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Dunbartonshire cross country

Six brave souls battled the elements at the Dunbartonshire Cross Country at Posties Park in Dumbarton. The mens team consisted of Don Reid, John Quinn, Peter Grassl and long lost member Jon Slowe. Muffy and I were the only two ladies present so we didn't have a team. The course consisted of a 2 mile circuit which the ladies did twice and the men three times. It was mainly flat with a couple of slight downhill sections which made for interesting running if you weren't wearing spikes. The men ran along with the women which was unusual but certainly gave you an incentive to try to avoid being lapped for as long as possible. The start was predictably fast with the top men speeding off and the remainder of the field strung out behind. I soon found myself towards the back of the field along with some Helensburgh ladies and worked hard to stay in touch. I was pleased to complete the first circuit in 16.40 and hoped for a finish time of about 34 or 35 mins but alas the heavy ground took its toll and I struggled at the end to finish in a disappointing 37 mins. Muffy had a great run in 33mins and is clearly getting back to form after a long layoff with injury. The finishing order for the men was Jon Slowe (anything but) John Quinn, Don Reid and Peter Grassl. It was a real cross country course with wind rain and glaur in abundance but good fun nonetheless.

Posted by Pat McLaughlin on Sat 26 Nov 2011 | 3 comments

Category cross country

Comments

  1. muffy calder said...

    Pat "forgot" to mention the howling wind, lashing rain and the high seas (Ok, high estuary) that crashed against the sea wall as we ran precariously close by. She also failed to mention how much I moaned about my 20 year old spikes that had pretty much disintegrated to a pair of felt slippers with metal bits on the bottom. And what a wus I was about my poor wet and cold tootsies. Great joy at putting them in the rubbish bin at the finish.

    Last time I ran at Posties park, Donald accidentally (ha!) ran the women's course, I'm surprised noone else tried that tactic yesterday.

    Sunday 27th November 2011 6.21am

  2. JQ said...

    Well done to everyone. Pat and Muffy were spot on, all the ingredients for a winter cross country were there, mud, biting wind and rain, none of which spoiled the day. After watching the enthusiasm and determination of the juniors ( who churned the course up nicely for us) you couldn't help but be inspired to run.
    In the mens race John '''SLOWE''' was 1st Westie in I think 10 or 11th place. Myself and Don were nip & tuck for most of the race with me edging it at the end and Peter not far behind. This was my 1st outing to Posties Park but would recommend it with it's close proximity to the Clyde estuary and Dumbarton Rock. Must be quite beautiful on a nice day!!!

    Sunday 27th November 2011 9.42am

  3. Johnston said...

    2011 has seen some hibernating Westies re-emerge into the world of racing...Jon Slowe, last seen at Carnethy 5 in 2010 (and prior to that, 2005!)...Swaz Fraser getting a couple of races in during a visit from the US (most Westerly Westie?)...and of course that most welcome of sights, Charlie Campbell's name in a set of race results once again.

    What next, Damon Rodwell in a Westerlands vest?! No, perhaps not...

    Sunday 27th November 2011 3.23pm

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