite bouncers at the Benedicts Hotel for
wearing sports gear (Salomon trainers) we retired to Laffertys opposite for a
pint of the black stuff in a welcoming Edwardian style bar. It reminded me of the
bar in 'Cheers' a little. Saturday saw us having a wander in the town and a short
run around the Gasworks and up Donegall Road before grabbing a bus and going
south to the seaside town of Newcastle. We lugged our bags along the front and
past the Harbour Bar and Lifeboat Station to our cottage. It was compact, whitewashed
and well appointed looking out to the sea. Me and missus mac had a late evening
jog along the front and onto the beach before getting back and sorting out the fajitas.
It was an early night. We decided that a short recce of the course was wise and
speedy joe, the missus and me took off up ‘yon big hill’ with Ant deciding to
do a run round the town instead. We ascended through the wood and then up part of the Granite trail, a
steady straight stairway which rose and rose toward Slieve Donard. Skirting an old
quarry, I came across some frog spawn on the grass, abandoned, and re-located
it to a nearby pond where there was some already. We climbed up through the
short heather and reedy grass around halfway, but being a little short on route
information, we went northward and, having had enough, we eventually reached the main path which follows
the glen between Donard and the nearby Slieve Commedagh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our way down through the drizzle to
meet Ant at Nicos Café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Quinns
for a half and then the Harbour for another where we bumped into Caroline
Marwick and family. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPA3WlMVS_n_eSPO_hdMHarhqZa_LhRaEQGpiAMknd_H0QKHZ0vCjGwU8K3T3r7lylEPujOSR31fpynUc9Nn0kVt6NmZZk8xFJ6kJcxAJ1CkYhT_vy-NhwKLed5kwgzwTa0O52A1HiJVEIY6_izxhDbSet3dXX5vr_exL5vHYGFOTmwH5rVkRfaivdAw/s3728/20230323_181912.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1760" data-original-width="3728" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPA3WlMVS_n_eSPO_hdMHarhqZa_LhRaEQGpiAMknd_H0QKHZ0vCjGwU8K3T3r7lylEPujOSR31fpynUc9Nn0kVt6NmZZk8xFJ6kJcxAJ1CkYhT_vy-NhwKLed5kwgzwTa0O52A1HiJVEIY6_izxhDbSet3dXX5vr_exL5vHYGFOTmwH5rVkRfaivdAw/s320/20230323_181912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhermtqNRe8wb6hwpHmBlS8vJc8EYQflLYIUNA1S7AAZ-4BMNQKeWXS5guC4V5QFSR2xbgNYpikhzjEZyOZ5UXj9EdlWpgADS0ntHv6jBTslZGFE4Ieu_97XPlRMP-hjWyvoCEywp2-iBvdFKrR091gytzLWgKUtZnzdaa-bZ3YmQtHJBRdCbntDn4lJQ/s4000/20230323_181302.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhermtqNRe8wb6hwpHmBlS8vJc8EYQflLYIUNA1S7AAZ-4BMNQKeWXS5guC4V5QFSR2xbgNYpikhzjEZyOZ5UXj9EdlWpgADS0ntHv6jBTslZGFE4Ieu_97XPlRMP-hjWyvoCEywp2-iBvdFKrR091gytzLWgKUtZnzdaa-bZ3YmQtHJBRdCbntDn4lJQ/s320/20230323_181302.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Saturday looked good early doors and we bailed out of the
cottage at 9.30am and walked the half mile to the race registration. There were around 250 entered
and after a kit check we took the bags to the tent at the park and warmed up. I
thought 2 hours would be a good time to aim for. Around 200 set off at 11am and
the field which included a good handful of Helm Hills, Keswicks, Amblesides, Pudsey
and Bramleys, Carnethys as well as those from the local clubs, began to thin out as we
climbed and climbed toward the first of the 3 peaks. At 859m, Donard is the
highest peak in Northern Ireland. Commedagh is the 2nd highest.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1we47jEzcF-pJ_S-lsKOPeEYi74gwHIHqANKFSD0RBo53F4HXUb89GW9rPdlXyZK2bLIOejvYTrdyGpnnOL7da1NmM48Z3xINvVQpGRsrx7q-KZNa4nP6V1y2dzpNgES8D0Jo7YXS_F_vHLlkUYt8D4i5dxROAeYKQWGm3ZSqSxLOlHEztFnYKLpo4g/s4000/20230325_105905.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1we47jEzcF-pJ_S-lsKOPeEYi74gwHIHqANKFSD0RBo53F4HXUb89GW9rPdlXyZK2bLIOejvYTrdyGpnnOL7da1NmM48Z3xINvVQpGRsrx7q-KZNa4nP6V1y2dzpNgES8D0Jo7YXS_F_vHLlkUYt8D4i5dxROAeYKQWGm3ZSqSxLOlHEztFnYKLpo4g/s320/20230325_105905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSRr5rw5ybdheILU8Tc6OU0AMu5mXLHoIsyGctb2DS-uApkk2zWk3_Em8uLtG7uxOgBsGGu2XDoPmn-YaLI24TgxZE1wsDUnLoyl2EQET2VnhzbbBdrZenp99_GIL0kyUmCDHkdcl0KeZRWRkRoP014O6b1C2_UoNdBDlbv1E4WikC0yb_rwCyj1ogA/s4000/20230325_111729.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSRr5rw5ybdheILU8Tc6OU0AMu5mXLHoIsyGctb2DS-uApkk2zWk3_Em8uLtG7uxOgBsGGu2XDoPmn-YaLI24TgxZE1wsDUnLoyl2EQET2VnhzbbBdrZenp99_GIL0kyUmCDHkdcl0KeZRWRkRoP014O6b1C2_UoNdBDlbv1E4WikC0yb_rwCyj1ogA/s320/20230325_111729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p7YpWjHKIRzKm_VXLWJs3_0MnShVAY2D8cY9uNibktXoZ_j9yX3pPYESV-vkTGJYdqwir-7un3wsxE_47ohQ8Byqc9wz0_rRHth28H6sFvT49a2dem2HYG2xDjqfbN49XZ6nnxcS7PuqO3MNGo6xfZz4VSMC8RcPWfXyQi21YN52ALrH3CNLxmsYNA/s4000/20230325_112350.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p7YpWjHKIRzKm_VXLWJs3_0MnShVAY2D8cY9uNibktXoZ_j9yX3pPYESV-vkTGJYdqwir-7un3wsxE_47ohQ8Byqc9wz0_rRHth28H6sFvT49a2dem2HYG2xDjqfbN49XZ6nnxcS7PuqO3MNGo6xfZz4VSMC8RcPWfXyQi21YN52ALrH3CNLxmsYNA/s320/20230325_112350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxzT5wvwAuSWIM3G4l5HGpIFz5KnW-yD1oQJG9G4edM8mwBpG5dYwivrOifBV-7G-b0hnIyZbeOLz62lGoEtc9WRRew4wvCVCRl904HfKLwmjsR43VjBkkqkxcJaKH7Tr1SkeALTw3lrwzfcIVjcL6i8XYfygXbqJUs5TbWPRJ0OCDuDos-dPey3B-Q/s4000/20230325_114336.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxzT5wvwAuSWIM3G4l5HGpIFz5KnW-yD1oQJG9G4edM8mwBpG5dYwivrOifBV-7G-b0hnIyZbeOLz62lGoEtc9WRRew4wvCVCRl904HfKLwmjsR43VjBkkqkxcJaKH7Tr1SkeALTw3lrwzfcIVjcL6i8XYfygXbqJUs5TbWPRJ0OCDuDos-dPey3B-Q/s320/20230325_114336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3nV24SFasfzBdRidEJAJPkS5PLIVq9jBZNAVg7HgFTtiR0azJgGXlHTK-cC-DA3IZASK9V1MAN9z30FxFnewBNy6C1UoR2166Zm8ERLn4WLRtlqi9JiJQZ86sYgCsK3YonTC7bCS0_jwR3detn2v_O3Ptn2vAh6Ct3Btia5KvS7Wy9p0bnD0Hy3LIw/s4000/20230325_114338.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3nV24SFasfzBdRidEJAJPkS5PLIVq9jBZNAVg7HgFTtiR0azJgGXlHTK-cC-DA3IZASK9V1MAN9z30FxFnewBNy6C1UoR2166Zm8ERLn4WLRtlqi9JiJQZ86sYgCsK3YonTC7bCS0_jwR3detn2v_O3Ptn2vAh6Ct3Btia5KvS7Wy9p0bnD0Hy3LIw/s320/20230325_114338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3q1hYid5MsM_CjjryUfgJGQ1gjMAOUTmYRsmHejatc1Rp_jgGDKe-4ToKKyQam9M28oU_fSDOod156JCuPCg_WevLjPWBgK-UPNlQNwbUgnfPWhu4Ff6gGeX_Zo2xEt2OO_h41nBXmtmNPWLzU6Ec9VXxMflbgDAss73hFVBU_YuN7qbuxHiJDSEhQ/s4000/20230325_124629.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3q1hYid5MsM_CjjryUfgJGQ1gjMAOUTmYRsmHejatc1Rp_jgGDKe-4ToKKyQam9M28oU_fSDOod156JCuPCg_WevLjPWBgK-UPNlQNwbUgnfPWhu4Ff6gGeX_Zo2xEt2OO_h41nBXmtmNPWLzU6Ec9VXxMflbgDAss73hFVBU_YuN7qbuxHiJDSEhQ/s320/20230325_124629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The weather looked threatening at the start
and in this area, cold and heavy squalls can kick up at the drop of a hat. I was spooked a
little by the weather forecast at registration which had suggested wind chill
would make it feel like zero at the summit. However, as we ascended I began to simmer
and the hat came off. The gloves were still on, but I was over-dressed. Typical. At the top of Donnard we dibbed at the checkpoint
and were faced with a very bouldery and testing descent, where I lost around 5
places. We were soon down and making our way through a bog to the Chimney Rock.
The girl in front of me lost her leg to the knee a couple of times in the soft peaty and slippy conditions and she dropped behind. I had
already had some salt at the 3 mile mark and attempted another foiled wrap
boost at mile 6, but the method and wrapper were poor and I managed to tip the contents onto
the ground as I picked my way along the rocky path trying to catch up with a
band on 3 local runners just in front. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We were soon pulling our way up the
grassy slopes of Commedagh, another brutal gradient and an excuse for a spider-shuffle, exhausted limbs flailing to try to get some purchase on the parched grass. Baby steps. head down, just getting through it. My ascending
was ok and I picked up a place or two. However, the descent along the ridge of
Commedagh which should have been a pleasure was, instead a slippy grind, as my Scott
shoes failed to give me the grip I needed on the wet grass and I went down a
second time into the peat. I was cursing not wearing my Salomons. By then, Rik (Mourne
Runners) had caught me and coming off the hill we jogged the last mile to the finish
passing two older runners, both suffering from cramp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made a nice change from me suffering from
dehydration, although I had had to stop twice around the course to cup water
from streams into my thankful gob. Speedy finished 15 minutes before me. My time
of 2hrs.32mins put me and Rik in 144<sup>th</sup> place and an hour slower than
the winner. It was a tough workout with more than 4000ft of ascent. Stewart Whitlie was first v60 and Adrian Davis 3rd. I was around 10 minutes down on him, so work to do. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The very irregular and rocky surface made it a tough workout in places and I was pleased to get on the bus
to Belfast at 3pm. I was puggled. We travelled on to Ballyrobin beside the airport in the
evening and after checking in, we enjoyed a couple of pints and a decent meal before…yes, you guessed
it, another early night. All in all a very enjoyable and memorable few days, it
was, to be sure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-8356477676443312722023-02-21T14:23:00.012+00:002023-02-21T14:37:40.877+00:00Signals Relays 2023 <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRiwYFxYZJBXFtwxxIqrfAEofAdLDjSMLvQFxahclzEd89E5TgOAgmPFOvmlTx9BWKH0tK0UksopEKCE7UQIxhz3LJxpzODrK4JQkUlah2BiS_Dr6xtsMdQVkhT4ETrlLm3DrU7zH7pxI5x_q6hWD8PSqVN50UnUhKQDUPLrYfr9BDIb_0R1O-Zg2Ig/s2048/IMG-20230218-WA0010.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRiwYFxYZJBXFtwxxIqrfAEofAdLDjSMLvQFxahclzEd89E5TgOAgmPFOvmlTx9BWKH0tK0UksopEKCE7UQIxhz3LJxpzODrK4JQkUlah2BiS_Dr6xtsMdQVkhT4ETrlLm3DrU7zH7pxI5x_q6hWD8PSqVN50UnUhKQDUPLrYfr9BDIb_0R1O-Zg2Ig/w132-h156/IMG-20230218-WA0010.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br />Wading my way through a series of recurring colds since December, it was a case of deja-vu at Saturdays Signals Relays. Held at Houghton near Sunderland on a rolling 1.1m circuit, the event attracts the best of the north east (England) runners. It is a wholly club event. It's a good litmus test for your form. My form was improving last weekend to such an extent that I did a slow 19min. at the Blyth parkrun on the Saturday, then got up Simonside Rothbury way with our kid for a chunky 9 mile hill session. The next day it was such a nice morning that I fancied a long run. With nothing pressing in the way of work, I ran a steady 2 hours and 14 miles into Newcastle. Bringing a change of clothing, I was soon in M&S, changed and parked in front of a pot of tea and an inviting bowl of Salmon Tartar. They do it downstairs in the sushi department as a takeaway. I buy it and take it up to eat in the cafe. Avocado, rice, salmon, pickled red onion and soy sauce. A treat if you like that pickled thing, and I do. <p></p><p>However, on the Tuesday I was down but not out with a running sinus and sniffle. I've ignored this all week and Saturday gone I felt reasonable enough to line up as 3rd leg in the v50 four man relay. I think this will be my last appearance for the club in this event on this team. Next year I'll be on the wrong side of 50 and as there is no v60cat, I think it unlikely that I can offer a performance of sufficient quality (typically sub-14 for 2.2 miles/6.35 minute miles). </p><p>Jason was off first, a diminutive 52 years old. We were mid-field as he finished and I relaxed a little, thinking we'd be well out of the medals. Lee B was next and as he pitter-pattered away for his2 laps, I stripped off and shouted support as he came round to start his 2nd lap. However, as the leaders arrived after the second lap, he was well up and must have done some damage. A little flustered I heard the shouts for the next Morpeth runner to step up; that meant me. North Shields were just behind, and I got off just before the Shields runner set off in pursuit. Clad in red vest, he was all grey hair and head-band and armed with compression socks he had me in his sights. A dogfight. All I heard on the way round was 'come on Martin'. I knew he was close. My first mile was 6.11 and I think I pulled away a little, but then it all began to slow and I slumped to a 6.39 for the second mile. He was on my shoulder on the last drag and got passed me at the top corner, but I rallied and, tucking in, let him lead me to the line before I nipped ahead. 14m:07secs. Not a disaster. It was left to Rob H. to put 10 seconds or so between us and Shields and we finished 2nd with New Marske from Teesside providing an unassailable gold winning performance. </p><p>I managed a 4 miler on Sunday, but have had to rest this week to try and shake the lurgy. Probably run down. Either way, I will look forward to receiving another North East medal. It remains to be seen if I will be well enough for the Scottish Nationals XC at Falkirk on Saturday, but I'll go anyway. If I can't run, I'll keep entertained with Ian Rankins 'The Flood'. </p><p> </p><p><br /></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-50287714187707257182023-01-22T20:02:00.027+00:002023-01-22T20:32:59.666+00:00Falkland Yomp & Feel The Burns<p>The new year started in solid, if
rather phlegmy fashion (sorry) with appearances at the inaugural Falkland Yomp. I know
my way around the Falkland Estate having ran there a handful of times in the
past and twice last year. The Falkland Yomp is organised by the Lomond Runners
and it was fully subscribed with around 150 pre-entrants and 120 who managed to
finish on the day. There was an opportunity to set off half an hour early if
you considered yourself slow and half the field took this option. As such it
was toward the end of the race when we started to come across some of the
backmarkers who had set off early. </p><p>The course took us through corridors of moody
low hanging larch, narrow carpets of needles, up and down the gravel tracks and there was even a wee stretch
up at the Monument in more open ground where we wound our way around a narrow track
lined with rusty ferns and across black peaty puddles that tried, but failed, to
suck us down. We were largely sheltered from the wind and at a distance of 11km
and with 480m of ascent, it was a tough but scenic affair. </p><p>I was still a little
choked from the residue of the flu over the New Year and was a still under par,
but I'd paid my money and was, as a result, committed to appear. I was overtaken by a
couple of women in the latter stages, but I was running within myself, knowing
that its not very clever to run flat out with the vestiges of a chest infection
squatting in your lungs. Towards the end
of the race I was overhauled by a couple of Falkland psycho squirrels, but the day wasn’t
the day to go head to head. On another day I suspect I might give both a run for their money. Spluttering
over the last wee hill, I trotted down the final stretch to the end and was
nearly pipped at the post by the leading F50 who crept up on my right hand
side. I finished 26<sup>th</sup> and
dipped under the hour by a matter of seconds. The race was won by Eliot Sedman
of Carnethy in 46 minutes. My car buddy. ‘Speedy Joe’, managed to win the
ladies race despite her also suffering the hacky chest syndrome. Sixty quid
said it was worth the trip. When she did the Lomonds of Fife last year she
managed to get lost so she was glad to see the marshalls and tape at every
corner and made no mistake this time around. The spread at the end in the
village hall was good with soup and tea and plenty of cakes. I would do this
trail race again.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 207.9pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 207.9pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRiS_eybNfviMSsmt55MMV8-4-7DtnAhfTgYi749yFZPCt25Cf1ARTYe-c_8ZyARNxbILsb4LVdCRk7qHYhKlQu70S69kYfnlk11LfnoIjPMgqC2qBdB4V8yXsWdYimwfiOklpqdJUqcF4P7iYKf3w0tnOhnL0rG0alMpW0lBDwZVDjTPC_79ydVL7Q/s2048/feel%20burns%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRiS_eybNfviMSsmt55MMV8-4-7DtnAhfTgYi749yFZPCt25Cf1ARTYe-c_8ZyARNxbILsb4LVdCRk7qHYhKlQu70S69kYfnlk11LfnoIjPMgqC2qBdB4V8yXsWdYimwfiOklpqdJUqcF4P7iYKf3w0tnOhnL0rG0alMpW0lBDwZVDjTPC_79ydVL7Q/s320/feel%20burns%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We signed up for the 'Feel the Burns' hill race at Selkirk in December and there was a field of around 300 last weekend. There had
been a little snow the night before on the tops and running conditions were very similar to
the conditions I encountered in 2016 (see entry) when I did this race
previously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In moderately better shape
than I had been at Falkland, I dragged my sorry carcass around the 13 mile
course armed with a bum-bag and 2 gels to finish around 90<sup>th</sup> in
2:08, only 2 minutes down on my 2016 time when I was around 60th. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 207.9pt;">Speedy was again up front and we came away
with a haggis, a Selkirk Bannock and a bottle of wine. I think the runners-up
got a turnip, modest prizes indeed, this being a fund raiser for the mountain rescue. The organisers
had done a sterling job of the catering as we sat in the rugby club drinking
our thick, hot soup and chomping on a tasty hot pie and flapjack washed down with a couple
of mugs of hot sweet tea. Champion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ian
Maxwell of Gala won the M60 and I'm looking forward to the Spring when I might
have a better crack at this racing malarkey. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 207.9pt;">This week just gone I have, at
last, recovered fully and, although I've only cranked out 38 miles, some of my runs
have included some sub seven miles, and some run in icy conditions which have
prevailed all week. I feel much more energized. Almost tempted to enter a late season cyclo-cross, but on reflection, maybe not. Instead I will continue on with Alistair MacLeans 'Caravan to Vacares', my first dip into his work. He was born in Shettleston. Who knew! 'The Sea' by John Banville was a slow, nostalgic affair with a thin plot. However, the terrific poetic prose was adequate compensation and I have been lucky enough to have been given another two of his novels as a Christmas pressie. <o:p></o:p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-52416195376678986902022-12-11T20:43:00.000+00:002022-12-11T20:43:07.030+00:00Plean, West Districts & Thorneyford<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvZ6NzMRIRsKIpZZ389xAVOPafVXdO1rEtveib-4J8FeJ3Q6jJ9pNICWjLj7AAJybsefY55jfKBUvpyvJk3f6bGBdaC_v3Yuq1vDeMqhaLSuFX3CNLZpdLBqET1f-39QNiQCM8-DxMxVK5ftoDGFCZbxk5nZCM6VYltGjNTJw29cnuspP03NOMtHK8Q/s1075/IMG-20221203-WA0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1075" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvZ6NzMRIRsKIpZZ389xAVOPafVXdO1rEtveib-4J8FeJ3Q6jJ9pNICWjLj7AAJybsefY55jfKBUvpyvJk3f6bGBdaC_v3Yuq1vDeMqhaLSuFX3CNLZpdLBqET1f-39QNiQCM8-DxMxVK5ftoDGFCZbxk5nZCM6VYltGjNTJw29cnuspP03NOMtHK8Q/s320/IMG-20221203-WA0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />‘<i>How did last weeks West District Cross Country champs go</i>
?’ I hear you ask. Well, you’re jumping the gun a wee bit. As Mrs Mac is
without a Scottish Club, she couldn’t run the cross country. So as a wee treat,
we identified a parkrun for her on the route between Dunkeld, the base for last
weeks training camp, and Kilmarnock, the venue for the cross country. It turned
out to the Plean parkrun. It is not a village I was familiar with. The parkrun
advertised itself as a ‘Trail’ affair with a modest weekly turnout and some
patronage from nearby Dunblane. We arrived with 15 minutes to spare and there
were about 30 or so at the start. She set off with purpose. Mrs Mac said she
thought she might win after leading the women for 100 yards, but was soon
dissuaded after being passed by a handful of women who had other ideas. I was
simply getting some early miles in and plodded around the scenic forest paths
and patches of colliery spoil on an 8:30 pace. It was short and sweet and we
hurried back to the car and burnt the rubber to Killie, travelling via Newton
Mearns to pick up Speedy Joe and Ant. Parking 40 minutes later at the retail
park, we used the facilities in Asda and then walked up to the Leisure Centre.
I fancied a cuppa, but the outside catering caravan was trying to charge £2.50
for tea and I recoiled with repugnance in a lazy, slow motion speech drawling
manner like you see in the movies. ‘Reeep oooaaff priii sess’.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speedy Joe was off first. One of the favourites set off at a
suicidal pace, and it took Speedy a mile to reel her in, before then spending
the next 3 miles going toe to toe with her and eventually dropping her 500
yards before the end. Perfect tactics for the win and a strong performance.
Needless to say, Ant and I were buoyed up by this and we both started our race
with lusty determination. I had Gerry Scullion and McParland for company in the
first mile and it all took a while to settle down. However, I felt light and
started hopping from vet to vet, pulling in a couple of Bellahouston Harriers
and a Garscube. In the process I dropped my 2 clubmates and I finished strongly
reaping the benefits of the good air, expensive beer, light diet and quiet
nights at the Dunkeld training camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would have been 4<sup>th</sup> M60, so there’s still work to do for next year
and my anticipated entry into Supervet territory. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7hvz_BZ6SFCCFDne4a-icJ7zEBTJ3rOcuQYau08-qDNE3p0f81m0L2vUFT9EhJdl1rwQJrjHEi_M5hhj3IbnrRkcakoJWq3N9RykFAowNVIBM8Q8sMqZ9K5M4lDovNe1f-YwpOlc1KsDRIPE37xoD2l0wSjWFq9hlxgcIuUq-Pe63ZFlYv0l5TkC0A/s1073/img_2_1670179070913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="715" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7hvz_BZ6SFCCFDne4a-icJ7zEBTJ3rOcuQYau08-qDNE3p0f81m0L2vUFT9EhJdl1rwQJrjHEi_M5hhj3IbnrRkcakoJWq3N9RykFAowNVIBM8Q8sMqZ9K5M4lDovNe1f-YwpOlc1KsDRIPE37xoD2l0wSjWFq9hlxgcIuUq-Pe63ZFlYv0l5TkC0A/w133-h200/img_2_1670179070913.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />Not satisfied with 2 races on the Saturday, I had entered
the cyclo cross on the Sunday at Thorneyford near Ponteland. It was cold and it
had been raining all morning and I knew it was going to be a wet one. It was
grim. We were off sharpish and right enough after a lap or two my bike was
fully clagged up. The pedalling became more laboured and I struggled latterly
to move the gears as they became mudbound. I stopped for 10 or 20 seconds to
get my feet sorted out, the cleats on my shoe soles also becoming ineffective
in the clag. I finished toward the rear of the field and was truly envious of
those who had pitmen and 2<sup>nd</sup> bikes – yes, it’s a thing – you can
change your bike every lap if you have someone to spray down the bike you
discard – its clearly an unfair advantage and I found myself being a little
contemptuous of the whole affair toward the end. No matter. Forty minutes of
cycling and another 40 minutes of washing the bike afterwards in a big puddle
beside the car. How Glam! Once I got home, I had to wash it again with clean
soapy water…another 20 minutes. So this weekend, after looking at the forecast,
I’ve decided to abstain from the world of 2 wheels. S’pose there’s always next
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-34312932289481042202022-12-02T10:03:00.000+00:002022-12-02T10:03:57.245+00:00They're out there...<p>It was the Dunkeld autumn training camp this week. To
kick it off I took myself and mrs mac to Bo’ness, the centre of Scottish UFO sightings, if reports are to be believed, but which they never are. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuAB9JOVcDxmKrITArV0lDBla1vwZsh13w8lzMD3WekOJZWscQxq56ROz_uy66DD89wBHuUac1OKuxJ0vXfAf344r6xdFkooFCyIy1_O9ICuYvj5bDbQLeNVH17PPjZQyO-Z7N8Pe5LKhklC5j9QWkopMNAGGwcl73ZiON9RDeuNI1GdL1LMyFu6O5g/s5652/DSC_1175%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3768" data-original-width="5652" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuAB9JOVcDxmKrITArV0lDBla1vwZsh13w8lzMD3WekOJZWscQxq56ROz_uy66DD89wBHuUac1OKuxJ0vXfAf344r6xdFkooFCyIy1_O9ICuYvj5bDbQLeNVH17PPjZQyO-Z7N8Pe5LKhklC5j9QWkopMNAGGwcl73ZiON9RDeuNI1GdL1LMyFu6O5g/s320/DSC_1175%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Why Bo’ness I hear you ask? Had I been drawn there by a secret force? Have I been mysteriously stressed and been found modelling a small mountain of mashed potato on our kitchen table in the wee small hours? No; instead it was another of those very terrestrial cyclo-cross events. <p></p><p>We got parked up some way down the
hill at Kinneil House, quite a grand setting for the event. I picked my number
up and nodded to a few riders I’ve begun to recognise over the course of the
season. At 10.30am we got on the course for a warm up and it seemed flattish,
with no stretches where running would be required. Worse luck. The course tape wound its
way around a section of woodland which was interesting. Elsewhere, the surface
was very divetted (if that’s a word). With my mild improvement continuing at these
events, I have begun to pick up league points, but not enough seemingly to feature in the
gridding at the front, so its left to us losers to battle our way from the ‘very
back’ to ‘nearly the very back’ of the peleton. </p><p>It was a moderately muddy 40 minutes
of intense cardio and I was well pleased to have remained upright throughout the whole
affair. Mrs mac provided some solid support and took any number of photos in
the low morning light. After loading a clagged up bike into the back of the
car and chatting to a guy from Prestwick, we sat and discussed the aerial light show we had witnessed and the odd oval eyed and almond skulled locals who were gathered around the street corners. Later, we repaired to a café in Kinross for a steak sandwich and pot of tea before heading
north. Among other highlights so far this week, we’ve jogged 15 miles to Pitlochry along
part of the Atholl Path and clocked up 10 miles around Tentsmuir; that is before ruining
all the good work with ingesting a huge tray of chips from the Salt and Pine crepe hut.
Its 2 steps forward and 2 steps back. With the cross country at Kilmarnock on
Saturday and then more cyclo-cross on Sunday back home, It’ll be a busy
weekend. In the meantime, I'll have a go at trying to extricate the strange metal probe I've found inserted into my privates. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-67383280101954743112022-11-20T09:03:00.005+00:002022-11-20T09:52:49.873+00:00Scottish CX Champs, Camperdown<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISVGC0nZ1pDv_6apV8hNyZ3PYHWuQAXSONwrAa-d7_N7dx01p57UMtMR8CRk7levR03BriQ0kMcL3FWBRn7jm9TifsnmwEHdmtvmWCnFWhyqbHgqiVLso69zoTjyblw63a-w8yXm7mzDxqDI2Jf9ODovtTimwMzPwX9AjEkPl3Copq1j0_RDokmplYw/s4000/20221113_083742.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISVGC0nZ1pDv_6apV8hNyZ3PYHWuQAXSONwrAa-d7_N7dx01p57UMtMR8CRk7levR03BriQ0kMcL3FWBRn7jm9TifsnmwEHdmtvmWCnFWhyqbHgqiVLso69zoTjyblw63a-w8yXm7mzDxqDI2Jf9ODovtTimwMzPwX9AjEkPl3Copq1j0_RDokmplYw/s320/20221113_083742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I found myself in Pathhead on Saturday with both the Condor road bike and Moda cross bike in the back of the car and the sun beginning to wane. It was evident that by the time I would get to my accommodation in Perth that the sun would be too far below the horizon to spare me ninety minutes on the bike. So an executive decision was made to ditch the car in Dalkeith and take a lap round Musselburgh and surrounding countryside. <p></p><p>It took my a few minutes to dig the bike out and get my shoes on, but I was soon off and heading north. The traffic was very heavy and making my way toward the coast, my ride was hampered by traffic lights and people in cars living their retail lives. After Musselburgh High Street, I worked my way round to Wallyford and back to Dalkeith and then ended going up towards Lasswade. By the time I returned I had 20 miles on the clock and my daily thirst for mileage was sated. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmURX3vQbJNOxzV_OfMfEMQZDG-wj0-dIJ0qpYw1FefspUER4JaVC4Jz5qLkj4evwjEJYaNtopK0Wo_LJ4JFxlkHAbmVyBrATuLyxV1gjDREWqWvR4yMnbGS1us3llyqBj1xSPr2fnIYijSF9e2oObq9uxabE-06U6Ssl5xOCJ8Kk6UkzVH7nb1Wspg/s4000/20221113_091857.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmURX3vQbJNOxzV_OfMfEMQZDG-wj0-dIJ0qpYw1FefspUER4JaVC4Jz5qLkj4evwjEJYaNtopK0Wo_LJ4JFxlkHAbmVyBrATuLyxV1gjDREWqWvR4yMnbGS1us3llyqBj1xSPr2fnIYijSF9e2oObq9uxabE-06U6Ssl5xOCJ8Kk6UkzVH7nb1Wspg/s320/20221113_091857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It was a quiet Saturday night in the Perth Travelodge and I was up at the crack on Sunday for a 2 mile jog around Huntingtower. The mist was down and it was atmospheric and damp as I jogged around this fortified house with only a few crows for company. After a shower, it was porridge in a plastic tub and a yogurt for breakies. Donning my distinctive zebra-zigzag arm warmers, my monogrammed cycling gear and diamond cufflinks I was soon ready and it was off to Dundee for the 2022 Scottish Cyclo Cross Champs. When I was asked last week why I do cyclo-cross but not road racing on the bike, I answered that its because there are age related fields. With eighty or so 50's and 60's, there is no chance of coming up against some of the young guns and finding yourself out the back and isolated after 2 minutes. Instead, you get an experience that lasts long enough to enjoy and maintain the illusion that youre still a 'player'. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8Qb3MZaK8F9-lAJ7TGVaq0PBXyivFZpJNbUOSzVc7mj_lxICztFOQXse84yheFeUGDOOAOBBvFprPpDFghVHxxg6Bd_vnWkWP88Shs27A2eUrNvTlNE1CNEOVpuhKn-nb5t87O9XKKNPQjGTP0MMoMmC3snSpbFX3GJ7uKHxRnIUcMEEIKm2LWwkJg/s2048/314908323_6552122101470410_676571077202465589_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8Qb3MZaK8F9-lAJ7TGVaq0PBXyivFZpJNbUOSzVc7mj_lxICztFOQXse84yheFeUGDOOAOBBvFprPpDFghVHxxg6Bd_vnWkWP88Shs27A2eUrNvTlNE1CNEOVpuhKn-nb5t87O9XKKNPQjGTP0MMoMmC3snSpbFX3GJ7uKHxRnIUcMEEIKm2LWwkJg/s320/314908323_6552122101470410_676571077202465589_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>There was no commissionaire at the sign on tent to interrogate me as to why there is no photo on my licence card. No dramas. I collected my number after parking on the grass. Camperdown was chocca. It was cool and grey, but sheltering in the trees with the grey squirrels looking on perplexed by the whole affair, the course appeared straightforward with a couple of sandpits but no obvious bits for running. </p><p>After the kids, we were on, mid morning. I was gridded near the back and were soon off and belting down the finishing straight. There were a couple of other guys from the club riding, and one nipped in front of me shortly after the start. The sheer temerity of the move made me smile as did the white rimmed googles he was hiding behind. However, I was soon back in front and chasing Jim Foulis (Dundee Wheelers) whom I'd met at Irvine the previous week. I nearly stayed in touch with him, and even managed to pass a Falkirk rider just before the finish. It was a most enjoyable 40 minutes of off-roading and I'm sure my confidence at attacking off-camber bends and slippy bits is rising with every race. I still managed to derail myself in one of the sandpits, but I'm learning. If I trained I might improve, but reports of my impending retirement were premature - I'm still ploughing that dull furrow during the week. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbC1qh-NgCgHjt6apd5171BuKwc1R0aTNMK5OJZRjdoRf4j6IZicJgXHFT_saI3lRBJ7r9RpBKUvB1Nsuhy1evIXLfmNRBcX2yLHwS7UR-8B67OHms5u-nUKaqJxuotDYF9KB1Uz3Ro6szWV0Niq1_7p7KF0pTetUgh7539SxIjYAoMpoBEWfTBZpUw/s2048/315424565_6552188458130441_6325148201400906449_n%20GD.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbC1qh-NgCgHjt6apd5171BuKwc1R0aTNMK5OJZRjdoRf4j6IZicJgXHFT_saI3lRBJ7r9RpBKUvB1Nsuhy1evIXLfmNRBcX2yLHwS7UR-8B67OHms5u-nUKaqJxuotDYF9KB1Uz3Ro6szWV0Niq1_7p7KF0pTetUgh7539SxIjYAoMpoBEWfTBZpUw/s320/315424565_6552188458130441_6325148201400906449_n%20GD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Finishing toward the back again, the bike wasn't too mucky and I retired to the Tartan coffee shop on Perth Road for a haggis and mango pannini (yes, really) and a pot of steaming tea. Top trip. Its Bo'ness next weekend after the Cross Country at Durham.</p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-49784399320477589712022-11-10T13:30:00.003+00:002022-11-10T13:32:57.215+00:00XC then CX - Kirkcaldy & Irvine.<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QQL2vVE6anHQN_HhOrexMiEUHsIkVXM1IZBe4yhG4e_c8iQ9y6SsW4WECOLwiopjUD_U9a78NVRCdiopfgsFNCmiVllKt7o5yaZn5OXAj3TvCP71IZHXoD6quEChJT7zHJ4O7i1nVgLAbvltYQCfdGjnNUD1r0WuJOPQrt0k0Q-0sujgJzRunQGoA/s3264/20221105_134259.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QQL2vVE6anHQN_HhOrexMiEUHsIkVXM1IZBe4yhG4e_c8iQ9y6SsW4WECOLwiopjUD_U9a78NVRCdiopfgsFNCmiVllKt7o5yaZn5OXAj3TvCP71IZHXoD6quEChJT7zHJ4O7i1nVgLAbvltYQCfdGjnNUD1r0WuJOPQrt0k0Q-0sujgJzRunQGoA/s320/20221105_134259.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The week fairly flies these days. The Scottish Short Course Cross Country Championships at Kirkcaldy last Saturday seems like a distant memory. Three of us arrived just as the rain departed and assisted with the tent before having a jog around the short 4k course. Speedy Joe was on first in the womens race and struggled in the 2nd lap to finish around 35th, no doubt feeling the Alpine training in her legs. There was a surfeit of University Student runners in the race and the short course although heavy going was nonetheless little more than a sprint. The men's and vets race was not significant other than withdrawal of Anton after the first lap. I chased two Bella team mates and overhauled both before being caught in the last 500m by one. I knocked around a minute off last years time, but still ended up around 300th out of 500 or so. Maybe it was a bigger field or a faster day. I enjoyed the race though and gave it full beans. <p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc52Xe0EH6WTURXRlPFHhRspEOxCHdqVA8TP3_S2nOQGpHKD-e7vy4_QYNu0C0sWjtsA3V-xLpVgaWyynOtS9nb5QIAp8xQhj-obsijFmxtOSZedMxjO_G4w-Jhe0e6eSKc8kH-ZB7rXq0HKMFnA2pPXxFCSPgLoCba38NlAdjjNuvJ8If61Hlzs8y5A/s4160/20221106_075655.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1760" data-original-width="4160" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc52Xe0EH6WTURXRlPFHhRspEOxCHdqVA8TP3_S2nOQGpHKD-e7vy4_QYNu0C0sWjtsA3V-xLpVgaWyynOtS9nb5QIAp8xQhj-obsijFmxtOSZedMxjO_G4w-Jhe0e6eSKc8kH-ZB7rXq0HKMFnA2pPXxFCSPgLoCba38NlAdjjNuvJ8If61Hlzs8y5A/s320/20221106_075655.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><p>We took off shortly afterwards to Irvine and got there around 5.30 to the guest house by the harbour. It was fifty quid for the night, the bedroom was tottie, but it was clean and nicely laid out and even came with a caramel wafer. We repaired to the nearby Niche eatery and sat outside in the terrace. We then went to the Carrick Hotel past the Riverside for a pint and via Vanilla Joes for an ice cream cone. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpIbiDUrHrx06D6_PDFAow7vIxZTNkFOO4Wi4tAAIms5JU3tvnG-bMCxnBdpGwc-PC9nPiiXMlVa10xxYubmMHiMPRwttZA68DbDFzcovbC0qnk76O_FfyvIEJ-8ydkTJB8bkekukEodJ2RLGY-RPJaJDjv79U7ru_nEk7lhYrFhGvGFuxKQrA6iDbw/s1600/IMG-20221106-WA0050.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpIbiDUrHrx06D6_PDFAow7vIxZTNkFOO4Wi4tAAIms5JU3tvnG-bMCxnBdpGwc-PC9nPiiXMlVa10xxYubmMHiMPRwttZA68DbDFzcovbC0qnk76O_FfyvIEJ-8ydkTJB8bkekukEodJ2RLGY-RPJaJDjv79U7ru_nEk7lhYrFhGvGFuxKQrA6iDbw/s320/IMG-20221106-WA0050.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I was up and out the next morning for 4 miles, running along the coast toward Troon. After a Greggs sannie and tea, breakfast of would-be champions, I took the car the 300 yards to the car park for the Irvine Cyclo Cross. Boasting a record entry of 100 M50's/M60's, I rode a lap of the coarse and took my place at the start. The sun was out but low and it was a cool breeze blowing across the dunes. I am glad to report that all the new kit held together well and I finished an awesome 63rd out of about 80 or so starters. Came down once trying to be smart. It was a quality 40 minutes. Speedy and Anton provided some great support and took some cool snaps. I am looking forward to Dundee this Sunday and the Scottish CX champs. The course there looks pretty heavy, so the bike won't be coming back quite as clean as it was after Irvine. </p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-2669296617906810102022-11-04T10:50:00.009+00:002022-11-04T10:55:59.359+00:00New Boot & Panties<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKprDPS5SGpSc6jWaym04My6OoFAjZCy48LXm-SHaaP0itHbwb6QnFaESYbY5VdsvT_5WridFUnzhg1Hhvr0VmYVhZTgyryc1crDuWPBHJ9W0GA0BgBPa-PfsR7sbIh0BQ5qtpOTv_cxiG0y6jWWCwh-QCFU_rl4-N-frLFY96RWrxBeeo6qZi9XDexg/s4000/20221104_082715.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKprDPS5SGpSc6jWaym04My6OoFAjZCy48LXm-SHaaP0itHbwb6QnFaESYbY5VdsvT_5WridFUnzhg1Hhvr0VmYVhZTgyryc1crDuWPBHJ9W0GA0BgBPa-PfsR7sbIh0BQ5qtpOTv_cxiG0y6jWWCwh-QCFU_rl4-N-frLFY96RWrxBeeo6qZi9XDexg/s320/20221104_082715.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Sat in the mid-morning sunshine armed with a mug of hot tea,
I am feeling righteous. The bike wheels have been trued and came back yesterday,
so I have spent the entire morning (so far) stripping the rear cassette (the
wee group of cogs that sit on the rear back wheel), cleaning them, then
re-assembling them. I’ve also mounted new tyres on both wheels. Tidy. The tyres
are knobbly Continentals. Shelling out fifty
quid for the 2 tyres, I reasoned that they will provide me with better traction than the old ones at the forthcoming cyclocross in Irvine in bonny Ayrshire. Truth be told, if I had reduced the
pressure from 40psi to about 20psi last time around at Herrington, I might not have had to be
so tentative at the tricky bits during the race and probably wouldn’t have needed to splash the cash. Let's not
talk about the new mountain bike shoes, but you’ll agree that they will give me
a further edge across the sandy beach course. I think I counted a field of 100
over 50’s when last I looked at the British Cycling entry list, so I won’t be
alone, one way or another. There could be some horrible congestion, though.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I used to spend hours riding and cleaning my bike when I was
an eager young chap back in the eighties when the world was full of
possibilities, and, as Scott Fitzgerald once wrote ‘don’t go out unless you’re
doing at least 20 miles’. This was later confirmed when Duncan McHardy (RIP), erstwhile
part time coach in Dundee said ‘less than 2 hours on the bike is a waste of
time’. Times were hard. Standards were high. I used to think that I could ride with the best of them
(well, at least in training). Might just be selective amnesia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My VO2 max
has slumped like Bitcoin since then and my heart rate can only daydream about
what it used to do, but I’m grateful that I can still go out and enjoy a good
beasting, whether it be a run or a ride. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Getting new tyres on wheel rims is a right faff. They’re too
tight and it takes technique not to nip the rubber tube. It is a technique that I do not
possess. It’s no wonder that the kids send their bikes to the local shop for
any little thing. I paid twenty quid for the wheels to be straightened and most
probably I could have done it myself, if I’d watched a youtube clip or three. My
mother used to get exasperated when she’d find my polishing my spokes in the
hall with silvo or bathing my nuts and washers in turps on the kitchen floor. Nutbath
city limits. I am slowly rediscovering my old love of the bike and just need to
complete negotiations with Mrs Mac as to where in the house they can reside. There
is something atavistic about men and their ‘little collections’. I am not very
patient when it comes to hoarders, but I concede that I have a blind spot for
my own transgressions. There's been more than one visitor to the house who was agog at the bikes
all over the place. I should add that they’re not all mine. The garage is too
damp for the lovies, and who wants to over-winter with the mice or leggy spiders and listen to that tumble dryer doing its best to destroy the planet.
I would really like them (the bikes, not the mice) in a room downstairs. A shed
might be an idea, but the garden’s not that big and we might lose the onions
Mrs mac has recently planted. So, for the time being, they are a persistent
fixture at chez al. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moving on to running, I managed to improve my placing at
last Saturdays Lambton Cross Country and nearly managed to breach the top 100. As
I flogged my way with 450 other runners around 3 laps of a country park near
Washington, I mused that this time of year is (without fear of contradiction),
my nearly favourite time of the year to run. The autumnal colours are stunning.
Running in the snow cannot be beaten though. My mileage is already up to 32m
this week so I better reign it in. Its Kirkcaldy tomorrow for the 4k. Wish me
luck. I’ll have the cleanest sprockets on the course! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Postscript: 'I now read that selective amnesia may be a sign of impending memory loss. Ironically this research was published by University College, Irvine, but not the Ayrshire Irvine!' Who said that? </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-77106687217123653292022-10-27T10:18:00.000+01:002022-10-27T10:18:08.716+01:00Herrington Park, Cyclo Cross (16th Oct)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jFE4RXl7PQYtKAa-9yEyoBGeEr1ZuNikJGoE9_K4U9JygCoFzmeBLX3186INrQOjf37B79z2elp6tmHOLRSMKF5KFzDjECmkFQIzQash_r4rYeJYYCmhQNPaB-tTcHKFWILkGqGpHiOd4SwQu9BjNBfPKILfZUfMmlFXkjWfpfyUY9fEZ1MDR1YVJQ/s6000/DSC_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jFE4RXl7PQYtKAa-9yEyoBGeEr1ZuNikJGoE9_K4U9JygCoFzmeBLX3186INrQOjf37B79z2elp6tmHOLRSMKF5KFzDjECmkFQIzQash_r4rYeJYYCmhQNPaB-tTcHKFWILkGqGpHiOd4SwQu9BjNBfPKILfZUfMmlFXkjWfpfyUY9fEZ1MDR1YVJQ/s320/DSC_1175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Its been a busy few weeks back here in allymac towers. Speedy Joe has gone over to the dark side and got married and so folk have been a bit pre-occupied with all the arrangements and what not. As Anton the groom pointed out, the criteria for being selected as a bridesmaid was a sub 20min 5k! What with her new surname, I imagine that she'll have to re-invent herself! In the meantime, I have clocked up 40 running miles last week and also managed to shoe-horn in another full-on cardio session cyclo-cross a fortnight ago. I inadvertently described the cardio workout at Herrington near Sunderland to my running companion earlier this week as a 'cardiac' session, and that's probably nearer the truth. There's two leagues in the north east here for cyclo-cross and this time it was the larger, moderately more expensive CXNE league event that I signed up for. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi-ybXqVJsQyOeFUqV0t68OyFHecPA_K5Ws374rd9SjXk5IR3KR48QQD-su_ewtHkJiexQpFEGbLE_VAry9xjKa80jLO2OzkJGCsfS60aNSVvrvKfXwEo8_YEawUaLOVKsjRCgbq3de3d8FOrrnx6VjdqdpixQ7xHSJq6lHBSwaMNzY5xrYjUV1WcUA/s6000/DSC_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi-ybXqVJsQyOeFUqV0t68OyFHecPA_K5Ws374rd9SjXk5IR3KR48QQD-su_ewtHkJiexQpFEGbLE_VAry9xjKa80jLO2OzkJGCsfS60aNSVvrvKfXwEo8_YEawUaLOVKsjRCgbq3de3d8FOrrnx6VjdqdpixQ7xHSJq6lHBSwaMNzY5xrYjUV1WcUA/s320/DSC_1182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The start was seeded, and if you haven't paid the extra forty quid for a full licence, you don't get points and so are always destined to start at the back of the pack. Pathetic in a small minded way, really. There were around 50 over-50 men in the field, with the women setting off about a minute behind us. I had come down in the warm up and it took a good few laps before I began to become more confident with the various twists, turns and adverse cambers. I managed to stay upright throughout finishing around 38th or thereabouts. One of my shoes plates had got stuck in the pedals with a screw working loose, so I was pleased I hadn't crashed otherwise I would have struggled to get back up without taking off the shoe. Mrs Mac took a pile of photos so that was something. I have now stuck my name down for the Scottish Champs in Dundee in mid November. Its really just an excuse to get back up to Tayside to see the geese and enjoy the banter. Its the local cross country this weekend and I wouldn't mind improving on my previous performance. I haven't done Lambton before, so it should be a good workout. <p></p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455957852455680721.post-40328193748943444062022-10-12T11:00:00.003+01:002022-10-12T11:08:27.632+01:00Druridge Cross Country 2022: All Aboard..<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLWL-Bckvrc7jRhommtKOTo_m3oBPyLtBW8wRFjXrPUj4m9NVNQJpkg472QqYvPfL7lCleuZ04nU5u1c6nuT_HR29mXtPJuAa0qfKsJViEpwD-KpCFLjO8K1jIQ6GW4PKIkQacTe71Bia_tqXmH9B42UbvEOQWriaGe1MaRxN9tXVs_ugGj5k4FMCnA/s2710/d7.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1844" data-original-width="2710" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLWL-Bckvrc7jRhommtKOTo_m3oBPyLtBW8wRFjXrPUj4m9NVNQJpkg472QqYvPfL7lCleuZ04nU5u1c6nuT_HR29mXtPJuAa0qfKsJViEpwD-KpCFLjO8K1jIQ6GW4PKIkQacTe71Bia_tqXmH9B42UbvEOQWriaGe1MaRxN9tXVs_ugGj5k4FMCnA/s320/d7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I managed to remain dry and relatively unsullied during Sundays Cross Country race. There was a big field at Druridge Bay Country Park near Amble, hosting the second of the NE harrier league xc events. It was 2015 the last time I did this, and I recall I had a hacky cough even back then, before coughs were invented and inflation was a thing of the past and a lingering spectre of the future. The women were off first in this handicapped affair and I jogged around some of the course with the Nikon looking for a few good locations to take a few pictures, snapping as some of our lot came past. Soon it was the men and I snuck into a pack of around 450 who together made up the slow pack (the 100 others joining the medium and fast packs). I didn't bring the camera! The ground was firm with just a little yield and it was a fairly straightforward, if breezy, 3 laps. Starting near the back, I worked my way through plenty of folk before my progress stuttered a little in the 3rd lap, where I still pulled a few in, but more bodies from the medium and fast packs came blustering by. I was happy to avoid the ditch as the marshall helpfully stood and shouted exhaustively about the one main feature of the race. 'Watch the ditch'....Finished 218th out of 550 and at the line I managed to remain upright and walked with feign composure to the tent. This must have translated into a steady run, so I need to coax a little more of the old competitive spirit out of the carcass on the next one if I'm going to get near Hemy, Merrison and the likes.<p></p><p>I nearly drove to Manor Water for the hill race the day before, but I read only 30-odd ran; I think the rest were all doing the Skyline on Sunday, a true leg-bender. My next foray north might be the Scottish short course cross country in November. This year its in Kirkcaldy, and I hope I'm in better shape than I was at Lanark last year when I was nursing a hip injury and slacked my way round (http://runnerwanderings.blogspot.com/2021/11/lanark-short-course-xc.html ). I'm back at the weights, but only squatting with 20kg, which is the weight of the bar alone. No weights. Reminds me of how truly puny I am (as if I needed reminding). </p><p>After my self-styled 'awesome' performance at the 3 peaks, I've entered a cyclo-cross at Sunderland on Sunday. I'll try not to be last, but there may be some perverse glory in it If I do finish with da wooden spoon. I also tried to enter a national league event at South Shields, but apparently you need a 'proper' licence, which begs the question 'what have I paid British Cycling fifty quid for'? and should a question mark go before an apostrophe or afterwards? and does anyone care about grammar anymore. On the reading front I picked up Ali Smiths 'Autumn' yesterday after finishing George Martin's early novella 'Nightflyers', but soon realised that I'd read it earlier this year, and a good, evocative read it was too. On the same theme, I read 'Midshipman Bolitho' earlier, my first tentative step into the maritime historical fiction genre of Alexander Kent. It was light and enjoyable, slightly more easily digestible than Falkners 'Moonfleet'. Bought two more of his efforts at the charity book fair last week. What am I like! Still working on which next epic event I should grace with my presence.... </p>AMcDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938158195395026681noreply@blogger.com0