2.06.2013 – sunny, warm, minimal breeze
What a great race to start the summer with. Conditions were almost perfect – although perhaps a tad too warm for those conditioned for cooler climes. May the good weather continue though.
Despite a good 1.5 hr drive from Penicuik, I really think this race was worth the trip. Stuart, Mike and I left in good time to ensure that we had a good 40 minutes to oil Stuart’s old joints – his first race, I believe, for almost 4 years. The race is ~13kms and 760m of climb. It is annoyingly runnable with a steady, but undulating climb until the half way point.
NB. for some reason I could not insert graphics so have provided links only.
profile here: http://www.hillrunningscotland.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Yetholm.jpg
The final climb to the high midpoint did seem to go on and on and on however. The run back down is great and you can really settle into a good pace with only a couple of minor annoying climbs which tell you how wobbly your legs really are due to dehydration. Yes – it was rather warm and both Stuart and I were kicking ourselves for not taking water with us. Och well – you live and learn.
Massive spread of cakes afterwards of which Mike and Stuart embarrassingly took advantage of. Stuart ate so much he needed a sleep on the way back!!
The race was part of the British Championship so there were a lot of good runners there. Quite depressing really. Our final places and times from 231 runners were:
94th – Mike Brooks: 01:22:51
98th – Stuart Sanderson: 01:23:04 [overtaken by Mike ONLY in the last kilometre]
122nd – Rob Wilson: 01:27:14
a great warm up for Durisdeer (14.7km, 1240m) on Saturday
http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0060
Rob
Full route map here: http://www.norhamrc.co.uk/YHR_print.jpg
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Heard more about the fab WI Women and there amazing cakes !! and less of the race. Seen some fab pictures from the race , hopefully Mike will post , fab weather.
Well done to all. Mike running scared now Stu !!
Good packing guys. So Stuart, where does the Club handicapper place you now for the next handicap?
Well done all, for the race and the cake guzzling afterwards. Stuart – your first race in 4 years and you beat Rob and narrowly lose to Mike – respect!!!!