Forfar Half is one of my favourites.
It's like a 10k road race with some cross country stirred in, with a
fair sized hill and usually there's a small swimming section as well.
After the hardships of Saturday's racing, the prospect of this event
had lost some of its shine. I was feeling tired. I think the caffeine
overdose gave me a poor night's sleep: I lay awake from 5 till 6am
knowing I wouldn't be as wide awake come 7. Sure enough I wasn't.
I got ready and it was a cheery ride up
the road with Richard and Fiona in Andrew's car. It was quite mild
but with a strong breeze in Forfar and we had plenty of time to
choose what to wear, but I felt out of sorts, and not sure about
which shoes to wear, whether a hat would be too warm and even which
pair of gloves. Warming up I felt pretty raddled. It's not a good
state of mind to be in, going into a tough 13 miler wishing it was
all over. Nothing to do but man up and pace yourself.
Brian B in the blue vest and winter beard!
Always a strong local competitor he worked through the field to third place.
At the start Dan G and James B headed
off at a good old pace. (Coming in in that order.) Normally I race
the first few miles far too fast, slowing later. Today I played it
differently, happy to get the first few under my belt on the other
side of 6 minute miling, staying just inside the top ten. Then after
a few miles I warmed to the task and noticing Craig L following a
short distance behind used him as encouragement/a pacer. He is a strong runner and
to try to stay ahead gave me a good target. I thought at first he
would just go past but I noticed we stayed a similar distance apart.
I reckon the worst of the course is in
about the 3rd mile going along the farmers track with
puddles. At least this year they weren't frozen. But they were deep
and the muddy brown water disguised submerged rocks and slippy edges
that threatened an early bath. In parts they were wall to wall so no
escape. After that is a mix of pleasant roads and sections of muddy
grassy trails. The wind this year seemed to be helping us through the
first half; the miles just floating by without too much distress.
The water feature is a big part of
Forfar Half. As with last year, we were diverted away from it as it
was allegedly waist deep. Although this is a shame – it makes for a
memorable wade – they have found an alternative stretch of
nearly-as-damp track for us to wash the early mud off our shoes.
There is a fence running alongside which I think I used for support
and traction last year. This year I was carrying my camera in my
right hand. After taking shots on approach I closed the camera lens
and ran through (kicking up quite a lot of water). Then towards the
other side slowed a bit, lowered my right arm and camera, switched it
on and took some pics of Craig over my shoulder to show the depth of
the water. One or 2 came out well enough to give an idea. Not quite
as deep or long a pond as the original but a good alternative and
much more fun than just dry road!
The gated section. Unfortunately Craig
wasn't quite close enough to share the travel through each gate with
me. I had to let them clang shut then hear him following behind
having to slow and open them again. I usually try and catch the guy
ahead at this point to get the benefit, but not this year.
When the organiser had been describing
the course to us at the start line he talked about shin deep mud
after the gates. I had been listening to his route descriptions
thinking “is there time to swap my Hokas for the Inov-8s I brought
in case of snow?” However although the mud was deep it was brief, and although the Hokas slid like bambi on ice, they rolled along the
road sections like a turbo-limo. (In the end I decided the Hokas were
the best choice, as were the warmer gloves – and I didn't take off
the buff so I probably gauged it about right.)
Just after 9 miles we cross a road and
run into a cul-de-sac. I have in the past wondered if I'd lost the
way but there is a small dirt trail leads out the back end of it and
starts to climb. Ahh the dreaded HILL. It's a bit like Corstorphine
hill: a steadily rising dirt trail with a steep bit, couple of level
offs then round a corner up to the alpine plateau. A monument marks
the high spot and as you run along an avenue of pines you can see the
snow-capped Cairngorms off to the North.
The sun was peeping out
between the clouds and Craig wasn't on my heels. Hell I was really
enjoying this now, and it was mostly downhill to the finish. I kept
my eyes off the watch and Garmin and just ran as fast as I felt I
could go without doing any damage. The path is level for a bit then
begins a pleasant descent (although I believe Mr. Stavert may well
have done a commando roll about here.) Then another road crossing and
a slight rise before next right and another long gradual descent. I
took a photo over my shoulder again as Craig loves a fast descent and
I suspected he might well go past shortly. However I think the easy
start left more in my legs than usual.
This was where I was
overhauled by Crooky and Burgess a number of years ago having stayed
ahead for 10 lonely hard miles. Today all the distances seemed
shorter and more palatable. Right turn at the farmhouse then more
choppy trail descents to the ploughed fields. Sometimes you get
around the edges on flat grassy paths, this year it was hurdling
turned dark soil for a hundred desperate yards until the corner and
back onto flat blessed grass.
Down the last field, last checkpoint,
second last road crossing, some tarmac and then a muddy path, a VERY
muddy path – didn't like that much at all thanks Forfar, before the
line and hey given all those tricky bits 1.24.31 isn't a disaster.
Unlike the showers. I don't know who left the water heater on
overnight but all I can say is if the water was mixed 50/50 with the
tepid stuff from Saturday it would be about perfect. The small shower
room was filled with guys trying to wash in water hot enough to make
tea with. Not good.
Hokas performed well.
Anyway the table of sandwiches and home
bakes made up for it. 9 types of soup this year, and the stuff I had
was excellent. I tried to resist eating more calories than I actually
burned. Fiona won 2nd vet prize and along with Zoe and
Kirsty, the THIRD women's team prize (a bottle each.) I won first
m50.
Pleased to report Andrew's car made it
back in one piece. Many thanks to Forfar Running Club for putting on
such a bold race. The organisation and homebaking make the journey
well worth it, and the route is great fun – I thought I would
struggle, but ended up really enjoying it as all the different
aspects keep you focussed and the miles fly past. Highly
recommended.
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