Goatfell Hill Race 15/05/10
Could be termed a disaster but could have been a lot worse. I had offered to give Peter a lift to Ardrossan on Wednesday partially in order to motivate myself to get up early enough to get to the race on time. So after navigating ourselves from Edinburgh to Brodick (Arran), there was a race to be run: Goatfell, 166 feet running up 880 metres and 13km. Warnings were made pre-race of how experienced hill runners had come undone here in years gone by and I wouldn’t say I wasn’t taking this advice seriously but it’s hard not to adopt the ‘I’ll be fine’ attitude when it comes to racing. After the first mile or so flat road running out of Brodick, runners are directed upwards towards the ever visible summit of Goatfell. Peter was in sight early and I cautiously overtook fairly early on into the climb. Hill running is a brutal game and ascending never fails to turn me into a man with but one purpose in life. Get to the top of that hill. Surprisingly, I managed to stumble, crawl and occasionally run to the summit in a relatively good frame of mind and not totally destroyed physically. One quick glance at the scenery (and the opposition) and it was time to begin the tricky descending business.
I am a hopeless descender at the best of times. Today though, on a technically challenging course, I was in trouble very early. The best thing to do, I thought, was to take it step by step until I reached the remotely run-able section. A good few runners past before I had my race prematurely ended. I stood on a rock awkwardly and next thing I knew there was a sharp pain and I immediately feared the worst. Quick stop, then off again???? Nope, I tried to restart but ultimately I knew my fate straight off. No way I was going to be able to run down this hill.
Bright but too cold for sitting about admiring the view.Accepting defeat in any race is hard and to start walking in any race is not something I would ever do voluntarily but there was literally no choice. The long walk back to Brodick was not fun. I had to stop for 5 minutes so that someone from mountain rescue could put a bandage on my ankle (much appreciated!) but the primary goal at this stage was self preservation. On reaching the bottom of Goatfell though, the question was asked: ‘Do you want a lift?’ Do I? Ok I’m injured but I can still walk, seemed a shame not to finish after making it to the top and back. So, painfully, I walked the mile or so back into town. Finished 81st out of 83, not great when your 7 / 8th(ish) at the top, but definitely a lesson in humility.
The route climbs the wiggly white path left of the trees to the Deer Fence which is in line directly below the summit before scooting off to the right of the photo and climbing up the skyline ridge. This is supposition as I never really stop to look around.After finishing with a shuffle round the grass it was a quick change before digesting the post-race events, sandwiches (always good to see) and the prize giving, after which was a relaxing hour or 2 before the ferry back to the mainland.
Beer garden with Goatfell between the trees.Anyway, despite a totally unsuccessful day's racing and another injury to put up with I would recommend this race on many counts and despite my ordeal I managed to enjoy most of it. I’d never been to Arran so I was pleased to finally visit the place, and Goatfell really is a ridiculously nice hill. I will hopefully get up it again before the end of the year, but as far as 2011 goes, this has gone right to the top of the running ‘to do list’. My ankle will probably need a wee while to improve but I’m not disconsolate despite now needing to take a wee bit of time away from running, hopefully not more than a week.
Congratulations to all who took part and the organisers for a terrific race. I’ll be back.
Report Michael Geoghegan
Keith (11th and 6th o/40) and Paul (10th and 1st o/50). This business keeps you young.Peter's version...
There are not many things that will get me out of bed before 7am to travel for 3hrs, but this race is one of them. Luckily Michael wanted to give this one a go and so his excellent offer of a lift meant getting out the front door for 7.20am rather than catching the 7am from Waverley.
The 9.45 ferry from Ardrossan contained the majority of the field for the race but we ended up spending the crossing chatting with runner Graham Ackland who was setting out with his family on a cycling holiday to Islay, unaware of the hill race.
The rain earlier in the day made way for blue skies and a humid day with a blustery cold breeze – like so much of the uncertain weather these days kind of gloves-and-sunglasses. I wouldn't run a hill race, especially one as dangerous as Goatfell, in sunglasses but I did wear biking mitts on the off chance I hit the ground. (Paul Thompson also wore protective gloves as he had sustained damage the previous week on Ben Lomond to his hands, knees, shoulder and head.) This was my third Goatfell and I had the feeling that if you do this race often enough and go at it fast and hard you are likely to come a cropper sooner or later. There was a lot of talk of accidents – from grazed knees to Tony's notorious face plant 3 years ago – and who would be making the post-race trip to Lamlash Hospital. Its the only race I have prepared for by packing a bandage and plasters. I wasn't sure if by preparing for a fall I was setting myself up for one. Anticipate a thing and it will happen?
The other pb - Peter Buchanan of Ochil Hill Runners.The reason for all these grazed knees and scuffed elbows is the high friction granite and the gradient of the route. There are large steep blocks towards the top of the hill you have to scramble up and down and a sustained descent that saps tired legs but is at such an angle it encourages you to run at full tilt over a cascade of smaller rocks that makes for a high speed tip-toe for what seems like miles. If you go down its unlikely you'll land smoothly and the granite is cheese-grater-like in its friendliness. However the upside is it makes for good footholds while powering up the hill and shimmying down the big blocks at the top.
Paul Emsley the organiser brings a relaxed feel to the race and only the warning that the Ambulance folk hadn't made the early ferry and so could we try to avoid injury reminded us of the serious nature of the course. I wondered if it was the potential for bloodshed that made for a smaller female contingent than the average hill race. However the sunshine and cold breeze worked to dry off the rock as we climbed the hill and this I think resulted in fewer injuries than the last 3 years. We set off round the playing field and I said to Paul Thompson that we should make an effort at least to split up the Bella dominance of the first five places. We moved into fourth and fifth for the 11 minutes of road running before the turn off after Brodick Castle grounds, up onto the dirt path that starts the climb up the hill. As we had watched Matt Williamson move out confidently extending his lead at the front even before the off-road stuff got underway, it struck me he must have had something good for breakfast.
Dougie Milligan, 1st o/60The path is still runnable but is also pretty steep and soon, as anticipated, folk started to go past. Michael was one of them and I hoped he hadn't gone off too quickly as we had the best part of an hour's climb with only a brief levelling off at the deer fence. However he held his ground and then later seemed if anything to extend his lead. Or was it me falling back? Steven Fallon (5th) and Alan Smith (2nd)(both 0/40) had been hot on Michael's heels, both disappearing off and upwards. I was surprised to see Steven back after his bloodsplattered fall last year.
I felt I was doing an optimum job of the climb, running for a bit then taking a walking break, hands on knees, rock-hopping and dodging over the rubble. I could see Michael and others up ahead, the distance shortened by the uphill perspective of the mountain. It was much better visibility than the last couple of years and if you quickly took your eyes from the ground you could see how alarmingly the hill rose in front. I took a brief glance down the coast to see the rise of Holy Isle off Lamlash in the next bay but really it was the sort of running that required 100% attention to the uneven ground underfoot. (I even forgot to check the scenery at the summit.)
About 51 minutes Matt W came running and hopping back down the hill with quite a lead. I assumed I'd be up to the summit in a few minutes as the last 2 years were 55 and 54 minutes to the turn.
However the climb and scramble of the top stuff went on and I shouted out encouragements to several more before the ground flattened out a bit and we ran round the top rocks and marshals who looked dressed for winter. (There was a cold stiff breeze at the top.) I noticed with disappointment it was 57.26 and realised I wouldn't be going under 1.30 as I had last year. However there wasn't really time to reflect what had gone wrong as I was thinking about trying to catch some of the runners who had beaten me to the top. Including Michael, who was maybe a minute or more ahead.
The first part of the descent is very tricky as you have to take great care over difficult steep ground on legs that have been thrashed uphill for an hour and are probably a bit wobbly. I stupidly followed a guy who launched over the blocks right of where the path took a less steep curving descent. I shuffled to the edge of each and dropped down to the next as the guy ahead seemed to leap and run back down. I was more hesitant and quickly got back to the path which snakes down through large blocks but with occasional drops that you can jump or more conservatively use your hands to lower yourself past. I was being quite timid, saving myself for the long run following, where you almost have to lean back and take the stress and shock in your legs bouncing from rock to rock looking just ahead and gauging the best line through the avalanche of boulders and bricks. Although I had started the descent amongst others, some had got away and some fell behind and so I did the majority of that section back to the deer fence on my own. I quickly caught Michael who seemed to be having trouble and when I enquired was he okay as I passed, I only heard his laboured breathing and grunts through gritted teeth and suspected all was not well. I will let him tell his story.
Dougal not having the best day.I then passed Dougal Ross of Bella who had stopped, dismayed, for a walk. He seemed unable to work out why later - he said he just ran out of steam. I think this was also the first year he failed to fall and draw blood – in fact maybe everybody took note of the lack of ambulance staff and stayed upright and uninjured as instructed. There was no glory in (unusually) finishing ahead of him.
Through the deer fence and something of a relief to be over the most dangerous stuff. Though I'd forgotten just how much fast and uneven downhill still lay ahead. However its much more pleasant zooming through the trees than the subsequent 2 miles of flat tar between hedges then out onto the road along to the pavilion. Passing a flagging dude cheered this process up and I cruised comfortably over the last part of the course. All in all I felt I'd done a satisfactory job even though I was slower than the previous 2 years. This was bugging me until I saw the results and realised a few folk were a bit slower than previously. Although there was a fair breeze it was decent conditions and eventually I put it down to that anomaly I get out when everything else fails to pin point why half the field go slower, or everyone feels a bit lacklustre and misses their aimed at pb – a Heavy Gravity Day.
I also think that the hills perhaps expand and contract like the tides, or like mother nature sighing. But I wouldn't openly state that in public.
Anyway, a very fine race and even better to see Michael walk in at the end pretty much last but alive and in one piece. I had been bracing myself for the trip to Lamlash morgue to identify his tattered remains, so it was good that he appeared with relatively minor injuries and was sporting enough to prefer a long inglorious walk than a first dnf. (Certain ex PRCers take note.) And he still wants to come back for more next time. Now that is enthusiasm. (Pity Tony S was elsewhere and missed his chance to come mid-counter in the Porty Team. And where was Tony? Michael and I enjoyed the ferry trip back in the company of Tony's racing peers Ian and Adam who were most amused by the idea of Tony being away on a navigation course, and were saying things like “too little too late” as Tony has something of a reputation for getting lost in the car park. Can you teach an older dog new tricks? Well watch this space and we'll report if a new map reading Tony replaces the off-road (off route) Tony.)
PB, Davie H, Michael.Great day out, great race and great organisation. Great spread afterwards and then a pint in the beer garden, back to the ferry and cheerful drive home. Even bumped into Davie Hearn walking down Brodick main street completely out the blue, over in Arran as his wife is from there. Just back from an ascent of Kilimanjaro and celebrating his 70th birthday (with plans to run a 70 miler to mark the occasion.) And looking forward to the Hebridean Halfs. Me too.
Report and photos pb
results here
SHR photos here
These photos just in from the SHR site...
Matt makes a break for it 30secs into the race.
Steven F crosses the line unharmed and in 5th place.
Given there was nobody a minute ahead or behind I'm not sure what the photographer was aiming for here - a shot of my nice gloves?
