JD said...

10 YEARS ON AND 10 MINUTES SLOWER! I suppose a minute per year isn’t too bad, and everyone else seems to be regressing like wise, so that makes it easier to bear. I still seem to enjoy it as much as ever and the good thing about running is that it still subjectively feels like I am running the same as 10 years ago, just as hard but just not as fast – strange that, eh?! The predictions of extremely hot weather fortunately didn’t materialise and whilst still hot wasn’t actually too bad and there was even a nice wee breeze on top. There was the usual good turnout of Westies for this Bog and Burn race - @6 miles and 675m of ascent from Tillicoultry - a “power walk” up the steep climb to The Law, a steady run up to the high point of Ben Cleuch and then fine cross country running down to Andrew Gannell Hill and finally the long runnable descent on the narrow trod from Maddy Moss and the quad-busting final very steep hundred yards or so to the finish. The steep start here always hits hard but then you get a few minutes of flat running before the slog up The Law. I tried to settle into a nice steady walk up this big climb, to save some energy for all the running that is left once you hit the top. It seemed to work out OK, pulling away from Helen and watching Don and Steffen not too far ahead. I had a walking/running battle with Pete Buchanan of Ochils who would run past me on the less steep bits and then I would walk past him as it steepened; after half a dozen of these mini-battles he pulled away near the top of The Law, never to be seen again. From the turn round at the Ben Cleuch trig I held my place, being passed once but passing a Fifer near the end. The narrow trod required the usual total concentration on every little foot plant to avoid plunging down the hill, and fortunately I had no one in front to try and overtake as it is near impossible, as the Dundee runner behind me found out. I crossed the line in just under 67 min, about 3min slower than last year, but as always, felt to my mind as hard as ever and I was pleased with my run, bearing in mind the recent long races in my legs (Wasdale, then Moffat and a 100mile cycle on Monday – just getting my excuses in!). Post-run recreation was in The Woolpack pub where we enjoyed some fine ales in the now smoke-free atmosphere. A great way to spend a Wed evening.

Thursday 20th July 2006 6.42pm

Graham K said...

A great evening spoiled only by the sole of my right heal getting torn to bits by my Walshes for some reason ...I would post a picture of two but children might access the site ! Thankfully, I have a pal who is a nurse and lives in Stirling - the planned post race beer was replaced with a salt water soak, iodine spray and sterile dressing - OUCH ! Still two minutes quicker than last year 8-)

Thursday 20th July 2006 7.54pm

DON said...

maddy moss results for JD's hall of fame

1 Andy Symonds 53.52 Kendal SEN2 Adam Ward 54.44 Carnethy V40 3 Graeme Campbell 55.08 HHR SEN 4 Dave Riach 57.28 17 Don Reid 62.15 30 Steff 66.14 33 JD 66.49 37 Hamilton 68.21 43 Helen Palmer 68.48 1st female 44 Rod 69.0045 Graham Kelly 69.4061 Kat 78.5165 Pauline 82.2767 Drew 83.4570 Pat 93.20

Friday 21st July 2006 11.28am

JD said...

results on SHR website