the Carnethy Five 2018

The Carnethy 5 is a difficult child to love. I've been putting off this report as there is nothing new to say about this dreadful business. I have run it every year since the dawn of time, and have become woven into the evil tapestry and feel I must continue to scamper round those painful miles every February. I nearly enjoyed it last year as the weather was so extraordinary it felt like a near death experience, which is always galvanizing. This year it was back to merely medium misery with the waist deep snowmelt in the swamp at potentially fatal depths. 

I realised I got a decent start and onto the first climb well up the field as I was subsequently overtaken by several considerably better runners incl. Fergus, Queen Mudge, Des and many MANY more. I kind of gave up about halfway round and relaxed into a slog up Carnethy until a grey haired old dude (possibly in his 60s or early 70s!) overtook and pulled in directly ahead on the single file, and slowed down. That's just taking the piss thinks I, and picked up the pace. 

On the descent off the last hill my main concern was avoiding injury. In the past I have raced down throwing caution to the wind, but not now, there seemed no point. Until I realised if I didn't make a bit of an effort I wouldn't even duck under 70mins. I had a bit of a roll on the ground just before the gate then sploshed through the swamp again, glad another year was ticked off and it would be 365 days or so until the next one. For the first time ever I ran back to the school rather than catching the bus. A decent alternative and possibly warmer. 

On the upside, the cuisine had returned to the traditional choice of chicken pie (with a sombrero of pastry) or veg quiche. On the downside, Wayne (below) had to go to A&E and have his finger straightened. Happily not too much damage was done and it wasn't too painful. His first C5. Kind of illustrates the joys of the race. 

Results on the Carnethy website. I did get under 70mins but by a shamefully small amount. In some ways I'm glad I didn't train harder as it was a muddy, slow year and not worth the effort. I used to relish the likes of the bumslide before the Howe etc, now I just teeter slowly down hoping I don't do any damage. I'm not confidently able to answer the question of why I still attend this hateful event. At least I still have all my fingers.