feeling the burns

Mary and I signed up for Feel the Burns, hoping it would inspire us to get hill fit and ready for this early season tester. FAIL. I went into it noting my previous worst out of five attempts was 1.55 and reckoned even that was ambitious for this year. My target was to go under 2 hrs. It is a good day out but not one I do well, often finishing behind folk I would beat in other races. Not sure why, it just happens. It could be I'm always fat at this time of the year. And usually lose my motivation for training through the Winter. The post race haggis and socialising leaves a great taste but perhaps I should remember to stay away unless I have actually been doing hill reps as it makes for a painful and depressing run.  

We arrived plenty early this year as last time we left it late and did not enjoy a frantic drive and registration. Nice to have plenty time to do kit checks and warm up. Quite a few Porties this year but there was no sign of Graham H who has always had strong connections with this race helping Sheila the organiser.

My plan was to set off at a moderate pace and try and keep things together. I probably set off a little optimistically but after you leave the main track for a small trod up a steepish hill I started going backwards through the field. Jim, Graeme, Neil, Steve and a number of familiar faces strode by. I never caught any of them. Nick should have been with them but he had handicapped himself horribly by drinking and smoking(!) till 3.40am when he messaged to say Hell Yes he was up for it. We had offered a lift knowing he wouldn't be safe to drive. He was barely safe to run. He said he was just going to jog round. I knew he was much fitter than myself so thought as soon as he got going he would disappear with the rest of the crew. Although he did manage about 50 yards ahead of me on that first section I don't think there was ever a moment when I couldn't see him up ahead. On the way up to the 3 brethren I actually caught up with him. Realising how awful he must be doing for this to happen I was gentle with him (unlike Jim who ran past earlier shouting out food and cigarette end combos trying to induce a mid-race vomit,) and thanked him for the kindness of waiting on me.

I didn't enjoy the long uphill to the highest point. Nick even got ahead again while I puffed and panted. The wind was in our faces and it was a relief when we climbed the stile at the top. Then a long downhill for over 2 miles. During the decent I caught up with Nick again who had nearly stopped at 7 miles for a cry. I thought overtaking might inspire him to put in an effort to keep up but no, he drifted off the back; a terrible hangover indeed.

Lucas went past me.

The next stretch is improved for the road going over the stream we used to splosh through. It was less muddy than some years but there is always the thought of the dreadful last hill at this point. In reality it is only about 8 mins of marching so the thing is to not whine too much and just get on with it. I was watching Lucas's shoes a yard in front of mine, which were the same as mine and I nearly mistook one for the other such was the brainfever. He summited ahead of me and got about 30 yards ahead. Just over the brow is nasty ground pretending to be a nice descent and I saw Lucas lose his footing and hit the deck hard. He got up and carried on unbroken. I resolved to catch him up once the ground improved. I think we crossed the last stream and stile together. I knew there was a mile from the next uphill having measured it on the way out. It looked like I was comfortably under the 2 hrs but slowest ever time. Oh, so only medium disgraceful then.

This and the photo at the top of the page, big thanks to Michael Philps

I saw Barry up ahead who caught his toe on a stone and only just recovered himself from what could have been a nasty fall. I went past, telling him to stay on his feet as we were nearly finished. I was very glad to be done although embarrassed by my worst ever result - a full 7 minutes (a mile!) behind last year's result. I slunk off to the showers hoping there'd be some hot water left. Nick was a couple of mins behind and Fergus, well I've no idea what happened to Fergus; the cross country the day before must have caused quite a bit of damage.

my red face lighting up the Edinburgh skies

There was plenty hot water to wash off the worst of the mud and shame. The haggis pies were excellent and all the food and chat after the event was nearly enough to offset my bad result. (What's his name in the lead had run a ridiculous time and course record (a huge margin over second place) giving everyone a shocking result in the % on Scottish Hill Racing - my WORST EVER.) 

It's a great event and Sheila did an excellent job of the chat and results, while everyone enjoyed the food and drink. It is about the best of the Winter events and well worth supporting. Thanks to all who marshalled and cooked food and did kit checks and raised money for the mountain rescue. Highly recommended.

12.9 miles in 1.57
results etc. here