braids circuit (xc-ish)

 

22nd Nov.
Donald at PRC set up a virtual challenge to make an event we can all take part in while most other races are cancelled. Very much in the style of the Braids XC, it is a 5k or 10k option on the trails that go round the perimeter of the golf course at the Braids. Mary and I did a recce as there was a bit we were unsure about and I thought it would help those unfamiliar with the Braids to have some photos and guidance as to where the course goes.

The start is close to the same as the start point for the Braids XC. The only rules are to go anti-clockwise (unlike the XC) and make sure you do (1 lap) 5k on your gps, or (2 laps), 10k. And to follow the route below. Grippy shoes highly recommended although I believe the course has dried out a little since we ran it a week ago. It was really quite muddy in places.

You start on trails that run parallel to the main road, starting on narrow paths but quickly opening out into a broad grassy field. 

There is only 1 proper climb on this side and it is fairly short, up to the orange roofed building (clubhouse?) which marks the start of the tarmac section. Rather than hurry back to grass you turn right into Braid Hill Approach / Bramdean Rise / Braid Mount and out onto the main Braid Road.

downhill

emerge here onto main road, turn left in 50 yards

entrance used in 7 hills
My gps measured this point as 1.69miles from start.

At 1.77 miles take the right hand fork
(same as in 7 Hills)

climb up to trig point 

Although Donald chose anticlockwise almost randomly it is the best direction to be running here at speed. The steep section between the tarmac and trig point was really wet with mud and you wouldn't want to be hurtling down at race pace on such steep, slippy ground. Running up it is unpleasant but not dangerous. I'll probably avoid racing here at weekends just to avoid crowds. Although there are a few dogwalkers, runners and cyclists (and golfers) it is a reasonably quiet venue to run round.

highest point
near Buckstone Snab

keep to path heading towards left hand aerial
(not the same as 7 Hills)

go past aerial

That's the hard work done! The rest mostly gallops downhill on good ground on broad tracks. I put my gps off at pretty much exactly the spot I started and found it had measured 3.11 miles. Keep running till at least 3.1 miles or 5k so that everyone does 5k. Or do 2 laps if you prefer the 10k option. 

I remember back in the day the Braids XC used to be 1 lap for the ladies' event and 2 for the mens'. Although latterly it changed to 2 in both events. I always used to feel one lap would have been plenty. Thanks to Donald for setting this up and doing the results. Let him know your result through the PRC facebook group page. I think you have until 20th December inclusive.  

finish in sight

plenty mud

we started at the rhs triangle, and ran anti-clockwise

dalmeny and back

 

21st Nov.

A cool but bright day. Thank goodness for some sunshine which lifted the spirits. That and a large cup of coffee before leaving the house. Graeme opted out and Nick in a surprise last minute u-turn opted in. He had already done something like 100 miles for the week and was pushing the limit of overdoing it. But was warned the pace would be glacial so came along. Mary had flagged the run as 16miles but somehow it became 20. Plan was follow the cyclepath to Cramond and then do the loop around Dalmeny returning by the coast.

female Bullfinch
the brightly coloured male was camera-shy

Bumped into Alan who was going at pace and in the middle 
of something so didn't stop.

big house with a garden of tropical plants,
Barnton/Cramond

There was a gang of goldfinches which flew from the side of the path into some trees ahead. Had I been on my own and not with Mary and Nick I might have got nearer for a photo, but with 3 of us approaching at running pace they were not for hanging around. However the company and banter was making the miles fly by so I wasn't that bothered about the birds.

The weather was kind of iffy. We got some light showers and I think I even put my jacket on. But equally we were never far away from a splash of sunshine. So it was better than just low cloud and grey all day. I think the rain was falling when we got to the far point of the run at Dalmeny House which would explain why there are no pics of the house or King Tom. By this point it was becoming apparent that it would be nearer 20 miles.

back up the Salveson Steps

Nice to see the sun - the low angle lit the Almond up 
in an appealing manner

camera does a comedy portrait

hand feeding the black headed gulls - photo Mary

I had taken along a couple of slices of bread to feed the gulls. Their enthusiasm at this time of the year is always impressive compared to the summer when they pretend to be only mildly interested. The first piece of bread hit the sand, a call went up and 30 gulls took to the air heading directly at us. They squawked and shrieked to get to the front of the queue standing all over my hand with their muddy paddle feet, treading the air with their elegant wings while trying to rip off a hunk of bread with their sharp little beaks. I gave a bit to Nick but he was reluctant to hand feed the dudes as they were by now doing a really good impression of a Hitchcock film, swarming round our heads and approaching with a fearlessness that makes for great photos but can be a little off-putting.

dressed to kill

About this point Mary flagged a little. She said she was throwing in the towel at 16 miles but didn't say what she was doing as an alternative to running. On reflection the prospect of walking or catching a bus seemed worse than running. After a while she rallied and returned to her more cheerful self as we got to within a mile or 2 of home. The sun came out again and added a cheerful finish to the run.

took this for Patch (the dog) McMullan
I suspect all the good stuff is buried out the back.

We ran down Inverleith Row then turned left along Eildon St to hook up with a section of cycle path taking us into St Marks Park briefly, then home. Just over 20 miles and just under 4 hrs. It felt easier and more pleasant than a lot of runs that distance but the pace was very relaxed. I was probably talking too much. But it helped the whole thing pass quickly. (For me!) A really good day out.

masks and covid-catchers

a dirty business

20 miles