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FRA Relays - Alva
After a hectic few weeks with injuries, colds, last minute call-offs, and much jiggery-pokery regarding the teams, it was a relief to finally make it to Alva for the big day.
And what a great day it turned out to be. Starting off a bit overcast, it brightened by lunchtime and just kept getting better, the Ochils looking resplendent as they basked in warm October sunshine. Oh, and the running stages went down pretty well also, with everyone commenting on how much they enjoyed their runs.
Purrs - Val Houston decided to sign up and join the hallowed ranks of the black & gold, so with her membership money safely in hand, we thanked her by sending her off on the tough 1st stage (just ask Dave). Recent signing Graham filled in admirably at the last minute on leg 2 for the guys A team to keep them running, and likewise Archie on stage 2 for the Vets team, completing his first hill run in a year. However, this meant that we had to move Don from leg 1 to 4, and after promising his better half that he would be home early today, got a bit of an earful when he phoned to say that was him just leaving the back of 4pm - thanks for being accommodating Don and apologies to Elma. Thanks also to Alice who came straight from a 12 hour night shift to run the final stage for the ladies team.
Growls - A certain Mr Murray of Lenzie, aka Couch, didn't appear so that meant that Drew had to run in his place on leg 2, having the knock on effect of an in transit Blair now not having a running partner for stage 3. Phoning Blair to tell him the news, he was already half way to Alva but since we didn't have runners for that team's stage 4 anyway, he decided to turn around and head home - sorry Blair.
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable day was had by Westies - a big thankyou to Carnethy for all the organisation.
Charlie
Ps Good to see Brian Brennan on the comeback trail - good luck with the last Corbett next week Brian.
Posted by Charlie Campbell on Sun 16 Oct 2005 | 3 comments
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Comments
JD said...
it was a great day out, and thanks to Mark Johnston and all the other helpers who made it possible. After the obligatory hours of hanging about, Don and I eventually headed off about 2pm for the last leg for the Vets team. Somehow I managed to find a hole on the path at the foot of Wood Hill and hit he deck on my right hip which was not a good start! Don led us up at a steady pace catching a couple of teams on the way to Wood Hill. We had a good descent including some classic bum-sliding to the foot of The Law catching a few more teams. I had warmed up by then and as I started to lead Don up to catch a few more teams I realised that he had "bonked" a bit so we lost a few places up to Ben Cleuch. After feeding him one of my gels Don went into downhill overdrive and had me struggling (sore toe, loose shoe and wee legs) to keep up with him on the long great descent from Ben Ever to the finish, as we caught another team, though not the Fife women who had re-passed us up The Law earlier. A longer leg than I had anticipated but enjoyable nonetheless.
Sunday 16th October 2005 11.12pm
couch said...
Alva is just by Perth or so I had absorbed from some faulty source. Hence a half asleep hung-over couch arrived at Perth and checked the map - ARgghhhhhh. My old mobile had literally blew up (smoke coming out it as shorted-out) and my new mobile had nobodys' number in it - well no Westies' anyway, so no contact could be established. Then it was a 90mph dash back down to Clackimaninshire or whatever the shitty place is called - when my engine blew up - mair smoke and flames.
Arriving guttered and scunnered at Alva an hour later (not in Perth), I looked around for a friendly face (not expecting to find one) and recognised nobody. The big hills looked bloody awful in to the bargain - so with a heavy heart I limped home in the smokemobile..
sorry Drew/Blair - another time (NEVER)
Monday 17th October 2005 9.33am
Graham K said...
Yup - a great day out. Thanks for the opportunity to run, to Carnethy for the organising - and sorry for dropping places on leg 2 ...but I was going as fast as ma wee legs would carry me !
CheersGraham K
Tuesday 18th October 2005 5.23pm