The grind on the forestry track at the start is a killer, and almost always makes me think lots of horrible negative thoughts about dropping out only minutes into the race. After that I warmed up a bit and got into the swing of things, running with Steffen till Ben Each where I managed to get away a bit on the ridge. The slog up to Stuc is always longer than you remember, though cheering on the runners as they descend back past you helps pass the time. Turning at the top of any race usually inspires some energy and I bashed on down to the ridge, with its umpteen wee upsies and downsies sapping the short-lived burst of energy. I lost a few places on the slanting sheep trod down to Glen Ample where I met Don having a wee Senior moment, before we both summonsed some energy for the last heave up to the moorland top.
Don ran away easily at the top and once back on the forest track I lapsed into a steady plod, managing to sneak past a few others in the last mile, to make it feel vaguely like a good run. I was pleased to finish in 3h 15m ( 81st/151), over half an hour slower than my best, but heh ho, that's life, or more like that's old age for you. A huge thanks to the organisers and to the numerous marshalls with their unending supply of jelly babies and water, you were brilliant. A pint of the Stuc a Chroin ale with the Westies Crew afterwards rounded off a grand day out in the Trossachs.
WESTIES RESULTS
* Manny Gorman, 2:36.02 (15th)
* David Rogers, 2:55.51 (41st)
* Chris Upson, 3:01.43 (53rd)
* Don Reid, 3:12.25 (71st)
* John Donnelly, 3:15.38 (81st)
* Steffen Gorgas, 3:20.46 (90th)
* Keith Adams, 3:26.27 (98th)
* Hamilton Semple, 3:51.29 (138th)
* John Hamer, 3:56.38 (140th)
* Paula Cowan, 4:05.52 (145th)
RESULTS = www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0033&RaceYear=2010
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