Scorcher of a day for the annual Highland Gathering in Luss, big schedule of Heavy, Athletic and Cycling events. Two Hill races, one for locals and one for anyone. Entered both as they are relatively short at about 2 & 3 miles, the local race goes half way up & back to the games field the open race goes to the top & back.
6 of us in the local race, a 7th joined in as we started but he was an imposter from the Stirling area. Reached the turning point in 6th place but the imposter got lost on the way down so finished 5th in a new pb of 19:31.
14 of us in the open race, went from 12th to 13th on the climb heat taking its toll. Picked off one on the descent but couldn't see anyone else in front eventually finishing in a slow 35:32 but had gained another 3 or so places to finish about 9th as a few more got lost.
Altough a small event some v good runners taking part in both races, the open event was won by the current Scottish Champion. Watched some of the other events for a while but had to leave as the bar began to look too inviting.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Rosneath Highland Games, Sun 20th July
Having missed the Mull Monsterette yesterday drove to Roseneath after a late night in bar51 for the Parreman Hill Race, a return to the race where I first won money as a runner. About 15 or so started, 7 runners and the rest kids, hopefully the kids would be slower than last year.
Set off with 1 1/2 laps round the track, an extra half lap! Left the games field on the first climb, soon passing the kids. Went from 5th to 2nd as those in front took a slight detour even though the course was marked. Route goes through a delightful cows field taking in the most gloopy bits in true Milburn fashion. From the field its onto a forrest track which winds its way up to the top, back in 5th by the top and then had to re-direct the first 2 onto the correct route.
The run back starts off in what is basically a ditch for the first few hundred yards and your rate of progress depends if you choose the right side, i.e. whether you walk or run, how many times you fall, how much skin exfoliates on the dry stane dyke. As this was my third time you would think I would have learnt!
Out the ditch and back onto the forrest track, not steep enough to catch the guy in front before the gloopy field, then didn't pick the best line through field and only started to catch him on the last steep descent, too short to make up the distance and finished about 50 yards behind in 29:21 for 5th place & £8. Not too bad as only 7 seconds slower than last year but with 1/2 a lap extra.
Lovely sunny, breezy day spent watching hammers, stones, haybales and the like being thrown about, Highland games seem much better when you participate.
Set off with 1 1/2 laps round the track, an extra half lap! Left the games field on the first climb, soon passing the kids. Went from 5th to 2nd as those in front took a slight detour even though the course was marked. Route goes through a delightful cows field taking in the most gloopy bits in true Milburn fashion. From the field its onto a forrest track which winds its way up to the top, back in 5th by the top and then had to re-direct the first 2 onto the correct route.
The run back starts off in what is basically a ditch for the first few hundred yards and your rate of progress depends if you choose the right side, i.e. whether you walk or run, how many times you fall, how much skin exfoliates on the dry stane dyke. As this was my third time you would think I would have learnt!
Out the ditch and back onto the forrest track, not steep enough to catch the guy in front before the gloopy field, then didn't pick the best line through field and only started to catch him on the last steep descent, too short to make up the distance and finished about 50 yards behind in 29:21 for 5th place & £8. Not too bad as only 7 seconds slower than last year but with 1/2 a lap extra.
Lovely sunny, breezy day spent watching hammers, stones, haybales and the like being thrown about, Highland games seem much better when you participate.
Ted Baker Thurs 17th July
6th running of this race, good turn out of 18 runners on a sunny night. Usual staggered start to try to bring everyone home at the same time. Lollipop route, start & finish on the same route with a loop at the top.
Took it steady on the way out staying out of oxygen debt, one runner from our group going ahead on the run through the woods beside the stream. Started to pass runners on the pink path. Kept the effort even and pushed the pace once past the trig point until back in the woods where the slightly steeper downhill lends itself to a bit of a sprint, pop out at the side of Pappert, closing one runner down but never close enough to worry him.
Finished in 44 mins plus much the same as last year but 2 mins outside my best time.
Took it steady on the way out staying out of oxygen debt, one runner from our group going ahead on the run through the woods beside the stream. Started to pass runners on the pink path. Kept the effort even and pushed the pace once past the trig point until back in the woods where the slightly steeper downhill lends itself to a bit of a sprint, pop out at the side of Pappert, closing one runner down but never close enough to worry him.
Finished in 44 mins plus much the same as last year but 2 mins outside my best time.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
WHW Sat 12th July
After races the last 2 weekends returned to the WHW torture chamber for a 20 mile recovery run. Starting at Drymen set out towards Balmaha and a few miles beyond, target Cashel and then back. About 3800' of ascent.
Set off at an easy pace about 12 min miles or 4 hours, slowed on the up hills and turned in 2 hrs 12. Slower on the way back 2:29 for a 4:41:06 total.
Walked a lot of the uphills and cruised down Conic, not too fast as only had road shoes on, just let gravity do its job. Nice run in perfect running conditions, but about 5 miles too far, preferrence would have been under 4 hours.
Set off at an easy pace about 12 min miles or 4 hours, slowed on the up hills and turned in 2 hrs 12. Slower on the way back 2:29 for a 4:41:06 total.
Walked a lot of the uphills and cruised down Conic, not too fast as only had road shoes on, just let gravity do its job. Nice run in perfect running conditions, but about 5 miles too far, preferrence would have been under 4 hours.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Dollar Hill Race Sat 5th July
The race covers 7 hill tops, about 10 miles & 3000' of ascent and starts and finishes in front of the Cricket pavillion at Dollar Academy. Access to the hills is via Dollar Glen with the aptly named Burn of Sorrow to cross before the main climb onto the moor.
Struggled on the initial climb up Saddle Hill to the top of Whitewisp. Once over Whitewisp able to pick up the pace along an easy undulating track to Tarmangie then a blip called Skythorn Hill. A short climb up to Andrew Gannel is followed by a short down and up to the last real hill called King Seat. From here its mainly down hill towards Dollar via another blip called Bank Hill. You then re-join the outward route to cross a happier Burn of Sorrow.
A quick jog through the park, back along the road to Dollar Academy and finish in front of the Cricket Pavillion.
All very civilised with changing and showers followed by tea and home made cakes. A good hill race with plenty of running and no rocky or exposed sections. Found the climbs tough again but was able to pick up the pace elsewhere, surprised to finish in just under 1:55, only 3 mins slower than 2 years ago.
Struggled on the initial climb up Saddle Hill to the top of Whitewisp. Once over Whitewisp able to pick up the pace along an easy undulating track to Tarmangie then a blip called Skythorn Hill. A short climb up to Andrew Gannel is followed by a short down and up to the last real hill called King Seat. From here its mainly down hill towards Dollar via another blip called Bank Hill. You then re-join the outward route to cross a happier Burn of Sorrow.
A quick jog through the park, back along the road to Dollar Academy and finish in front of the Cricket Pavillion.
All very civilised with changing and showers followed by tea and home made cakes. A good hill race with plenty of running and no rocky or exposed sections. Found the climbs tough again but was able to pick up the pace elsewhere, surprised to finish in just under 1:55, only 3 mins slower than 2 years ago.
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