Traprain Law 2010

Traprain comes round again - part of the Gala Day at East Linton on the Far East Coast - well nearly - just short of Dunbar.

So as we stretched & warmed up the Hard Rock band were giving it lalldy, or is that loudly. Should call them Ultra Rock for hill racers.

We certainly needed the blast from the horn to set us off from Memorial Park , with yer man on his Bike leading us to the tow-path.

Not too many cars to negotiate this time through the village, but get your place early, before that towpath as if you try a passing move - you're in the drink.-yes no space at all, and this year more overgrown than ever. Sink to half your height to avoid the branches, etc.

Well, here we are and it seems to be going smoothly (look out), first river crossing coming up - will it be an Early Bath for Semple - read on gentle reader. Yes, you must be gentle - you are from a small to medium sized running club in the west end of Glasgow.

Incidently, if you like variety in your hill races, this is one for you: from the park,to the high street,tow-path, river-crossing, thro' fields, up some tarmac, more fields, up the Law, great descent, more fields, tarmac, rough paths, over the river again via the bridge this time, back on the tow-path, etc.

There's always someone ready to pass you if you slacken your pace for a second - so you belt along hearing the feet behind, or a worrying silence, what could that mean? Actually, as you try to get your breath slogging up the Law, it's usually Jane that's giving you a shout from her marshalling point - or is that giving me grief?

Picking up speed on the down and BANG into this guy who stopped dead - well not quite literally - no damage done - off we go again.

And so to that tow-path again, yes those feet are bashing out behind , keep the pace up boy, don't slacken for a second, oh yes, I tell you.

Managed to keep them well,well behind this time, or so i'll say.

Apparently a club of Browning Persuasion did rather well, but i could'nt possibly comment.

Great day out again.

(Oh yes nearly did go for a swim at the river crossing, slipping on one rock before the other leg smashed into a rock to keep me upright.)

Posted by Hamilton Semple on Mon 14 Jun 2010 | comments are closed

Category Hill Race