Race Reports - December 2009 To February 2010
Carnethy 5, Hill Race - 13th February 2010
Reported by Peter Hague
A classic fantastic race that all the top runners turn out for. A packed start, even some fella running in a skirt (I think you call them kilts up here?). I got caught in a log jam near the start and had to work hard to work my way through the throng going up the hill. I overtook a number of people I recognised from other clubs that usually overtake me and had a good run. After the race I was having a nice cuppa while the results were being pinned up and feeling quite pleased with my effort of a time of 1:07:57 when my friend motioned me over to the roll of honour list and pointed out I’d managed it in 58:15 eleven years ago, don’t you just hate friends sometimes…..and advancing years!!!!!
142nd 1:07:57……….I got a wee stone in my shoe half way round otherwise I would have got under the hour mark, cough!
Lochaber 10k Road Race - 7 February 2010
Reported by Peter Hague
A local Lochaber 10k race. I thought this was a 10k hill race? It wasn’t! It was on the road (a lesson to put a number of trainers in your car). I ran as fast as I could and promptly ran myself out at the 9k mark and a couple of people past me, I’ve marked them out for payback later in the season. Both calves injured due to running on the road with fell running trainers on, common sense says take it easy, but you know what its like once on a race and people easily overtake you (or is that just me?)
Not sure of my position but a time of 40:47, I plan to try and get under the 40 mark this season, so lots of road speed work needed.
Army Cross Country Championships - 10 February 2010
Reported by Melissa Wall
Chairman Steve Wall qualified for the Army Cross Country Finals by running in a number of Army Cross Country league events culminating in the District Finals in early January when the Vets team from the Defence Academy won the gold medal. Steve's team of vets joined the male and female senior teams from the Academy who also qualified for the Army Finals.
3 days of snow and very cold temperatures threatened to add interest to the 10km hilly course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The girls went first on their 5km race and finished 7th out of 14 teams with the team captain winning individual silver. The males encouraged by the girls results ran out hard battling for position in the field of 300. The Army finals always produces amazing times with the winner coming in at 31:04 over the 6 mile course. Half way round the sun came out and those that wrapped up against the cold suddenly overheated!. Steve ran a tactical and hard race despite being plagued by a calf injury causing him to ease up in the last km. He was pleased with his time of 42:14 although not his final position of 233rd!
The Defence Academy vets team won the silver medal to go with their Divisional Gold and Army Team Championship Bronze back in October, not bad for old men! The senior mens team came in 4th place despite all 10 runners finishing in sub 38min times. Steve was happy with 3 medals in 3 championships but is now contemplating hanging up his spikes.
North League Cross Country, Forres - 23 January 2010
Reported by Dave Henderson
I decided to start the new year with a cross country to blow the cobwebs away, Forres certainly did that. The course was challenging, hilly and in one part more like a fell race but condititions were ideal, the ground was clear of snow most of the way with nice winding forest trails and the rain held off. I finished in 41 mins but am not sure of exact distance, it felt longer than it probably was but it was good start to the racing year, now to find another race!
Devils Burden Relay Race - 23 January 2010
Reported by Peter Hague
The Devils Burden Relay Race was down at Falkland. We rushed together a team from work and I was to run leg 2 with a friend and his super fit dog. A fantastic event and such a buzz waiting for your team to hand over the baton (the map) before zooming off after competitors who had the audacity of being in front of you.
My leg was 10k not sure on our final position, about the 100 mark, but good fun.
Aonach Mor Uphill Race - 1st January 2010
Reported by Peter Hague
1st Jan: 30 minutes to defrost the car and my hands still froze holding the steering wheel! I had to chip ice away from under the wheels with an ice axe and the car still skidded in to a snow drift. It took another 15 minutes to dig myself out of this before I got going, soon after I foolishly braked to avoid a pheasant (I’m an ecologist, I can’t help it) and again ended up on an icy patch where the wheels of the car just span; this sent me in to another drift. Further on there was a fallen birch tree that I had to remove and further still a solid ice and snow patch that spun the car 90 degrees. Eventually I got to the end of my drive and headed down to Fort William for the race!!!!!!!
A nervous journey down with all the snow. Once at the start it was a balmy -8C and it actually felt warm, a couple of the competitors were in shorts and vests!!! I felt good on this one and managed to run the whole thing without walking (just a little aim I gave myself) and the finished appeared far too quickly as I was just getting into my stride. Another exciting journey home, once there (it was in doubt for most of the journey) I celebrated by sitting in my pond – don’t ask!!!!
20th with a time of 33:32 from a field of 90 runners.
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