Dechmont Law Trail Race

Anyone looking to do a trail race should think about heading to Dechmont Law next year.  What awaits you is a well organised day, courtesy of Lothian Running Club, with a fun run, 3.5km junior race and a fast undulating 10km trail through parkland and woodland.  The views from the Law are expansive and there was even a UFO sighting there once upon a time.  All within 5 minutes drive from Junction 3A of the M8.  I was surprised to be honest: although the route runs alongside the M8 for a couple of kilometres you wouldn’t know it, apart from the vague hum of cars and two footbridge crossings. 

Starting slowly as ever and aware of my lack of practise at running over 4 miles (my running commute), I’d resolved to take it easy for the first 5km.  I managed this for all of the 500m uphill start and then promptly got carried away in a ‘first race for ages’ burst of enthusiasm.  I bounded round from then until 7km when I suddenly ran out of steam…..zonk.  And then that horrible feeling when you feel like you’re made of lead weights but are determined not to let those folks you’d bounded past earlier return the favour – it’s not really running anymore, just a determined trudge.  Thankfully it passed by 9km and I enjoyed the last kilometre feeling springy again for the downhill finish.  A time of just under 46 mins was a pleasant surprise given my midway trudging. 

Maybe next year Amy will be able to race me round the fun run!!

1^st Man: Max McNeill, Lothian Running Club – 35.29

1^st Lady:   Edel Mooney, Lothian Running Club – 38:43