Slioch Horseshoe Hillrace

Weekend based in Sands campsite just north of Gairloch. Travelled up on Friday, nice evening then rain set in later on. Wet again Saturday morning, sounded heavier inside the tent. Registration in Kinlochewe then a mile or so warm up walk to the start at Incheril. Quick race brief around the bad weather route avoiding a swollen burn and 60 plus runners set off for 5k of undulating trail to the foot of Slioch. The start not too steep, wet muddy rocky, the tourist trail towards Slioch, struggling all the way contemplated turning back several times as most of the field spread out in front. A couple of jelly babies and a marshall taking pictures just about kept me going, left the path for the ascent/assault of Sgurr Dubh steep heathery and rocky.

Felt better here, no quicker just made being slow good enough a reason to keep trying. Followed the ridge off Sgurr Dubh past the lochans onto the ridge to Sliochs multiple tops, wasted some energy going over the first one instead of round it then an undulating run over the two true summits. Turned back for the lochans to pick up the tourist trail into Sliochs White Corrie, more wet muddy rocky trail, care and attention more important than pace, thankfully no runners in sight on the way back to tempt me in to a chase. Reached the bottom no falls, no cramp, just the 5k undulating trail to finish just inside 4 hours. Mixture of homemade energy food and fruit at the finish then a good feed back at registration, hot veggy stew, coffee and cakes. Just missed the prize giving, everyone went home with a beer.

Back to Sands campsite, weather now glorious!