best part of the day: Armistice Day 11/11/18 Final TB run

52 months ago when this all started I had no idea or intentions that it would grow to be such a mainstay of my running. And here we are at the final Tynecastle Bronze run EVER. 100 years on from WW1 Armistice Day and obviously we weren't the only people marking the occasion; crosses, poppies and soldiers' silhouettes have been appearing over the last week. The weather wasn't quite as bright as forecast but, well, we weren't up to our shins in mud and blood in trenches, dying in a foreign country. So we can't complain.

I felt it was best to do a route that would be user friendly to those who wanted to join us for only part of the whole, so planned something relatively local to try and encourage a decent crowd, with pub stops and local war memorials. The bus service to W Linton on a Sunday is rubbish so we hired a cab to take 8 there while Mike, Neil, Mark and Nasher made their own way there.

Mike let me know of an improvement to the first couple of miles of tarmac and so we avoided the road up to Baddinsgill Reservoir. Had the weather been just a little more friendly it would have been spectacular. I suppose it still was, but the pics don't look it. Mary found the pace a little fast to start with but after removing a layer managed fine. Neither herself or Steve had done anything near this distance (30+ miles) of late so there was every chance they might be catching a bus at some point. However....

We regrouped while Mark had a far-too-nearby pitstop.

next few hundred yards are wet feet central

up to East Craigs

Nick was recovering from a hangover having been out at the SIPR ceilidh with Jim.

He was looking quite pasty for a few miles.

Nick soils his footwear.

The day was rather lovely in a subdued way with low cloud

blowing over the high tops of the distant Pentlands

We had planned to add a mile or so by visiting the memorial on Hare Hill to pay our respects to the 4 German airmen who lost their lives when their JU88 was shot down and crashed near the summit of Hare Hill. We weren't alone in doing this - Harmeny had a few runners there at 11am, we had seen plans on facebook etc. We were on the wide track to Bavelaw as 11am approached so stopped for a minute's silence and a sip of hot grog. I carried a litre flask and Graham handed out plastic cups. At breakfast I had brewed up a boiling pan of wine, whisky, port, lemon juice, root ginger and a chilli pepper. I went easy on the chilli having made some nearly undrinkable stuff for a previous run that Nick and Jim had to choke down while laughing. Not so much too spicy, just rather horrible. Anyway this was much more pleasant with a little spicy kick.

And by the time we were climbing the hill to the normally difficult to find memorial there were a few folk coming off the hill and advising of the best line to follow. When we got there Mark read a poem left near the monument. It was good to see the small memorial crosses had been replaced with new ones, and, being a bit off the beaten path, I don't think the 4 young Germans would have enjoyed so much company in years. We toasted them with a "Vespa" a concoction Graham had made, mixing Gin, French Vodka, and Vermouth. We all floated off Hare Hill and there was much chat and banter all the way to the pub in Balerno.

strong stuff

In fact we were all so amenable that we followed Mike's suggestion to take the long way into Balerno, following the route of the Rigg Race, rather than run straight there. This turned out to be a really great idea as it added a couple of miles and took our tally to 17 by the pub. When I did this route before I had had to do laps of Leith Links to take it up to over 30. With the extra mileage we hit 30 about half a mile before the planned destination at the other end, so a big thanks to Mike for what at the time was not particularly welcome. But better then than when we were all falling to bits at the far end.

Another benefit was it brought us into Balerno past the Balerno Parish Church which had been decked out in hand crocheted poppies and crosses. It was simple and very impressive and gave us all pause for thought and reflection before heading to the pub.

Emma H couldn't be with us for the run but met us at the pub to say hello and take part, and took our photo (above). She has been on a few of the TB runs and wanted to mark the occasion even though she couldn't run. Earlier in the year she did the Round Rotherham 50miler with her mum (a proper runner!) - one of Graham Henry's favourite races. I had emailed Graham (the project instigator) to see if he wanted to join us at some point but I think he only got the email the following day. He has been unable to run or walk long distances since his hip deteriorated 44 TB runs into the project. Sadly one of the fallen.

Richard H joined us on the WoL path.

Another wm at Currie Kirk

heron 1

heron 2

I think this might have been the marathon distance

Mary was celebrating

Graham saw these 2 tourists balancing their camera on the wall for a selfie and being a gentleman offered to take their ~~camera~~ picture. In fact he was very much enjoying interacting with strangers by this point. A mile later we passed some other runners setting up photos at St Bernards Well. As I went past I recognised them as the "Run the Sights" crew and shouted out as much. Graham went further and photobombed them. As below.

what a welcome

Nick had done some good research about pubs along the way and we chose well spaced places to regroup and rehydrate, following the Nash rule that says no more than 1 pint per pub (otherwise it could be hard to get back out running). As the sun went down and the sky went dark reality mixed with beer and unreality. I seem to have forgotten to record in any way The Pub at Slateford where we stopped for a pint briefly exiting the WoL path. Nobody was drunk but also nobody was that sober either. There is something about running that burns off the worst of the alcohol and things didn't deteriorate until much later. Luckily we had left by then!

By the time we got down to Leith we had passed the obligatory 30 miles. We had arranged to meet Richard D at Teuchter's Landing. He had been out doing a Winter Double (60miles over 2 days) and was travelling so slowly by Sunday he opted to run on his own, rather than slow us down. He was looking remarkably untroubled by his efforts. Out of all of the people who took part in this 4 year mission Richard and I are the only ones who managed to complete all 52 months, plus a Summer and Winter Double. Graham H was next in line managing 44. To mark this Roly (who has been keeping scores and doing admin) had sawn out and framed 3 trophies. We knew nothing of this so it was a real treat and honour to be handed them upon completion of 4 years of endeavour.

I could feel things begin to slip away and knew I really needed to get home and get something substantial to eat. I had been shovelling down peanuts but they were only just soaking up some of the beer. Mary, Steve and I jogged slowly and stiffly up the road. Well done and top marks to them both for sticking with the run and not bailing! It was really splendid to complete the final TB run with a dozen pals and a few beers. It has been an education, and, most of the time, a real pleasure. I was pretty much doing a long run about once a month before this project started and I will continue to do so now that it is over. It has become a central part of my running diary and keeps my fitness ticking over. It has put me in touch with history and the lads, often heart-breakingly young, of one hundred years ago, who lost their lives. I now can't go past a war memorial without noticing it, adding it to my collection. It has been sobering, as well as a lot of fun and taken me on some excellent adventures. Big thanks to Graham for coming up with the project to end all projects. It has been a blast.