Red Moss Revolution 25/06/08
We followed the break from right to left between the brown and yellowy green before crossing over behind the trees and returning lochside by this path.
Number seven of the Bog and Burn series and I had been looking out the window all day to see if the weather was going to be good or bad. We had both in large amounts throughout the day but as we drove over to Balerno the rain stopped and the wind blew all the clouds away to reveal a beautiful evening with only a little too much in the way of breeze.
Nothing to do with the courseFelt disloyal about missing club but did have the club colours on. We arrived at Threipmuir Reservoir Car Park allegedly called Red Moss Car Park but never saw any indications of that on maps or road side signs. However the little map (above) from the excellent Scottish Hill Racing website confirmed the venue and let us know where we'd be going. We exited the car to clouds of midgeys so no standing around too long.
Photo Steve FallonThe route made me nervous – I've run down and cycled down the steep tarmac road from the hills to this car park but never run or raced up it. It would be a full-on start. However the casual registration and writing of race number on leg with marker pen was enough to set a body at ease and I did some strides (feeling strong) before we set off. For the first 200 yards I was in the top ten and could have pushed through to the front. (Ha!) However then we hit the hill and maybe a dozen went past before we got to the top. Dig in and eyes out. Saw Steve Fallon taking photos at the top where we turned right and through the gate to the next series of climbs all the way to Hare Hill. About half way up Rosie Smith went past and in no time had gone past everyone I could see and was making her way to the front of the field.
It was a long slog to the gate where we turned left onto Hare Hill and then further damage to the top where Megan M was stood, making us all go over to the left before the welcome descent towards Black Hill and the Green Cleuch. I say welcome descent but in fact this section of the Pentland Skyline is a notorious ankle twister. Across the shin deep heather with no smooth paths. I heard a bloodcurdling oath just behind and was glad not to see who had broken what. I struggled on and at one junction leapt a ditch to end up lying flat out in the snarled vegetation. I was determined to make up some of the places dropped in the climb so hurled myself down the steep muddy bank glissading on slipping feet like skis and straight into the Green Cleuch. Now I'm sure it says in my Scots Dictionary of Words Your Granny Made Up a green cleuch is what you sneeze into your glove in the winter. I ran the last few metres down the bank so quickly that my upper body was moving forwards too rapidly for my feet which were wading into knee deep water. Consequently I flopped forward into an early bath, the water going up to my waist and as I felt it go over my watch I was glad I'd invested in a 100m version. It wasn't unpleasant but as I was anxious to get in the queue for the next hill I sploshed through the rest of the bog and tried to get my legs cranking up the gravel path that goes round the side of Black Hill.
In the Skyline we go over the hill which is hard work, so it seemed easy by comparison to stick to the path which starts high but slowly descends as it travels along to the land bridge across the water. This is all fast ground but littered with grooves and stones. I could hear puffing behind me to start with but soon I had outrun it and was catching the helly hansened runner who had been 200 yards ahead at the start of the downhill. He crossed the stile just in front and I followed him up the path heading west into the stiff breeze. It was hard going now we were on the flat and I channelled all available energies into the force field ahead of me. Scotty radioed in from the engine rooms to say the shields cannae handle it. But up ahead a stand of trees breaking the wind. A life saver. The sun dappled through the branches and we were running over pine needles. Lovely. I made a renewed fight to catch the Helly ahead and closed some of the ground. I could also hear the breathing behind catching me. I tried to imagine how much we had to go.
Photo Steve Fallon
Photo Steve FallonThen we joined the more familiar route I usually run round the reservoir and I knew the extent of the pain/pleasure left. However we'll skip this bit because although I caught the Helly we then had to go up hill and he and 2 others went past leaving me feeling slightly disheartened. (Most hill races finish on a flourish of down hill sprinting.) However it was a beautiful evening for the duration of the event and good to see the usual suspects and have a good fast training run with a few hills.
Photo Chris Upson
Photo Chris Upson
Photo Chris Upson
Photo Chris UpsonAl Anthony won in about 35mins, Rosie Smith just under 40 mins first lady, Lucy second (44mins).
PB 42 mins. Mary 51mins.Report pb
Photos Peter, Steve Fallon, Chris Upson (1st Vet40 (39mins) website).Results were a little late in coming in due to Jamie Thin's daughter starting stop watch halfway through race while jumping puddles and avoiding midgeys. However they arrived and it looks like Tony was first m60! Hurray and well done to Tony. (M and P both 4th in their age groups.)
Lucy had already been for a run earlier same day. (Nutter)
Mary edging ahead of Don Naylor and Chris Upson!
Tony and his hospital buddy Dougal (In the background the Dashing White Sergeant.)
