Mudbath at Lauder

I was late finding out about the Borders XC series last year and so missed this one. I was looking forward to giving it a go as I’d enjoyed the 2 races that I did manage to do in the 11/12 series.

It was gloriously sunny with no wind. I had a pre-race chat with Bill Gauld who mentioned that there was quite a bit of climb. Then, the start was delayed because a junior had had an accident so, by the time we started, everyone was well warmed-up. A lap of the football field, down a tarmac lane and along a path by the river and back crossing it twice by bridge. Then on to the Southern Upland Way and a loooong slog uphill. This part seemed never ending, nothing like the short sharp hills experienced at Cumbernauld and more like a hill race. A bit of a steep descent back to the river and we are now on the way back. This section stayed in fields near the river and there were some pretty muddy bits – that sticky, sucking mud that tries to take your shoes off. We had to jump the river at least 2, possibly 3 times. (I can’t remember because I’d reached that stage where you stop thinking and just try to keep going) and then turned to start on the final uphill section. This turned out to be a slope of  mud. Everyone was walking and trying to keep going up. Those who remember being helped up the slope in Maryhill Park a few years ago, it was a bit like that but went on and on. Finally I was up and faced with the choice of jumping a gate or going through it – I went through. Across some fields down a very stony lane and a final half lap of the football field. I can honestly say that I have never been muddier.

This was definitely the toughest XC I have ever done and a far cry from Callendar Park or Cumbernauld. So if you are hankering after some old-style “real” XC watch out for this one next year!!