Nothing to Grouse about – the Crieff 10K, 11/07/10
It was Johnny who first planted the seed a few months ago. He had run it last year and had really enjoyed the multi-terrain scenic route so I signed up – I’d like to say promptly but I did finally get round to it a week before!
The day of the race I was a little dubious. No takers on our house and we were still doing an open showing 2-4 on Sundays. Driving up in my wee micra with Johnny, we really did question the wisdom of going such a long way for a pretty short race. However, sod it we said – life is short and it’s a big running world out there.
We pitched up at Morrison’s Academy sports ground to register which is both the start and finish of the race. It has a delightfully short springy grass playing field of which I had visions sprinting back along to the finish line. The course itself goes out over Laggan Hill and along the banks of the River Earn via Lady Mary’s walk. The day itself had great running conditions – cool and a bit of drizzle in the air. We met up with Alex from Musselburgh racing club, Rachel, Jacqui, Emily and Jimbo. Together with Sue that was the Porty turn out – pretty good for a non-club race over an hour’s drive away. As Jimbo said to me after the race he overheard a couple of runners at the start muttering to each other “these Porties get everywhere”.
Off we duly went at 11am – a nice wide lope across the playing field avoiding the potential bottleneck at the gate at the end. In typical fashion Jacqui and Rachel easily cruised by me (I never even spotted Johnny!) but I was able to keep Rachel in my sights so I settled in to enjoy the race and see where it took me. The course is described as undulating and the first 2k are certainly so but the trail path on the hill into the woods didn’t bother me too much and I tried to just concentrate on reaching the top and stretching my legs out at which point I enjoyed the downhill trail, looking around me drinking in the scenery. I missed grabbing some water at 5k and its at that point that the run starts to flatten out along the river Earn and its lovely.
Also passed some donkeys on my left hand side high up in a field and silently said “Hee Haw” to myself! At 7K I was right behind Rachel and she encouraged me to press on which I duly did. Off the river path and onto the road that eventually takes you back into the playing fields. The finish line seemed like miles away but heartened by Johnny and Jacqui as I got closer I managed to find some oomph left in my legs to sprint to the finish. Its funny because like Johnny I’m a slow burner so a 10K race is always hard for me to pace. I’m always glad to see any finish line but I always feel I’m just getting into my stride after the first few miles of huffing and puffing.
Emily came in just behind my finishing time of 47,10 followed by Rachel, Sue & Jimbo. I was so pleased for Johnny finishing 5 (11th last year) in a time of 37, 47 and Jacqui putting in a great 44 min race too – its certainly not one for PBs. Then it was on to the amazing home baked spread and sandwiches, tea & coffee to await the prize giving. Amazingly I won a tenner for 2nd lady in my vet category. Jacqui would have won something for sure had the senior ladies category not have spanned such a wide age group (18-39). Sue also won in her category so all in all another great day out for Porty. Nice goodie bag too with a miniature bottle of Grouse (the race sponsors) and a woolly hat! And not to forget the vision of Tommy the Clown from Greenock who seems to pitch up to more races than PRC…..
Without a doubt though, the highlight has to be pummeling the living daylights out of the poor guy dressed up as the Famous Grouse mascot – photographic evidence provided! The ‘Grouse’ was last seen lurching off to the side of the pitch doubled up in agony after one rabbit punch too many I suspect. I hope he’s okay.
Report (and photos) Shery Johnston
Full results here
Pictures at www.roadrunpics.com/ Many thanks for borrowing of Porty action photos5 161 JOHHNY LAWSON PORTOBELLO M18-39 37 47
31 70 ALEX OLIVER MUSSELBURGH M40-49 42 54
12 66 JACQUELINE RAMSAY PORTOBELLO F18-39 44 12
63 253 SHERY JOHNSTON PORTOBELLO F40-49 47 10
71 265 EMILY RAMSAY PORTOBELLO F18-39 47 47
83 219 RACHEL BERRY PORTOBELLO F18-39 48 44
140 273 SUE KINGSTON PORTOBELLO F50-59 53 44
151 100 JAMES RAMSAY PORTOBELLO M40-49 54 44
