Wednesday 17 August 2011

So Close And Yet So Far........

I don't figure in the placings for races as a rule. It was a real shock to hear my name being called at prizegiving after Glas Tulaichean earlier this year, despite the low numbers. And, despite several high-placed finishes since living up north, I do expect to see the lead runners pulling away into the distance pretty early on.

So it was a surprise, after 1/4 mile of the Assynt Games Hill Race, to look back and see the field dropping away and only two younger lads (they were running juniors and seniors together) for company. It was a strange position to be in, but it didn't take long to weigh up the fact that the younger lads probably wouldn't keep that pace up for over 2 miles and therefore things were looking good.

There was no information on the race route, so no real idea of what it entailed. We were just told "follow the marked course up through the woods and round". With my focus on maintaining the pace, I had no real idea how long I'd been going or how far, but was aware that there was nobody in sight behind me, and just the two lads a wee bit ahead but not far.

And I was feeling good and going well and I was already relishing the prospect of entering the games field as first male. And then I came to a T-junction. No markings, no arrows, both ways quickly turned tightly so I couldn't see where the two lads had gone. I had no idea where to go. I quickly scooted right to see if I could tell which way....no sign. Back to the T-junction, I scooted left, again no clues. Back to the T-junction and the first of the other runners were now coming through and all looking confused. A couple headed right and kept running. I looked around for any clues. Then Kirsten came around the corner as well and, with several people having taken the right path, we decided to follow.

This, of course, put me way back in the field again, and I doubled my efforts, particularly once I saw what had been the 2nd placed male not too far ahead. I worked really hard and finally caught him on the last rise before the drop down into the Games field, only to have nothing left in the tank for the fast finish.

And so I finished just behind him. But, lo and behold, there were already quite a few runners back at the finish, having taken the left hand option which cut out at least a mile! So, from being 1st male, I finished somewhere mid-pack. Kirsten still hadn't appeared, which worried me slightly, since she had been just behind the 1st lady when I last saw her.

Eventually, she came jogging back in, accompanied by a young girl who, it seems, had got lost at the same place, wandered around and became distressed thinking she was never going to get out of the woods! So, Kirsten stopped to help her, having heard her shouting for help, and in the process lost out on 2nd lady.

All a bit disappointing in the end but, perhaps more importantly, a bit worrying youngsters could be heading off the wrong way in the woods on their own. Something to remember if/when I get some short woodland races going next Spring. I can't imagine I'll be in that position again, being right at the front, but I can now say I know what that buzz feels like when you look back and realise you're pulling away from the field... lovely!

Other than that, I had a lovely day on Fionn Bheinn a couple of weeks ago. A splendid grassy munro, toiled up at race pace in less than an hour and a half, I contoured along the ridge and then dropped down a perfect grass descent to do the whole round in less that 2.5 hours. Not many munros you can do that on!

Then, last Sunday, myself, Kirsten, Richard R and Claire headed up Ben Wyvis from the main car park on a cloudy, blustery day which turned into an absolute cracker, with glorious warm sunshine. Some effort on the up, particularly from Kirsten...good training for Langdale! A nice trot along the top, a grassy descent into the bealach, a contour on a deer track before a heather-clad plunge down the side of the burn, which again Kirsten tore into, descending superbly.

It was quite tough thereafter, with boggy ground making the traverse back to the path tiring, but good company ensured it passed quickly. Back on the path, we headed down at a good pace to finish the whole round in 3 hours of fun, including some bilberry picking! A lovely day out.

And so to today, the sun is finally shining and, once I've got some chores done here, I may head over to Strathconon for a wee traverse of the Sgurr a Mhuillin ridge. More to follow....

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Highland Games

The summer racing season in Scotland is very much dominated by the Highland Games hill races. Short, tough races which mimmick the days when one of the clan would be sent up the nearest major hill to signal/look out etc.

We'd not been to a Highland Games yet, and let's be honest, short sharp races aren't my thing. But with Strathconon Games taking place last Saturday, and advertised as remaining low-key and true to the roots, it seemed like a must-do. Especially with the weather being absolutely wonderful.

We had no idea what time the race started but it said to register by 11.45am and the opening ceremony was midday. So we turned up at about 11.35, to be told the race started at midday as well! No time to mess about, no time to do a warm up.

But just enough time to talk to Ross B, who pointed out the implausible route of the race, straight up the front of a craggy, near vertical slope! It looked a wee bit intimidating, and there was certainly no run-in to use as a warm-up. Straight onto the steep slopes.

So we changed into the tartan shorts and lined up with 27 other runners (of all ages) for the Chieftain of the Games to start us off. Immediately we had to jump a drainage trench in the peat and then it was hell-for-leather heading for the slope. It didn't take long to become a walk, and for hands to start grasping at heather to pull up the slope. The heat was unbearable, the legs struggling and I was not feeling good. The only consolation was that several others were clearly feeling the same!

I was a bit disappointed in my climb, which is usually my strength. In my defence, I've had a tough couple of weeks of training, but even so... Soon enough, we were at the marshall on top, and directed across boggy, pathless heather on a quick descent and then across boggy peat to the hill track that would lead us back to the field.

I overtook several on the initial descent and then flew down the track at a decent speed. It seemed to go on a while, but soon enough, I was flying down the last slope and heading for the Games field. And, as I did, the piper started up, piping each runner back in....wow! Certainly makes you run tall. And, as I turned into the Games field, I noticed that a large crowd was now sitting on the grass watching the games and I got a good cheer and clap :-)

I sat and chatted with a few of the other runners, drinking plenty of water, and waited for Kirsten to come in, having done really well considering what a tough race it is. Plenty of runners behind her, a good performance.

After that, we went and sat in the sun, drank a couple of beers, had burgers and cake and chatted to various other Highland Hill Runners, relaxing on the grass. And then the sports started up again and, somehow, we all egged each other on into taking part in the 110,220 and 440 yd "dash" races!! With tired legs and a stomach full of beer and cake, this was not a good idea! I came last in the 220 and the 440!! But it was great fun nonetheless. And, as we sat roasting in the sun, watching the strongmen tossing the caber and hurling the hammer, against a backdrop of glorious mountains, we were able to reflect on how wonderful life is up here and what lovely people we're meeting as well.

This weekend sees our local Strathpeffer Highland Gathering. Another hill race, up Knockfarrel, for us to enjoy and we'll see what else we get up to once the beer kicks in! :-)

Just for good measure, we popped out on Sunday and put a good uphill walking effort in on Am Foachagach. Straight up and down in well under 3 hours and Kirsten was flying on the grassy descent. She had a broad smile at this, having felt she'd lost this ability a bit because of all the hard track descents we've been doing. Suffice to say I couldn't keep up on the grassier, steeper bits, and she put a tremendous walking effort in on the way up which will be more than enough to get her round Langdale in October. Fantastic!