Back from my family holiday break from the Highlands yesterday so back to business tomorrow with both classes on at normal times, the rest of the week has the classes as per normal including Sunday night!
Saturday afternoon’s Knockfarrel Hill Race.
Travelled the 45 miles from Aviemore to get to Strathpeffer near Ullapool to compete in the second race in the Scottish Hill Running Championship callendar, a few people travelled the whole 150 miles from Fife to do the 5 miles to travel the same distance home again…….Some commitment…….
Checked out the route before starting, started off from Aviemore at 1230 only allowing 90 minutes before the start of the race which was not the best, roads were clear and directions easy to follow, got to Strathpeffer 40 mins before kick off so normal registration and warm up, married up with Neil Campbell who helped me with the start route and location of the first bend.
Last year there were bearly 60 runners I think the organisers said there were 154 at today’s race a 200% increase!!!!! Race got started over the flat 600 meter muddy track which was flooded in areas, then a 45 degree turn right on a steep climb for 100 meters, then a more generous less technical stretch over a farmers field with the camber of a 40degree tilt from right to left. Over a stile then up a steep incline for 300 meters sharp left flat for another 400 meters then up what seemed like a bloody cliff face for which seemed to be 100-150meters got to the top still felt pretty good, a decline section which I had lost a place to Des Crowe as I’m crap at desending still, pretty flat for 400 meters then a 200 meter climb 45 degree left into the woods getting a bit tired here two Shettleston in front yet wasn’t making much headway on them…….Then being cut on the quads by overgrown bushes up and down mainly down for about 2 mins distance unknown as I was travelling pretty fast at this point, marshall was MONKING it at the stretch going back up the hill, no not another one, I could the boys in front yes lets get them, but this climb was again extremely tough and lasted for about 2-3 mins then the next section was like the section from the top of gate of leg2 Devils Burden turning left towards the monument really tiring here I could here the guy behind me catching, over a stile going into the woods, two guys flew by me I could do nothing but think of damage limitation, beautiful wee stretch in the woods soft underfoot, sharp left back onto the flat, started to catch the gut in front now slight unhill coming to a stile about 400 meters from leaving the forest, got over and back into the farmers field, now I know I don’t have far to go, slight downhill section catching the guy in front, caught him and now catching the guy infront of him, marshal standing at the joining point from the start, great I know how long I’ve got to the start, the Lochaber boy clears the stile I try the same and skids into it with my shin, shit I shouted losing time, the guy that I just overtook on my back, a 400-600 meter downhill section about 20 degrees to my liking catch back up with the guy in front the guy behind skids on the next stile I ask if he is alright he shouts go on, back onto the farmers field overtakes the next guy, final downhill section I know the Lochaber boy will be faster so I put a burst in, coming back onto the flat which is really wet and muddy I went right over on my Left Ankle shouting from the pain started limping and running together the guy who was chasing me souts, keep fighting which was great motivation, I did and managed to hold him off to the last 600 meters to the finish line about 10 at the finish line when I went over so I hope to glean a few points for the cause, bloody swollen ankle today to show for it.
Ran today, ran 8.7 miles 1hour 7mins over Townhill Forest and into Loch Fitty last two miles on the road from Bowershall to Townhill. Average HR 145, Max 172, Averaging 8 min miles best 5.09 which was on the last 2 miles heading back to the car.
Posted under personal trainer, massage therapist
This post was written by Tommy on April 13, 2008