Largo Law Hill Race 8/08/09
Amanda and Mary had been emailing each other Friday afternoon to try and sort out some adventure – the hot sultry weather inspiring thoughts of beaches and swimming. When I got home from work I threw the idea of swimming at Threipmuir Reservoir into the mix and it was only on the way there (towards 7pm) we realised we may bump into some proper triathletes who meet there to train on Friday evenings.
Sure enough we met Kate Jenkins, Rachel from club and a couple of others who looked like they were there for a serious workout, whereas we were there for a splash and a paddle.
Mary and AmandaThe water wasn't too cold to get into and wetsuits made it feasible to “swim” for half an hour without hypothermia setting in. We had taken along a disposable waterproof camera. It was just about past its sell by date having come on many trips but never having got up the courage to get immersed in one or other tepid Scottish landscapes. It was also a step back into antiquity having to wind on the film every shot and then take it to Boots to be developed Saturday morning. It reminds you to appreciate the digital revolution. Imagine not being able to review your results when you shoot them then having to wait until someone processes the pictures.
Bit murky
Rachel and her swimming buddies covered the circumference of the reservoir while we splashed about like children in the shallows. But the lack of lanes, chlorine, screaming brats, floating plasters and human additives made us resolve to return for more of the same on a regular basis. Fresh water rather than salty sea is a huge benefit, though some technique for spotting, navigation, and avoiding dizziness which Mary, Amanda and myself all seemed to suffer, I think because of lack of sight in the murky brown water while swimming crawl, might help. Rumour has it Scott Balfour is the man for advice.
Thanks to Alex for taking our photo
Amanda's Report...
It’s with much delight that I am slowly returning to PRC training and indeed the odd longer run at the weekends (in case my mum reads this, that’s 10 miles, mum i.e. Nothing).
Now, when your running is strictly rationed, you want to be sure that your training is high quality, picturesque and fun. No running round the block for me! Hence this weekend when I heard that Peter was heading over to Fife for a hill run of 10km I thought this would be an ideal highlight for my weekend. On closer scrutiny of a map and photos from last year it became clear that this was possibly one of the easier hill races – an out and back with a good long stretch along / through a river, across fields before bombing up and down a near vertical hillock. I could almost fool myself into thinking it would be a leisurely stretching of the legs. I had however forgotten my strong competitive streak which is also slowly recovering….
After an initial scouting out of the first river-crossing Peter and I jogged back to the start. Peter helpfully pointed out the fast female runners, which Amanda interpreted as, ‘the ones to beat’. Knowing my current form I held back at the start wanting the psychological advantage of overtaking people. The route however didn’t offer many opportunities to do so. I deftly whipped past a few on the first river crossing and then employing some old cross-country techniques accelerated round others on the narrow path – the legs were springy and responding well to my demands.
Then came the first of many ‘kissing gates’ to be negotiated. Initially they were rather annoying but once I realised that everyone had to go through them the same way and at the same speed, I relished the chance to rest.
All the time on my right loomed the mass of Largo Hill. It looked huge but I kept telling myself it was an optical illusion as it was so close. I was so wrong. It was still quite a distance away. In the knowledge that once I hit the hill there would be little chance to overtake – it was a long series of steps hewn into the grassy hillside, I pushed on, counting off the females in front.
With the first two ladies perhaps 20 metres in front I started the plod up the hill foolishly thinking I’d pick them off if they displayed any weakness on the uphill. Fool, Amanda, fool! I was lucky to hold onto to my position by the summit but what price had I paid? My heart rate monitor was ticking away merrily to itself and I was in blissful ignorance of the new PB I was about to set on it. More of that later. The treacherous downhill had yet to be negotiated and second lady was proving not much of a downhiller. I caught her and continued my hurried descent, fearful that every step would be the last before a catastrophic, spine-breaking fall. Thankfully it wasn’t to be.
Returning along the route we had run out, with first lady a tantalising 40 metres in front, my legs started to give me a reality check. You can’t just blast up and down a 290-metre hill having not run anything that resembles an incline for the last five months. I mean this quite literally. Since returning to club I have only dabbled in speed work. My heart rate has been bad enough on the flat without adding in the extra pressure of a hill. And so it was I hit a wall. Third lady caught me as I entered the woods and my pace descended into a stagger. No more sprightly legs for Amanda. Through the river and suddenly I was walking!! The shame of it! On the flat again I forced the legs into a jog-like state only to be caught by fourth lady and a couple of chaps shouting at me à la Graham Henry. Even that didn’t work. I was lucky to make it out of the woods, down the final straight and over the finish line without being caught by anyone else.
All in all, once my heart rate had returned to something more human-like, this was a great day out. Peter had a tremendous run – coming in second whilst documenting the whole race on camera. I somehow walked away with a bottle of wine and extremely sore legs. Oh and yes a new PB on the heart rate monitor. 218 BPM. Perhaps someone should call the medics. I’m off for a rest.
Peter's report...
As Amanda related, herself and myself headed to Lower Largo for Largo Law Hill Race. An out and back trail race with a hill at the turning point about the size of Arthur's Seat. I had run this 2 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. This year's anticipation was only slightly marred by the post race fatigue of the Tour of Fife. I had exerted myself horribly in the last race there and on Wednesday at club I had run with legs of lead and no inclination for racing whatsoever. I had hoped the Tour was going to put extra fuel in my tank but last week I just felt drained.
However it was such a good event it would be a joy to take part and there was no pressure to perform which made it really appealing. So much so I thought I would run with a camera and take pictures along the route. I had done this previously in a low key event and found the camera didn't slow me down. I carried an old camera as there are four stream crossings and a steep hill that all have camera killing potential. I had forgotten the more pronounced delay of the older camera shutter so unfortunately a lot of the shots (of road, hands and parts of my head) appear to have been taken randomly. It is interesting to compare the recorded reality and how I imagined the race went. The exertion robs you of a completely true picture of how it was and the camera is an intriguing impartial observer. Makes me wonder about the accuracy of previous reports.
The start is up a fairly steep road for a hundred yards and I had warned Amanda about the dangers of getting caught in the logjam at the gate where the course turns left heading off onto a cinderpath trail. I sprinted up this at the off and finding myself the only person to employ this tactic took a photo over my shoulder of the following runners. Number 55 (Scott Cassidy) drew level at the gate and while I shilly-shallied through the swinging mechanism he manfully vaulted the chest high obstacle and led the race down the trail. I was in second place and although Amanda and I had checked out the first mile, I was happier to follow than lead. Quickly we approached the first stream crossing and Scott slipped and possibly fell exiting the water.
Scott going down at the water jumpThis handed me the reluctant responsibility of first place. However Scott and Fifer, Mark Harris relieved me of this burden swiftly and I was able to enjoy the twists and turns of the undulating single track as we headed round Keil's Den before the second burn crossing.
Someone had thoughtfully strimmed the undergrowth either side of the path.Here there was no indication of where the route went and the three of us headed wrongly to the road before messily regaining the correct path. I had dropped to 5th with Martin Laing nipping into 3rd. I was still feeling remarkably comfortable and realised I was now recovered and benefiting from the hard work of the previous week's Tour. I took a couple of photos then moved through the pack really enjoying the course.
The scenery was great but you didn't dare take your eyes off the ground to admire it.
By the time we came out onto the road by the graveyard I was following Mark who was leading and I was still feeling okay. A short downhill stretch of tarmac and then more paths. At some point I went into the lead. I stopped taking photos as this seemed inappropriate. The race was now on. I realised I would have to gain a bit of ground to stay ahead for the hill. The course goes through a farmyard then turns up a track which becomes a steep and rocky dirt path (with a dangerous stile) which leads straight up Largo Law. After a few minutes of this I was drenched in sweat and it wasn't long before the Fifer went past, followed by Martin. Normally we would chat a bit more but the effort was pretty intense.
Going up the Law with the farm and Martin just behind.
They both gained a bit of ground by the top which goes over the shoulder of the first top before heading over to the other summit. After going round the trig point its a matter of trying to catch your breath for the steep descent as the rest of the field comes up the same path.
Here comes Amanda behind the guy in blue.
I said hello to Amanda then towards the bottom of the hill went over on my left ankle and heard a loud crunching noise. I hobbled for a few steps hoping I hadn't done serious damage and found after a moment that I could put my weight back on it. It wasn't quite right though and it took the wind out of my sails for the remainder. Back through the farm and I was making ground on Martin. I could still see the number one but he seemed to be gaining ground. I caught up with Martin and he said something complimentary.
Well done and a big thanks to the junior AnstersI could see Mark ahead but wasn't making any ground. Back through the waterstation and this time I did take a cup but was running so hard only a spoonful of water made it into my mouth. Up the tarmac hill and this was about as close as I got.
Although I felt strong through the paths and trails and really enjoyed the race I didn't seem to be catching up on the number one and when we eventually crossed the last stream and headed up to the tarmac downhill finish he was about thirty seconds ahead. Martin meanwhile had taken a wrong turn by the stream and finding himself surrounded by undergrowth and nettles had retraced his route dropping a few seconds but keeping third place.
Mark finishing first.
I was delighted to finish second and nearly 3 mins quicker than 2007, though conditions this year were ideal; considerably drier than 2007. (It also helped that Davie Burgess and Brian Cruickshank were organising rather than running.) It was great to see Amanda getting back towards her previous form and winning third senior (though her recent birthday would put her in the vets category for most road races) and it was a pleasure to take part in such a varied and fun course. Perhaps if I had known I was going to end up so far up the field I would have left the camera behind but I don't think it changed the result. Many thanks to Anster Haddies for a great event.
Scott - number 55 - came in 5th and first senoir. The oldies dominated the front. That's Largo Law in the background.
Winner Mark Harris
Fifers filled the top places
First ladyAfter deciding it wasn't a day for a swim in the sea we headed back to Edinburgh where Amanda dropped me off near Boots and I picked up the prints and disk of photos from Friday evening. I walked home hoping the ankle would ease up with a bit of movement. I'm hoping a few days of rest and non-challenging running should see it on the mend.
Report and photos pb
Anster Haddies Website, course map and results here
Jocelyn, 3rd, won an age group prize
