I had been meaning to attend midgefest for a number of years. This is not an extreme death metal gig but the yearly Ben Sheann race above Strathyre. It is only 4km long but ascends (and therefore descends) 426m of vertical height. The path is fairly narrow on the way up so making up places is difficult. With fellow westie Don Reid close behind I was keen to get as much ground as possible on the way up so started as fast as practicable. Found myself right behind Chris Upson (who was running with a gubbed back) and shortly before we left the cover of the trees made an effort and for the first time ever got past Chris. On the short summit ridge he responded and put me back in my box. I was feeling strong so responded back ...as did Chris. In the end he got over the cairn before me. At the start of the descent I reckoned he would be taking it easy. In an effort to keep up, I fell twice and decided a third time would be asking for trouble. The rest of the way down through the forest went without incident and I was chuffed to have a bit left for the road even if I crossed blowing like and old coo !
Ben Sheann Results
Ben Sheann Photographs
It would appear that there is a bit of a divide between hill and road runners. At one time I only ran on the road (suspect many folks started like that) before migrating to the hills and now very, very seldom race on the tarmac. One reason is that I find it a bit sore on the joints and another being the hills are fun ! A compromise is trail racing but there are not too many of these in bonny Scotia. The exception is the Calderglen 10k. I seem to have remembered about this race the morning after it is held each year but thanks to Johnston got wind of it a couple of days before. So I rambled up to race registration looking around to see if there was anyone I knew that I could pace myself from ...nope ...it was going to be interesting. I had talked Mirsia into spending her Friday evening doing a wee bit of race support. Met with Johnston who informed me a fast start was the order of play (again). We lined up ...quick countdown and we were off - 110% effort and a mad sprint to where the track narrowed (again). Surely this pace could not be sustained ...bugger it looked like I was the only one in the bunch who thought that. First hill on the first lap thankfully things slowed a bit ...onto the flat section on the second loop and they sped up (again). At this point, my dinner showed a serious want to get a trail side view of things and I had a choice ...slow up (again) or spew ! In the interests of other runners ...I slowed. Couple of very skinny guys nipped past and left me and a guy from Giffnock North to do battle for a bit. He seemed really strong but equally happy for me to set the pace for a bit. In the last Km, his strength paid off and he got past (rather annoyingly on a hill). Into the finish field and I even had time to grab a wee peck on the cheek from Mirsia (to the amusement of other spectators and the polis).
Another short race and more pain ... guid stuff !
Calderglen Results
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