Harris Half 10/07/10
Fifth of the Western Isles Half Marathons and Finale of the Heb3 Series.
After the Highland Fling, the work-running balance shifted to favour work and I got caught up in several jobs end to end. Result was I went into the Hebs a little below par. Not much but enough to allow a few fellow runners to zip past which reminded me that all work and only running 3 times a week isn't going to win races.
So in the intervening weeks I put in a few hard sessions in the hills and at club on Wednesday evenings; enjoying the great weather we've had this Summer and trying to keep work obligations to a minimum. This in anticipation of the final 2 races, Barra and Harris.
Then Mary noticed that the forecast – which had been so good for so long – warned of a black mass of rain and high winds sweeping in from the Atlantic and centering on the Barra weekend. I was kind of keen to go to Barra as last year Ben and I had a great time. But the weather had been reasonable. Its always 10' cooler and a bit more windy over there so you have to expect less favourable conditions. However Mary was getting seasick just reading the fabulous Barra weathersite (well if you lived at the mercy of the elements you'd keep an eye on them) where the seas were described as Rough to High. That pretty much did it for us and we decided not to bother, instead having a tremendous run down the beaches from Aberlady to Dirleton Friday, Parkrun Saturday (in new superfast racing slippers), and Interval/tempo session Sunday.
We've done the drive so often Mary can do it with her eyes shutThen details of the Barra ferry crossing began to come through. Voyage of the Damned meets a Night to Remember. One of the passengers was told when buying his ticket that the captain of the replacement ferry (slower, less stable and more cramped than the Clansman, which was being repaired) was “going to go for it.” But there was no guarantee they'd get there. Someone else said there were more sick bags handed out than boarding passes. Ivor said its the briefest time he's ever had to appreciate a fish supper, before it was returned to the sea. One poor soul was still throwing up the next day. (And was awarded a special prize for it.) The idea of setting up camp towards midnight, empty and wrung out in howling gales, holds little appeal and I am very glad (to the power of ten,) (then some more), that Mary checked out the weather conditions beforehand. Plus the Sunday ferry was cancelled. Although the reason given may have been the weather I think they were having trouble finding someone with a strong enough stomach to mop up the knee deep puke.
Skye
More SkyeThis (along with the windy course) in turn made for some slowish times at Barra and so I lost no ground to my peer group and was still in contention come Harris. Also I had got a few good runs in and a few restful nights sleep – never underestimate the benefits of sleep. The forecast wasn't bad for Harris but when we woke up in the Uig campsite Saturday morning the sun was out, the wind was in the right direction (to blow us up the BIG HILL) and so I decided to wear my superfast trainers. I'd only worn them once to run and was a bit concerned I'd shred them with the force of the downhill in the last 4 miles, crossing the line in footless socks. New white socks also. I'm afraid it all looked pretty shiny.
Early birds at the campsite, Uig
On the ferry across the glassy smooth waters I realised I'd forgotten my caffeine drink but managed to buy a Red Bull on board. It was all going too smoothly. Ate a Full Scottish Breakfast on board having only had muesli at the campsite as the race was at 1pm. I got away with this last year and this time no ill effects either. In fact I think it was another contributing factor in the positive outcome. Pass the black pudding.
We were bussed to the start line past the BIG HILL and the beautiful beaches of Harris where there were folk swimming and camping. It occurred to us we should really organise ourselves to visit for more than just the day sometime. When the weather is good there are some amazing places here. Just last week there was a programme on Channel 5 about a couple of guys, John and Harvey from Leeds who relocated to Harris intending to open an upmarket campsite. They had various set backs but with support from the locals, were beginning to realise their dreams – and the campsite looks well worth a visit (and sounds like a hoot, with plenty of music, wine and home grown veg.)
Being chased by Andy and ColinJim Bruce set us off and I was feeling pretty buoyant and in good shape so knocked off the first few miles at 6 minute pace. There were 3 ahead and with the pace they were going it seemed unlikely I'd see much more of them ( Keith Hood, Dave Wright and Gordon Lennox finishing in that order). I breezed along the coastal route happy nobody seemed to be keen to overtake. I felt there was unfinished business with Andy who'd beaten me at Stornoway and being in my age group he would be interested to see if I was fit or not. And Colin who seemed unbeatable for 1st o/50 had also left me trailing at Benbecula by 2 minutes, as well as Jonny P from SRAC who had edged in front in the last couple of miles at Benbecula. So a few of us around the same part of the race. I was also trying to place Michael Freshour as that name rang a bell and he had done well at Barra. Also over40.
After a few ups and downs over the first 4 miles the course gets serious and you start up the BIG HILL. The hill is about 4 miles of mostly up. I think the prevailing wind is in your flippin teeth but in the manner of my string of good luck it was behind us and so I went past the 5 mile marker about 30.18, slowing but not disastrously. Every now and then the red-haired srac girl would be standing at the side cheering on the Stornos then driving ahead and doing the same. (Similarly Julia H who was cheering on Andrew rather than running in an effort to stay injury free.) She (ms. srac) cheered on Andy just as I went past and for a while my woolly brain thought she meant Jonny until I realised it would be Andy McMahon. Oh oh, he's on my tail, time to ratchet up a gear. Now going up hills is something I'm not great at but I do so much over the Pentlands and the like that I can be mistaken for competent. And there are enough stretches where it levels off that you can catch your breath before the next climb. I had studied the route on the trip over on the coach noticing where the BIG HILL summitted. On the last 2 climbs another runner drew alongside and then went past at the final climb. Then I remembered who Michael Freshour was. He had run right up behind me towards the end of the Sandy Slither and had it gone on for another fifty yards would have gone past. I recognised him because he wasn't wearing a vest. An American (or Canadian?) he enjoys going bare-chested and he spent most of the weekend entangled with Michelle of Helensburgh though ran for Bellahouston Harriers himself. I said “well done, last hill” as his tall lean figure went past though I suspected from earlier in the course that I would be stronger on the flat and downhill. It was the same with Greig Glendinning last year and Geoff Simpson in 2006.
This was my fifth showing here and all of the attempts finished between 1.21.34 and 1.22.51. I looked them up before I left, and its usually one of the quickest of the Heb3s for me despite its hills. But its the weather that determines whether its near a course pb or pw; my 2 slowest Harris results were in 2005 and 2009, my best ever years running. Furthermore the only other year the wind was behind us going up, wasn't the quickest. The route changes direction and turns into the wind making the last 4 miles more of a struggle. However confidence was high as I eased past Tarzan Michael (he didn't say anything) and pulled away on a long downhill. I didn't even look behind for the Stornoway competition but looked ahead to see if Gordon Lennox was getting any closer. Nope, but I could live with fourth and first vet.
I even ran past a couple of water opportunities doing without, feeling everything was going very well and I didn't need any. It was a very warm run by now but I prefer this and know it hurts the competition more than myself, just as I am prone to fall apart in a headwind others (Richard) might relish. I hadn't quite dropped Michael completely and heard more footfalls join his. But nobody came close and after a long curving downhill where Ivor swaggered past in 2005 I didn't hear any further challenges. I was now on a complete high just trying to run as evenly as possible and enjoying feeling strong: in previous years I have been run ragged by the lead in of several Heb3s in close succession and ended Harris feeling like death. On Saturday I gingerly crossed the last cattle grid then bounced down the very steep last hill and round the corner into the new-for-this-year finish, which seemed even shorter than usual. (2 Garmins said 12.96 which makes up for all those hills!) I was a tad disappointed at 1.22.29 (I hadn't looked at my watch for the last few miles expecting to see a course personal best but here I was right in the middle of the 5 attempts.) But I had finished ahead of all of the folk I had hoped to, and got first vet in Harris Half and in the overall Heb3 series. Very pleased and everything went better than I imagined.
As an aside Colin and Andy let me know my line on the road was rubbish. They reckoned I ran much further than I needed to. Without any runner directly ahead I suppose I was reluctant to cross the middle of the road to cut corners (there was traffic on the open roads) and although I would have said I took a fairly direct line they said it was noticeably wide. Interesting feedback and one of these things you don't notice being too close to the action.
I hung around to watch the other Porties arrive in: next Richard (course pb by 10 minutes) closely followed by Amanda. We suspected she would be able to beat Michelle H from Helensburgh as she did in the Slither however all that kissing has returned Michelle to form and she just pipped Amanda. Mary came in strongly again like myself regaining some form absent in recent weeks. As third lady (and very pleased to go sub 1.30) Amanda got a huge trophy. I hope Julia has a photo of it somewhere – I kind of neglected my usual duties in a swirl of heat stroke and I-ran-too-fast-feeling-a-bit-strange-now sickness. Even left my (smaller) trophy in the restaurant but happily Amanda picked it up. I also rehydrated on beers which made for a jolly afternoon but was feeling a bit tired and emotional by ferry time and had to have a hot drink and something more to eat.
Also while wandering along the street in Tarbert we had the good fortune to bump into Harvey from the tv programme and wished him every success with his campsite (and Hairdressing business Hairbridean) and said how we admired his determination and spirit. A good reason to visit Harris for longer next time.
Jim Bruce gets a cake to celebrate racing 50 consecutive Heb3 races
Cake (and photos) by Louise Provan
On the boat Mary drew my attention to a spectacular sundown which seemed to flare up from nowhere and it marked the end of another successful Heb3 campaign. Even though PRC didn't have sufficient runners for a team. Jim Bruce when announcing the prizes made fun of this, suggesting that PRCs motives may be fiscally driven as we won the team prize 3 years out of 4 while there was a £200 cash prize then let HBT have it this year now the sponsorship has dropped off. I'm sure a greater worry for the boggies and their Harris Half team prize was what do you do with a crate of Fosters when you're sworn enemies of lager and drink only warm brown ale? Mary and I did what we could to lighten their load. Jim Bruce made sure the Heb3 team prize was dark and warm and brown. (Even though it wasn't an envelope of tenners.)
Rain sodden SkyeA night of heavy rain – it seemed like flood conditions in the campsite, we packed away wet tents and headed home quickstyle. Ideas of visiting the Fairy Pools of Skye were shelved till next time. We all felt very fortunate that the rain held off until we had finished our celebrations. Very glad also that I'd arranged Monday off work. Well that was until coach Hunter had the bright idea of starting training for the Moray Marathon today which involved filling 3 hrs with 22+ miles of stiff legged trails and tarmac. Ouch.
Report pb
Action photos taken during the race from Julia will be arriving very soon.
Other photos pb
Other photos Louise P
Other photos Susan Johnston
Many thanks to Jim Bruce for all his hard work and congratulations on completing 50 consecutive Heb3 races over 10 years. (Just made it before an injury determined he couldn't run Harris this year.)Results here
Mary's blog here
At first glance a pile of rubbish, then you realise its the other big camping event this weekend, T in the Prat,
then maybe you think you were right first time.
