Race Reports - March To May 2010

Dunblane 7.5 - 30 May 2010 

Reported by Marilyn Hemingway

Myself, Cath Harris and Claire McKinlay, set off to Dunblane to run this race for the first time and the weather was in our favour. The registration point was a 10 minute walk uphill from the car park so allowed us a nice warm up before the start. Unfortunately Cath lost her shoes along the way (Don't ask?)! Which wasn’t the best start.

After registration we were faced with another half mile walk to the start (this was the best race warm up ever!). And soon we were off with a head wind blowing as we headed towards the Queen Victoria Boarding School. We were about half way and we came round a bend and a marshall called out "well done, its all downhill from here," and I thought, ‘great, I need a breather’ - but he lied – as there in front of me was another hill and quite a biggy as well, ‘how do these people think they can get away with lying to us like that?’ I thought to myself, then I remembered that I know someone else who says these things to us all the time – wonder who that can be?! (clue his name begins with S and he looks like Basil Fawlty on redbull!)

The wind eased and as I approached the 5 mile mark and the only water station, I sensibly thought I’d hold onto my water for a bit and dispose of it at a bin beside a gate to a farm – bad move as I was berated by a disgusted farmer who shouted at me to ‘take my rubbish home with me’ – he continued shouting as I ran – a bit faster by now – he had no chance of catching me!

When we reached the 6 mile marker, I actually felt really good and wanted the rest of the run to feel like this, unfortunately there were more inclines before we reached the 7 mile mark, and we started to enter back into Dunblane, which was also pretty much uphill all the way, but the STING in the tail was, we had to run up the big hill, that we walked down to the start, a killer on the legs at the end.!!

We all enjoyed our run with its beautiful scenery, smelly cows, and the angry farmer and the friendly people added to the atmosphere of the day.
 

238th	Claire McKinlay	69:10	PB	This is faster than Clarie's Glenlivet 10km time
274th	Marilyn Hemmingway	74:58	PB
286th	Cath Harris	78:11	PB

 

The Nairnshire Challenge -  30 May 2010

Reported by Val Machin

‘The Nairnshire’ is an annual event organised by the Nairn Rotary Club with Teams of three crossing Nairnshire from South to North – which equals 12 miles of hilly moorland running, which descends to the wild Findhorn valley at Drynachan, followed by a 18 mile rollercoaster bike course over switchbacks and round sharp bends- on mostly traffic-free roads to the finish overlooking the Moray Firth.

Two CR teams made the start- all (except me!*), in tip-top form and looking forward to the day. Alas, the weather gods were against us and 20 hours of heavy downpour meant that the burns were in spate and the run course was dangerous. It’s a tribute to the organisers that the contingency plan was effected so quickly and smoothly. The new run route started at Cawdor heading south on very minor roads towards the bike pick-up at Drynachan- a slightly shorter course but still very demanding...... nine miles of unrelenting climb before a short and steep descent . Somewhere on the climb came a cheery hello from Craig Little, one of the founding members of Cairngorm Runners now working in Edinburgh; he must have recognised my bum!

Anyone who has experienced duathlon will know the feeling of profound relief as you stop running, jump on the saddle and dance on the pedals. It was a joy, once you had slipped and slithered to the exit from the very wet transition field. Then it was an exhilarating ride along the Findhorn valley before turning north towards the coast. The miles blurred by and I felt surprisingly strong- until the final 3 miles ; when we turned towards Nairn- straight into a head wind- the gritting of teeth was audible. But how fantastic to coast to the finish to be greeted by familiar faces. Scott (Fraser) was there dispensing TLC (Cairngorm Runners is that kind of family) having been at Laggan the day before to see Cairngorm Runners sweep the board. My lovely husband Dave arrived just in time to see me finish, having cycled 40 miles from home testing out his super new bike (thanks Mike and Jenny!).

We all agreed it was a great event – even Jeannette Meldrum who rode the whole cycle section pushing a very big gear, (due to a mechanical glitch). Respect, girl!

I’m sure we’ll all be there next year; and hopefully more CRs will join us.
 

 

	Alan Riach
	Annie Fraser
	Fiona Johnson
	Lisa Lawson
	Val Machin
	Jeannette Meldrum

*The back story....

I’m not making excuses, but making the start was my biggest challenge...
Here’s why...

My enthusiasm for running is matched by my passion for hill-walking in the Highlands. Since I gave up the work thingie , I have taken part in the annual Great Outdoors Challenge, a backpacking event sponsored by TGO magazine www.tgochallenge.co.uk . Every May 300+people wend their various ways across some of Scotland’s wildest and most beautiful landscapes. You start on the west coast between Torridon and Ardrishaig, and 2 weeks later reach the east coast between Peterhead and Arbroath. This time was my tenth crossing and fellow challengers help you celebrate at every opportunity. You finally become a leg-end at the big party in Montrose where Cameron MacNeish gives you a hug, a plaque and a bottle of bubbly.

It was two weeks of glorious walking in wonderful company, and it felt like a non-stop party- well, it would be rude not to... the two days before the Nairnshire Challenge were spent horizontally in a darkened room- I am now an alcohol-free zone...
 

Stornaway Half Marathon - 29 May 2010

By Sandy Grigor

We ( Wendy & myself ) made our way to Stornaway ( I feel a certain song coming on ), on the Friday afternoon and yes it was raining - we got the ferry from Ullapool then 2 1/2 hours later arrived in Stornaway to be met by the organisers of the event and taken to registration. After registration we were then taken to our B & B.

Saturday morning arrived, the rain had eased off a little, after a hearty breakfast our landlady Anna insisted that her husband Roddy would drive us to the start of the Half Marathon, more of that west coast hospitality. The Half Marathon started outside Lewis College in the Castle grounds, the first 6 1/2 miles take you around the town a gently undulating course then back into the Castle grounds for the second half of the run which is mostly of road good tracks a little more undulating and interesting with a tricky little hill at 11 1/2 miles and finishing at the old gate to the castle 1/2 mile down from the start line
.
Afterwards we went to the Bay Head Community Centre for soup and sandwiches and an amazing spread of cakes etc. The whole event was very friendly and very well organised, the marshalling brilliant, even police and traffic wardens making sure any road crossings went smoothly, plenty of water stations along the route.
But the last word is for The Stornaway folk I met while there, they were so friendly and helpful and the hospitality was brilliant. I'm early back next year so I don't miss the ceilidh.
 

28th

Sandy Grigor

1:30:50

Knock Hill Race report 5 miles –26th May

By Peter Hague

Another short, fast race on a Wednesday down at Crieff. This one starts in the centre of Crieff and heads up the road and then onto tracks leading up knock hill. The race has a string in its tail that I learnt to my cost last year. It has a couple of steep hills and a long downhill section on a forestry track that (if you haven’t done the race before) you believe is taking you all the way to the finish. Not so, as you are tanking down the track you are directed back up a steep, nasty little hill, last year I really wanted to kick the person directing me up the hill up the backside for spoiling the momentum I had built up. This year I kept some in reserve and managed to run the hill, I was mentally congratulating myself on running this section where everyone else seemed to be walking when a lass from Perth road runners absolutely flew past me, impressive to say the least. I was made to sprint the last section as I could hear a couple of runners behind me and had to really dig in. Probably my fastest run of the year and cooler than recent races, an unusual prize at the end in the goody bag, a pedometer! (Free to a good home if anyone needs one)
 

45th

Peter Hague

32:13

Note: 45 secs quicker than 2009

 

Slioch Horseshoe 12 miles – 22 May 2010

By Peter Hague

I really didn’t fancy this race as I’ve not be training for this distance and, although a new race, it already has a reputation as a toughie, a book on hill races in Scotland declares “If runners are not completely exhausted by this point, they will hopefully have enough energy to run back to the finish” which is still 5k away. A friend talked me into doing the race saying to just use it as a training run, which I fully intended to do.

Gosh, what a hot, humid day in which to run up a Munro. A nice, gentle, pleasant, scenic 5k before you reach the hill proper (this was the longest, hilliest and energy sapping 5k I’ve ever done on the way back!) Everything was going to plan, I was running at my training pace and enjoying the surroundings and even able to chat and listen to the different birds singing along the route, then we hit the hill and I went into race mode (sometimes I just can’t help it!) I recognised several people up the hill, caught them up and then recognised some one else higher up and the process started again. The terrain is very steep in places and a little scrambling is required. Sweat was literally pouring into the eyes and I had a good battle with a Lochaber runner but just couldn’t pass her on the climb. Higher up I don’t think I’ve been more appreciative of cloud on a hill, as it blocked the sun.

A few false peaks before the summit and then it’s up the peak of Sgurr an Tuill Bhain, I don’t have a problem with heights but anyone who has would appreciate the drop on the path to the summit here. Because of the lack of training I though I would supplement my energy levels with a chocolate bar, never again, it completely dried up every last drop of moisture in my mouth, and when I drank water, it set like concrete to the roof of my mouth, not good, I’ll stick to jelly beans in the future.

The run off the hill I found hard and runners all seemed to be taking different lines down (you are convinced you have picked the worse one) lots of boulders, rocks, wet moss and holes maintain interest throughout. On a race like this you drink where you can and like other runners I found the water from the burns absolutely delicious even if it did look like brown ale.

The run back I’ve mentioned! A fantastic spread at the finish and even loads of beer for those who can manage it. Usually, at the end of races there’s a hive of activity and people standing around discussing the race, not on this one, everyone was sat down looking drained.

 

24th

Peter Hague

3:02.06

Never again………..although it would be good to get under the 3 hour mark next year!!!!!

Kinnoull Hill 7k – 19 May 2010

By Peter Hague

A short, fierce little race this, all on runnable tracks which I’m sure a few of the Cairngorm Runners would do very well on. I was chatting to a friend’s friend before the race when she asked why I never wore socks. When I explained that the saving in weight could knock a nano-second off my time and could mean the difference between, say, finishing 4534th or 4535th, she was looking highly skeptical. I was going to elaborate about them catching on heather and that I had, in fact, got a full head of hair but chose to have it shaved to save on wind residence but she was giving me odd looks, so I went off to shave my legs to stop mud sticking to them and slowing me down!

A hot, muggy evening to run a race, especially a fast one like this. A ‘big dipper’ of a race where you get the hill out of the way at the start then its down hill with lots of little hills all the way to the finish. A large turn out, not surprising since it’s within Perth and such a glorious evening too. I got overtaken lots on the hills going up but not going down, a complete reversal of my last race, not sure how to explain that one! A thoroughly good race to improve your speed work.

 

47th

Peter Hague

32:13

PS You may have read that some (misguided optimist) claim the long, cold winter will have decimated the midge population, I scoffed when I read it and can confirm from my own research (standing around in shorts and vest to run hill races) that they are as numerous as ever……by the way, they said to say hello and are eagerly looking forward to meeting us all on our training runs!!!

'Iconic' Trail Half Marathan - Fort William - 16 May 2010

By Melissa Wall

Spurred on by prospect of taking part in this new race, 13 CR's made their away across to the Nevis Range to check it out. Many of us had deliberately avoided looking at the route on the website fearing that it might be 'hill heavy' and of course we weren't disappointed!! Gulp!

So blissfully unaware we gathered at the start line and were pleasantly comforted by the down hill start for the first mile or so - but as all runners know, what goes down, must eventually at some point...go up! And it certainly did! However the route was absolutely cracking with some incredible views from some of the top sections and the terrain had something to suit everyone we went from narrow forest trails to mud covered slopes to rocky tracks and to forest tracks and with this route being unfamiliar every twist and turn of the course was an adventure! The weather was absolutely perfect, the sun shone with a cool breeze and a light rain came on just at the right time.

I can honestly say I've never enjoyed a race of this distance more even though there was no PB, but it's a personal view - thanks to Gavin's nutrition talk, I got my food intake just right in the lead up to the race, my achilles injury held up and I was just in a great mood (strange but true!!).

Other members had blinding runs with Sandy Grigor first man home for CRs and Emma Sinclair first CR female. Emma took a trophy for 3rd Senior Female and Jeanette Meldrum and Marilyn Heminway took tropies for 2nd and 3rd Senior Vet Females. Very well done to them all!

Men of the Match goes to both Tim Rust for completion of his first half marathon in a fantastic time and likewise to Claire McKinlay (now sporting the biggest blister I have ever seen) who did extremely well for her second ever race - well done guys!

No Fuss events worked hard to give a carnival feel to this relatively small race and CRs were made to feel very welcome.

This race has a lot to offer and I can imagine it growing in entries year on year particularly as it would be well suited to hill runners - I for one will certainly be back next year.

 

16th	Sandy Grigor	1:36
17th	Phill Blase	1:37
24th	Steve Wall	1:43 SB
29th	Tim Rust	1:47 PB
36th	Thom Alexander	1:49 SB
39th	Emma Sinclair	1:52 SB
69th	Jeanette Meldrum	2:17
70th	Melissa Wall	2:21 SB
73rd	Grace Hurst	2:24 SB
74th	Marilyn Hemingway	2:27
76th	Clare McKinlay	2:35 PB
77th	Cath Harris	2:37 SB
	Dawn Cranston	DNF

 

Race For Life, Inverness - 09 May 2010

Reported by Ann MacKintosh

For the last 9 years I've been doing the Race for Life (very slowly before I started to train) and I can safely say that the people at the front get faster every year. After a great fun warm up (we've got some new moves to teach you Steve!) Annie Fraser and I lined up close to the front with 3700 other runners and walkers.

Anyone who has done a 5km in Inverness will know this route complete with bouncy bridges which catch you out at the end – so what's not to love about pretending to run on a trampoline?!

I finished 10th overall with Annie somewhere in the first 50 but I couldn't have caught the girl in front of me if I tried - being about 16 helped too in her case!!

Ed’s note: This is a fantastic result for Ann to come 10th overall in a field as large as 3700 and deserves more than a medal – well done Ann!!!
 

10th	Ann MacKintosh	23:03
	Annie Fraser	24:50

Ben Lomond 7mile Race - 08 May 2010

By Peter Hague

What a fantastic day to run up a mountain, the weather was clear, blue, and very warm. This years Lomond race was also a Scottish championship race so lots of good runners around. I registered and was honored and delighted to be given 69 as my race number (no reason!) A race of two half’s for me, strong going up, overtaking plenty of people, weak as a kitten coming down, being overtaken by plenty of people!!! A good number of runners sat in Loch Lomond after the race to cool off. I actually did it over 8 minutes faster than last year but I don’t know if that’s because I’m fitter or if it was the conditions (last year there was a snow blizzard during the race) A new goal/aim/ambition for me, to try and get under the one hour thirty mark next year, brill, I love challenges.

74th

Peter Hague

91:26

 

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Dockray 7mile Fell Race - 05 May 2010

By Peter Hague

Back to the Lakes where I lived and worked for a number of years and consequently competed in many fell races. Dockray is a tough little number where once on top of the first hill a number of different lines can be taken to the next hill and then to the finish, the choice is yours!

A wee insight of how the mind works on these races (well mine anyway in Italics). I tried, unsuccessfully to get a number of old fell running friends to run, but they all came out with excuses, such as;

“Would love to Pete but I’m busy de-weeding the garden”

“But you live in a flat!”

“Well technically yes, but I bought a window box and I’m sure there’s other stuff growing in it”

“You haven’t been training have you and now you have a big, white belly that you don’t fancy lugging around the course?”

Sheepishly “err, correct”

“Tell you what, I’ll borrow a shopping trolley from Tesco, put all terrain wheels on it and you can pop your tummy in that and do the race that way”

“Very funny, pint and a curry after?”

“Yeah, no problem, just remember one thing, while you’re getting fatter, I’m getting fitter……better to wear out rather than to rust out…..no pain, no point….. Fight the flab and run like mad….. Run today reap the walking consequences tomorrow”

“Ok, you’ve humbled me enough, what does the last metaphor mean?”

“Don’t know, just made it up, see you tonight Buddha, oh, book a table for three…. you, me and one for your tummy!”

Bog off Pete, I hope you fall, break your nose and chip a tooth.


So, I register, the fella giving the numbers out is very impressed to have a Cairngorm Runner doing the race. I look to see if I know anyone, (I don’t) so I warm up my problematic calves by vigorous rubbing and empty all the detritus from the last race out of my fell running shoes. I make sure I double tie them as heather will quickly and expertly untie any that aren’t, by the way, on no account get into a car with fermenting fell running shoes unless they are in a sealed lead lined box, and then its still touch and go! When I hear of a rogue state or terrorist group developing a ‘dirty bomb’ I always imagine sticks of TNT with a dozen old fell running trainers tied around it with bailing twine!!!

So, I gingerly warm up by scratching my ear and watch as other runners speed all around me (conserve energy Peter, no need to knacker yourself on the warm up). One young lad of around 18 is whizzing around (bloody hell he’s fast, if that was me, I’d need to sit down, have a cup of tea and an Indian head massage before the race) - his girlfriend is in tow so maybe a little bit of bravado too? I like to guess which runners will be at the front, sometimes it’s obviously, legs like race horses and arms like pipe cleaners. I satisfy myself with the fact that I’m carrying much more body mass –at least equivalent to a sack of coal and wonder how they would fare carrying such weight over the race (phew, ego restored, close run thing though). I see a few familiar faces and now begins the age old tradition of pretending you haven’t been training well. I make excuses that snow has inhibited training but I can tell they don’t believe me.

I am notoriously a slow starter so I position myself at the back, nothing worse than seeing everyone overtaking you. The first kilometer of this one is on the road and I really have to restrain myself from speeding off and consequently running myself out. My legs feel heavy and I’m already puffing like a train but so are others around me, I look ahead and there is already a group of 8 way ahead, including the young lad (I wistfully remember when I would have been up there with them then remember I used to take running for granted in those days and value and enjoy running much more now then I used to). I concentrate on who’s just ahead and start chipping away at the distance in-between us. I think I’m about half way up the field by this stage but know I’m feeling better than my last race. You then go through a gate and on to the fells. I move up a gear and have to go off the path to overtake runners ahead of me. I see a tall fella in an orange vest 15 places ahead, so I choose him as a target.

I reach the leading lady and we have a proper little battle going up the hill. My lungs are gasping for each atom of oxygen, my legs literally feel like lead and my back hurts but I’m used to such pains and push a little bit harder, my legs are screaming for me to ease up but is overruled by the head, “come on Peter, you’ve been here before, just to the next boulder then ease up” I leave the girl behind and close in Mr Orange vest, (Christ his legs go up to my shoulders and he weights 7 stone, tops!) He reminds me of something….that’s it, a human daddy longlegs and I mentally hum daddy, daddy longlegs to the Archers theme tune -anything to distract from the pain I’m now feeling. He takes umbrage at me overtaking him and quickly overtakes my back and is instantly 10m in front of me, I close him down again and the same thing happens (come on fella, you are going to run a tad harder than that to lose me). I persevere and the third time he is unable to stay with me and I pass him.

A basin is reached where boggy ground awaits before you head up another hill to the summit. I hear the girl just behind me again, bloody hell my weakness over rough ground means I’ve been caught again (for crying out loud, I hate this stuff, how much more is there of it). She tucks in behind me and I pick a line up the hill, trying to avoid wet areas. Nearing the summit, that is being kissed by the odd cloud, I overtake a couple of other guys and from the corner of my eye catch sight of Mr Orange vest ahead and to the right of me (sh*t on a stick, the bugger picked a better line, never mind I’ll catch him on the next hill).

A marshal greets you at the summit and points the way to the next hill. I feel physically sick and my head goes dizzy with the sudden change in the gradient. The next section is over rough and wet terrain. Tussocks, what an absolute pain to run over. Imagine hard round objects, say from cannon ball size up to basket ball size, put them on a spring and cover them in grass, well that’s tussocks for you. Stand on one when racing and you look as ungainly as a new born giraffe and it usually ends in a fall. I don’t know the technique for running fast through these but I haven’t got it. I lose more ground and a couple of lads overtake me, I curse to myself but doggedly latch on to them (don’t look so smug fellas, see the hill in front of you, I’ll be overtaking you on that). The girl must have been close because I heard her fall but you are unable to take your eyes off the terrain for a millisecond, otherwise you’ll be over too. I wonder why my arms feel so heavy (maybe I should give up climbing for a season to see if that helps)one leg goes up to the shin in a hole and I’m over –thud! This can be so exhausting and demoralizing to pick up the pace again but I’ve worked so hard to reach this position so I’m quickly up and away (bloody concentrate Pierre, its your own fault for day dreaming, now CON-CEN-BLOODY TRATE). Once through this section there’s another small hill where sure enough I catch the two lads who had overtook me earlier, I notice them look at me as if to say “bloody hell, you again”. I easily overtake one but the other really, really doesn’t want to be overtaken and we have a proper battle (right fella, lets see just how much you want this, see if you have the mental strength) I’m on his shoulder and pushing very hard (if we had rev counters it would have passed the red and gone into purple by now or if we had pressure valves, the glass would have broke and rivets would be popping) (good effort fella but you’re going to need more then that) there is now a rasping sound to his breathing and he quickly slows and falls behind. Feeling jaded but still full of fight I had Mr Orange vest firmly in my sights, who somehow has appeared from the right. The finish, alas, is over tussocks, rush and undulating ground and my final chance to overtake him evaporated. The two lads easily overtake me again, although one did take a good tumble. A small fella with legs as thick as my torso was a downhill specialist and absolutely whizzed past me, (fantastic effort chief, wow sh*t the bed how can you be so fast over this stuff, now where is the flipping finish, I’m whacked). Lots of sweaty, steamy bodies at the finish. I congratulate the guys who had overtaken me and relate the race with them “Christ, you were fast going up” one said “yeah but I would swop if I were as fast as you over the rough stuff” The girl finishes, I asked if she was ok (who says chivalry is dead!) she said she fell over and then lost everyone due to hillocks and it was only her second ever fell race and she panicked. That’s fell running for you. I remember my first night run with dark peak fell running club up Kinder scout, in the club magazine it said;

“To new members thinking of coming along to the night club run, if you get lost, don’t think we will are be worrying and searching for you, we’ll all be in the pub having a good laugh about it”

Yup, fell running for me


Fantastic race, loved it. 

16th

Peter Hague

63:55

5 mins slower than 6 years ago but who cares

Whangie whizz 7km - 28 April 2010

Reported by Peter Hague

Another classic hill race that attracted a large field of 139 runners, not bad for a Wednesday evening race and I heard the first cuckoo of spring, brilliant. Right, I’ve looked through my book of excuses of why I didn’t run well and I haven’t got a reason this time (can men use PMT as an excuse or is that the reserve of woman who just want to shoplift?!) Anyhow, I felt good, the course was runnable for the full distance, it had an up-hill start, I was as fresh as newly fallen snow, I had my lucky shorts, hat and vest on, my old trusted fell running shoes were free of volcanic ash and my hair was perfect – and I ran like a bag of spanners! That’s what I love about running, you never know what awaits, you can turn up feeling like a pile of pooh and then have a storming run – it makes no sense and always keeps you guessing!

You start on a hillside gradient and run straight up it (none of this wussy flatness on this one) I thought I was doing reasonably well until I realised everyone had overtaken me and I was near the back. I gradually worked my way forward but felt dreadful and for some reason I had a raging thirst for the whole race – never had that before, what’s that all about? I noticed a couple of runners I’m usually close to way up the field but by that stage I was wishing the race was over – a sure sign you are having a bad run. The only thing that brought a wee smile to my face was a fella with road running shoes on overtaking me just before a steep section, as he was picking his way down, slipping in the process, I nonchalantly flew passed him (fell running trainers really come into their own on steep, wet terrain). The leaders in the race were miles ahead, incidentally, the winner was a fresh face young lad who looked like he should have been at home playing with his train set, he didn’t even look like he broke sweat at the finish, I do hope he has homework for the next race!

On the looooong drive back home I was feeling, sick, tired, sweaty, injured, (thirsty!!!) my calves were cramping up and I was a wee bit disappointed with my performance, however, I can’t wait for my next race or run –what surprises await……but I think I’ll forego the packet of ready salted crisps before I run! 

42nd

Peter Hague

35:31

London Marathon - 25 April 2010

Reported by Sandy Grigor

Well the weekend started Thursday night when we were met at the station by a farewell committee of Annie, Cath, Marilyn and Lisa - what a delightful surprise to see us on our way.
We woke on Friday morning having arrived in London and started finding our way around the capital. At the race registration we visited the many stands and spotted several celebs including Paula Radcliffe. Sunday was an early start as the coaches left at 7am. Arriving at Blackheath Common I made my way to the Green start, the smallest of the 3 start areas with only 3000 people. It began to rain around 9am which wasn't in the plan but it stopped just before we started. I made my way to my allotted pen ready for the off. At last we were away, and from that moment on the noise never stopped only getting louder in some places as I trotted along in my trusty stead Coire Cas. As we got close to 6 miles the first TV point I remembered Caths last words "wave to all the cameras" so I did along with everyone else. Around 10 / 11 miles a woman with a microphone asked if I would speak, " no bother" was my reply - after she had interviewed me she said it was live on City of London radio.
As I trotted round I came across Alistair Currie( jogscotland ) around mile 20 and we had a wee blether. At mile 23 Coire Cas was toiling so I changed the batteries and away he goes again - I wished I could do the same. Plodding on at mile 24/25 a mad man hanging over the rails shouting "GO ON SANDY, " its Steve much to my surprise. On we go looking for Wendy around mile 25 as planned but the crowds were 4-5 deep I missed her although she saw me.
Starting to hurt now, definitely a blister under my left foot, thighs not happy but now is not the time to think about these things the crowd are right behind you now. Final straight is here and over the Finish Line we go, we have made it.
WHAT A DAY.

Sandy Grigor	3:51.26
Katie Fortune	5:38.12
Zoe Morrison	5:38.13
Catherine Rose	6:03.55
Iain Grigor (guest of CR)	3:15.48

Run Balmoral 10km - 24 April 2010

Reported by Annie Fraser

The sun was shining at 2.30pm when 1,896 runners started the Stena Drilling Tartan 10k event. This testing Deeside course followed closely along the River Dee for 3K before the challenge of the famous hill. This was not for the faint hearted as was clearly marked runners keep to the right and walkers stay on the left! The only noise to be heard was heavy breathing. The hill continued for 1.2K and a great achievement to reach the top and hear the bagpipes in the distance. The 5k mark was highlighted by the two pipers playing. The route continued through the forest with some well earned downhills and an increase in pace as we passed in front of Balmoral Castle for a fast sprint to the finish and the welcome sight of all the cheering spectators. This is a good course if you enjoy running on trails, appreciate good views and like a hilly challenge. It's well organised and another great family day out. It was a bonus for me to have our sons taking part as well.

Race times are below.

800th	Annie Fraser	54:24	SB
154th	Hamish Fraser (Annie & Scott's son)	44:42
1354th	Rory Fraser (Annie & Scott's son)	62:47

Club 5K Time Trial - 21 April 2010

Iain Robertson	21:42	SB
Peter Hague	21:50	SB
Dave Henderson	21:55	SB
Mike Dearman	22:40	SB
Thom Alexander	23:57	SB
Tracy Willies	24:18	SB
Emma Sinclair	25:21	SB
Ann MacKintosh	25:30	SB
Nigel Rollason	25:54	SB
Elspeth Grant	26:05	SB
Annie Fraser	26:25	SB
Scott Fraser	26:28	SB
Duncan Ferguson	26:35	SB
Lisa Lawson	26:45	SB
Ally Lay	26:59	SB
Fiona Johnson	27:15	SB
Julia Jones	27:16	SB
Nikki Diggins	27:18	SB
Daniel Centre	27:25	SB
Anna Boardman	27:32	SB
Linda Powell	28:10	SB
Elaine Barton	28:32	SB
Dave Machin	28:55	SB
Jeanette Meldrum	29:21	SB
Andy Norrie	29:29	SB
Linzi Seinwright	29:55	SB
Val Machin	30:23	SB
Julie Spittle	30:36	SB
Claire McKinley	31:28	SB
Louise Drummond	37:07	SB
Mickey McGarvey	38:36	SB
Lorraine Duncan	38:42	SB
Michelle Song	38:45	SB
Ros Smith	39:35	SB
Kirsty Hughes	39:50	SB

Cioch Mhor Hill Race - 17 April 2010

Reported by Peter Hague

Another ‘there and back’ race in the hills above Dingwall. I was carrying a cold for this one so not feeling on top form (before the ladies get the violins out, we fellas absolutely know for certain that the strain of cold and flu viruses we get are ten times more virulent than yours and some spotty medical research student will prove it one day!) Anyway, I crawled to the start and off we ran. Don’t you just love our climate, last week I literally had to stop on the Glenlivet 10k to scoop snow up to place on my head to stop my face melting off, on this one I wore two tops and a hat and I was still bitterly cold.

It’s the first time I’ve run this one and it’s without doubt the clumsiest race I’ve ever run. I consider myself unlucky if I fall during a race or very unlucky if I fall twice, but it does happen, on this one I fell seven times!!! A combination of new trail shoes and rough terrain (more training needed on rough terrain). You reach the top of one hill only to see the next one miles off over boggy ground. I had my customary battle with someone, on this occasion it was a lass called Roxy and it lasted the whole race as we swapped leads several times. Aren’t ladies polite, as I was snapping at her heels and inevitably found a hollow to fall down, she enquired every time if I was ok, I just cursed and wished she’d slow down! A wee river crossing cools the legs down but we both got savaged by a barbed wire fence soon after. A good, tough race of around 12-13k, my mates watch said 14k but he probably went on a scenic route. One of those races where I wasn’t sure if I ran well or didn’t?!

I had a eureka moment later that day when musing why I fell so often, really, really obvious. The volcanic ash had settled on the base of my trainers, I was running so hard and fast the silica within the ash melted on my soles and obviously caused loss of friction on the terrain, phew, and I thought I was just crap running over rough terrain.

20th

Peter Hague

87:01

Glenlivet 10km - 11 April 2010

Reported by Melissa Wall

As ever CRs were delighted to hear about a 'new' race and 16 of us trotted along to this one which was advertised as 'The Most Beautiful Run in Scotland' and it didn't disappoint! The race started at the Glenlivet Distillery and wound it's way UP through the Cromdale Hills and when I say UP I mean UP!!!!  The steady incline at the start took many of the 369 runners by surprise (despite it being advertised), I guess we just didn't expect it to be so steady or so 'inclined'!!  It was unusual to see so many runners walk during a 10km race, although this may in part have been due to the very warm temperatures.  Thankfully the next 3kms were downhill and gave us all a chance to save some crucial minutes on our race times and enjoy the wonderful scenery.  The event was very well organised by Paul Corrigan and his team who made us all feel very welcome.  Most of us may not have PB'd on the day however we did have access to the poshest toilets ever!!! 

Man of the Match goes to the old 'nag' who carried Sandy around the course (nuf Steve!) and who seemed somewhat deflated by the end of the day!!!

Well done to the Ladies team for their outstanding 1st place Ladies Team award.  Congratulations also to Dave Henderson for getting 3rd Male Super Vet trophy and to our super female Val Machin for being awarded the 3rd Female in the Vintage Category.  Well done all of you, that is 4 trophies already this season!  See below for the full results:

34th	Dave Henderson	42:57
38th	Peter Hague	43:14
75th	Steve Wall	46:57	SB
103rd	Tim Rust	49:16	PB
110th	Sandy Grigor	49:48
165th	Emma Sinclair	53:13	SB
168th	Ann McIntosh	53:16	SB
174th	Fiona Johnson	53:57	SB
186th	Lisa Lawson	55:12
245th	Jeanette Meldrum	58:40
252nd	Val Machin	59:17
285th	Marilyn Hemingway	1:02:40	SB
290th	Anne Henderson	1:02:59	SB
297th	Melissa Wall	1:03:36	SB
324th	Cath Harris	1:07:58	SB
TBC	Claire		PB

Grandtully Hill Race - 4 April 2010

Reported by Peter Hague

A quick ‘there and back’ race in the beautiful location of Grandtully, put a note in your diaries – must visit the chocolate shop there, calorie-tastic!!

I have some pretty keen fell running friends, as one put it; ‘I’ve just driven 120 miles for a 4 mile run!!!’ The problem/advantage with these races is you get to see who is in front of you and by how much, as they pass you on the return journey. As usual I had my traditional battle with someone of a similar standard but on the occasion he was a little too fast for me to trip up (see last report!) We ran through another dreaded stand of gorse, with the same consequences (see last report!!!) A good lung buster with good paths all the way and a pub at the finish, what more could you ask?

14th

Peter Hague

32:12

Knockfarrel Hill Race - 3 April 2010

Reported by Peter Hague

I wasn’t sure if this race would go ahead due to the tonnes of snow we’ve had in the Gorms, no such problem, there was hardly any snow once you approached Inverness!
A short but fierce little race this one (8k-ish) A friend had pre-warned me of a savage hill climb near the start, I thought he was exaggerating when he said I’d be on all fours going up (you know its steep when you are stood up straight and vegetation is touching your nose!) I actually managed to overtake a few people up this section; I knew all those years of rock climbing would come in handy some day.

Hill after hill come at you on this one and the downhill section is on narrow paths through numerous gorse stands. I gave it my all going down the hill only to be directed up another extremely steep hill by a marshal (I actually thought it was a joke and exclaimed “are you sure?”) he looked bemused and grinned “afraid so”. Through more gorse back to the top of the hill then a technical run down.

I was having a proper battle with another runner when we went through a muddy bit and it sucked his shoe right off (brill, alls fair in love and war). The tinker only caught me up again to resume the battle, we got to a very steep bank that lead onto a forestry track and he took a spectacular tumble. My mind was telling me to ask….”I say old bean, frightfully bad luck, are you ok squire?” but my tongue was as exhausted as my lungs and legs and it came out as “Yaaaa k?” Pointless really as I was already 30m away and disappearing down another drop to hear his reply, luckily marshals were there, no doubt an accident blackspot?
A flat 200m run in, frustratingly I got overtook on this (mental note –more speed work on the flat needed).

Once I got my breath back at the finish I noticed a few of the runners had blood all over their legs, it looked like they had been savaged by a Siberian tiger, on looking down at mine, they were exactly the same, as well as my arms. Gorse, funny how you don’t feel a thing racing through it but if you were to walk through it you’d be cursing at every stab.

A couple of friends had similar experiences on the race, both bloody but happy to have done it. When I asked my friend why he hadn’t mentioned the second killer hill, he grinned and said “I forgot”……..Yeah right!!!!!

23rd

Peter Hague

49:46

Liverpool Half Marathon - 28 March 2010

Cath Harris finished the Liverpool Half Marathon in a very respectable 2:30.50 in 4239th place from a large field of 4490 runners.

Elgin 10km - 28 March 2010

Reported by Annie Fraser

Lisa Lawson and I braved the elements at the Moray 10k which is held in Elgin starting and finishing at Cooper Park. We joined the other 211 runners and waited in the cold for the start and then we were off! It was a pleasant route, one lap round the park and then through a housing estate and into the countryside. There were some hills and definitely some farms as we experienced the country smells. It was well signposted with the miles signs telling you how far you still had to run. It was a welcome site to reach one mile to go and it was all downhill to the finish line and the welcome supporters. This event was well organised by Moray Road Runners and they were delighted that so many took part. This was a family affair for me with my youngest brother, eldest son and sister-in-law taking part. We all finished it whether at the front, middle or back so overall a great achievement as it's the taking part that counts!

158th	Annie Fraser	52:56	SB
178th	Lisa Lawson	54:41	SB

Newtonmore 10 miler - 20 March 2010

Reported by Tim Rust

14th	Dave Henderson	66:35	SB
17th	Sandy Grigor	67:18	PB
41st	Steve Wall	73:57	SB
62nd	Emma Sinclair	81:48	SB
67th	Tim Rust	83:44	PB
68th	Fiona Johnson	83:58	SB
73rd	Lisa Lawson	89:08	SB
75th	Dawn Cranston	90:58	PB
79th	Jeannette Meldrum	93:11	SB
82nd	Marilyn Hemingway	98:54	PB
88th	Melissa Wall	101:42	PB
93rd	Cath Harris	111:41	SB

Craig Dunain Hill Race - 20 March 2010

Reported by Peter Hague

A 10k up in Inverness.  Not my type of race at all.  A flat 2 km start where everyone zoomed off, I smirked to myself thinking, tut, tut, they’ll run themselves out….they didn’t, they got faster!  I had to dig into my reserves to play catch up, as a result I never felt good and laboured up the hill (usually my strength and where I overtake lots of runners). However I was even worse running down.  The sun came out in full, gosh, when you are used to running in sub zero temperatures and all of a sudden its +14C, the old body really doesn’t like it, well, that sounds like a feasible excuse.  Not sure of my position, but not good, another case of knowing the course.  Other friends also found this race a tad on the fast side.

I think I may have found a correlation of why I do really well on some races and so-so on others. I’m not really sure on this but it seems that if I have a good alcoholic drink (by that I mean a bottle of wine) the night before the race, I seem slower, gosh, it’s only taken me 40 odd years to work that one out.
 

Inverness Half Marathon - 14 March 2010

Reported by Lisa Lawson

To my dismay I found that there weren’t many other CR taking part in the race probably due in part to a combination of bad memories of the horrendous blizzard conditions from the previous year and a lack of winter training due to the snow.

Typically a Garmin malfunction (wish they ran training courses on using them!), meant that I had no idea of my pace, so figured I’d just get my head down and keep going then finally I see the 12 miles marker, (‘oh thank god’ – I say to myself – ‘only another 1.2 miles to go’) I run across the bridge in town and know it’s not far but I always seem to die there, just nothing in the legs at all. It’s all down to my mental tenacity now and I just have to keep going. The faster I run, the quicker it’ll be over I tell myself. ‘I love running, running loves me!!’ I run like the wind, I run like the wind!! I keep chanting these mantras over and over to quieten out the – ‘OMG this is sooo hard, please let it be over.’ There’s a guy just in front of me and if he can keep going so can I, just gotta keep on his tail. Started to think about my finish time now, ohhh what will it be??? ‘Speed up, speed up!’ Finally I reach the stadium and check my time 2:04! Which is at least 2 minutes faster than fastest ever half marathon!

I make my way back to my car for a well earned flapjack with that lovely buzzie feeling after a long hard run. I stick a cd on and sing all the way home and start planning how I’m going to improve my time for the next race!

Ed’s Note: There was a good field of 1126 in the race.  The road race starts on Bught Road and runs parallel with the River Ness and winds its way through Inverness City Centre before finishing at Bught Park Stadium. It’s an excellent course for first time half marathoners as the route is flat.  Chip times are as follows:

107th	Dave Henderson	1:29.18	SB
127th	Sandy Grigor	1:31.23	SB
546th	Tracey Willies	1:50.25	SB
863rd	Lisa Lawson	2:04.18	SB
1087th	Catherine Rose	2:33.29	SB

Well done to Sandy and Wendy's son Iain who is on fire just now with an impressive 67th place in a time of 1:26.25!

Deachary Hill Race, Dunkeld - 8 March 2010

Reported by Peter Hague

The course had to be shortened because of ice and snow on the tops. The effort I had made dragging a water bowser up there to make it more entertaining, totally wasted!!!!  This was a nice little 8 miler through for forests and over hills.  Because of lack of training for this distance I decided to take it easy and enjoy it, until for some reason my trainers decided to skin my toes.

31st 1:18:29

Birnam Hill Race - 7 March 2010

Reported by Peter Hague

A 5 mile Hill Race in icy conditions.  I had a fierce battle with a fellow called Phil, who I used to run with from strathearn harriers, while trying to catch me, he took a corner too fast in the snow and promptly head butted a fence post, resulting in blood pouring down his face at the finish, that’ll teach him!  Several of the competitors came back with cuts and bruises on this one.  It pays to know the course for races, again I had a good battle with someone who overtook me going down the hill (what I though was the finish) only to be confronted by another hill, totally soul destroying, and they left me for dead.  Rumours circulating that I was seen icing parts of the course during the night are totally unfounded, I was out walking and needed to pee!

8th 42:09 from 62 runners

Nairn 10km - 7 March 2010

Reported by Kevin Shaw

A Lust for Life? The story of my Nairn 10k:

I don't work very hard at my running. I tell myself that I'm just too busy, and the time isn't there for me to train and run better. At the same time, I want to stay fit and healthy, and can just about run 10k, so maybe I've reached the limit of my running ambition. This is good enough for me until something like the Nairn 10k comes along, because now that I've turned up to the start line, I want to do well. There is a frisson of anticipation all around as runners chat and smile; we all know that whatever our ability and objectives, we are out there on the line with a good run in mind. For some that just means getting round the course, for others it means actually racing to a winning time. For me, today, it means doing better than last year, when I ran the same course in 57.27. My Personal Best (PB) is 57.07, so I've set myself an objective - I want to run under 57 minutes and impress myself.

Training hasn't gone so well, because I've been missing out on the gym, and I've got a painful 'knock' on my knee. Just an ache, no swelling, but if I run too fast, it hurts and I have to stop. Didn't feel it on the two visits to the gym I managed this week though, so I'm here with achievement in mind, and off we go! Down the High St, under the railway bridge then turning right into open country. I need to run each mile in around 9.30, leaving a bit of sprinting to do at the end. Runners of all shapes and sizes overtake me, disappearing never to be seen again, but I don't mind; I'm not racing them, just my own target, and I wish them all well. I even have good wishes for the three small children who overtake me just before the first mile mark. They are running on the grass verge, harder than running on the road, but still pass me at shoulder height with apparant ease. A little further, and they disappear left on the 'fun' route, so I cheer up a bit, they aren't doing the full 10k.

Alan Sillitoe was right, it is lonely being a long-distance runner. The run is all in your head, and the first thought for everyone is 'how am I doing today?' You never really know until you begin to run, some days it is great, some days really tough, but you learn, every time, a little more about your own strengths and limitations. Just after one mile, my knee starts to hurt. Not much, but its there. Am I going too fast? I try to ease up, but it isn't easy; a pair of MacMillan Cancer runners glide effortlessly past, and a guy in a red tshirt, then some more people. How am I feeling? OK if the knee will let up a bit!

Two miles, and I get a shock. Looking at my stopwatch it tells me I've been running for 17.30 - about 90 seconds ahead of schedule. For all my trying, I've gone off too fast, not for the first time. I try to slow down a bit, thinking that the next mile in a round ten minutes would be ideal. Needless to add, my knee is now hurting properly, telling me all about my pacing mistake, but I'm pressing on - can't stop now!

Women are better runners than men. I know men can be faster, but women seem to know how to pace themselves, and faster isn't the same as better. It must be a testosterone thing. I throttle back and more runners come past me.

At four miles, I know it's all over. I'm there in 37.30, having paced two miles each at ten minutes quite successfully, but this is the point where I need to go faster to beat my best time. My left knee isn't on board at all with this, and my lungs are having a chat with the brain too. My legs are OK, they've been out hill training, but the lungs are really starting to complain, and the knee is encouraged, it knows it is winning the battle with the rest of my body. I'm not going to stop though. At least I'm going to get to the finish in one piece, and, to cut a long and difficult run short, I make it in around 58.30. Nowhere near my target, and with a genuinely yarking knee. I speak briefly to a few friends from the club, some of whom have had a really great run - Sandy and Lisa in particular are high on the day, and I'm pleased for them, but I've got to drive, so with a sore knee I make my excuses and head off home.

On the drive back the scenery is achingly beautiful, competing sucessfully with my knee. Maybe I shouldn't have drunk that wine this week, or eaten that chocolate. I definitely should have made it to the gym at least one more time, and didn't rest the knee properly. You are always learning, and today is a 'limitation' day. 'A man's got to know his limitations...' Thanks to Clint Eastwood for that one! I stop at the highest point on the way home, press cold snow into a ball, and apply it to my knee. The ache starts to go away almost immediately. I turn on the radio, and it's Iggy Pop, singing 'Lust for Life' - how did Iggy Pop get onto Radio 2? We were rebels in 1977, Iggy and me .....
I drive on, feeling better and thinking about the next day's workload. Perhaps today I just expected too much; after all, I ran really well last year without a knee injury, so why would I do better today? And a PB is just that, you have to work to beat it, not just turn up and expect to run faster than ever before. My Cairngorm Runner friend and personal trainer Lisa Lawson appears in my ear 'Kevin, how many men your age can even run 10k? Train sensibly and stop giving yourself a hard time!'

Iggy is still laying it down, and I'm tapping along on the steering wheel;

'I've got a lust for life....' he sings, 'yeah, a lust for life....'

Me too. I'm glad I'm a Cairngorm Runner!

Kevin
 

Full Cairngorm Runners results:

56th	Dave Henderson	40:31	SB
73rd	Sandy Grigor	41:44	SB
240th	Nigel Rollason	50:36	SB
281st	Lisa Lawson	53:14	SB
304th	Jeannette Meldrum	55:10	SB
334th	Kevin Shaw	58:17	SB
342nd	Marilyn Hemingway	59:02	SB
344th	Wendy Grigor	59:05	SB
362nd	Debbie Simpson	62:59	SB
369th	Cath Harris	64:19	SB

Well done to Sandy and Wendy's son Iain who ran a great race in 47th place in a fantastic time of 39:29.  Man of the match goes to Debbie Simpson for a superb run.
 

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