Dumyat Hill Race 6/05/09
I'd heard Lynn was keen to run Dumyat (pronounced dumb-EYE-at) and since Mary was working, managed to hitch a lift with Cath who drove Lynn, myself and soon-to-be-Porty Jenny over to Stirling University campus where the weather looked far from promising. The drizzle fell and low cloud covered the tops of the Ochils and Dumyat, but we did our best not to let it dampen our spirits.
None of us had run the race before but the course follows the same line from the summit to the uni that finishes the Ochils 2000 race so I was familiar with the route. I have never seen it so muddy though.
In the changing rooms I bumped into Gerry (running for Bella tonight.) It was good to catch up with him though I did wonder why he wasn't wearing his cross country shoes. We warmed up running the first part of the course then congregated with the other runners at the start. There was a good turnout – maybe 200+ - not bad for a wet Wednesday. With no speeches or even a ready, steady... the airhorn fired and we were off. The caffeine drink powered me up to a top five position for a bit which was laughable as the Bog and Burn series are well attended by a quality field. But my shoes seemed to want to go fast and I really enjoy the late starts of Wednesday evening racing.
A steady stream of folk went past, however I felt I was doing okay out the uni grounds down a muddy trail then sharp left up some very steep tarmac then over a small stream and up into the muddy woods. This became steeper and slippier as we climbed through the trees. I have never seen this part of the course so muddy and you could see big long sliding footprints where those in front had lost grip. Best to steer to one side where possible and get some friction on the undergrowth. Angela Mudge (whose strength is going up-hill) went past about here but I kept her in my sights for a while. I wondered how Gerry was doing skating about in his non-grippy shoes. Also wearing road shoes was Cath's colleague Jenny and this was her first hill race. Both Jenny and Cath had the 20 miles of E2NB in their legs from Saturday. I hoped they were coping ok. This was not a walk in the park.
After a lot of slithering about (and concern as to what the route would be like coming down at speed ) we crossed a stile and suddenly we were out on the open hillside running up a well worn path with some slippy rock but much easier going. There was plenty of room to run round obstacles and you could see the runners ahead and get an idea of what was coming up. Going past Chris Upson is a rare treat although I think we can thank a tough run for him at the FLM for that. I saw Angela towards the top and timed her 90 seconds ahead. It might just be possible to catch up (if I could borrow a quad bike off someone.) (I didn't see her again.)
Muddy LifeboatThe top was pretty unpleasant with a heavy drizzle being blown about the place by a cold wind. I think I turned about 27+minutes which would make sense from my finishing time (41mins) – generally on a course like this I take twice the time to go up as come down. I didn't take my eyes off the ground to look at my watch for a 100 yards over the rock, until safely on the path again. I looked for Gerry but didn't see him. I thought he could be right behind me but it seemed unlikely in those shoes.
Now the fun begins – after a couple of rocky bits where you have to pay attention you can head down the hill at max, zooming past the stream of up-hillers, jumping boulders and daring yourself to swoop down the steep grass and dirt trails at top whack. There is a fence crossing in a swampy pond and a small uphill but its mostly just taking off the brakes and bombing down. I overtook maybe 6 or 8 folk but its difficult to remember: you have to focus 98% on the ground and footing, leaving 2% for shouting hello to teammates. I was so “absorbed” when Lynn shouted encouraging things as we passed each other I could only shout “HURRAY” back. I'm sure I was pulling that face as well. (See Stuc report) That face (the gormless open mouthed look) is because my eyes water and I instinctively do all I can to open my eyes as wide as possible to see over the tears. Its not because I'm gormless. No really.
I hadn't seen Gerry nor Cath and Jenny but that flew out of my head as we went back over the (slippy wooden) stile and left, down into the muddy woods. The first part was okay and my shoes were great for grip in the leafy mire. However we then came to steep muddy stuff and some rocky bits and more mud slides where you had to aim at trees to slow your descent and feet were at times just in a snowboarding stance surfing the mud. I contemplated at one point hunkering down and sledging the mud but I knew it would end in a bumslide and just didn't fancy it. Cath however is made of stronger stuff and, well, the photo says it all...
For most of the worst of it I was closely following someone who seemed to be going at it fearlessly. Not wanting to be left behind (or thought a woose) I was trying to emulate his style. I baulked at the slick steep rocky section which he rattled over like it was dry and maybe foam rubber. Coming this way after the 20 miles of the Ochils 2000 I was down on all fours like I had fallen out my wheelchair. Tonight I slowed and tried to find some grip in the uphill shrubbery. But there were still a couple of big jumps down and a couple of corners nearly overcooked.
At last we shimmied through the burn and onto the steep tarmac (far too fast round that corner) before an uphill which I bolted till my lungs ached as I wanted to stay ahead of Jamie Thin. I had overtaken him a bit back but not being a race where you can afford a backward glance I felt he was probably on my shoulder and would use an uphill to retake the place. (He is stronger going up. If I am having a good day I am stronger descending.) Then into the campus and a slightly longer sprint than you would want, on the road, to the line. WHAT A BLAST! On a wet Wednesday evening this was an amazing buzz, the real risk of breaking or wrenching something adding to the excitement, the mud and slipperiness making this a real test.
Not for everyone though. Gerry had dnf-ed. Too late he realised he was wearing the wrong shoes and I think he lost heart. A shame because out of the woods and the going improved considerably. I quickly showered and got back to the finish line where Lynn was chatting to Gerry. I was a bit worried about Cath and particularly Jenny as this was a harsh introduction to hill-running. However both appeared and were are high as myself about the fun and games of the run.
A brilliant race, well marked and marshalled if more hazardous than most. I will put up a list of forthcoming Wednesday night events (quite a few from the hillrunning Bog and Burn series) some of which Lynn will be suggesting as an alternative option to the PRC club sessions. There are few reasons I'd ever miss a Wednesday night session with the club however these races are very good fun. Highly recommended.
Report and photos pb
Results etc.
