Pentland Skyline 11/10/09
My running has been all over the place. Last week's marathon gave me legs too sore to run till Wednesday; I could hardly walk Monday, all that rolling tarmac. Then at club I overdid it and afterwards had to take 2 paracetamols and go to bed early. No running thursday, friday; then should I really run Saturday the day before a big race? I found the answer and went for a 90 minute run with my brother at chatting pace round the Seat which I really enjoyed, and I think it shook loose the last of the marathon aches.
That (and a lot of rest recently) set me up for a good run today, especially when I saw the blue sky first thing. Mary had other plans for today, being too close to last week's marathon, but my contribution to behaving sensibly was not doing Manor Water yesterday. Ben, who has been off the radar since the CCC (which sounded like 17hrs of hell in handsome surroundings) also decided to swap Manor Water to run the Skyline. Given how it turned out I feel partly responsible, but that all came later.
The moon above the first hill.Meanwhile, Mary ran Ben and I to Hillend in her new vehicle which is far too swish to refer to as a mere van. Think bike- and people-carrier with loads of headroom.
This race is a cracker – over all the decent Pentland hills on reasonable paths for most part, from Hillend, up the side of the ski slope to the highest point above the slope then about as far as the eye can see, down towards Balerno then back over the remaining hills to where you started. It takes about the same time as a marathon but you have to carry waterproofs, and possibly a drink. There are a couple of water-stations and four checkpoints. This is the 5th time I have run it and my results have been slowly deteriorating since 2004 when I ran 2.58. I then ran 2.59 (on the back of Manor Water), skipped '06 then ran 3.05 then 3.06 last year.
From here you do the 7 hills from left to right then back on the right side.The third long race in 3 weeks I felt very positive about just having a good fun run, as did Ben who has taken time off training to spend with his new son Reuben. So it was a light-hearted pair that set off fairly moderately up the steep slope next the the ski slope. In fact I even overtook Ben as we all went left towards and through the gate rather than over the stile. This new route was to avoid the inevitable log jam at the stile (which had been making Graham H unhappy for a couple of years.) It worked well and I think myself and Ben would have been between 30th and 60th through the gate and off up the first big hill. The other Porty - running the skyline for the first time - was Lynn Morrice, who seemed a mix of well-up-for-it and a bit nervous. I remember Mary and I feeling the same back in 2004. And it certainly can be a very long day out.
Only just started and already frothing at the mouth.Through the gate turn right and I saw Steven Fallon head up a higher trod than usual and although he had some followers most of us went up the usual muddy single track. I took a few photos. I had decided to take the older camera since the Pentlands on such a day are just marvellous. A stiff breeze was in our faces for the first half but would help us on the return journey.
I was surprised when Ben hadn't caught up by Allermuir trig point. Some folk jump over here and cut the corner but its less fast ground and I passed them on the easier side before they had even got to the gate they would have to climb. About here I noticed Moorfoots Wull Hind and first lady Fiona Maxwell. I swapped places with them a couple of times before Mr Hind pulled away and Fiona dropped back. Up and over Castlelaw which has an unpleasantly sharp descent onto a broad fast downhill path that leads through the farm and down to the tarmac road and the first water stop. I had 2 cups and took the time to take them on board while others ran blindly through. Its such a long race its worth doing this well and I didn't think anything dreadful would happen if I dropped a couple of places or seconds. I think this easy going attitude helped get me round without any spills or difficulties. Okay there was one...
Turnhouse.
On Turnhouse: looking back to where we've come from. And first lady.Then come the high tops. Nothing for it but to jog and march up Turnhouse, Carnethy, Scald Law then over to S Black Hill and the Kips. Going up the hills I felt remarkably okay and realised I could be on for a good time. Scald Law I nearly ran the whole way and was a bit gobsmacked until I realised it was partially wind assisted. I didn't want to push the first half to the Drove Road, at the expense of the second.
Carnethy
Carnethy then Scald Law
David Riach and the prospect of Scald Law
South Black Hill
Marshals on S Black HillAnd it was so windy at the South Black Hill checkpoint that I was blown off balance while trying to get my number clipped. Was that Martin Hyman with the clippers? I nearly had to hold onto his shoulders while he clipped the number on my shorts!
The Kips
I spent the whole race just behind Stuart Simpson (Ochils) until I managed past about Bell's Hill.However the Kips came and went and we descended to the checkpoint at the Drove Rd (1hr35 – as fast as my best time there) where there were all sorts of goodies to eat laid out on a table with a wind break behind. I had one of the gels I was carrying and took the time to drink 2 full cups provided before heading down the road to catch the guys that had got 150 yrds ahead in that time. (Neither would cross the line ahead of me.)
Looking back to the Kips from the Drove Rd.
Praying to the checkpoint gods at Hare Hill.
I really enjoyed the second half much more than previous years – usually battling with cramp and tired legs. However the 2 recent races were good preparation and the wind on my back was a tangible help. After the unmanned checkpoint at Hare Hill you follow a fast single track that gets progressively more wet in preparation for the Green Cleuch. A steep dirt track down to the swamp where the initial steps seemed solid and quite dry so I kept the pace going only to step into a knee-deep submerged hole followed by a belly flop right bang into the muddy filth. It was quite refreshing on the legs but my worry was for the camera on my waist-belt which had been momentarily dunked in the swampy waters in a non waterproof case. I was up and out and across the filth quickly (with much admiration from assembled mountain bikers who gave me top marks for effort,) though I was now covered in mire up to my ribs.
Black HillWhen, sometime later at the top of Black Hill I clenched my gloved fists little streams seaped out. I was sad that I might have killed my old camera (– still it died doing what it loved.) But thought just in case it wasn't totally fritzed I wouldn't turn it on and risk shorting it. So that's where the pics end until Mary's start near the finish. (The SD card came out and processed fine but the camera is in a bag with drying crystals for a few days till I try to switch it on.) (2 Days later and the camera has made a full recovery: hurray for Nikon Coolpix!)
I squelched up Black Hill taking one of the first paths off into the scrubby heather and followed a fine trail up to the bird trap then on up to the summit where I thought Anne Nimmo said some words about my filthy state but it probably wasn't her as she was also at the finish line when I arrived there. I took my usual sneaky direct line off the summit which cuts a straight hypotenuse across a heathery diagonal while everyone else follows the path first right then left. I didn't make much ground but overtook a Carnethy maybe, before the burn crossing then the long climb to Bells Hill. In the past this has been the site of much soul searching and tightening calfs but today I marched up seeing if I could catch the guys ahead. I can't even remember any unpleasantness, just deciding that I would drink the entire contents of my sports drink bottle at the checkpoint. Just before, I “sprinted” past a guy, reluctant to wait while he had his number clipped.
...and back to Allermuir. Mary's photos from this point.
The first runner, Oleg Chepelin, Shettleston, building a massive 6min leadThe diagonal contour down to the gate at the col before Harbour Hill has tripped me before and I was careful of tiring legs but began the up hill sensibly striding out and working those toes upwards to offset the first twinges of cramp. It worked and I remained trouble free up Harbour and Capelaw Hills and even had a couple of cheery words with the brave marshals at the top of Capelaw. Down to the stile then up Allermuir and I was now romping home jogging between quick up hill marches. A dude in an orange shirt zoomed past and I can only imagine he must have given us all a half hour headstart or had some horse tablets at the Drove Road. I can't remember anyone else going past in the second half though that could easily be selective memory.
Usually I note my time at the top of Allermuir – it takes 15 minutes from there to the finish though I nearly ended myself doing it in 14 in 2005 to scrape under the 3hrs. However I was distracted by Mary towards the top. She had been for a run with Scott F and was now spectating and shouting “Ben is so your Bitch” and other blasphemies much to the amusement of the other spectators and hill walkers. (Sure enough Ben hadn't came past. Possibly the only race I've finished ahead of him other than a twisted ankle Carnethy 5. Its so seldom an event its worth recognising but I hoped it didn't mean he had got into trouble.)
Mary making me smile.So I forgot to check my watch, but used the last of my energy to launch down the hill which always has one or two nasty turns and up hills before you see the ski slope and its over the stile and zoom down to the finish.
Steven Fallon shook my hand saying I was just seconds behind him, which I took to mean minutes since I hadn't seen him since the very start of the race, however the results confirmed he was just ahead: I think maybe his slowest and, checking my watch, my fastest at 2.57.11. Very pleased.
After enjoying a Caramel Wafer and several items off the bakery table I headed to the showers to scrape the Cleugh mud off. After, I came out to find Ben had had a bad fall at Turnhouse early on and taken a chunk out his knee and elbow. However he managed to continue (though submerging the injured knee in the stagnant Green Cleugh swamp didn't fill his heart with joy) and got round in 3.09. Lynn had a less traumatic run but found the headwind in the first half tough. Report immanent.
Reuben wondering why daddy is wearing guyliner.Also this weekend I see a couple of Porty ladies ran Manor Water coming in just after Tony Stapley who had his second come back tour this year, which he is limiting in order to preserve the remnants of his knees. Now if I had known so many Porties were going along (although no Graham?) I might have had another stab at the Man-or-Mouse.
my numberJust finished washing my shoes which have to be dry for the cross country next weekend. Fingers crossed for more sunny weather. Although the hill top marshals deserve a medal for their efforts today – I was not overdressed wearing a Helly Hansen top, gilet, gloves and earband. A top race, thanks to all concerned. Oh and lovely hot showers afterwards. Had to wash my socks for 5 minutes before they were clean enough to go in the machine. (Gilet needed some vanish before second time round machine.)
Report pb, photos pb, Mary
Mary's Blog
ResultsBen emailed to say...
...I enjoyed it - fantastic to get back in the Pentlands after so long and my base-jump attempt coming off Turnhouse I suppose added to the overall excitement! Knee a tad sore tonight, but I am hoping to brush up well...
Lynn's Report
I had wanted to do this race last year but managed to sprain my ankle badly the week before on a recce of Black Hill. So this year I was determined to do it. After Aberfeldy I had planned on doing plenty of long runs in the Pentlands. However, 2 colds later, 3 weeks missed training, one 10 mile off-road race and one 17 mile run in the Pentlands with Graham, preparation was hardly ideal.
Race day – good visibility but it was windy and cold. I was starting to worry, but Peter gave me some good advice on the start line, “If it starts to get really bad, just think about what you are going to write in your report” and Ben had reassured me with something along the lines of “Only mad people come back to do this race”……!!
So we were off. Fairly slow going to start with as I was stuck behind people. Not a bad thing I thought as I have a long way to go. Also, everyone I had spoken to had said to take the first half steady because it only gets worse. However, I had no idea about pacing and where I should be at what time. I spot Ian (HBT) and know we run a similar pace, so the plan was to keep him in my sights.
Soon I’m on the downhill to Flotterstone where Mary and Scott are cheering us on. Right, up Turnhouse. Oh no my legs are already hurting….. a lot. I’m blown sideways on the section between Turnhouse and Carnethy and I’m also feeling sick. My legs, stomach and mood don’t improve up Scald Law and I’m starting to think I might have to bale out at the Drove road. Normally I can run most of this ridge but today I’m walking an awful lot of it. Coming off South Black Hill I’m in complete agreement with Bert about hills, but I still have 9 more to go!
I reach the Drove road and take on some water and jelly babies. I don’t even think about baling out and set off again. Heading up Hare Hill I start to feel a bit better – it’s either because the wind is behind me or due to the restorative power of jelly babies. On to Black Hill (my nemesis). I’m starting to catch some of the guys in front of me, including Ian, and nobody is passing me. I actually really enjoy the downhill run from Black Hill, passing and dropping Ian and a couple of other guys. Now for the really steep corrie of Bell’s Hill. My legs feel awful but I’m still catching the two guys in front. I finally pass them on Capelaw Hill. Although I’m struggling on the uphill I’m still managing to maintain some sort of speed on the flat and downhill.
Allermuir and Caerketton to go, but I just want it to end now. I finally see the ski centre and push myself to pick up some speed. I finish in 3hrs 38min. I really wanted 3hrs 30, but given my preparation that’s not bad. Next year…………
Report Lynn Morrice
These photos just in from the Scottish Hill Runners flickr site (thanks to the Black Hill marshals for taking them)
Shortly after my early bath. Note camera on right hip, well below the waterline.
