Tradition dictates Graham H does a Boxing Day run. Starting from Morrison's at Hunter's Tryst we head Pentland-wise. Usually quite a good turn out and a few hours of struggling round snowy hills in harsh conditions. I had been meaning to pre-publicise this and forgot. Graham put a last minute notice on the fb page but as a result there was just a small elite team of 7 gathered at 9am for the run. And strangely the weather was far too upbeat. There was patchy frost but the skies were blue for the couple of hours we were running and the whole thing lacked the arduous ear-chilling, teeth-chattering experience we usually enjoy.
A couple of miles in, the team split up with 5 of us going one way and Claire and Jim H opting for a more sedate pace.
After heading past the car park at Bonaly we took the road next to Torduff and along the 7 Reservoirs route.
Harrison Parkers will be familiar with the views across to the Pentlands at the top of Kirkbrae.
Graham stopped to have me take this pic of his Mother's old home.
Instead of turning left towards the hills we went through this assault course of fallen trees, roots and muddy ditches.
Out briefly onto Harlaw Road (the first mile of the Water of Leith half,) then onto this lovely tree lined trail that cuts through the fields of Harlaw Farm - Graham's gran's farm I think. The trees were looking impressive in the low sun.
Big well done to Michael and Paul - Paul's first hillrun since January(!) and Michael only runs with dad Jim H when home from Aberdeen. Both kept going at a great pace.
Regroup at Harlaw Farm entrance before taking the to the hills.
The long drag up to Maidens Cleugh.
Then Harbour Hill
There was a well camouflaged swampy spot on the fast descent that caught out Michael and Graham.
Under the bypass.
We all arrived back around the same time. Brilliant day out. Christmas hangover sorted!
No comments:
Post a Comment