GLENSHEEP FROM GOATS

They say that writing is cathartic for the distressed, so here goes! I got a first at the Glenshee 9 on Sunday! No, not first wrinkly or crinkly place, but a first time ever to be timed out of a race! It was certainly an event to sort out the sheep from the goats and I fell into the latter, in the Nanny 50+category!

I wouldnt mind, but I\’d been looking forward to the race, The course looked fantastic, wide open running with potentialy fantastic vistas in a part of the world we dont often run in. Yes, I knew I was tired and stuffed with jabs for our fast approaching Bolivia trip, but nontheless I felt relaxed and enthusiastic about the day\’s run, having agreed to jog round the course in casual manner with Jo Schreiber.

Great company (JD, Keith and Steffen) on the journey north in Seffen\’s plush auto, through a stunning Perthshire landscape of ripening barley fields contrasted with the vivid purples of heather and fireweed and punctuated with the deep burgundy of mature copper beech trees (some landscape architectural observations).

On arrival in Glenshee, conditions were dry and pleasantly cool, the air was full of optimism and anticipation about the challenging course ahead – it would be long, it would be hard but – timed out? Us ? No never, not even when jogging round in casual mode!

Barely 30 minutes into the race I knew I was running on zero –

not Jo\’s cheery efforts at wildlife commentary and good gig memories, not my own getagrip mutterings to myself nor any amount of jelly babies, energy gels or cranberry flapjacks were going to make any difference. I was gubbed.

Still, we jogged and blethered onwards, sliding further and further down the field, falling over lots, twisting ankles, mucking up the navigation and in my case grumbling a lot. Once we had visited the same summit twice (they all looked the same by the way – slightly domed with strategically scattered boulders, a few dancing hares and a ptarmigan or two), we thought we\’d better concentrate, but it was way too late in the game for that kind of caper and despite a near death sprint for all of 500 meters, we were met at the road by a stern but empathetic marshall to be told it was \’all over\’ for us!! Was I bov vered? Dinted pride I have to say, but in reality far too knackered to protest or feign interest in carrying on. Jo claimed that she didn\’t want to keep Colin (Donolly) waiting anyway so she said it had all worked in just fine that we were timed out – what a trooper!

Very well done though to the Westies men and their fine performances; Dave Riach and Manny up with the best of them in the top ten, Dave Rogers fit from his DEFI completing in a cool 4hrs 20ish, JD and Keith within seconds of each other around the 4hr 40mark and Steffen, despite a flying nose first fall, putting in another superb run to complete in 4hrs 50ish. Very good runs all and for accuate times see the SHR website.

I suggested to the injured and tired Steffen that I be the driver for the trip home and surprisingly (seeing as I have not the most comfotable historical relationship with speed cameras) he said yes. What a joy it was to drive his car compared to my wee puddle jumper – this was undoubtedly the best part of my Glenshee day, along with the large portion of chips in which I found comfort when I got back to Old Kilpatrick.

Any tips on how to get my house in order in time for the Ochils r2000 will be gratefully received? Meantime my thanks to all for their good company on the day.