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….

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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

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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.

We had a wonderful day at Floors Castle, Kelso for the last race of the Borders XC League.   Chris Downie drove Gilly Marshall and me down, the sun was shining and when we reached Floors, the snowdrops were out and lining the main driveway.   The Castle was looking great, there was no mud and the course looked green and lovely.   Rachael Campbell and Sarah Blake were there to meet us.   The course was said to be about 4 miles with a few jumps.   I didn’t really hear the mumbled instructions before we set off down a wee slope, through a gate and then the first fence loomed about 3 feet high and constructed of solid timber.   There was a second fence, then a third fence and, in all, about a dozen of the monsters.   It turned out that the cross country course was over fences which had been constructed for horses.   Sarah had been over the course in the past: but riding a horse.   Sarah had a really good run coming in first in the 20-34 age group, followed by Chris, Rachael and Gilly.   Bill pulled up after the third fence (sounds a bit like the Grand National).

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.

Scottish Athletics Scottish National Cross Country Championships Sat. 18th Feb. 2012, Callendar Park, Falkirk

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.

The 42nd TISO Carnethy 5 Hills Race Saturday 11th Feb. 2012

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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Thanks to everyone who came along to our annual ceilidh and helped to make it a great success!  The band and caller were terrific as usual and roused us all onto the floor and kept most of us there for the whole evening.   It is always a very energetic night with lots of laughs as we never take things too seriously and this year was no different.  We raised £100 in our whiskey/sweet jar challenge which will be used by the local Fun Athletics group to buy new equipment – thanks to all who took part in this.

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

Hope to have some photos on the website soon….

Rob, Andrea and I headed down to Glentress for this race on Sunday (22nd) for our first attempt at duathlon.   Course had been changed unfortunately from the one I was looking forward to due to the high winds bringing lots of trees down.  Weather was beautiful however thus prompting many discussions about how many layers to wear; or not if you are me!

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!