Bert's Group Sunday Run 17/12/06
So is it really "Bert's Group" if Bert himself is not there? This question didn't seem to trouble the Sunday morning running group any more than the coincidence of 1 Bert not being the biggest fan of running off-road, and 2 Bert's absence as he has to "work a Sunday", 9 days before every piece of furniture in the world goes on sale for half price. Surely nobody is buying it today? So his team are off to run in the Pentlands, leaderless. I thought I'd go along and see if I could find out what has produced a number of impressive results from his crew.
The sun isn't even up on the drive to the hills.Approaching the Flotterstone Inn we see Richard's car behind us. The three of us did the Falkland Trail Race yesterday so are a bit stiff legged in the carpark. Mary, however, deserves a special badge of courage as she had her work's night out following on from the race; including lots of dancing and the obligatory binge drinking. Her plan b is to sneak back to the car for a snooze with the heaters on, if its all too much.
You can tell who has had their ready-brek.I arrived at the carpark wearing shorts but if I'd had the sense to bring running tights I'd have put them on. The sun was only just coming up and it was Baltic.
We set off following the road up that travels up to and along Glencorse Reservoir. The weather was looking very promising - blue skies and minimum wind.
This was just about the last we saw of Amanda, Scott F and Paul. They took the lead and pushed on ahead. As we climbed, the road went from wet to icy. It was safer to run on the frosty grass at the side.
From the top reservoir - Loganlee - we passed the Howe and followed through on the path that goes to Bavelaw and eventually Balerno.
Threipmuir Reservoir
At last we were out of the shadow of the hills and for the first time since we started, were running in the sunshine. I began to think shorts had been the right choice after all. We turned along the flat and pretty trail that skirts Threipmuir and Harlaw Reservoirs. I haven't been along this way much so couldn't be sure of the route - and was too busy enjoying the scenery in the sunshine - but we seemed to go towards Balleny Farm before taking the long drag up to the pass between Harbour Hill and Bell's Hill.
The climb to the top was glorious. You could see across the Forth to the hills of Fife where we had been racing the previous afternoon. About five minutes ahead I saw what looked like Amanda, Scott and Paul briefly silhouetted against the sky as they crossed the horizon.
Once over the top I was back on familiar ground - the long stony descent back down to Glencorse Reservoir. I think Jim and Douglas must have got fired up about the idea of a second breakfast as they hared away leaving Mary, Richard and myself to run down at a more moderate pace.
Richard just visible against the blue of the water.
The South Ridge and High Tops
Down to the gate at the reservoir, turn left and try to ignore the rather dull road that always seems to go on forever, back to the Ranger Centre.
Back in the carpark and everyone agrees it was a brilliant day for the run. Then a brown bag is passed around; I think I have found Bert's Group's training secret; Amanda's fruity muffins. Delicious.
Words and photos pb
