As a club counter I thought I would give it a go after all when Stevie King said it’s a good race I was converted, how wrong could one be, I like a challenge but what a race. I stayed with Brian Marshall for the inital mile on the track which was on a slight gradient of about 7 degrees, the sun was out in all it’s glory and I could feel my face getting burnt by the reflexion of the red glaze that covered the first mile of the course. He took a slight advantage after climbing the 7 foot stile into the flat heather terrain after the red glaze where is where the race really starts, cross a small stream, Brian was away however I was deciding which crossing I would take without getting my feet too wet, after taking 10 secs to decide I fell in anyway, brilliant,I havn’t got a clue!
Already 50 meters now behind Brian going up Threestane Hill which is the same elevation as the Lomonds, the track was very very tricky with the Heather was up to mid shin, it was hard going, anyway lying in second at the top and moving down slowly on the other side, after going over on the ankle last week I was protecting it a bit now, we were in a valley heading NEN the ground was sloggy and the hill in front was techincal with marshy uneven spots all around, I was then overtaken by a Lochaber vest which was a kick in the teeth as the guy was cruishing by, by this time I was walking a bit as the Heather was murder. Heading up to the second climb of Mount Shade the terrain was easier as there was a distinct track, in third but not feeling very full of energy……Starts to head up for Clachnaben I thought I could hear breathing behind me, turned out to be the infamous Alan Smith from Deeside Runners he beat me up the Ben as we started down the decline, bog and more Heather before the next river crossing and a flat section for 200 meters to see Mount Shade all 507 meters of it in its wake…….Sun beating down I could see Alan 200 meters in front but walking I could run I felt Ok I managed 200 meters then walked I could see Brian and the Lochaber boy in front I got 8/10ths of the way up when I got caught by the Dutch guy then by Ritchie Cunningham there was no response from me I could only hope I could get back at them on the flat.
Came off Mount Shade, still more Heather, legs were caving in, I’m going slower, managed to get down into flatter ground where I got taken twice again I was about 800 meters from the glazed road kept in together and managed to keep going.
Onto the road and the Cosmics guy in 400 meters in front, flew down the decline and managed to get the Cosmics guy who laughed at me when I passed him then the Lomond boy where was the finish I crossed a stream which was the wrong way to lose 2 places and 2 mins wasn’t good married up with another runner who directed me in! I could see the finish stayed in front of the Pathfinder and managed 7th?
A learning experience, character building I think it’s called, I enjoyed to be finished sugar level was very low but glad to get it over with! Carnegie got the 1st team prize for Mens!!!
Posted under Post Race Feedback
This post was written by Tommy on April 23, 2008