Barrathon; Barra Half 1/7/06
I decided not to do Barra Half. Rest was what was needed.
Then a great 2 hrs in the Pentlands Tuesday, followed by a tough hill session at the club Wednesday, and by the time I'd recovered on Thursday night I felt up for chumming Ben to do the Barrathon. Also Richard was going so I'd make a team.
Drive up to Oban followed by warm-up jog from the long term carpark at one end of Oban to the ferry terminal at the other carrying rucksacks and we made the ferry with about 5 mins to spare. Weather looking reasonable and a smooth journey up the sound of Mull and over to Barra. 5 hrs. So it isn't cheap or quick to get there but the welcome makes you glad you made the effort.
Katie MacNeil is the driving force behind a large team of helpers anxious to make the event run smoothly, while raising loads of money for charity at the same time. As we got off the boat she was at the wheel of a coach driving folk to their accommodation. We walked past the “campsite” I stayed at last year - little more than a scrubby piece of foreshore along from the ferry terminal and about as industrial as Barra gets - to a secluded spot round the bay, just past the hospital, and pitched the tents in the lee of a rocky outcrop. Despite the stiff wind the weather was much improved from last year when it was horizontal rain for the most crucial parts of the weekend. After we cooked and ate, Ben offered me a cup of tea flavoured with the remnants he had been unable to remove from the bottom of the pan, burnt on earlier. I declined his vegetable brew. Took photos of sun, hill and clouds.
Where Ben and I stayed.
Where Richard stayed.Next day woke up to grey skies and stiffer wind but no rain so counting blessings. Up early and off into town to register and poke fun at those in the busy urban campsite. Since Mr. Brodie was absent this year our chosen team name lacked the offshore vernacular. During the warm-up Ben told me the times we had optimistically jotted down on the entry forms earlier had been put up in the foyer for all to see and scoff at. We felt there should be a prize for whoever finishes most adrift from their estimate. We speculated who might have put down 1.10 and didn't need to wait long to find out.
I did 30 mins of warm up and stretching which possibly helped with some of the aches and pains of late. Then we gathered at the start line and were serenaded on the pipes before being told it would be the race of our lives, and off we went.
Castlebay complete with castle in the bayRichard had been driving the course the previous evening and reported back that I had omitted to mention lots of hills around the course. However the weather last year was so extreme that the hills were secondary in consideration and I hadn't really noticed them. Also, last time I ran with nobody near and was worried that I might go off route. Every mile marker was a relief.
Ben and I started quickly down the hill past the finish but I soon fell into line and let Ben chase the 1.10er who took off with the lead car and pretty much disappeared into the distance. I let a few go then settled into a steady pace wondering just how big the notorious hill after mile 10 would be. Shortly I felt a presence at my shoulder then overtake and for a moment I thought about picking up the pace - but it was Terry Coyle. The great thing about Terry is he isn't in my age category. He went off to trouble Ben and last I saw he was about 20 yards behind Ben - with them in second and third. I found out later that he appeared at Ben's shoulder and ran with him from about the 6th mile to the end - a desperate business.
Meanwhile I was enjoying views of the pretty white beaches with turquoise rollers along the west coast. Richard had told us to look out for his hotel just beyond the first toilet stop. There was a spectator there who facetiously offered what appeared to be a large starbuck's coffee cup as a drink. There were also plenty of folk taking photos on the way round and many words of encouragement.
I was about 6th place at this point and really having a splendid time when I heard footsteps and Geoff from HBT drew alongside. We said hello. Since he beat me by a couple of minutes at the 7 Hills a fortnight prior I was thinking that this might be the case. He is in my age category. However I was feeling good and it wasn't raining. Geoff kind of fell behind a bit but I could hear his number rattling in the wind for a long time. Good tip for windy races; fold your number small then sneak up on folk quietly. I tend to do this anyway as it saves catching a thumb in the edge.
When we turned round the top part of the course about mile 4 the wind was in our faces. I thought about that estimated time back in the sports hall. A few undulations and every time we went downhill I noticed I gained a bit on the chap ahead. Rather than focus on the brown shirt a couple of steps behind I began to aim at Mr Beardy up ahead. Last year I had dropped from 2nd to 3rd about mile 8 and this year I felt I could reverse the direction of travel. Dropping down into a curved bay I made my move and although Mr. Beardy - actually David Philip - picked up the pace as soon as I got alongside I felt he would yield if I kept up the pressure. I charged up the other side and began to catch sight of number 4, in fact David's brother Jamie. Perhaps his cleanly shaved face was proving less drag in the wind. As we traced the coastal road south it turned west and the wind which had been troubling us was no longer to the front.
going up the hill (note the small number)Then the 10 mile marker and the road ahead rises to pass between the shoulders of 2 hills before turning back into Castlebay and the finish. I had a feeling that this hill would be instrumental in determining places but everyone seemed to proceed up it in an orderly fashion. Ben and Terry ran it side by side, neither showing a weakness. I might have gained a few yards on the second Philip brother but towards the top I had settled into what wasn't much quicker than a brisk walk and he seemed to stay about the same 130 yards ahead. I managed to resist looking behind feeling that if I hadn't been overtaken by the crest I was probably safe. At last the top came and I opened up my stride and tore down the steep descent getting, by the foot of the hill, to within 20 yards of my target. I figured best to stay that distance behind as there was still a bit to go and if I gave warning of my proximity I could stir up a response from Jamie. I needn't have bothered as he had more left than I did and I never got within shouting distance of a race to the line. A short but brutal 50 yard incline just inside the town increased the distance between us and I had to settle for 5th, 8 seconds behind Jamie. The wind and hills had reduced my time to 1.25 but I was happy with my performance and felt satisfied with my race. Ben had fallen victim to the same steep hill and Terry managed to pull away to cross the line (also) 8 seconds faster. Not bad for a man 18 yrs Ben's senior. The 1.10er had done 1.13, also not bad. However PRC reputations were rescued when Richard came over the line in a tremendous 1.41 (round about a pb) giving us the team prize. Ben and I won bottles of wine and a handsome pint mug each (which I take isn't a drinking suggestion) for age category prizes, and the three of us split a case of Lager with (inappropriately,) shot glasses, and a shield which proclaims “Best Team” rather than just first or fastest. Isobel of HBT take note. While we were enjoying the prizegiving we were “treated” to a slide show of competitors, taken during the race, projected onto a sheet above the stage. If they had posted estimated times against actual, humiliation would have been complete. (I was about a minute slow, and glad I hadn't put the time I'd really wanted!)
passing place
Ben and TerryShortly before the prizegiving we were treated to the best after race buffet I've ever enjoyed. With a huge spread of top quality sea food and pasta galore, followed by trifle and cake, we were scarcely able to haul ourselves up to the hotel to watch the England team fail on penalties.
Too tired to properly enjoy the ceilidh - had a walk to stretch weary legs, then after the ceilidh staggered back to the tents. On the way a Sea King helicopter the size of a lorry dropped out the dark sky into the playing fields and either dropped off or picked up someone - the hospital seemed busier afterwards. Slept well but was still tired all the way home.
Harris this weekend for the finale of the Heb3. Hope the weather holds.
Report Peter Buchanan
Photos Peter Buchanan, Ben Kemp, Colin Laidlaw
Results hereLinks to other 2006 Heb3 races
Stornoway
Benbecula
Skye
Harris
