Westies news

A Glorious race at Tinto

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:25:02 +0000

7th November 2009

Despite being depleted by the skivers off partying at Loch Ossian we managed to field both a men's and women's team at Tinto this year. Seeing that I didn't go back for the soup and prizegiving and the results are still at the provisional stage, I've no idea how the teams did overall.

The blurb on the Carnethy website says that it wasn't a day for fast times as it was pretty slippy. While I agree with the slippy - who put all those extra stones on the path? - I was delighted with my "fast" time. After nearly a year of hill reps (we wummin didn't take a break) I had hoped to finally break 50 minutes. I have been trying to do this over the past two years but the weather hasn't been working with me so I've just keep going back and hoping that the weather would give up. What a day, sunny and hardly any wind. Who cares about slippy, my INOV8 mudclaws will take care of that!

There seemed to be an awful lot of people in front of me at the start but the hill reps kicked in and I found that I was steadily overtaking them. Jings, I was even just behind Jocelyn Scott for a spell. Then Debbie was just ahead of me and then she was behind me. I passed Don Reid sitting by the side of the path (waiting for Debbie I guessed). No time for a chat, I had to keep pushing on if I was going to beat 50 minutes. Runners were now starting to pass on the way down. It seemed that those keeping by the fence were slipping less. It was a bit misty at the top, a bit of fancy footwork on the stony bit and here we go. I took off down the hill, heading for the fence and then just kept going. Without the wind my eyes didn't tear up and so I had no problem seeing where to put my feet and I could feel the power from all those reps in my legs.

Don and Debbie passed me as we neared the bottom of the slope but I was able to hang on and not let Debbie get too far ahead. Dick Wall passed me just before the gradient levelled out a bit but I passed him and managed to keep ahead for most of the final section. Then just at the end he put on this amazing burst of speed and charged past me. Unfortunately he (and the person in front of him) then stopped short of the timekeeper on the actual line and I could very easily have charged past both of them but then I don't care if guys beat me. I am after all an older lady so what does it prove if you beat me Dick?

Westies Results (Provisional) 300 registered (298 started, 293 finished)

43 Dave Rogers 38:27
45 Alan Gilkison 38:29
196 Don Reid 48:32
198 Deborah Stokoe 48:36
202 Pauline McAdam 48:52 (!!!!)
203 Pete Baxter 48:53
284 Elspeth Scott 60:23
291 Graham Benny 66:33

Glasgow University 5-mile Road Race

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:40:00 +0000

7th November 2009

Considering that it clashes with Tinto and the Loch Ossian weekend, there was a reasonable turnout of 5 running Westies and 1 marshall at this long-established race. Isabel Coombs was on timekeeping duty (and cheering at the end of lap 1), while Hamilton, Gibson, Ian Struthers, and GrimOrr joined me for a jog around our home turf. It was a still and dry day, good for running, and the only interruption occurred as we had to squeeze through the wee gate leading towards the Switchback, as the main gate wasn't open (why?).

I got a default PB as it was my first go at this race, pushed along by Hamilton in hot pursuit and speedy work colleague Annmarie McCaffrey of Kirkie Olympians, who sidled up for a chat at the end of lap 1. Westies finished in the following order:-

Orr the Younger
Semple
Fleming
Orr the Grimmer
Struthers

Grim maintained that the race used to be better back when God was a boy and it followed cart tracks around the farms of the area. Still seemed like a good day out to me.

Full results to follow.

OMM 2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:21:39 +0000

The other weekend saw my 10th time at the KIMM / OMM:

2008 – Borrowdale (“C” class)
2007 – Lowther Hills (“A” class)
2006 – Galloway Forest Park (Short Score)
2005 – Eastern Lake District (Medium Score)
2004 – Brecon Beacons (Long Score)
2003 – Langholme (Medium Score)
2002 – Cheviot (“B” class)
2001 – Clyde Muirshiel (Medium Score)
2000 – Lake District (Medium Score)

The whole thing started when myself, Alan Kelly & Lee(roy) Gilbertson were out for a long Sunday run back in July 2000. We were doing a tour of the parks on the southside of Glasgow when I mentioned that I had read about the KIMM …next day saw an entry form being posted. It has kinda become a habit every since. Another habit has been a mad journey from getting an accepted entry to actually getting to the start line – most years involves a change of partner …and sometime class of entry …sometime both !

This year was no different but with an added twist …and I mean that literally. On the Monday evening before the event, I decided a little nigh orienteering event was in order to brush up on the nav. The first 4 controls went ok but as I ran along “easy” ground I put my foot in a hole and fell down a banking (but leaving my foot at the top). The result was a badly swollen and bruised ankle. Thankfully two days of rest / ice / compression and a good Bioskin Brace got it well enough to wobble towards the start line.

This year saw a return to Wales – the Elan valley this time and for the first time in the “mixed” category due to racing with my wee sister (who should have been racing with Joe Coll). The drive south was ok and we were soon fed and watered. Felt rather smug kipping in the van whilst some folks tried to find a bit of ground to camp on.

Next morning we grabbed some breakfast before heading to the bus for transfer to the start. Map issue we planned the first couple of controls and headed up the hill only for a gust of wind to whip the map from Irene ensuring a monty python style sprint across the hillside – not the best start to the day. Pacing was adjusted to a point where we could breathe …well once Irene had reduced her heart rate to something sustainable anyway. We broke left and off towards the first control. Previously on the OMM, Irene had gone badly over time and we chose a very conservative route but with a couple of options towards the end. We dropped down towards the southern stream control before noticing that we had gone a bit far west and had to traverse round to the correct stream GRRRRRR. The next few controls were fairly straightforward and we ended up about 3km from the midcamp with around 90 minutes to go. The question was to either drop down onto an easy track and pick up a single control or go onto some unknown ground and try for two. We discussed the choice and played it safe whilst two girls who we had been chatting to took the risky option. With no time pressure we jogged down the road before climbing up to the last control of the day …in pouring rain (we had hoped to get to the camp dry) before the last ramble down to the finish of Day 1.

Mid-camp was great – nice level ground beside (but sufficiently above) the river. Did the usual eat / sleep / eat / sleep thing before the bar was opened (a rather nice Jura whisky) and another eat / sleep cycle. Enjoyed a great view of the stars and pleased to report not a single balloon failure during the night

Walking up to the start of Day 2 we wondered how much route choice there was going to be with only 4 hours to get to the finish. As we waited, we got talking to the two girls that had taken the risky option at the end of Day 1 …they confirmed that the underfoot conditions were brutal but that they had made it in on time.

The horn indicated the clock was ticking again and we chose our first control but took a line which would have meant a significant loss in height to pick up the track – oops. Re-planned a slightly longer route to a re-entrant control and continued to climb. Along with a number of other teams, we lost a fair bit of time locating the exact re-entrant. A quick estimate on distance / remaining time indicated that if we stuck to the initial plan, we would be over time at the finish. Not the best but as always, there was another option – once again, we dropped down onto a track to make up quick progress towards the finish. Thankfully, it gave an opportunity to pick up a nice 30 point control on the way back up to the high ground. It was about this time we entered some of the most horrible tussocks I have ever encountered. Sadly for Irene, she missed me disappearing head first over one and into a rather damp bog. With the next control punched, we had another significant choice – descent over the tussocks and away from the ridge leading to the finish for another 20 point control or head up to the ridge line where the running would be good. Fairly happy with progress to date and not looking for an epic, we missed the 20 point control and headed up. Once on the ridge the last long descent was very easy indeed and we rolled across the line with loads of time to spare …and again in hindsight could have got the “optional” control.

One thing about the score events is you can always do better with hindsight …either better route choice between controls, less controls (if you have gone over time) or more controls (if you are under time) …but I am 100% happy with the choices we made (although I reckon I should have looked at the map more during the first 20 minutes of Day 2 …see what I mean about hindsight).

Meall a Buachaille

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:50:49 +0000

Headed off on Saturday morning to near Aviemore for the last SHR championship race of 2009 after having got home the previous night from London at midnight so wasn't looking forward to it. What I was looking forward to was meeting loads of hill runners for a bit of slagging both before, during, and after the race. Over 220 runners turned up for the race but tragically only 3 of them were Westies .......me, Brenda, and Manny.......c'mon Westies we're one of the biggest running clubs in the country ......there were loads of Cosmics, heaps of Fife people, piles of Trotters, squads of Carnethy etc etc .
The only good news was that with no JD or Baldy Dobber running I would get the Men's Summer League if I could just finish.
The sun was splitting the sky when the race started and we headed off along a forest track for about a km or so then a trod and straight up through the heather to the first top ....hang a right on a fairly artificial route down a ridge then left over to the bealach and the main path up MaB ......at this point Davie Duncan caught me but I pushed on like a mad thing and beat him to the top then set off down the path which was initially rough enough for me to make time on him but got smoother as you dropped and Davie came shooting past near the bottom .......then purgatory .....well over 2kms of forest track, half of it uphill and the heavens opened and we got 10 minutes or so of fine Scottish rain dumped on us. Hung on in losing several places ( Davie was long gone ) and finished to the shouts of JD who had turned up and was cheering the finishers over the last 100m or so. Good race but just too much forest track or smooth path so didn't feel as good as the old race route. Collected my mug from Ronnie G, chaffed with a few other bods, had some food and a cup of tea in the hall and a chat with the Ladies Summer League champion ( Brenda) who had been safely shepherded around by Manny. Then down to Aviemore for a pint with Manny, Brenda and a couple of other folk and then off home .......a great day out .......more racing Westies urgently required ! ......Your CCC needs you !

National Cross Country Relays

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:44:32 +0000

24th October 2009

10 Westies made the effort to travel the short distance to Cumbernauld to take part in the Scottish National Cross Country Relays.

Luckily the early morning rain cleared away to leave a fine bright afternoon, with fantastic autumnal colours providing the backdrop in Cumbernauld Park for the 4km relays.

Summary of Westie times:

Women's A-Team
1. Pauline McAdam, 20:21
2. Pat McLaughlin, 23:25
3. Catriona Miller, 18:41

Women's B-Team
1. Ellen Homewood, 18:08

Men's A-Team
1. Chris Upson, 14:52
2. John Denovan, 16:05
3. Steffen Gorgas, 17:31
4. David Riach, 15:19

Men's B-Team
1. Johnston Orr, 17:48
2. Dave Calder, 17:23

Full results

Links to photos: senior women's race | senior men's race

FRA Relays

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:15:33 +0000

18th October 2009

Following a 3-year absence, Westerlands made an illustrious-ish return to the FRA Relays, held this year in the north west Lakes near Ennerdale.

After an alpine start from Glasgow, we found ourselves at "Lakes Bakes" cafe in Cockermouth by 8.30am for cappucino and bacon rolls, which strangely turned out to be the highlight of the day. The race itself was in a desolate forgotten corner of the Lake District on largely featureless grassy hills. Soon after the race started the clag descended and the hills vanished into low cloud with the rain setting in.

JD & Christine ran Leg 1 for our respective men's and women's teams, with Cat & Ellie and David & Chris running Leg 2. David & I set off first but overshot our turnoff for Gavel Fell and then became hopelessly disorientated in the mist as we visited checkpoint after checkpoint only to discover they were not the right ones. After a fairly exhausting and wearing 2-mile detour we finally found our Checkpoint 1 and then belted round the rest of the course, eventually catching Ellie & Cat who were amused that we appeared from behind.

Dave Rogers and Steffen had a much better run on Leg 3, and almost handed over to David Dickson before getting lapped by Simon Booth running for Borrowdale vets, whilst for the women Helen & Pauline eventually made it back for the final handover to Pat.

The first 3 teams were all disqualified for failing to find Checkpoint 1 on Leg 4 which was strange since David & I had no problem in finding this checkpoint 3 times and it wasn't even on our route!

Video of lead runners final descent | Link to photos

Dunbartonshire Cross Country Relays

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:44:21 +0100

17th October 2009

Our local cross country relays at Garscube saw a massive turnout of 4 teams, albeit with Hamilton and myself both running twice, combined with roping in German international celebrity runner Elke Schmidt who'd only turned up on her bike for a blether and didn't have any running kit with her, but that didn't stop her from running the fastest ladies time of the day by almost 2 minutes and causing a headache for the race organisers as to her first claim credentials.

That said everything else went swimmingly not least for Ken Macmahon who christened his golden vest with a swallow dive into the mud, shortly to be followed by Gibson would couldn't resist a wallow in the mire after failing to clear the imposing 4 inch hurdle into the finishing straight.

Link to photos

Full results: men's race | women's race

Women's A-Team
1. Catriona Miller, 17:02
2. Elke Schmidt, 14:37
3. Ellen Homewood, 17:23

Women's B-Team
1. Amy Pitch, 19:39
2. Pauline McAdam, 19:05
3. Pat McLaughlin, 22:34

Men's A-Team
1. Chris Upson, 13:54
2. Ken Macmahon, 15:20
3. John Denovan, 14:57
4. David Riach, 14:27

Men's B-Team
1. Hamilton Semple, 16:39
2. Gibson Fleming, 18:08
3. Chris Upson, 14:25
4. Hamilton Semple, 17:29

Pentland Skyline

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:43:44 +0100

11th October 2009

A bitterly cold wind was cutting through the Hillend Car Park early morning before the race. Once we got going the temperatures weren't too bad, although there was a ferocious headwind for most of the first half.

It wasn't until the climb up East Kip that David finally caught me. I could still see David until the climb up Bell's Hill, but after that he must have really taken off to climb to 10th position.

Dom and Elizabeth both seemed to enjoy their hill racing debuts, and Graham and Ellie ran well with Ellie successfully winning the SHR Long Classics Series

Summary of Westie results:
10. David Riach, 2:48:13
15. Chris Upson, 2:54:16
28. Graham Kelly, 3:02:55
51. Dominic Ketley, 3:16:24
88. Ellen Homewood, 3:34:51
144. Elizabeth Adams, 4:11:34

Full results

West District Cross Country Relays

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:21:29 +0100

10th October 2009

Christine, Deborah and Ellie had a great autumnal afternoon out, taking turns jogging around some muddy school fields in Stepps.

Ellie did well for the first 200 metres, keeping hot on the heels of the whipper-snapper crop topped, tiny-panted lot before her age/untrained lungs/tweaked nerve/pill-overload kicked in and she turned into a yellow tortoise, battling against a strong temptation to disappear behind the trees for a quick fag. Unfortunately, the men were looking on, offering quiet but firm grunts of encouragement and preventing sneaky escape.

Christine finally was able to rocket out of the starting blocks and, with her wonderfully floral backside, produced a steady run through the mud, passing on to the star of the day, Deborah, plucked from the safety of her home by Dastardly Don, after our dear Muffy developed a not-so-fluffy hamstring problem and had to pull out last week. Deborah put in a cracking show, and without even breaking into sweat, managed to pull back several of the hundred or so places lost by peg-leg-cross-country patch Ellie, in an impressively strong run. She later kindly signed our vests- so we have yellow and black proof that she ran with us!

The men made it look so easy- snake did his snakey thing- although it was allegedly just a 'jog' in honour of the PS demands tomorrow. Chris's run benefited from my frequently pointing his camera lens at him, transforming him from his jibbing, sideways shuffle, to an upright canter, fit for a captain.

Braveheart, and new Westie, Steven Grant put in a gallant third leg, passing over to Don, now apparently recovered from his pig pox, or whatever it was ailing him earlier in the year. Our shouts of encouragement in his last 500 hundred metres misfired, prompting the young lad from Helensburgh (maybe he was called John or Don or something and misheard us) who was just in front of him to spurt forward overtaking several others in an astounding coronary-risking sprint to the finish line.

A fantastic, lung-busting afternoon was had by all. Well done folks.

Full results

Loch Ness Marathon

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:05:29 +0100

Sunday 4th October 2009

What a fantastic day! After the horrendous weather on the Saturday it was amazing to have such a calm sunny day for the Loch Ness marathon and also for the wait we had before the start , an hour late!! There were a lot of stressed runners at the start of the race as transportation from both Fort Augustus and Inverness had problems. The bus from Fort Augustus broke down 3 miles from the start and the runners were left to walk uphill. They arrived thinking they had missed the start then soon realised that the majority of runners were still to arrive from Inverness. The runners from Inverness arrived eventually at the start 3 hours after they had boarded the buses and half an hour later than the race was scheduled to start. I had chosen the best option and got the bus from Drumnadrochit arriving at the start at 9.30 with 1.5hours of drinking tea and chatting to other runners!

The race was great running through hilly country roads what a setting ! The course is well marked and plenty of drink stations offering both water and Lucozade Sport.
I ran well for the first 17 miles before starting to tire a bit, but after a drink and a gel I continued a bit slower but steady to the finish. I didn't wear a watch so I had no idea of my time until the end. All I knew was that I had none of the gut or calf problems experienced in Paris. When I realised my time was sub 4 I was really pleased , 3hrs 56mins. The winning ladies time was 2hr48mns.

I did go through a phase of looking at all the women ahead of me to see if they were over 45 as I had noticed that there was prizes for the first 3 over 45 women, must have been the endorphins! I was soon brought down to earth when I looked at the results and saw that the first 3 were in around 3hrs 5mns, you can dream!!

What's next? Edinburgh 2010!! Entry already accepted!

Full results

Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:35:10 +0100

4th October 2009

I decided on a whim to enter this duathlon on the grounds that biking seems to do me less damage than running and I also thought it sounded cool. I liked the idea of doing a ten mile trail race and a sixteen mile mountain bike race, round the technical red singletrack trails at Dalbeattie. Only I don't think it had occured to me that I was actually doing both.

The run was mostly on forest roads, with a couple of miles at the end through the forest, and a few hills along the way, I kept a nice steady pace round the run, and was pleased to finish in just under 1.20. I took my time at the changeover, but the moment I got on the bike my legs turned to jelly and even the slightest incline was agony. I found myself pedalling up tiny hills that I would normally have sped up, in my lowest gear, and at a crawl and being overtaken by loads of riders.

Fortunately the pain did improve and I managed to speed up after about twenty minutes. I also discovered that lots of the riders who were powering past me were team competitors who hadn't done the run first. I eventually finished in just over 2 hours, total time 3.21.16. very pleased to have completed it and not to be last. I only discovered yesterday when I looked up the results that I was actually third lady.

The race was won by Steven Brennan in 2.22.43 and first lady was Renell Brennen in 2.55.39.

Results www.dalbeattiehardrockchallenge.org/pastresults.htm

A run wouldn't be a run without getting some sort of injury, this time it's my foot, fortunately I can now almost walk normally so hopefully it isn't anything too serious.

I'm now in massive awe of Elizabeth for the Big Ben Triathlon, I definitely hadn't realised how hard it was to change between disciplines in a race, I'm definitely not tempted, I don't know how you did it - that's so impressive!

Lock 27 Time Trial

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:10:18 +0100

5th October 2009

It must be at least 2 years since we last had a Lock 27 Time Trial so seeing as Charlie and Nige were rolling out this old club chestnut I thought I should at least make the effort to turn up. Also present were Pat, Pauline, Helen, Christine, Gibby and Ellie.

After the usual horse trading of handicap times all runners were discharged and I was faced with the seemingly impossible task of catching any of them. It wasn't until the final section of canal when I finally glimpsed Gibby and Ellie, who I just managed to ease past before the line to finish in 16:54 for the 4.6km route.

Scottish Vets Half Marathon

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:59:23 +0100

4th October 2009

I'd never really taken part in any of the Scottish Masters events, so I thought I'd give their Half Marathon a bash.

The race starts at Clydebank, and heads out along the canal towpath for 6.5 miles before turning. Then once you reach the startpoint again you've got about 160 metres to the finish.

I set out fast with Paul Thompson, but after the first mile in 5:39 we both eased off and ran together fairly comfortably until 12 miles at which point Paul started pressing the pace. I held on and at 13 miles we both sprinted for the line to make a bit of race out of it for the time-keepers!

Full results

McAndrew Relays

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:33:21 +0100

3rd October 2009

At the same time as the Ben Venue race, several Westies were taking part in the opening road race of the Scottish winter season. The McAndrew Relays are a 3.25 mile blast around Jordanhill.

The Westie results were as follows:

A-Team
1. Steffen Gorgas, 20:50
2. Katy MacKintosh, 22:34
3. Tim Austin, 18:09
4. David Riach, 19:10

Women's Team:
1. Amy Pitch, 25:04
2. Pauline McAdam, 24:50
3. Catriona Miller, 22:25

Full results

Ben Venue Challenge

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:27:03 +0100

3rd October 2009

A brand new race on the Scottish hill running calendar, and the first hill race ever organised by Bellahouston Road Runners.

The weather was looking a bit iffy before we started, with heavy squalls and violent winds. The start was delayed whilst a decision was made on the safety aspect of the race. Eventually it had to conceded that visiting the tops was simply not an option since the mountain rescue guys up the hill were getting blown off their feet. So 'Plan B' was a shorter lower level route that followed the tourist path up to a 575m col, and then back the same way.

The first few km was on hard forest track before emerging on to the open hillside for a couple of kilometres of quagmire to reach the col. Trying to round the cairn on the ridge you were suddenly hit by the full force of the wind that made any sort of progress almost impossible. A staggering lunge to get round the cairn, then instantly jet-blasted back down the hill.

The race was won by Matt Williamson of Bellahouston in 51:17, with Fiona Maxell first lady in 59:22.

Five Westies ran:
9. Chris Upson, 56:20
15. Dave Rogers, 58:28
34. Hamilton Semple, 1:06:15
42. Ellie Homewood, 1:10:49
64. Helen MacPherson, 1:16:59

Full results

Two Breweries

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:11:52 +0100

26th September 2009

A belated post on the Two Breweries...

For anyone who can remember that far back, it was a fine bright sunny autumnal afternoon, with a good turn out for the first race under the new management team of Pete and Elsie, who've bravely taken over the reins from Bill Sheridan, the founding father of Westies.

Anyhow, it was good weather for running. Sunny, with cooling breeze. The race was won by Scott Fraser in 2:47:30, with Megan Mowbray first lady in 3:37:39.

Five Westies ran:
10. Manny Gorman, 3:05:48
14. Chris Upson, 3:15:40
16. David Riach, 3:17:08
49. Steffen Gorgas, 3:51:09
59. Ellie Homewood, 3:58:20

Full results

Loch Katrine circumnavigation

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:00:09 +0100

Why? Ye canny ask that. Yes, this another Struthers monumental extravaganza of hill,trail,road walk a mere blip in the eye from Glasgow.

It was either a) From Trossachs Pier by courtesy of The Sir Walter Scott cruising to Stronachlachar Pier and then 8 miles over the hills back to Trossachs Pier.

Or b) From Trossacks Pier walking over the hills, onto the gravel trail onto the tarmac road round the entire Loch Katrine. Estimated at 22 miles-probably longer.

For a Bank Hoilday Sunday there could only be one choice.........in a)

So we chose b). This being an allegedly Westerlands first full frontal circumnavigation of Loch Katrine we did time it (see below if you'd rather not read any of the consummate reportage).

Setting off to a bright, sunlit-at times, warm hill section. This naturally being completely uncharted territory it was such hard going. Well, in places; for example the head high ferns and bracken. Smashing the way thro' the ferns "You o.k. at the back there Ian", sweat pouring out, " Yeah that's fine I'll tell you if you're going off course". "You just keep going ahead". Can't get the staff these days.

Travelling in new territory, new lands, over unseen hills, seeking out new civilizations, to boldly go where no Sane person has been before. So to tackle such a gargantuan exercise, what are the pre-requisites? Yes, you may well be saying a tenuous grip on your sanity? Others may keep up a constant stream of dialogue. Struthers, erudite as ever discussing Natural History, Politics,Philosophy, and more. Semple, just clinging to the wreckage? No,no. Giving "hilarious" versions of classic episodes of Fawlty Towers, Dad's Army, Only Fools and Horses, etc.Plus both quoting poetry. At one "short" break by the water's edge we both simultaneously quoted Stevie Smith's Not Waving But Drowning. Or when the miles go on and on and on, " we have miles and miles to go before we sleep, miles and miles to go before we sleep". Or if it's really getting worse than bad, if we are allowed to quote Adrian Mitchell in these pages:

Celia, Celia

When I am sad and weary

When I think all hope has gone

When I walk along High Holborn

I think of you with nothing on.

"Same again Major" " Oh! rather Fawlty" (Tall/Short couple in the bar0 To tall man "Large one for you Sir" To short wife "Sh.....not such a large one, medium,ehh......"

Or, "Don't tell him Pike!" Ye canny wack it.

So, if anyone is still there, time really must be getting on, on the Loch, and the rain has been more or less constant, but we're still singing away, dredging up old long forgotten ditties from .....did I ever tell you about the time when.....No.

On this long, long, long, sojourn, of course reading all information boards along the way, this took.................................can you bare to look.............................

7 hrs. 52 mins.

So, if you're up for that, we wish you good luck and we're all thinking of you. "And it's a goodnight from him................."

Big Ben Nevis Triathlon

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:16:24 +0100

1.2mile swim (Loch Linnhe), 56mile mountain bike (4 laps of Cow Hill / Glen Nevis) and 13mile run (involving a not insignificant hill).

Not exactly a hill race but it was pretty hilly so I thought it sort of counted. First of all, I survived (yippee!). This is a truly awesome race and everyone should do it at least once.

The race started at 7am to make the best of slack tide but despite the early hours there was still a good crowd there to support. Getting into the water was pretty tough as there was no way of kidding myself it was going to be warm - even with two swimhats. The pain in my hands from the cold was pretty bad but they soon went numb and once the whistle went I didn't care anyway. Managed to get into quite a good rhythm, despite swimming slap bang into two different buoys and having to weave about to avoid the flailing limbs of the guy in front who was doing breaststroke.

I got out the water a good 12 min faster than I had in my last triathlon in Aberfeldy. Got my paws stuck in the wetsuit, maybe cos they were so cold, or maybe because of my watch but I'm sure it afforded lots of amusement to any onlookers. Saw my friend Lizzie just leaving transition so hared after her to stop the bike. Neil saw me off, I knew it was going to be a long haul from there so it was great to get his encouragement. The bike course was one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of racing on. With every lap it just got better and the smile on my face got broader. The hill was excruciating but once on that sweepy beautiful down it was worth every bit of the pain.

On the second lap I got a puncture but managed to fix it before the midges killed me and finished the four laps without any more mishaps. Just lots of jelly babies.

Then came the 'run' up the Ben. I say run and I maintain that I did to run the road bit to and from Fort William to the start of the Ben. And a couple of the flatter bits. The rest of the way up was more of a determined walk but I loved it all the same. It was great to see the buddy runners nearer the top, it made such a difference to have someone there to follow, especially now that the mist had come in. It was cold and my legs were starting to give up and it was just wonderful to chat to someone about completely irrelevant things and forget about the rest.

Just after the buddy runner left me I saw Lizzie running down which cheered me up no end, it was great to see another friendly face. I'd only seen one other girl so thought she might be third but it turns out that the first girl was about 1hr30 ahead of the next and I'd missed her somewhere. That's my first time to actually reach the summit of Ben Nevis, after a good few attempts in the past few years in various climbing trips. I started to run when I saw the summit, gleefully hugging the cairn and calling out my race number. I think I was fourth girlie in the end. I'm not going to say how many actually entered the race as I'm not too sure (hopefully at least 5?) but, judging by the shocked look on one walker's face as she pointed her pole at me and exclaimed 'It's a WOMAN!!!', I'm guessing not too many. I suppose I should just be grateful that despite the windswept and interesting hairdo and my general bedraggledness, it was still possible for her to tell!

Took me 10hr30 in total, including 3hr30 for the run. I think my legs will hurt for a lot longer than the race lasted but you know that thing about pain being temporary and pride being forever? I'm pretty pleased with it. I've had my eye on this race for a few years but always thought it was only for the truly hardcore. Well it turns out that's just all in the head.

Awesome race, look here for the video and enter now for next year!

Mugdock Turbo X

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:55:02 +0100

12th September 2009

Billed as Turbo X-rated "Pure Filth", this race lived up to its name by providing a few muddy bits on the 10-mile trail around Mugdock Country Park.

More than 400 runners crammed onto the start line, rubbing shoulders with several elite international fell runners and orienteers. The race started steadily enough before the pace started to tell and the field strung out. As usual I was battling alongside Paul Thompson for the first few km before opening a slight gap.

The route passed through much familiar territory with sections of Christmas Handicap and Childrens Home Run, but also with plenty of weaving through the forest on narrow trails. In the final couple of miles I managed to catch Brian McEwan and Dougal Ross to finish 9th.

1. Nick Swinburn, 1:03:55
9. Chris Upson, 1:16:08
16. Natalie White, 1:20:47
24. Stephen Bell, 1:23:54
57. Hamilton Semple, 1:33:26
107. Mathew Bull, 1:40:31
187. Helen MacPherson, 1:50:37
188. Gillian Irvine, 1:50:37

Full results

Croftamie Handicap 2009

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:57:28 +0100

A small but quality field turned out for last night's annual Croftamie Handicap, slightly later in the year than normal due to holiday commitments which meant the light was failing rapidly by the end of the 7.8 mile (12.5km) course.

9 runners started the race, and all but one finished successfully. New recruit Dom managed to uphold the fine Westies tradition of going wildly off route but seemed to enjoy his extended run despite having to be rescued by Drew and Margaret. The racing snake David Riach lived up to his name by lurking at the back and then slithering his way through the field to steal the handicap win overhauling both Fiona and Helen in the final metres. I was next home, having passed Ellie in the final straight, with Matt and JD finishing very soon after.

The timings appeared to be a bit of a mystery, but by my estimations David clocked 46:18 and I was just over a minute behind in 47:27. Ellie must have been next fastest, followed by JD, Matt or Helen and Fiona.