Muffy said...

Only 17 years after my first National at Falkirk (as a nine year old of course), I returned too. I think that in the old days it was actually the "Ladies National X country race" at Falkirk, since we weren't allowed to run on the same day as the esteemed men.

So what has changed? It still feels bloody hard, there is a gale and lots of mud. And every year I slip further and further down the pack (not much "further" left, I note!). The running order was Cat (bravo!), Ellen, Jane, Muffy and Pauline. Jane came in with a very popular time (3 of them at 36:42); poor Cat suffered the ignomy of someone shouting "Come on Muffy" at her. Of course a mile back I didn't hear this, but have been basking in the reflected glory of mistaken identity ever since.

Monday 12th February 2007 12.53pm

It's Grim out there! said...

Callender Park is such an enjoyable venue for the Nationals compared with the dreich dunes of Irvine. There's mud, aye, but not Kirky glaur; there are lots of awkward wee hills to break the rhythm, there's always a variety of scenery, and it's a good layout for spectators. The only fly in the ointment was the Essex Man on the PA, who should have been strangled with a Scottish Power (sponsors') 10 megavolt cable. For those Westies who wouldn't be seen dead or alive in an X-country race (Manny, Steff, et al) it's worth noting that some top hill runners featured prominently in the results, eg Angela Mudge (3rd wummin) and Jethro Lennox (4th senior bloke).

Monday 12th February 2007 1.00pm

MannyG said...

Sorry to disappoint Grim.Me, Stevie, Trev & Dave R were enjoying 6 hours around some great wee Highland hills and glens on Saturday, and a warm down of 2 hours on the Sunday.40 mins of mud just doesn't do it for me - I'll see you at Carnethy then?I just though Steff had retired?

Monday 12th February 2007 2.30pm

Dave said...

Although frustrated that I was only spectating, Falkirk is a great venue for racing and spectating. Ellen had a promising race; if she improves her pacing she will be even better. It was a great wee battle between Rob, Hamilton and JD in the men's race, with JD's experience showing when he surged through in the final lap.

Nice to see that HBT won the overall team event...good guys do win occasionally! What makes that result all the more satisfying is that the club who won also had someone finishing in the bottom half dozen of the field. You don't need to be elitist to be good!

Monday 12th February 2007 6.34pm

Jason Plod said...

This was a slow plod, difficult underfoot in bits, I fell a couple of times, felt slow but strong in the cold wind. Obviously didn't push hard enough as I had far too much sprint left at the end. Still it was a run out, and good to see all the Westies there, including cap'n Cat bravely hopping round as leading lady despite having one leg amputated from below the neck! Thanks for support from Dave and the wimmin around the course and well run one and all.

Tuesday 13th February 2007 9.54am

Rob said...

I'd be hard pushed to say I really enjoyed this at the time, but looking back it was a good contest with Hamilton and JD for the mid-table honours. I thought I'd paced it fairly well, until John went past with a few hundred metres to go and I realised I had nothing left. Clearly I still have more to learn!

Surprising number of thermals on show, on what I thought was a pretty mild February day.

Tuesday 13th February 2007 10.37am

cat said...

Totally agree with Dave - there was no way I could keep up with Ellen on the first lap. Maybe it's my dodgy shoogly incredibly painful injured knee, but I suspect it's just that she's speedy! Chris also deserves praise too - for beating loads of people that he'd never ever dream of beating usually. Damon may regret encouraging him to run every day and finally do something resembling training for the first time ever! Dave himself was remarkably good to ferry Muffy and myself to the race, sort out all the numbers, prevent the usual Westies faffing and then support everyone encouragingly - all with a crocked knee. I'd just have been sulking somewhere! Well done to Muffy, Pauline, Jane and Ellen for giving another fine performance for the Westies Ladies.

Tuesday 13th February 2007 2.02pm

Ellie H said...

Until Saturday, I would never have imagined that I could get quite so excited by the sight of yellow vests with big black Ws on the back... What a cracking team spirit!...I felt quite honoured to be part of it...even if I don't like yellow! Next time I'll try the more skin-baring, hardened Westie look sported by the other Westie wimmin. I understand from Cat, Muffy & Jane that it enhances performance significantly. It's good to have something to aim towards...grrrr!

Wednesday 14th February 2007 9.30am

Chris said...

Indeed, the sight of yellow vests with black Ws can be quite a thrill, especially when worn as God intended with maximum skin on show. Bracing against the elements definitely toughens the mind and improves performance. So let's not see any namby pamby base layers on show at Carnethy!!

Thursday 15th February 2007 10.46am