I did my usual faff on what to wear. Instead of was it just a vest of vest and t-shirt, it was which waterproof to take and whether to actually start with it! Had a brief exchange of pleasantries with Murdo, Jaques and Manny before lining up in the waterlogged field. The MRT on the summit advised on the conditions – minus three (windchill) degrees, 25 mph wind and around 50 feet of visibility. As per last year, I got a good start and did not need to fight for position heading up the road. Dave Rodgers nipped past which gave enough incentive to regain a few places prior to leaving the road and starting up the track. A fair few of the walkers (all of whom had multiple layer and hoods up) appeared surprised to see runners scrambling up into the mist and some seemed a bit annoyed for some reason. I passed and was passed by one of the Spanish girls over for the race – couldn’t help but wonder what she made of it all. Over the red burn and onto the steeper stuff. The soaking that the ground had been subjected to along with the numerous pairs of Walshes and Inov8s took its toll on the hill and there were a few very minor landslips and “stuff” slid off the hill. As always, it was nice to see Robb Jebb coming down …not too far to the summit then. I started to get too cold for comfort and stopped briefly to stick my jacket and hat on. Lost a few places but regained them when the folks ahead decided a bit more protection was in order as well. Manny passed by (dressed in yellow and not pink as stated), round the summit and it was my turn for the downhill. The wee Spanish lass disappeared at an incredible rate and I held on for as long as I could …I managed all of about 30 seconds before realising it was going to end in tears. Managed a bit of a tumble / bounce / tumble combination just above the green wall to which one of the MRT suggested that my arse was better designed for such behaviour rather than my head. I picked myself up …thanked him and promptly went my length again! I did however take his advice on the wall itself as my shorts (and arse) can testify to. Back on the tourist track I was pleased to find I was either matching last years time …or possibly even just ahead. Nearly missed the wee muddy track which was fast becoming liquid slurry which gives a bit of a short cut but once on it, realised I had no control whatsoever. Resigning myself to another tumble I tried to slow down a bit, caught a toe and rolled forward coming to an undignified stop on the path below. Unfortunately, it was head on rock which actually brought me to a halt – a bit dazed, a couple of spectators helped me to my feet and a tad dizzy I continued down the track slower than before. Stopped to duck my head in a stream (not sure why I though that would help but it did). Feeling much better I stepped thing up again but I had lost a pile of time and even more places. Hit the road and looked at my watch 1:51 …not long to go. Managed to catch Stuart Simpson of the Ochils and we had a wee game of attack and defend positions as we continued towards the finish. Last turn and into an even more waterlogged field!
Was over the moon to keep under the two hours given the conditions but couldn’t help wonder what the finish time would have been without that last fall …grrrrrrrrr. Roll on next year!
Congrats to all Westies who took part !
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