IT'S NOT ABOUT THE RACE
Not put a report in for a while and I think this covers about 7 weeks running in the Greatest Country in the World. I will try and keep it short but as per usual there is plenty of abuse and some compliments esp to The Torch Kemp and Jesus Henderson. Might as well start with Edinburgh to North Berwick (22 miles) when Karen “Chippy” Young did her as-much-use-as-tits-on-a-Nun stunt at the start. She had advised me she was going to be able to supply me with special drinks as she was on the bike so I arranged to hand my bottles to her before the start.
The race started but no sign of “Chippy”. Carried my bottles down to Moira Park and there she was leaning against the wall. Thankfully Ricky Fraser was also on the bike and she quickly passed them on to Ricky who did a tremendous job as a “domestique”. At the end all Chippy could talk about was the fact that the Trotters on bikes ie Dick Wall and Debbie McDonald had had a fish supper en route and she had failed in this act. God help Rab Henderson on his epic trip to Stevenage commencing on 28th June if she is the “domestique”. Big thanks to the marshals etc esp from our own club and Bill Gardiner who has organised the race for something like 25 years I think and is retiring. I have done the last 10 years and conditions were great for this point to point run. Managed a game of football at night as it was my son’s birthday and got stuffed 9 – 2 by a 16 year old and 7 year old. My brother and I were not amused and had to dish out a few borderline challenges!! That was Saturday 3rd May.
We move on a week to Saturday 10th May and up to Blairgowrie and I was joined by Robert Kinnaird for the Cateran Trail Race. One of the spectators had her dog on the leash at the start and she fell over when the dog pulled her. She got a really bad cut above her left eye, about 3 inches and her husband had to pull out of the race. This race was to prove the toughest for me. I was knackered after 4 miles, blowing out of my backside. The previous week's race and the heat was too much... At 14 mile as I was leaving the last drinks station I was dizzy but knew I had bigger challenges coming up and just dug in there big time. About .5 mile later one of the runners was walking back and had jacked it. A fit young man but it was that sort of a day. I had a great run over the Spittal of Glenshee and the scenery was tremendous. My name is not on the results but I was under 4 hrs and was well pleased. Robert managed to finish it and he may wish to post his own comments but it is a great route and the surface is a bit of everything, track, grass, mud, forests etc. Great run for all you marathon runners who want to harden-up.
One week on and it is marathon time. I did post a report in January inviting you to enter 3 marathons in 10 days with a free draw for a 3 piece suite for anybody who managed it. Scott Ferguson had gone up to Cape Wrath for the week and has already posted a report. It was a great action packed 4 days for me. Drove up on the Friday for registration and was immediately captured by BBC TV for an interview. They didnae bother with a second take, I just let rip so we shall see if they show it in the July version of the Adventure Show. My partner gave me the dodgy tent. It is easy to put up in the sense of the poles are all the same but it has shrunk and was very tight. Managed to get a couple of German tourists to help and I was sorted. Same spot as last time. 80m to the pub and guaranteed to sleep well with the waves crashing below.
As for the race, my favourite marathon. Tough course, need to get a boat to the start, they stop you at 22 mile and then you wait for the boat. Brillantly organised event and already the organisers have sent out the forms for next year so you know the dates and the price etc. Well worth the trip up if you like marathon running you must do this one, it is 5 Star Vive Ecosse. I managed to finish 5th and got a vase for 1st Vet and Scott was 3rd and he won the half marathon earlier in the week plus he had his family up and the wife and bairn were happy as the local community lay on stuff for non-runners. Unfortunately the abseiling in Smoo Cave was cancelled because of the dreaded red tape of health and safety. I was interviewed again by the BBC 10 secs after the finish. This time Dom Scott was the camera man and he runs for Norham Hill Runners. I said Ardnurmuchan when it should have been Knoydart but these things happen. On the Sunday I did a 18 mile hill walk and on the Monday I climbed Ben Hope on the road down. The sun was out the whole trip. Great 4 days.
We move on to the next Friday 23rd for a bit of banter. Got a lift from Essex's Man Richard Dennis. He disnae drive a Mondeo but an automatic Fiesta. Richard was explaining how he came to Edinburgh. He saw the light by default. Working in London as a Statistician he got a job in Brussels but it fell through at the last minute so he ended up working for the Scottish Government (The Greatest Country). I was asking him about the ferry times. It leaves Ullapool at 1715hrs and it takes 2.45 so we get in at 1945hrs. I said that cannae be right, He replied “it is because I cannot count” Look Richard the French farmers want you in charge of the CAP.
Now I will give you a lesson in Marathon Running that never appears in any books. It is called Scran for Scotland. On the road up we stopped at Dunkeld and I rammed as much food as I could down my throat. Ullapool it was a fish supper at 1615hrs. Then on the ferry I waited for the last orders to come across the blower. Down I went. Now if you leave it to the last you can miss out on certain items and the girl behind the counter advised the fish was finished. There was lamb stew, she asked if I wanted chips. I had spotted 7 tatties and thought CalMac portion might be 4 so I was in luck I got all 7. To hell with this pasta party business.
Got into Stornoway and Tony Robson had given the campers a lift. Came out after paying for the campsite and Ben and Alison Kemp already had the tent up, chairs out. Fast or what. As usual my tent would not go up and Andrew Henderson came across then Julia. Unfortunately a pole got snapped but thankfully Andrew had a repair kit – drama over? No life is not as simple as that. I had noticed the Kemps had a fire and could not understand the flame and its constant output so went across to investigate. Turned out Ben has this cylinder type stove full of petrol. Ben made a joke about it being explosive and 5 seconds later it was like a scene from the 5 counties in the 1970’s. We had a petrol bomb on our hands. The controlling valve had gone. The “Torch” was asking Alison for water as he bravely tried to shut down the valve. He then kicked the “bomb” away and tried again. I noticed that where the bomb was previously the grass was alight. It had to do an impression of Jonny Rotten, I was going to do a dying fly for a laugh but dinae think my Niddrie Shell Suit liked grass so I just did a Pogo. Soon the fire was under control and my Learned Friend advised “that is why you do not use them in a tent”
The Saturday was a sunny day for the Callanish Stones Marathon. Best to start at the finish with Essex Man Mr Dennis who I congratulated as he crossed the line in a good time. I thought it was a PB. Well done I said. The reply was “horrible course” I immediately disagreed “it is good for the soul” The dust has now settled and Richard has written his report and I still stand by my feeling. Great day, fantastic. Character building stuff with around 14 miles of a long straight road into a wind so the course played long which was right up my street. Loved the pain of 14 miles with no trees and no houses. It was about desire, hunger and the chance to run on a unique course. Richard did really well and maybe now he appreciates it!!
The Torch had won the half marathon and I also saw Jesus at the end. I thought Jesus was a bloke but Julia is God. The blood on the left side of the shirt was there and my 3 fingers went in. It was confirmed. Two skint knees, two skint elbows and various other injuries. A very brave athlete. Paula would have stopped. Well done to those who do the HEB 3 – 5. A lot of dedication. After the race it was Scran for Scotland time at the huge “Charity” buffet. I had 3 different types of soup, a ton of cakes, sandwiches etc. At the end one of the ladies was merging the stuff and she advised Mrs Fraser’s fruit cake had not been touched and it was very good in fact the best. I can assure the club I soon sorted that out and the locals know best in these situations.
Next stop was back to the HBT hostel for guess what? Tea, can you believe it. We had tea and watched the football. In the goody bag was Charles McLeods Black Pudding and Beserker Ale at 7.7%. I went back to the campsite after the football for a 1hr sleep then back into Stornoway for drinking and dancing. This time the Trotters were drinking and it was a heavy night. I had to get a loan from Mr Campbell! At the end I left about an 1/8 of a pint as I was going for a pee. Robin Thomas “Oh, not a DNF” I looked at him and was going to say I finished nae bother today then I realised he was talking about the pint and explained I was coming back. “Jolly Good”. Got back to the tent at 0200hrs.
Paid my debt to Ian on the Sunday and was invited to the Trotters BBQ. Some of the half marathon runners who were staying on for the weekend were on the Beserker’s. I thought it best to not attend as my resistance would have been low.
Monday was the Harris Marathon and I will just tell this one mainly by pictures. It was a fantastic day. If you did Edinburgh Marathon you really should have come up for at least one of these. Brilliant stuff and a big thanks as both marathons required a huge effort by Stornoway Running Club and North Harris Trust. To be honest I cannae find the right words but “Simply the Best” for this one off event. You had to be there to appreciate the whole show. Two great medals, two fantastic running tops, Beserker Ale and Black Pudding. Great weather was the icing on the cake.
The welcome at the start by the Castle Owner.
Jim Bruce and Ross Munro who looked after the runners and helped to organise the events.
The winner needs to get a PRC Vest.
This gives you some idea how good the course was.
This is not the Edinburgh Marathon.
Thanks to Jim Bruce for this photo. He had just asked me for a photo to send to Peter.
A bit of publicity for a great club.Lots of other tales and memories.
Next weekend it was my favourite Hill Race right on the Border with England down at Yetholm. Big turnout from the club, thanks for coming folks and hopefully next year we will get good weather. Amanda Henderson stole the show with her muffins with Peter coming 3rd and his highest finish in a hill race. There is one on Harris at the start of August and a chance of 1st place sir.
We now move onto the 14th June and down to East Linton. It is a must at some point for any trail runner. About 6 miles long and managed to get within a 1 minute of my PB so was well pleased. The pipe band played Highland Cathedral before the start and it got me going.
Next day was the 7 Hills which is in the club championship and should be every year if I had my way. 100% positive feedback from everybody I spoke to. Managed to break into the van and the rhubarb tart and quiche were consumed. I stayed on and helped to clear up and Alan Lawson gave me a bottle of wine. This is still the greatest race in Scotland but the competition is fierce.
Fun event to finish off with on Tuesday 17h June. Report by Peter posted and thanks to Ian Campbell for his efforts in raising around £500 for the Sick Kids from the night. Also for first advising me of the Western Isle Marathons and hospitality on the weekend.
That is me – next stop is the North Yorks Moors for a tough 33 miler at the start of July.
Reports Graham Henry
