Glen Clova

Just out for another jolly long run after yesterdays Creag Dhu efforts.

I let the mass start blast off up the hill, fortunately only the first hill was in mist or route finding would have been exciting. I kept a steady pace all the way although keeping going over the tussocks and peat was hard going. I was given a twist of the ankle before the second chechpoint and was a timely reminder of how vulnerable I am on the rough terrain. No problems over checkpoint three but kept my descent cautious to four at Red Craig to protect my ankle.

The drop into Brae Downie in the glen floor is rough and very steep. I let a lot of people past as I picked my way down. Lesley and Mir were at the checkpoint to cheer me on … just what I needed. I dumped my thermal top and continued in vest only. This was the bit I was looking forward to … the big climb up to Coire Farchal then Dreish.

I was climbing really strongly and was passing bodies easily, unfortunately I stabbed my eye with a long needle like prong of grass. It blinded me in the left eye for virtually the rest of the race. It really stopped me from striding out because I couldn’t judge where my foot was going but I stuck with Tom Ross for the rest of the run. He had me running the last 3 stages a lot faster than I would have on my own. We took different lines off the last hill but met again at the bottom. Westies supporters were out on the course in the shapely form of Jane and Jonny and Janice Mudge. Tom and I crossed the line together despite his insistence that I go on ahead. It was good to run with him in a race as against him as is usual.

Only when I read the results did I find that I passed 16 runners from the bottom of Glen Clova to the top of Dreish. Well pleased. Delighted with my time for a jog round. I wonder what I might have done if I hadn’t done Creag Dhu the day before?

1 Mark Rigby 2.34.02

10 Ronnie Gallagher 2.55.19

18 Manny Gorman 3.12.33

21 John Donnelly 3.15.19

29 Murdo McLeod 3.22.25

40 Donald Smith 3.36.31

41 Gordon Robinson 3.39.13