East District CC League
Deans, Livingston 21/10/06
Its that time of the year again. No, not the X-Factor; the X-Country.
Why this time of the year? You could be forgiven, looking at the surroundings today, for thinking it was to get us out to appreciate the turning of the leaves, and that the cooling drizzle was laid on to keep us from overheating, but its origins are tied into the mores of English Public Schools and something for rowers to do in the Winter. There is certainly a recognisable element of punishment in the discipline - at least a smidgen of torture - always popular with the aforementioned establishments.
However there was hardly any torture today. Motor along to junction 3, turn left and follow the signs to Deans where everyone who owns a pair of spikes or studded shoes, (and Alex Jackson,) has gathered to run round mud and cinder-paths for a couple of laps. Huge turnout. People milling about. The forecast said bad but it turned out merely overcast with the sun struggling to make a show. We changed into obligatory colours. Today was a team event; 6 young men or 3 older men and although a couple didn't show we still had 6. Richard suspected his role was primarily chauffeur, but being in a compliment of only 6 he found himself obliged to run as part of the team.
Gerry displays his renowned flexibility during warm-up.Lots of familiar faces - good to see John Blair back in his racing shoes though he was batting for the dark side today. (C.O.E) The women were finishing their race as we warmed up. Last time I ran in these fields a few years ago it was the Dechmont Law 10k; an excellent 6 miles of trails and undulations best not done with a hangover. You live and learn. We lined up and the starter warned of the danger of bad starts and pile-ups during the first treacherous 20 yards. (Today was a long spike day.) The course began slightly downhill but after turning the corner we had the first gradual up hill of many. In fact I remember substantially more upward gradients than down. And loads of fast young lads going past in the first couple of kms. As always things settle down and you get into approximately the place you will finish. If you can hold it together for over half an hour of mud, sweat and someone going uhhh every fourth step. (Yellow top with blue sides - you know who you are...)
He may have had "V1" on his front but did John go like a rocket?The rain over the past week put the course in prime condition. The local dogwalkers may disagree. And it will be some time before anyone not in wellies walks their dog round the soggier parts of the course after today. (If I seem to relish that prospect, its because of the brazen way many dogwalkers blame us for their mutts bad behaviour. I was angered to learn of a recent encounter between Scott J and a canine's canines, which left an impression, in both his shorts and his wellbeing.)
The age old question of why the women run a separate race before the men was also answered. Its to churn the wet corners and submerged sections into a thixotropic goulash, so its funnier when the men slip and fall. I didn't see anyone go down, but everyone was well covered from flying mud by the finish. Most of the time I had no idea where we were. The course looped round and back on itself, in and out the trees, looking for soft ground and up-hills. Plenty of cheering from the women on the sidelines. (Who can ask for more?) We probably didn't look very heroic though, frothing like horses and clarty with mire. Past the start/finish for lap 2 and a further 15+ minutes of rapture. Occasionally I pass a runner or 2, then they come past on the next stretch. Just as I think I have dropped the guy in the yellow shirt, uhhh, he goes past, uhhh.
Scott and Willie exhibit either ends of the evolution of man.
I try to anticipate the last part of the second lap but keep turning the next corner to find some more of the course I've forgotten since the first lap. It seems much longer this time round. Then eventually we come to the long open down section before the up and round and the 2 guys beside me begin the hundred yard dash for the line. I pick it up a bit but can't see the point in really going for it when the winners are possibly already coming out the showers. Except if I'd had eyes in the back of my head I'd have seen Mr. Jarvie going like a train - with no intention of stopping at Station Moi. I'd always thought of Willie as something of a gentleman till now. However as it was a team event I should be happy he went past in the last 10 yards. Delighted even.
After a team photo and warm down we returned to the school to scrape off the worst of the mud. Standing naked in the queue for the showers with all these skinny guys I felt like an extra in Schindler's List.
Strangely, I quite enjoyed the day out.
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Photos Peter, Fiona Mayfield
Just in...these action photos taken by Fiona Mayfield...
