Day 1 of a two week holiday – Andrea (with much persuasion) and I just ran Dollar.
This is one of my favourite hill races: 15km, 850m climb.
http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0071
This is a race of 3 flavours; after a quick half km sprint along the road, the route takes you up through Dollar Glen and up onto a steep climb to Saddle Hill and Whitewisp hill. The climb is about 4kms and very steep in places. It is a huge relief to get to the summit. Once on the tops of the Ochills however, the next 4-5 kms is nice and undulating and normally quite quick. It was very boggy today which I am sure slowed overall times down a tad. The final section is a 3-4 km descent that just goes on and on. A bit wet today so loads of potential for slipping. I took it quite cautiously.
In previous years, I always cramped up when I hit the road – I never understand why – but today no cramp and hopefully looked close to normal (sweaty, muddy and hopefully a smile) when I crossed the line.
This was not my slowest time, but also not my quickest:
RW: 1.45.13 (43rd) – quickest being 1.37.
AW: 2.10.15 (?) – her longest hill race. Not counting Edinburgh 7 Hills.
Andrea says the best thing was the mountain of cakes for consumption at the end. Almost on par with the Penicuik 10K.
After months of frustrating injuries, it was great to get back out there.
Now we are off north – on the to do list – Skye (Cuillins and Quirangs), cycling (Appelcross +), Torridon Hills (Slioch or An Teallach) and Suilven – all weather dependent of course.
This is our first holiday without Dave for 18 years, so hopefully we can make the most of it.
Rob
well done to you both. Rob is back running and Andrea is becoming a long distance hill racer. Although I actually think I’m more jealous of the holiday and all the walking you have planned in the stunning north west. Have a great time and hope your weather is better than here.
Well done Andrea, a great first Dollar, and well done Rob after all your recent injuries. My best time for the Dollar Hill Race was 59min36secs in 1991. Mind you, the course at that time was from Dollar Academy to the top of Kings Seat and return to Dollar Academy, a considerably shorter than the current course. The current course is a great run but too far for me these days.