Westies Borders Weekend

A good turnout for Saturday’s Two Breweries reccie was not only the result of an outstanding weather forecast but also a reflection of the significance of this forthcoming event. As expected, logistics proved no problem whatsoever and after meeting in Broughton we quickly loaded up and feerried the lot to Traquair. Weather was indeed perfect: a little sun plus some wind and drizzle. Excellent visibility. Everything went off to a good start and, probably as expected, after an hour the group split into two. The front group was lead by a bouncy Damon, visibly happy to have escaped the zoo (as he calls his household) and be in the hills again. The excellent visibility, however, caused trouble for some of the newcomers to this course. Standing at the first checkpint, the clearly visible but also clearly very distant Trahenna had Trevor worried – unduly as it later turned out. Over the course we tried and tested a number of shortcuts and hopefully come away with a perfect route round the first half. However, none of our shortcuts was as time-effective as that of the 2nd group, who opted to leave out the climb to Whitelaw Hill and instead to directly proceed to Dead Wifes Grave. The effectiveness of such shortcuts during the actual race, however, is debateable. Apart from JD’s total trainer disintegration (see photos), the second half proved more or less eventless with Trahenna Hill expectedly turning into The ‘Dead Runners Grave’. Not so for Mr Rodwell, who could not resist to leisurely jog towards the top, whilst JD and Louise steadly advanced and Trevor and myself crawled. This was not the only occasion where the father of four gutted fellow runners. Previously, on the ascent of Stob Law, he decided to call the house on the bobile to make arrangements for the BBQ, whilst jogging along the steep track. The good side of all this is that coupled with the good form of some others in the club we are still in with chance to win the team champs (so I am told).

A few hardy souls (Jane, Keith, Cha, Ana and myself) then opted to stay the night in Damon’s field, which we happened to share with a recent addition to Damon’s zoo – a visibly irritated lakeland pony. After a much needed intake of food in the form of ‘coaled’ meat and rolls and showers at the not-so-nearby house we quickly retired to the tents for a short nights kip. With an offspring-adjusted body-clock our landlord got up early and proceeded to inform everyone of this occasion with a youthfull wistle – befor 7am!!! Breakfast was consumed back in the house by a grateful but tired lot. The second day would bring a lovely jog round the Yetholm race route, with weather ranging from blowing gales to stuning blue skye and sunshine. Back in the zoo Damon threw together an astonishingly tasty homemade soup for a, by then, very tired bunch.

All in all a smashing weekend in the Borders – one that should be repeated more often. Thanks to Anna and Damon for their hospitality!!!!