Hunter's Bog Trot 19/04/08
Gerry takes a casual approachDespite this being my local stomping ground this was my first ever Hunter's Bog Trot. Although there is an air of insobriety and humour pervading the day don't be fooled for a moment into thinking the run isn't serious. Although short (under 7k) it is a tough off road race up three of the steepest climbs in Holyrood Park.
Sadly the only time I was in front of Sarah's dad today.Having been the nightowl the last couple of nights I was grateful to Ben for phoning about 10.45 and getting me out of bed the way my alarms had failed to 45 minutes before. This meant I had to have only half a breakfast (well 2/3rds) for fear of seeing it again on the radical road.
As we were warming up we saw Ben out for a constitutional round Holyrood but were unable to persuade him to race. I even offered to pay the massive £2 entry fee for him. Also there were several Porties running and several Porties spectating. Gerry was among the latter and I was unable to contain my feelings about his lack of participation. He has been going far too well of late: "overtraining!" suggested Mr. Jarvie. This left room for the rest of us to enjoy the course rather than fight for every second. Also spectating was Karen Young far too long away from the running world but she assured me she was working out on the bike. Rab however was running (just jogging round he said) - undeterred by the previous night's exertions and the great success of his event. Many thanks to Amanda for taking photos today - I had suggested she stand at the downhills where we might be seen to race past heroically but she decided to stand at the radical road where less pretty pictures were available...
First lady coming up behind
Robin Thomas gave a somewhat eccentric speech on the start line (why was he wearing an apron asked Amanda) (because he is - in the nicest possible way - mental) warning of the dangers of tussocky grass, gravity and the like. We then set off from beside St Margaret's Loch heading up next to Haggis Knowe (of World XC fame) and into the eponymous Bog. Up to the top end (during which time I swapped places with Martin L a couple of times) round a rock at the top end, back down a bit then up, up and away to the top of the crags. This is where the pain starts and doesn't really let up much for the next half an hour so its best to save something for the next 2 climbs. That said its a short race and you should be sprinting flat out the whole time. Doing a combination of both I think I became aware of number one lady Veronique Oldham about then.
First o/50 Martin Laing
Getting to the top of the crags I struggled, with lungs barking in the steady cold breeze, to pick the pace up. Happily the wind was arranged in the right direction (him upstairs must favour the brown vest) to assist us upwards and cushion our descents. Back into the Bog then over Haggis Knowe before a left turn along to the dreaded Radical Road. Time to steady your breathing before attacking the sharp rise. I say attacking but it was more of a negotiated surrender except for a brief moment when I tried to adopt a brave face going past Amanda who was taking photos and shouting on everyone going past. (The support from non-running HBTers and others was really splendid all around the course.) Veronique drew level then edged ahead. Although I was giving it my all this was no record breaking climb. I hit my stop watch at the bottom and the top to do about 5.15 for the rad road - about 45 secs shy of a pb but not bad on the back of 15 mins racing to the bottom. There is also the knowledge there's another visit to the top of the crags, during which I pulled off the single track into the long grass to let Veronique go past again. She remarked I would no doubt overtake again on the descent. I did but it took me most of the way off the crags to catch my breath before going past. Knowing the finish was just over the small last rise I tried to leg it up past Gerry and the pacemakers, sorry spectators who cheered us on over the rise then down to the finish over the small burn that runs into the loch. I was unable to catch the HBT vest ahead but also nobody was chasing me down either, for which I was pretty grateful.
After another fun and eccentric display from Robin giving out spot prizes (incl a turnip for coming from over the border??) and pints of beer poured from an inflatable pillow if your name began with an H, a B or a T, the other prizes (for running quickly) were dispensed. Douglas got 3 bottles of brownest beer for 3rd o/50 which is pretty good going as he is also o/60. I jogged home to have the second half (okay 2/3rds) of my breakfast and reflect on the cult of HBT who are probably only just getting warmed up in the pub as I am sorting out kit for a recovery run with Mary who due to work was unable to race this morning. A great short race and a reminder that the other HBT painfest the Black Rock 5 is coming up Friday 2nd May. Anyone fancying that, Edinburgh to N Berwick Saturday and the 10k on the Sunday will have their work cut out / should seek therapy.
Why the Apron?
Timer Alex J gets hydration system
They start young at HBT
Al Anthony: number oneReport pb
Photos Amanda Henderson
Carnethy report & photos here
Scottish Hill Running site here photos here (very good)
Results here
Douglas winning beerThese just in from Gerry - I didn't realise he had a camera with him or I may have smiled...
the front of the front
(note) running
...ahem
Smiling all the way to the prizegiving!
