After marg did the Kirkcaldy Parkrun, we scuttled toward the M90 to make our way up to Perthshire. However, we got caught up in a tortuous diversion which added 20 minutes to the journey and, initially, a pile of stress. As we made up a bit of time I relaxed and cruising up past Perth and Bankfoot, I was confident of arriving on time. My mind wandered to shoe choice. Normally I would stick with the IRocs which are solid in terms of grip. However, there is a good run-in on firm trails toward the finish line at Birnam and I wondered if the Asics Fuji trail shoes would lend me an edge. They have a carbon plate and provide a little extra bounce on firm ground where the normal studs are lacking. Ive enjoyed training in them. The question was would the Asics perform satisfactorily on the ascent and over the top on the wet and soft reedy grass? Would they slip on the hairy, eye//balls out descent?
As it was, on arrival I didn't really have time for contemplation on footwear choices as I parked up in the wee industrial estate and jogged to the nearby Hall to collect my number.
I changed out of my tights to reveal my lycra OMM shorts. They have lost some of their shape (or I have) and are now baggy around the leg, which isn't a good look. I think they're for the bin or oxfam. I had a short warm up and said hello to one or two at the start. From his appearance organiser Adrian D wasn't running. That was one less competitor to worry about.
I set off in the middle of the pack and moved up a little as we hit the toe of the steep slope. I made good progress for around half of the climb, but then began to slow with Crowe of Penicuik and Mudge coming past easily. A few more got past, a couple of them with grey hair and I had to have a word with myself....but good news near the top - Gilmore of Carnethy, who had beaten me at Tinto last year, was just ahead and I kept driving, completely in the red.
At the top, the rain had softened the ground and it was quite mushy in places. I picked my way acorss the roots and peaty puddles sitting in with a line of runners ahead of me. As the ground levelled out and the crest of the hill ended, Carnethy man came back to me. I didnt hesitate at the opportunity. I opened my stride and took off at high speed on the descent, a descent I know well.
Once off the hill I told myself that the Asics had been the right choice and I needed to make the most of them on the trail through the woods. It was around 37 minutes at the end for 41st place and 3rd M60. A Musselburgh bloke won the M60 Class, with the Penicuik runner 2nd. The three of us were all within a minute of each other. That said, I was maxed out, both going up and then on the descent, so I couldn't have gone any faster.
It was a roll and sausage and egg with a cuppa from the Hall and we made a quick getaway. Top race. A tough 4 miles, though.
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