Tuesday 10^th June 2008

12 runners took part in this event which gave them a chance to put in a fast run over a mainly flat country road route starting and finishing in Moffat. Most runners were pleased with their times, and it is good to see Caroline getting back into it after her marathon run. Jean seems to have recovered from her horrific fell race to Helvellyn (see her report) but unfortunately Joe Boardman took a wrong turning and spoiled his attempt at creating a route record.

Many thanks to Alan again for timekeeping, and to Robbie Minto for the Drinks Station.

If you like the Beeftub but find the descent a bit tame why not try Hevellyn!

John and I decided a day in the lakes on a sunny bank holiday weekend would be just the job. Not put off by the Mountain Weather Information Service threats of "severe windchill" and "winds gusting to 50—60mph on the ridges" we swapped shorts for ¾ lengths, and sun caps for balaclava and gloves and lined up for the start. (I did vaguely wonder at this point where all the less speedy clan were, who usually compete for the back slots on the start line).

Just as a warm up, the start rises virtually vertically out of the Thirlmere valley, 625m in the first 1.5km - most of us mortals at the back have still got peat under our finger nails from crawling our way up! At this point the weather forecast was proved correct, as we battled against the wind along the ridge, I wondered why I had not eaten an extra piece of toast for breakfast to act as ballast. The next amusement came on the final approach to the summit plateaux – having been actually bowled off my feet myself, I looked up the rocky ridge to see six strapping mountain men, with heavy sacks, all lying down on the ground clinging onto rocks to avoid being blown down into Thirlmere!

The return route was no less vicious – imagine a pack of fell runners running forward but leaning at 45 degrees to their right into the prevailing wind! Then finally out of the wind and back down the gully, which appears to be even steeper going down - crampons might be better than studs!

The winner was jim Davies in 1 hour 43 mins, John finished in a creditable 2hrs 21 mins, but I’ll not admit to my time (needless to say I finished last) however we both enjoyed the outing.

Jean Robson

Over the Easter weekend Jean and I wimped out of the Criffel race and instead took a trip  up t' North. We were expecting some testing hillwalking. But found that 80+ mph winds, white-out blizzards and temperatures, allowing for wind-chill, at minus far-too-many made the Cairngorms on Good Friday less than welcoming!

So on Saturday, we noted in the Hillrunning calender that Inverness Harriers were hosting a race. The welcome was much better - the sun shone, a bottle of beer from the sponsors was pushed into our hands just for turning up ( the beer was called 'Sheepshaggers' - the locals didn't seem keen to accept. They thought they might be stereo-typed. Sensitive bunch up North?). And when we paid our correct fee of £6.00 they gave us £14.00 change (we did correct them). All very welcoming!

The race was from a sports centre on the outskirts of town. 10km 270m climb. Mainly a trail run.

Results:

1.  P. Hogan (Forres H) m 35.41

11. M Todd (Highland HR) f 39.35

21. John Robson (adac) mv50 41.20

43. Jean Robson (adac) fv50 57.29

After an absence spanning almost a decade, I made my unexpected return to competitive road running on Sunday 2^nd March – competing in the Haweswater half marathon. This event constituted a key milestone in my training and one that I desperately needed to come through unscathed if I am to have any hope of crossing the finishing line in this year’s fast approaching London Marathon!

Given that the race coincided with Mother’s Day it seemed logical to extend the invite. Whilst on the face value a day in the Lake District sounds a thoughtful suggestion, 13.1 miles of tough undulating hills would ensure anything but a day of relaxation!

With the race due to start at noon I was on the scene for 11, eager to register and if the truth be known eager to get going! Having been out of the ‘game’ for some time the pre-race atmosphere was a daunting one, race fever having engulfed this otherwise tranquil, picturesque village.

All around me professional looking athletes donned in the finest ‘Nikey’ gear were participating in complex and professional warm up routines – my exact thoughts at this moment being "Where the hell are the fun runners!". In contrast I set about some simplistic (and probably now frowned upon) stretches in a pair of plain football shorts and a scruffy ‘Top Man’ cardy. This coupled with me carrying a pound or two must have left people in little doubt that I resembled none other than Simon Pegg himself in his latest blockbuster movie ‘Run Fat Boy Run’.

Heading to the start I slinked to the back of the field hoping I would remain unnoticed. This almost worked until my girlfriend bellowed in genuine surprise "look how hairy your legs are!" which did attract a few turned heads. On looking I couldn’t argue – clearly waxed legs were in but I couldn’t have predicted this!

The start was on a narrow country lane and with a field of over 400 the back really was….. well some way back. Post the crack of the starters gun pre-race nerves were now lost and my focus solely on getting to the next mile mark, then the next and so on. It soon became apparent that both my mother and I had somewhat undersold ourselves on our starting position and we started to work our way through the crowd.

Whilst the prospect of running out, then in along the same route doesn’t always appeal, in this instance it was clearly outweighed by the combination of beautiful scenery in the form of views over the lake, the constant stream of runners in both directions and the fantastic support from well-wishers along the length of the route. Owing to this it seemed like no time at all before the 1 mile had become 6 and we were turned and heading back towards Bampton village and more importantly the finish.

By my own accounts the race couldn’t have gone better. I somehow found hidden strength with apparently no extra effort and made light work of the hills to ensure consistently better than expected individual mile times. Whilst I did find the final 2 miles tough going I was able to dig in and completed in a respectable time of 99 minutes (finishing 132^nd) – a personal best owing to this being my first half marathon and not a bad effort for a fun runner! Mr’s Legg ran in at 1 hour 54 minutes (finishing 300^th), a time for which she was reasonable pleased with owing to the course and the windy conditions.

Before concluding congratulations must firstly go to the race organisers and importantly the host community. 400 plus people descending on a small rural settlement in the Lake District wouldn’t always be treated with open arms but in this case it clearly was. There was a definite sense of community ownership and pride surrounding this event and this was a key factor in it being the success that it was.

So has much changed in ten years? If I’m honest then no. Clearly attire and image still dominate the pre-race ritual but fortunately the best gear money can buy counts for little when the actual running begins. On the waxed leg front however I cant possibly comment. Is this fashion or a proven go faster technique – perhaps someone at the club can enlighten me? Failing that I could give it a go at London providing of course a generous amount was pledged upfront for a good cause!

Finally just to show I’m not all that mean, I didn’t let my mother leave without giving her some flowers and a card – unlike most mothers however, she did have to earn them this year!