Simon Triger Memorial Handicap

A cracking evening in the Campsies saw a fine bunch of Westies assembled to recall our dearly departed and much missed pal Simon. Drew took on the weighty, but important, task of timekeeping while the rest of us thrashed our bodies along the water board track to the top of Dumgoyne. In proper handicap style first was off last and last was off first. I was somewhere in the middle and I headed off just before Steffen, who along with Dom caught me pretty quickly.

I managed somehow to stay with them all the way to the top of Dumgoyne, which I reached in 30 mins. Along the way various Westies were spotted in strange locations bearing no resemblance to the course they should have been following. Some had the decent excuse of not having ran the race before, however others should really have known better - the excuse that she was in fact doing hill reps up and down near Cantwheery Cottage as the race wasn't hard enough somehow seemed a bit of a cover-up.

Everyone found their way to Dumgoyne where we all bunched up a bit, though Steffen and Dom certainly disappeared away from me. I did my best to give chase, as Graham and Scott breezed past me, while up ahead Paula was holding off Captain Chris to take the the Triger Trophy, along with a valuable bag of Haribo sweeties. The rest of us made do with chocolate buttons, sherbet fountains and other assorted goodies - much better than medals anyday. A great evening out and a fitting way to remember Simon.



1 Chris Upson 0:43:46
2 Scott Mitchell 0:46:07
3 Graham Kelly 0:47:26
4 Steffen Gorgas 0:0:48:54
6 Owen O'Neill 0:49:49
7 John Donnelly 0:51:09
8 Ellie Homewood 0:53:34
9 Ken Macmahon :55:58
10 John Quinn 0:56:21
11 Paula Cowan F40 0:58:35 Handicap winner
12 Helen MacPherson 0:59:23
13 Matt Bull 0:59:28
14 Muffy Calder 1:03:04
15 Rhona Bennie 1:07:07

Ship Inn Shell Bay Sandy Slither

FRIDAY 25 JUNE 2010
6.1 miles 70m ascent

I took part in this lovely wee race 6 mile in the Kingdom of Fife on Friday evening. One of those rare point to point races, starting at Lower Largo and finishing in picturesque Elie outside the cracking Ship Inn. Most of the race is ran on the beaches with a little on the Fife Coastal Path. It was a lovely evening, the views and terrain were fab and I plodded my way round in 47m 13s 34th of 94 runners and first Westie, more importantly!!. I was pleased enough to have persuaded my wee slow legs to get up to something approaching moderate speed, after last week's Glen Rosa disappointment. The organisation by Fife A.C. was great and the atmosphere wonderful as everyone enjoyed beers and fish and chips in the evening sun outside overlooking Elie beach. A bit of a trek to get there but well worth the trip at least once.

Glen Rosa Horseshoe Hill Race

SAT 19 JUNE 2010
20km 1700 metres

This was really a race of two halves for me - a staggeringly bad first half and a second half transformation back to mediocrity. Plodding along at the start of long races is my usual strategy, so I wasn’t too worried initially but it soon became apparent that my legs were dead to the world, as most of the field eased past on the runnable tracks down to the river crossing. I was hoping that the steep walk up the first climb would settle things down, but oh no, I crawled slowly baby step by baby step. I reckoned that I should at least head for the first checkpoint, before giving up but after a few mental debates I decided that as it was a gorgeous day and fantastic scenery (and a Championship counter for the famed SHR mug) I should plod on regardless.

The first steep descent was a bit of relief, though the long plod up to Cir Mhor less so. To make matters worse I had developed a blister on my right heel, but the kind marshalls plastered me up and I got back on my way. Cheering on all the Westies and other friends as they descended past me was good, though it showed that I was 20 mins down on them after 2 hrs of the race, which was less good. At this point I regained a vague semblance of normality and gained a few places on the contour from Cir Mhor to The Saddle. The views all around were stunning and irrespective of how anyone’s legs must have been feeling, it was simply a pleasure and privilege to be there.

I had a good relaxed climb up to Goatfell, picking the safe route round the crags of Stacach. At the summit I was so pleased to know that I would finish that I actually enjoyed the rocky descent, to cross the line (the correct way, unlike many others!) in 3h 46m (79/115), about 20 mins down on what I might have reasonably expected. Despite that I was so pleased to have got round after my awful start, and it was such a stunning day, that I was feeling great (though physically knackered). A walk back to the Ormidale Bar for a pint of Arran Ale, before the 7.30 ferry with Gordon and Laurie rounded off a grand day out.

There was a great turnout of Westies with Manny leading the way in 18th place in 2h 43m 51s and Pat completing a good turnout for the Westies Women’s Team in 5h 39m 32s.The winning man and woman were 2h 26m 24s and 2h 55m 52s. The results and a report are on the SHR website.

Lakeland Loop Cycle etc.

11-15 APRIL 2010
A lovely April week down in the Lake District. Started off on Sunday with the 70 mile Lakeland Loop Sportif ( Hardknott, Wrynose and over to Langdale at the end!). Then walked up to Stickle Tarn; Lingmoor Fell one evening; the Three Shires Fell Race route the next day; and up Bowfell the next.

Wanders in Wales

Did the 117 mile Dragon Ride Cycle down near Porthcawl/Bridgend - 7hrs 13mins/17mph, made the top third of the field. A great, well organised race with lots of long steady climbs and fast swooping descents. Pity I fell off the bike 3 times though!!!

A day on Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, visiting Crispin Flower and family. then headed off to Snowdonia, where I climbed Snowdon via the airy and hairy Crib Goch; and then 5 of the Welsh 3000 footers on the Carneddau range from the lovely Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel.

Three Ferries Cycle

A cracking day out. The wee ferry over to Dunoon; round to Colintraive for lunch; over to Bute and round the island to Rothesay; over to Wemyss Bay and back up to McInroy's Point for the car.

Ben Wyvis

An afternoon's wander (almost) up Ben Wyvis.

May Scrambles in Skye

Wandered up Dun Caan (443m), the highest point on the Isle of Raasay on Sat with Sue and Gordon; and then conquered the amazing Clach Glas-Blaven traverse on Sun with Bumper, Brian and Chris - what a route!!!!. Sgurr Nan Gillean on Monday in fantastic weather up the so-called "tourist" route - brilliant.