Road Race tomorrow and everything is nearly ready for the 29th ‘running’ of this great race.

171 pre-entries so only 129 places left for entries on the day – get there early!

Susie

If it wasn’t for Rob’s emails I would still be blissfully ignorant of this amazing hill run. Three intrepid Harriers set off on Saturday morning to drive the 1 1/2 hours to the scenic village of Strathyre, 9 miles north of Callander in the famous Trossachs. The weather forecast was good and we could clearly see the impressive peaks of Ben Ledi, Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich in the distance whilst driving up. Even from afar they looked a bit daunting and Mike, who had done the race before, enjoyed telling Rob and I how painful and challenging it was. I was becoming slightly apprehensive as the longest run I had done for months took about 1:45 in the Pentlands, and this thing was 13.5 miles in length with a 3199 foot Munro in the middle. In fact the total ascent is 5000 feet!
We arrived in Strathyre in good time and paid a mere £6 for the privilege of enjoying a well-supported hill race in stunning scenery and immaculate weather. Incredibly the sun was out, it was warm with little wind and Rob and I had to strip off our third layer despite knowing we would be running at over 3000’. There were people running in vests for goodness sake. Having been caught before in blizzards in May on smaller hills, I still made sure I was carrying light over-trousers and my trusted Harriers top (plus gels, carbo-drink, map, compass, etc.) in my rucsac. I thought that I would be safe leaving the primus stove behind.
It looked like a record entry and at 13:01 we set off up the gently sloping forest track. I quite like longer races (at the beginning) because you can start off more slowly and don’t have stinging legs and heaving lungs after 100 yards. In fact it was very pleasant running as a threesome on a good surface for a couple of miles before the gradient began to get steeper. Then suddenly we were out of the forest and running alongside a deer fence on a mixture of narrow path and boggy bits. Climbing steadily up towards Creag a Mhadaidh the valley was opening out, but not much time to admire the scenery as the terrain required plenty of concentration. Then the plunge down into Glen Ample. This was slightly worrying – we would have to come back up it.
Yet another water station and the start of the mega-climb up to Beinn Each (2667’). I have to admit I rather enjoyed this – I was still quite fresh and my weight advantage meant that whilst other runners looked like they were toiling, I felt quite comfortable. I was also conscious of having to last the long race and didn’t want to overdo anything at this stage. I did manage to overtake a few runners (well we were walking actually because of the steepness) so that I wouldn’t be affected too much when the mental descenders came past later on. At the top of Beinn Each we could see our goal – still quite a long way off – and what a cracking ridge. This was a hill-runners paradise – undulating terrain, firm ground, mostly narrow paths with only a few boggy bits and nice technical rocky bits. And there were enough runners in front and behind to judge pace and compare abilities. It was along this bit that the lead runner Prasad Prasad passed me on the way down at 14:25. Good grief. Quite a long time later I had huffed my way to the summit and collected a couple of jelly babies. Wow, what a magnificent view! Unfortunately I couldn’t enjoy it for long and started back down.
A very short time later I passed Mike who was only a few minutes behind, but no sign of Rob. I assumed that I had missed him whilst concentrating on where to put my feet.
The descent was loads of fun, but my legs and feet were starting to protest and I was still favouring a dodgy ankle. Amazingly hardly anybody passed me on the way down and I was keeping up with a couple of other runners. And then the dreaded wall ahead and climb out of Glen Ample. I was convinced that some Caledonian Mountain Orogeny was still in progress and the thing was getting bigger. In desperation I found the gel in my rucsac, sooked it down and dug in. Huge relief at the top with more water and more jelly babies. Despite my legs starting to feel like the stuff I was eating I was confident now that I was going to make it to the bottom. Fatigue was definitely taking a hold and my first and only falling over event was into a very wet and slimy bog. I also had to stop and find my carbo drink to ward off some worrying cramp-like twinges.
At last on to the forest track and despite very sore legs and very sore feet, I was able to keep up with a fellow runner and we pounded down together. Within sniffing distance of the finish another two runners joined us and then whack – painful cramp in the inside of my right thigh. I had to stop and pummel and stretch the offending limb but fortunately I got running again and was able to run over the finish line rather than hobble.
Crikey, there was Rob at the finish already. Oh rats, he was forced to pull out half way due to an annoying calf problem, a great disappointment for him. We both cheered Mike as he crossed the line only a few minutes behind me and under three hours (about 14 minutes quicker than last time).
No official results yet, but my time was approximately 2:54 and Mike’s 2:58. Prasad won it in 2:10 and was 15 minutes in front of the next man.
On the way back to Penicuik I provided some amusement for my fellow passengers when we had to make an emergency stop at Dobbies beside Stirling to relieve stomach cramps and leg cramps. I blame it on not enough electrolyte and overdosing on jelly babies.
Many thanks to the organisers of this epic hill run which was well-organised and well-supported. We will definitely be back next year.
Duncan Ball.

22 April 2012 -

Left by train on Friday and had all of Saturday to enjoy London. Visited the ExCel  Centre to get running pack and had a great time window shopping.  I stayed in the Premier Inn Tower Bridge. Fantastic hotel and staff. There were lots of other runners staying and special meals for runners on offer.

Sunday morning was a bit on the cold side for London (Penicuik on a warm day). I was in Pen9 as my estimated finishing time when I entered the race was 4:48 hours. Very crowded start and took a while to get to the beginning of the marathon.

I had now foolishly (on hindsight) revised my finish time to be 4:30 hours. The crowds were fantastic and although it was hard work trying to negotiate runners I perceived as being slow, I was on target for 4:30 hours until the fateful 17.5 mile point. Not having a sweet tooth is a serious disadvantage. I had not been taking enough of the sport gels. I struggled from this point for about 2 miles. I forced myself to take on some jelly babies and whatever the crowds were offering on top of the gels I was squeezing into my mouth.  I felt great at mile 20 but decided not to worry about my time and just enjoy the race. I finished in 5:14 hours, a bit disappointed but having enjoyed most of the race. The finish was fantastic and the memory helped me cope with the terribly delayed train journey back to Scotland.

Best wishes

Ngeme

Gilly organised a team for the Hoka Highland Fling Relay that took place yesterdy (Sat 28th April).  Louise, Paul, Gilly & myself had to cover 53 mile between us, running alongside amazing people who were running the whole way! The experience was absolutely fantastic and a great thing to be part of, mega thanks to Paul for organising the bus and Amy & Barry for driving us everywhere – you were so patient and encouraging!

Results are out and we came 29th team out of 56 teams and 6th Mixed team out of 15 teams.

Race reports hopefully coming soon….

https://picasaweb.google.com/penicuikharriers/HighlandFlingRelay?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM_O99eS5Y2_pgE&feat=directlink

Bill took photos of the Harriers who were Trotting on Saturday and Jane Hart sent me the link to a ‘vimeo’ that Peter Duncan from Portobello took https://vimeo.com/40854364

So much for a rainy afternoon, it was a beautiful sunny afternoon. We all really enjoyed the race, even Chris who had only arrived in Newcastle from Florida at 6am and had intended spectating Can’t find the results as shr site down at mo but those racing were Duncan, Rob, Andrea, Susan, Sarah, Chris D and Susie. No individual prizes for us but 3 bottles of beer for the club from YP for being the organisers of the hilliest 10k in Scotland!

Bill’s photos in the gallery http://penicuikharriers.org.uk/photograph-album/?picasaViewAlbumId=BogTrot21stApril2012%2C0

I turn 40 this year and wanted to set myself some personal challenges, the 1st is to run 40 hills in 40 days! I have decided to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support Centre in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness who cared for my cousin through the cancers that she suffered from. Yvonne lost her life in the Summer last year and I wanted to do something for those who helped her, so the challenge begins…..

Diary
11th March
Have started my challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support. 40 hills in 40 days. Have managed 6 today – just 34 to go!!!

13th March
Thanks so much for all the sponsorship guys – what a great start!!! Lots of people have asked me which hills I did on Sunday and basically I ran with my friend Andrea from Nine Mile Burn to Flotterstone over Monks Rig, West Kip, East Kip, Scald Law, Carnethy and Turnhouse – legs a bit sore today but no rest for me! Some hills I do will be just one like Berwick Law, but then I will drive to Traprain Law and do that on the same day. I plan to get a few Ochils in one day and may manage Largo Law whilst over that way on the same day. Am trying to only include hills that I have to make a good effort to get up, so sneaking over to South Black on Sunday and including that whilst on Scald Law was not really on. Am heading North over Easter hols so will do a few hills near Nairn and Newtonmore finishing with Arthurs Seat when I get back and you are all invited to join me to do (or meet me near the top with cake). So exciting!

18th March
40 hills total now up to 10! Had a beautiful run on Saturday behind Broughton and managed Cat Cleugh Head, Trahenna & Grey Yade. Amazing experience being up there all on my own in the beautiful sunshine – felt fantastic! Then headed in the car down to Glenholm for the Chapegill Hill race, although just one hill it was brutal! Very steep calf burner on the way up through the heather, got to the top just when I thought my legs couldn’t take any more just to turn around and run back down again! 38 minutes of agony but another hill bagged so just 30 to go now….

22nd March
40 hills/40days total now 12 on 12th day
Amazing hill runs this morning with my good friend Bill Bennet! We did Mendick Hill near West Linton and South Black hill in the Pentlands. Weather was truely superb as was the company, I was glad I could keep up with 77 year old Bill on the downhills as he can fairly shift!

Will work out how to get photos off phone soon….

23rd March
40 hills in 40 days – total now 16 hills in 13 days
Gord left the house with boys and pals to go biking in the Clark Estate at 3.30pm today – I had my Camelbak filled, running gear on and was out the door by 3.35pm, prob 3.36pm by time I went back for Jelly Babies. Drove to Carlops and had a pretty tough run up Paties Hill before heading over Spittal and Green Law. Nice to run in the hills that I normally see from Monk’s Rig and wonder why I have never been over there. I ran back down to the saddle and off the back to Cock Rig as hey, it didn’t look that hard. Unfortunately very boggy and no path but made it down across the stream and up the Cock Rig climb. No path off there but terrain okay so just headed towards the North Esk Reservoir. Could have done with a lift from there as legs tired and had quite a long way back. 12 km and 4 hills, think I need a rest tomorrow…..

25th March
What a day, did the Sport Relief Mile with the boys then in the afternoon hit the hills with Chris Downie.
We managed 8 hills in a circuit around the West Water by West Linton. It was the most amazing day and I am so grateful to Chris for agreeing to come with me for what turned out to be 8 hills, 20km, 3hr 22min run in the most beautiful weather. I have now run a total of 24 hills in 15 days- couple of days rest now I think….

28th March
Nice trip down to East Lothian for just about the only hills there. Started with Traprain Law then Berwick Law. Drove back to Athelstaneford to run up Byres Hill and Skid Hill but they’re not very high so counting them as 1. Total now 27 hills in 18 days, beautiful weather and views – again!

29th March
Wee run today up Braid & Blackford hills, not very high but I did run between them too…. As ever, the weather was glorious. On track with 29 hills run in 19 days

30th March
Not such a ‘fairly easy run’ after all! Ended up being a 10 hill, 3.5 hour run with 1,411m of climbing. Great time had by all despite our detour, only counting 8 of the hills as 2 were ‘fairly easy’. Lots of fences to climb and a few worries about the electric ones, Susan & I clambered over but Chris vaulted them, very impressive (he was just REALLY worried about getting electrocuted). Beautiful part of the world I haven’t run in before and neither had Chris or Susan. The views from the top of Dundreich were astounding and very well earned by 3 pretty tired runners. We didn’t hang about long as were much later than we were meant to be. So grateful to C & S for chumming me, challenges are more fun if you are with friends. Day 21, 37 hills bagged…..
Chris has now run 18 hills in 7 days because he can count the 2 I am not – pretty impressive!

2nd April Total now 39 hills in 22 days
Hills 38 & 39 were lovely, no snow though! Chris chummed me again and we had the nicest run up to Allermuir chatting all the way as usual and then a wee jaunt over to Castlelaw for #39. As we ran back down I stopped us a couple of times as the mist was clearing and the landscape around us was so still and quiet, we could have been anywhere and not just a mile or so from civilisation.
Looking forward to Saturday and my 40th hill

7th April
Well today I ran up my 40th hill and what a joy it was! Some great friends joined me to run up and we were met at the top by my family and some dear friends who cheered us right up to the trig point. After a bit of a photo session nearly everyone ran back down with me and the ‘runners’ had to put a bit of effort in to keep up with the kids!
I came up with the 40hills in 40days challenge idea last year but thought I could never do it, however losing my cousin Yvonne spurred me on to do it and raise money for the charity that helped her at the same time. Well on the 27th day I finished and at 10pm this evening 50 people have sponsored me an amazing total of £860!
I have spent 19 hours (exactly) running in the hills, have covered 108km/67m and climbed a total of 6244m/20285ft which is the equivalent to almost 7 munros.
Thanks to those who ran with me, especially Chris who ran 21 of them, thanks to those who have shown an interest in my challenge, thanks to those who have sponsored me and thanks to my family who have happily let me disappear for hours to bag some hills – I have absolutely, totally and utterly loved it
Have been asked if I’ll do 50 when I’m 50 but what’s wrong with 41 when I’m 41, anyone want to chum me….?

Nearly forgot – my justgiving page is http://www.justgiving.com/Susie-Maxwell

Whilst Chris B was headed North on Saturday 17th March, Neil H and I were headed the other direction down to Traquair House at Innerleithen for The Mighty Deerstalker (by the same folk that put on the “Rat Race” runs). Perfect conditions for the race – dry, sunny and no wind. Though to be honest, by the time we’d waded waist-deep through the river, it didn’t really matter what the weather was like! Anyway, two races that day, the “5k (and a bit)” which Neil and I ran and the “10k (and the rest)” which has an extra hill, a bit more water and you run it in the dark.

The 5k consists of a steep hill climb and descent with lots of obstacles on the way (hay-bale walls, rivers, mud, more mud, cargo nets…) and the last two obstacles…all new for 2012….two 7ft high walls to scale right at the end – they nearly broke me.

474 finishers, Neil took 57th place and I was 7th.

The Motto: Relentless Forward Progress.

Headed north on Friday night with my pal Carole Fortune (Gala Harrier, IronWoman and veteran of 30 odd marathons but still an ultra newbie). Seemed a long way in the dark (the Fettercairn pass went on forever) but eventually we saw the lights of Banchory. Rule One in ultra running: make sure your cousin lives at (or near) the start of the race – we couldn’t wish to be looked after by better hosts than my cousin Jackie and her husband Mike. I had been tracking the weather for several days and things were looking better and better but we all know Scotland only too well and I wasn’t holding my breath. However, a true Deeside treat was in store when I got up at 06:30 hrs – incredibly enough, the weather was as bright, sunny and cool as it was exactly one year previous when I to was an ultra-virgin! Tripped along the south side of the Dee in Carole’s wee car to the start at Duthie Park (Aberdeen) – it’s a beautiful park and well worth a stroll around (never mind some bonkers distance) – there are even Winter Gardens in huge greenhouses. Anyway, the irrepressible and amazing George Reid (race director) held court and we all duly lined up at the start. Once underway in the most glorious sunshine, I remember saying to Carole ‘please just head off’ (as she is just a wee bit faster than me) but there in lay ample justification for me getting a muckle Garmin – it was me going too fast and not Carole going slow. Once I’d sorted out my pace and I padded along quite the thing with a huge pile of music on the iPod and a large supply of cereal bars, High 5 gels and Nuun juice – what more could you ask for? Well the halfway point hove into few and all was looking good – re-stocked goodies and juice, said ‘hi’ to my cousin, auntie and the Robbie the dog and then turned through 180 degrees and set off back down the trail. People often talk about perfect race conditions and for me at least, this was certainly one of those days – the sun was bright, the breeze was light and the temperature was cool – for goodness sake, the wind was behind you all the way home ! These are the days we remember. Journey back was just fine and not at all stressful. I was so pleased that there was something left to up my pace for the last 6 miles and delighted to come in a very proud Penicuik Harrier at 5 hrs 43 – a whole 17 minutes quicker than last year. This placed me 146th out of 192 finishers. Carole came in at 5 hrs 6 mins which put her in 88th place overall – word on the street is that if she’d run the race the other side of a certain forthcoming birthday, she would have been placed in the relevant category but I say don’t wish time away – there is always next year. The winner was Gareth Mayze who finished in a perfectly outrageous time of 3 hrs 32 – OMG ! George Reid and The D33 crew continue to top all other races with their finish goodies: medal was a slice of wood with D33 burnt into it, there was also a bottle of D33 beer and to carry it all home in, a D33 logo’d re-usable shopping bag – how about that? Bit of chat and a Guinness at the finish then back to Banchory for a shower and the last 20 minutes of the Wales / France rugby game. Finally, we set off over the hill and into the sunset. These days are golden and you know what I’m bound to quote now . . . Run and Become ! (now that’s a cool name for a running shop – wonder if anyone else has thought of this?).

Footnote: For anyone interested, my running motto (Relentless Forward Progress) comes from a book by Bryon Powell which I highly recommend – loads of short essays by various US ultra gods (who seem think nothing of taking on 100 mile races) wrapped up by really helpful stuff from the author. It’s available on Amazon: Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons.