Kinnoull Hill Race 21/05/08
Photo taken by roadrunpics
Those who noticed my absence from club this evening may well have thought I had seen sense and was tapering for Sunday's marathon. No chance. Myself and Tony went up to Perth for this short sharp hill race, kickoff 7.30pm, number three in the Bog and Burn series.
A cool dry evening so no Bog but the Burn was there in ample supply shortly after the first 100 yards of road turned up a stony path which got steeper and steeper until the legs were burning like mad. I swapped places with Tom Scott a couple of times during the 11 and a half minutes of mostly sustained climb up the steep path which was only just wide enough to allow overtaking. There was an occasional flat or dipped section but mostly it was up hill and only just possible at times to refrain from hands on knees stomp.
Dougal from Bella shows Saturday's handiwork - didn't seem to slow him down tonight though.When you drive from Edinburgh to North-of-Perth, and cross a long sweeping bridge curving right you can see a round tower perched on the high cliffs overlooking the road. I've often wondered what it was like up close. Tonight we got to find out as the route ran us right past the ruins although I didn't really stop to check them out. (You can see them close up here.) I'm guessing that was Kinnoull Hill. It was a relief to reach what seemed like the top of the hill. That was about the only memorable part of the route, the rest being a blur of trees, dirt hardpack and the occasional marshal asking you to go through the gate and turn hard left back on yourself. Red and white hazard tape marked the trail every 50 yards or so and although I did see a couple of guys go off route briefly, there was a near steady stream of folk ahead and behind.
My pal Judith of Kinross Road RunnersIn fact I couldn't believe so many from so far away had bothered to turn up for a half hour dash through the woods on a Wednesday evening. (Tony's pals from Lochaber f'goodnessake.) Any thoughts of being in the prizes were dashed long before we got to the start line as I had, to and from registration, nodded to loads of quality runners you might expect to see on a major weekend event.
As we ran in what seemed like figures of eight around the hill taking a largely descending route with a few ascents for fun, back to where we started, I noticed I was catching the third lady. Didn't recognise her or why she seemed to be running in a long sleeved fleece. Then a bit on, another couple of guys, and I caught Sula, 2nd lady, on a downhill stretch. Then we did a bit of single track where there was no way of overtaking and the guys ahead weren't going too fast. As soon as there was a break I nipped past and instantly regretted it as another steep uphill loomed. More from pride rather than ability I held the place. Up that and more down through the trees and I caught sight of Angela Mudge. Feeling I was now moving into the sharp end of the field I tried to speed up but also recognised the last section of dirt track before we popped out onto the gravelly shoot that met the tarmac and a hundred yards to the finish.
Martin: matching hedge and lacesI was very pleased to finish within sight of (and just one place behind) Angela. Earlier I had looked at race times and thought maybe early thirties but managed quicker, crossing the line about 28.24. First time this year I've finished before Martin Laing who was kind enough to take my photo. I think the ordeal of Goatfell at the weekend had given my climbing muscles the extra workout they needed for tonight.
Go Tony! (Points deducted for a loose lace)With the quality of runners about there was no need to hang around for prizegiving and we headed home. After cycling back from Tony's I was eating a marvellous dinner before 10pm. Top marks for a killer short race – kind of vertical cross country on good dry paths, top marks to Tony for the smooth drive there and back and top marks to Mary for a great dinner as I got in the door. Now, just time for a quick taper before the big race on Sunday.
Report pb
Photos pb, Martin Laing
Results hereps I see from the results I was 4th o/40 again (highest loser!) Result.
pps As I found out when I looked at the excellent photos at roadrunpics.com what I thought was third lady in a blue sweatshirt turns out to be a young lad (number 92) - I'm sure I would have noticed if I wasn't in such a hurry. Apologies to him.
The rowdy element...
