We hope enjoyed it and hope to see you all again next year.

Results are now available on our website and some photos will follow over the next few days.

Main Results
Category Winners

You can find some, as usual excellent, photos courtesy of Bob Marshall here.

And some photos from club members here. Hopefully more to follow as I get them…

Thanks

Susie

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

Susie

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

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

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

10.08am!
While Susie was running a mile and about to head out into the hills with Chris D I was running in the East Lothian 3 Peaks Duathlon. Jane Robertson (unable to run through injury) so biking was looking for a “not seriously competitive” runner, so Keith Burns asked if I was interested. There was handicap start. So first time since 31st October 2010 brought on my first “fun” race. The haar melted away for an absolutely cracking day and I headed up Lammer Law from Blinking bonny Woods (took bit of finding in these country roads). 56 mins for me as not most direct route! but came back fast (35 mins to summit). Pushed last mile and bit from gate, long straight stretch. Then Traprain (17min) and Berwick Law (16.37) – heavy dew on Berwick law so picked my way down bit as trail shoes not best of grip and absolutely did not want another injury!

I took my partner Jane by surprise at Traprain. Had to shout as coming down track and over stile to get her helmet on and get on her bike! And Berwick as you see from the photo, at least managed to go faster than my 2 year old niece and my boys. We took 3 hours 30 in total – Jane was overtaking on her bike so fast! First time I ran with insoles all the time and just so happy to be running. My legs are getting stronger just need to get those lungs working. I had Training Effect 5.0 on watch.

Anyway good fun and good crowd for fish and chips afterwards and play on beach with children. I had my PH tee on which got me welcome cup of coffee from Jonathen who was marshalling at Traprain. So PHs definitely worth thinking about for next year – maybe I will try the full Duathlon then!

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

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.

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.

We all waited for the prize giving expecting to give Sarah a great cheer when she went up to collect the first prize for the series.   Unfortunately there had been a cock up in the results and 3 other ladies had collected the 20-34 prizes for the series.   Sarah challenged the results and eventually, after everyone else had gone, a mistake was admitted and she was promised a prize by post.   It was a very disappointing end to the series.

Sarah, Chris, Rachael, Gilly and Bill each collected a horse brass as a memento of an enjoyable winter’s running.

This is a huge event and surprisingly popular with 9 separate races from under 13′s upwards and a whopping 724 entrants in the Senior Mens race. Quite daunting, especially as the seniors race distance was 12km/7.5 miles and I was quite nervous on Saturday morning, not helped by snow showers and a cold wind.

However, Callendar Park is easy to find, plenty of parking, reasonable changing facilities at the High School and the event itself was well organised. And only one snow shower then lots of sunshine. Great for spectators as well and I watched some of the under 20′s mens race whilst warming up (Ross Matheson of Lasswade was one of the favourites). I did feel a bit on my lonesome until I bumped into Dave who was acting as assistant referee for the event.

Lining up at the start with hundreds of runners was more like the Edinburgh Marathon except that it felt a lot more competitive. The stampede after the gun was hectic, but I didn’t see anybody get trampled and we settled into our respective paces quite quickly.

I had started a little bit too far near the front and runners came past me every now and again. I also felt slightly sluggish after the Carnethy 5 and was conscious of the distance. The course was a classic 3 laps around the loch and park on grass, gravel and mud with 4 short climbs. I was going OK with as many runners behind as in front until the end of lap 2 when whap – my ankle turned over on a low kerb. I hopped and skipped painfully for the next few hundred yards but thought I could survive the last lap. It was pretty gruesome but I somehow managed to fend off some of the overtakers and eventually the pain of the ankle was forgotten in the last half mile effort to the line.

As soon as I stopped running things got quite ouchy and I hobbled straight into the First Aid tent! A very nice lady handed me an ice pack and took some details. She even managed to get hold of Dave who came in to offer sympathy and to check that I would be able to drive home.

Despite the stupid ankle, it was a ‘good’ or at least ‘useful’ experience and I would recommend it (but watch out for the kerb!). I ended up placed 214 out of 505 starters with a time of 50:24. Full results on the Scottish Athletics website. As I am sure that I haven’t put anyone off (and the senior womens’ course is only 2 laps, 5 miles), maybe we could organise a few more Harriers runners next year.

Duncan Ball.

After the icy weather of the past few weeks it was a nice change to have a few days above freezing and importantly there was a good chance that most of the ice had melted from the Pentlands.

The forecast was OK and Saturday looked good for hill running – a respectible 4 deg, overcast and a light breeze.

A select few were given a lift to Silverburn by Susie who had taken advantage of a friend being away on holiday leaving a us free driveway. It was a short walk to the start and the tent in the sheep field where runners were organising gear and warming up.

The hills looked promising – we could see the tops and there was only a couple of patches of snow visible. In stark contrast to a training run last Saturday when I ran the course in a blizzard with horizontal snow stinging my face, poor visibility and very dodgy ice underfoot.

The field was becoming increasingly busy with the buses dropping off more runners and we were getting slightly nervous, conscious that this was quite a big national event (although no Adventure Show
cameras thankfully!).

Almost 2 o’clock, the Juniors had set off and runners were starting to congregate at the start. My preparation had gone well in the last week or so and I was determined to get a good position on the first climb so I put myself scarily near the front and prepared for the sprint. A few words from the organiser and we were off. Fortunately cross country races had prepared me for this sort of effort and I found myself beside Steve Fallon. Right, that was it, he wasn’t going to drop me. I kind of had the feeling he could take off at any time
but managed to get to the top of Scald Law a few seconds before him.

Legs and lungs stinging we pounded across to Black Hill. This was feeling a bit too fast. On the way across to the first Kip, Steve confidently pulled ahead. I tried to reel him in again up East Kip but he was too strong. I throttled back a bit to avoid blowing and paced more sensibly up to West Kip, checking behind that no-one was gaining.

Now for the tricky bit – the wild traverse off the Kips down towards the path to the Howe. Usually a couple of loony descenders pass me at this point, but amazingly they didn’t today. The cross country run down to the Howe was almost a joy – it felt good underfoot and again no-one passed me.

Turn right and the start of the Carnethy ascent. I tried to jog up the first bit (especially as Dave C. was there) but was forced to walk after about 20 yards to avoid blowing again.

And then the dreaded gully. This is always difficult to pace – the aim is to get to the top of Carnethy with just enough muscles working and energy left to survive the descent. At the top I thought I had overdone it. I sort of wheezed and staggered around the cairn cheered on by a huge crowd of spectators, and then the big relief of
going down!

There were a couple of runners just in front, but there was no way my jelly legs could have passed them without incurring serious injury. I heard Bill’s encouragement at the gate and even with no-one behind me I still managed a vague ‘sprint’ across the bog to the line.

Phew – under the hour and maybe a PB.

Well done Harriers runners and especially Richard who posted a cracking time, joining the club only recently. And well done to Susie who looked so puggled at the top of Carnethy that she was offered several energy bars by concerned onlookers.

40 172 00:58:50 Duncan Ball Penicuik Harriers M50
69 472 01:01:57 Richard Osman Penicuik Harriers M
146 612 01:08:18 Rob Wilson Penicuik Harriers M40
189 17 01:11:25 Sarah Blake Penicuik Harriers F
282 581 01:17:34 Robert Walker Penicuik Harriers M40
355 261 01:22:13 Chris Downie Penicuik Harriers M50
394 144 01:26:03 Andrea Wilson Penicuik Harriers F40
469 91 01:35:55 Susie Maxwell Penicuik Harriers F
480 89 01:38:44 Gilly Marshall Penicuik Harriers F40

We were 13th Mens Team and 8th Womens Team.

Results in full on the Carnethy website.

Thanks to Olly and the Carnethy team for the (as ever) well-run event.

Duncan Ball.

Thanks to Bob Marshall for his photos and Andy with Jonah, Ellie & Sophie for being our photographer and chief supporters on the day! Andy’s photos are the slideshow ones first below.

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Many thanks to the committee but especially Fran for organising it.

Hope to have some photos on the website soon….

I started at the back of the pack unfortunately (never wearing Gord’s Garmin watch again) but managed to get past a few people on the never ending climb up to Magic Mushroom entrance where we turned sharp right and immediately onto a really steep track up, a few more twist and turns that seemed to all be uphill before just as my calves couldn’t take it any more we began our descent – which was FAB!!  Hit the fire road at the Peel and got sent up a real steep track to get to Red Squirrel where transition was.  Legs like jelly I grabbed my bike (very relieved to see lots of bikes still there) and set off uphill (again) to Blue return and upwards (again) to Magic Mushroom.  No passing places or rather guy in front not willing to pull over so bit frustrated but made up for that on fire road and Sair Fecht.

When we joined Blue climb to Buzzards and onto Electric Blue I was able to really shift before hitting the Red return where I had to keep shifting as 2 guys right on my tail so no choice other than follow the track of the girl in front and try and stay on bike!  Definitely rode that section faster than I ever would have normally but I guess that shows I should be a bit braver and go for it.  So glad to see Red Squirrel again with the thought that I will never, ever do that again.  Two seconds later found myself saying to Rob, “That was fantastic – I loved it!”

Chatted to Bob Johnston afterwards – he came 13th out of 143, total respect for that!

60th Rob  Run – 28.52  Total time – 1:00:51
108th Andrea Run – 33.45 Total time – 1:09:20
114th Susie  Run – 34.58  Total time 1:10:53

Full results are here

Have emailed our thanks to the organiser as the route was marked and marshaled really well – couldn’t fault it!

Jan 21^st.

Weather: Sunny, mild but with stiff westerly wind. Warm in sheltered sunny corners.

We were lucky – race was sandwiched between heavy rain showers on the way to and back from Falkland (which is nice village by the way).

Route:

31 km, 1250m ascent.

Four leg relay. Details at this link:

http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0015

Intrepid runners:

Leg 1 (6.5 km, 450m): Rob Wilson and Alasdair Hind

Leg 2 (6 km, 250m): Julian Hall

Leg 3 (10 km, 560m): Duncan Ball and Mike Brooks

Leg 4 (8.5 km, 100m): Kevin Anderson

Leg1: A quick start through the narrow streets of Falkland which quickly turns into an ever increasing gradient up the lower slopes of East Lomond zigzagging through a picturesque woodland (with much tree wind damage). On leaving the wood, the real sharp ascent starts up to the 1^st check point on the peak. Although one’s calves burn, it is made easier knowing that it is pretty much all downhill on the other side. Bar an initial steep descent off the peak (which my [RW] knees complained about), the rest of the leg was a real pleasure of tracks and paths.

Alasdair is normally a little slower than me and although I took the chance to go a little slower than usual (aiding my preparation for the Glentress Duathlon the next day – see blog post by Susie ), he admirably kept up, although was a little resistant to running ALL the way back to Falkland afterwards [AH: walking is good for stretching worked muscles, honest!! ]. The real advantage to Leg 1 is that we were the first back to the village hall allowing us a nice relaxing time to stock up on cake, juice, tea and soup (the pea and spinach was delectable) from the many cauldrons that were bubbling away.  

Leg2: Felt great on the warm-up, but this was with the (cold) wind behind me! Running the first half of the leg was a different story! I felt really slow on the 2.5km of farm track, but there were almost no changes in the gaps, let alone the order. Into the shelter of the trees, the route started to climb more noticeably and was grassier. I warmed up a bit and started to close some gaps, although a couple of runners flew past me like whippets. The exit from the forest brought the end of the climb and after a few ups and downs over White Craigs, we began the descent to Scotlandwell. Although not in condition to go flat out, I overtook a few teams and re-took the place lost to the Bellahouston C runner with whom I’d had a sporting battle. Duncan’s brief words as he and Mike sped off were enough to find Rob’s car in Kinnesswood. After that the only challenge was to find reverse in Kevin’s Merc! Another vote for the quality of the DB soup. [JH]

Leg3: The logistics of getting runners to their respective starts and ensuring that finishing runners were not stranded are quite tricky. However, as we had two cars and Rob and Alasdair had been bullied – I mean had volunteered to jog back to the start at the end of their leg 1, things actually went pretty smoothly. Ten minutes before Rob and Alasdair were due to start at Falkland, I borrowed Rob’s car with Mike and Julian and drove the long way round (because of a road closure) to the start of leg 2 at Holl Reservoir. The sun was out and it wasn’t too cold, so Mike and I dumped Julian there and set off back to the start of leg 3. As parking was restricted at Scotlandwell, we had to park near Kinnesswood School and jog the mile down the road to the 2/3 changeover (a good warm up). Kevin with the second car was free to drive to the start of leg 4 in time for his start (and our finish).

With the help of Julian texting us just before he set off on leg 2, we could time our last minute warm-up and tree-watering to perfection. Hopefully no female runners were traumatised at this time. We eagerly kept watch for Julian coming down the precipice that was the start of our leg. On time he appeared looking remarkably fresh and we shouted where the car was, handed over the keys, collected the punch card and set off. It was really steep for an awfully long time, but eventually the gradient eased off and the landscape opened up with initially a track winding up towards the crags of Bishop Hill. A couple of orienteering checkpoints later, we could see West Lomond in the distance looking very inviting in the sunshine. Navigation was a doddle with the great visibility and the scores of other runners, and the carefully prepared map and compass stayed in the rucsac. Most of the terrain is very similar to the Pentlands with narrow paths, mud, bogs, loose rocks, grassy tussocks, steep climbs, etc. It was quite steep coming off the hill and took a lot of concentration until we hit the plantation where a path became forest track and then tarmac for the last km to the finish. We tried not to grin too much at the leg 4 runners just starting off. We could see Kevin straining on the leash and sprinted for the line. He was off so quick that I forgot to ask him where the car was. But of course Julian was there, caretaker of both cars. Both of us feeling elated and quite chuffed and not really noticing sore legs, we drove back to Falkland to await the arrival of last runner Kevin (and to queue for spinach soup).

Leg4: After being let of the leash I was off like a greyhound after a rabbit! A bit of a gradient to kick off, followed by some smaller hills. A few obstacles in the way turned this part of the race into an Olympic class hurdles course….great fun & I really enjoyed my Winalot for afters.

         Thanks to the boys for organising a fab race. Practising for next year already!

Results:

Leg 1: 46.57 (43^rd)

Leg 2: 34.31 (43^rd: 42^nd overall)

Leg 3: 68.42 (40^th: 37^th overall)

Leg 4: 33.59 (59^th: 38^th overall)

Total: 3.04.09 (38/122)

A great race – all the better to run as a team. Next year we certainly can break the 3 hours. Now we have 12 months to persuade the girlies to put a team together. There are legs that will suit everybody. It’s a great day out, a good team experience and – in JH’s experience of 6/7 DB’s – the weather is always good.

Rob, Alasdair, Julian, Duncan, Mike and Kevin.

The ceilidh takes place in the usual venue of the Penicuik Town Hall, from 8pm till midnight.  Tickets are £10 for adults, £7 for kids and BYOB!

It’ll hopefully be another great success so please come along!

Susan

The course was its usual mix of walls, streams and fences to jump, bog to wade through then a wee bit of a hill to get up and down before the ‘sprint’ back to the field at the village hall. 

A few of us had a wade in the beautifully clear but bloomin’ freezing stream to clean our legs/shoes before enjoying the delicious chilli pasta and beer on tap!!

A great race to start the year off, well organised by Dick Wall in his team that included Dave timing and Bill helping at registration.  I think the Penicuik 10k should take a leaf out of the more relaxed approach to race organisation and write numbers on hands and have beer on tap post race – committee, we need a meeting…..!

Harriers in attendance were Rob & Andrea, Chris D, Mike B, Duncan, Janice and myself.  Bill’s grandchildren and son and (I think) daughter-in-law were running too.  Can’t find any photos or results I’m afraid.

An exciting start to starting to running again after injury – fast walk from Flotterstone up Turnhouse but after the trees was like a red leaf (PH jacket) with a black stalk getting blown about as much as the bracken.  Thought my extra kilos would have weighted me down but was crawling on the summit after a few botched attempts to get there.

Bit scarily exhilarating flying down but going too fast for the rendez-vous on Carnethy so waited in the sheep pens til 11am. No sign of you all so as chilling down tackled the return journey in the lee of the hill above Glencourse. The Forth Bridge is open to cars only with winds >65mph! By hook or by crook this was something I “had to do” but where were you all…do I need to improve my navigation skills?

Editor’s note: groan 11.30 summit not 11am Kirst…! Sorry missed you all…but hope to see you soon.