RESULTS ARCHIVE

03/04/10 - Knockfarrel Hill Race, Strathpeffer

Contents:- Report - Results

Race Report

Set off on a wet, misty morning hoping for an improvement in the weather the further south I went - it did but only very slightly.

Got myself to the old railway station in Strathpeffer in plenty of time to register, change, warm-up (a little) and prepare for a short but tough little hill run.

Met up with a few Highland Hill Runners prior to the start and caught up with all things hill running, including a discussion about 'should I or shouldn't I' use my Inov8 mudclaws or flyrocs. The decision in the end was made easy - I forgot the flyrocs!

Ten minutes to start and a last quick swig of 'cherry' Powerade (does it make a difference?- discuss), half a Mars bar and a large application of vasaline to the nipples (it does work!).

A few admiring glances at the shiny new North Highland Harriers vest from the 58 assembled runners at the start line as I stand there with last years time in my head - my challenge for the day.

We're off, first stretch on a muddy (common theme) track, thought I'd take it easy and hopefully let everybody else get carried away. Turn right into some field's and not only up a small hill but a sloping hill at that, oh yes this was also muddy. Over a stile and then the first ascent of the day, head down, shorten the stride and get to the next junction - not a muddy track but our friend the gorse bush makes its first appearance.

Ran for about 75% of the hill then the legs gave in and walked the remainder - better than last year. Left turn onto a runnable overgrown path through ferns and gorse, knowing that the next stage was the climb to the top of Knockfarrel so tried to get the legs and breathing under control before then.....I didn't.

The climb to the top is a near vertical hands and knees job, using the heather and ferns to help you. Lots of huffing and puffing for about 200 feet then over the top onto a downhill section - relief from climbing for a short while anyway and a chance to get into some form of controllable running. Couple of runners ahead (there were quite a lot really but these were the only ones I could see) and just focused on trying to 'reel' them in.

Next down into the forest and the climb up to Cnoc Mor. Good running in the forest but then very muddy tracks and deep filled bogs that tried there best to rip my shoes off. It was then I noticed that my left lace was undone - quandary - do I stop to tie it or do I continue? No stopping for this lad for the only reason I wouldn't get going again.

With the mud came thicker, 'sharper' gorse bushes - if you tried to avoid it the bogs would get you. So I took the decision to run through the pain and took my medicine like a very tired man that didn't really have the energy to care! Noted I was slowly but surely closing the gap on the two runners ahead and thought if I put a good shift on the downhill section there was a killer hill next which would slow everybody up.

Good shift duly completed now for the climb and you guessed it, mud and gorse again either side of the path. Again the climb needed the help of the heather to pull you up but this time the gorse hid amongst the heather and so through my energy sapped state I had to make the crucial decision 'is that heather or gorse disguised as heather?'. I do not profess to being of a horticultural mind therefore I had very sore, stingy hands when I reached the top! On the way up I was let through by a kind Inverness Harrier and was right behind my next 'victim'.

Some muddy downhill and uphill sections next where I took the opportunity to get past another runner. Next back into the forest for a fast downhill blast through the pine needles - let yourself go and enjoy.

Out of the forest onto a good track and some good running!! Only thing was that my legs were gone and the run along the track was quite tough going but the thought that the remainder was virtually all down hill kept me going. Along the track I had a presence of somebody catching me so I thought I need to keep going hard until the downhill where I thought I should be able to pull away.

Back onto the downhill section and was going well - let passed by a Forres Harrier but still my pursuer was close. Came to a stile where I thought a quick jump over should get me a few seconds - all well and good but the guy behind lept the stile!!! How can he still be so energetic?

Back onto the muddy field and I could see a mammoth head to head, one on one race for the finish - it's a pity the other guy didn't - he overtook me halfway down the field.

Oh well lets just get to line and see what time you get. Only slightly disconcerting thing was the track I was now bursting a lung down to the finish was also being used by the top guys as a warm down run - and when they have tracksuit bottoms, warm tops etc on they looked like they had been finished for a while. I 'blasted' to the finish and stopped my watch - two minutes slower than last year. How could this be I asked myself - I have done very little training over the winter, my diet is controlled and balanced (I eat both milk and dark chocolate by the same large quantities) and I am strict on getting at least six hours sleep a night? What more could I do??

Anyway after some lovely sweet potato soup and sandwiches and a bit of craic with the other guys I headed back up North with thoughts and race 'tactics' whirring round in my head and had a eureka moment with regards my build-up - maybe I should drink Lucozade Sport for my pre-race fluids??

Results:-

• click here for full race results.