Feel the Burns and the TEL XC

Why does the title of this race make me think of the killer in Silence of the Lambs, who lisps, "It rubs the lotion in its skin. It does this whenever its told."?

The hills leaned down towards me and lisped,

"It feels the burns. It does this whenever its told". I'm not really saying this race was a torturer of course. Or that it wanted to wear my skin.

"It runs upon the rocky track. It does this as fast as it can". All right, all right already.

Me and Peter had an argument about the race that went like this; 

Me - "yeah, it's a trail race really, with a few hills thrown in. I couldn't get any speed up on all the flat bits."

Peter - "It's a hill race, that's why it's called a hill race."

We were very nearly late for the start, flying down the A7 at more than 40. It was very nice to see the sun break through. Edinburgh had been under a grey blanket so thick you forgot it was a blanket and thought it was the sky.

I had new Salomon hill shoes to wear, which were lovely, but I'm so used to wearing comfy Hokas. The stony paths and fields were killing my legs and feet. I pushed up hill as much as I could because I'm better at it than the downs. I got in a regular pattern going round, over-taking the same people on the ups and then seeing them hare past me as I went as fast as any sane person would. You know.

I was a bit nervous about the race - it seemed quite committing and I had no idea where I was going and I didn't want to make an arse of it. From that point of view I think it went fine.

Back Selfie, thanks to Digby Maas.

Tights.

Much happier having let those big girls go on ahead.

Another Back Selfie - thanks Digby.

I was very glad to finish. My Garmin found it to be just under 13 miles rather than the 13-14 I'd been expecting, which was only a bonus as far as I was concerned. I saw Richard Hadfield at the end and some other Porties. Richard was immensely cheerful having enjoyed himself and run well. Some people told me about the views, but I didn't see them. I was watching my feet a lot of the time. Infinite opportunities to trip and knock my teeth out. It really was stony ground. 

Arriving back at the Rugby Club I met Graeme Dunbar, who was happy with his race, and Kathy who seemed to me to have run a stormer. (She was first W50). She told me the showers were freezing which I was relieved to hear as I couldn't really be bothered with all that anyway - preferring to fill my face with haggis pie and soup, and then coffee, and then Fen's banana bread which had somehow made it to the table even though she wasn't back yet. The results were announced after a short wait. It was all very well organised. The course was beautifully marked. The pies were hot. I would do it again but I would wear my trail Hokas. The last mile is on steep, downhill, stony trail and I had to run at the side of the road on soil because I couldn't take any more pounding up my legs.

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It was my first race this year, so it didn't make any sense to sign up for a cross-country on the coming Saturday. The 'Team East Lothian' XC was a Porty championship race however, and the course was at Foxlake, which is nice running. So we signed up. Since Feel the Burns I have had a little scratchy pain at the side of my right knee. It's right where I was injured so long last year so it made me feel cautious. It is in no way as bad and if I hadn't been injured there before I would ignore it entirely - but I really did manage to run myself into the ground last year, so I'm not keen on doing it again.

This was on my  mind as we arrived at Foxlake this morning, and it was grey, and I was tired and quite hungry and all in all I didn't feel very much like racing. The course was 2 X 4K laps so Peter and I went out and warmed up by running a lap. My spirits lifted a bit. It was nice running on the springy, sandy soil. Today I had opted for Hokas for comfort over hill shoes and that seemed fine as a choice. It had been raining in the night but the ground had drained. The course kept the interest up all the way - it was now uphill, now downhill, another steep up and down and then out onto a trail - then through some trees, which was fun, just keeping as straight a line as possible without crashing - another trail, through some dunes, over a bridge, some more trees and then the same run through the field to the finish as in the JMW 50K.

I felt much better on the start line as I had a half an hour before.

And then....we were off! We were bunched to start with and then spread out. I could see Shery ahead and tried to keep her in my sights. I was fairly sure there was another Porty person or two close by but wasn't sure who they were - it turned out to be Julie Moffat, and a little further back, Angela Leggat. I think it was into the 2nd lap that Julie made her move - but when she did it was decisive - she caught up to Shery and they ran together for quite some time. They weren't far away but they were moving forwards away from me, and I was actually quite surprised to even be in touch - but I tried not to settle. I still wasn't 100% sure who was behind me but I kind of thought it was Angela and I was trying to stay ahead of her - that was my motivation to keep on keeping on. Mile 4 was my slowest and I was struggling to remember how to run. How do you go faster? I tried this and that - moving my feet faster or pumping my elbows - I wasn't sure - it all seemed such an effort. Angela told me later that she'd been having some similar thoughts. There was a patch of slightly muddy trail that curved round - just a bit uphill and into the wind - where, as Steve Cram and Brendan Foster would say, questions were asked, and answers were needed....

Anyway, we were soon finishing. Our friend and fat-biker Jason Liddell was at the end so I have him to thank for the photo. I am impressed I have my eyes open and I'm not making the dying fish face. Must have made a special effort for the camera.

There were a fair few Porties in the prizes, which is unsurprising as we fairly dominated the race in terms of numbers. Grace McKenzie was 2nd and Amy Kerr was....1st vet? Ex-Porty and Edinburgh AC Jill Morrow was not only 1st V50 but 3rd over all.

In the men I think Willie got the  V60 East Lothian prize. Peter has a new V50 nemesis called Mike or something. He looks fit and beat him at Binning Woods and again today. It will keep him focused!

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It was good to see lots of Porties today, old and new. If my leg behaves itself I think we'll be heading for the hills tomorrow. The temperatures are dropping but the sun is coming out....

OMG we're halfway through January.

It's nearly 7pm on a Sunday evening, again. There's not much time for chit-chat. I'm doing fine thanks. Maybe a slight grumble in my right knee. We've done a massive increase in hills because it's the Feel the Burns Hill Race next weekend. I still haven't reccied it.

I loved being off a bit at Christmas and the New Year. Let's put down a representative selection of photos taken since Jan 1 and I shall weave some commentary around them...


January 1st, Peter was up to some Shenanigans on Hogmanay night and didn't get home until late. I had had a big long sleep so I was fine. We went to Gullane and ran around late on in the day and there was a dramatic sunset on the beach, which was kind of fun.

That evening I casually mentioned that the weather was looking super-duper for the next day, if you like bright and cold, and really what we should do is get up into the Pentlands before dawn and take pictures. Now it was a big ask for Peter who, even normally, is no early bird, and who had trundled home the night before somewhere around 4am. To my surprise, however, he liked the idea. We were out the house just after 7am the next morning and needed head-torches as we set off in the cold and dark from Flotterstone. Even at the top of Turnhouse, it was not truly dawn, and even at the top of Carnethy, there was a bit to go, because of the cloud on the horizon. So we were on our way up Scald Law when the sun really began to shine on us.

Peter had said there was a runner behind as we were running up Scald Law. I had a look over my shoulder when I was 2/3rds of the way up and to my horror they were catching fast. Fergus Johnston passed me just before the top of Scald Law last summer and for some reason I didn't want to be overtaken just at the last moment like that again, so I put in every effort to hold off this runner before the top - 

 whoever he was. Well he turned out to be Stewart Whitlie!

The sun came out at last but it was still very cold and not the weather for hanging around. We ran on a little way together and then Stewart took off up East Kip while we headed down to the Howe and then on to Black Hill.

It continued to be a lovely  morning - we carried on over Bell's Hill and Harbour Hill and whatever the next one's called and then down the wee path that skirts past Castle-Law on the right hand side. We were very impressed with ourselves to be finishing a longish run just about noon.

Then there was another run at Gullane. We set off much too late. I had meant for us to run 13-14 miles but there was no way in hell. We were already behind but the tide was way in and the water was very still and Peter suggested we run round the outside of the nature reserve at Aberlady, close to the water, which turned out to be challenging. We only had time to run 6 before it got dark. You can't win them all.

Then I had some new hill shoes and we both had Wednesday off and it was a nice day so we headed back up into the Pentlands. It was a good run but we were both a bit tired and perhaps a bit nippy with each other. The views were spectacular. I was tired the next day and glad to just do a wee run on my own and then go off to work.

Shangri-La, this is the top of the long climb up from the Howe to the shoulder of Carnethy Hill proper, and the worst climb of the Carnethy 5 Hill Race.

Yesterday we planned to go to Gullane but a whole series of things happened which ate into our running time. Then the weather closed in and it started to rain lightly so we cut our losses and ran locally - running 10 miles round Arthur's Seat. It was late, dark and un-scenic so no visual record exists. I remembered how sore running on the road can be and tried not to think unhappy thoughts about marathons and all that.

Today we headed for Gullane as soon as we could rouse our idle bones to do so. It was very blowy and there was dramatic low light. Finest kind.

Jake the Peg.

Zombie Apocalypse.

Best be getting on. Happy New Years All. :-)

A week of mostly being off in the winter.

Trying to think back a whole week highlights something; I'm in a bit of a dream most of the time at the moment, and the memories aren't sharp...

Then an aha moment! I have no photos from last Monday, but the memories are of a  very sharp day indeed. It was a sharp, cold and bright day. We had arranged to meet up with Michael G and Nick W for a run. We drove out to Gullane together. I knew this was going to be an ask for my sorry self after a race on Saturday, and a longer run on the Sunday. I did my best to hang in at the back of the pack. I heard some of the chat, although I couldn't contribute. Because it was an intense effort for me  and I had to concentrate, it seemed to pass very quickly. Before I knew it we were back at the van and driving home. Nick had to go but Michael came and drank cups of tea and got us back up to speed with his life. Peter has photos. It was a lovely day.

During our natter with Michael, he had somehow persuaded us, or we somehow persuaded ourselves, to go and run the Christmas Park Run the next morning. On paper it looked like it could be okay - cold but not icy and not too much wind. In the morning when it finally began to get a bit light, however, the "light" was a leaden grey and the air felt cold and damp.

Apparently there was a record number of people there for the run. You wouldn't know it to see my photos. Neither Peter nor I wanted to get out the van when we arrived. Our performances reflected our levels of enthusiasm. I pulled a personal worst out the bag. I wasn't too bothered. I knew I was tired, and it was so busy at the start I had to walk for the first few seconds and then break into a gentle run.

After that we went past Peter's mum's and drank cups of tea and ate her Christmas Biscuits. The conversation was a little circular but cheerful. 

Having done that, all Xmas obligations had been fulfilled and we settled in for the day. Again, I couldn't tell you much about it.

There's something about this time of year that turns your brain inky. It's not even that I've been drinking too much because I think I haven't drunk anything at all. And it's not unpleasant. It's just that it's possible to lose time and get absorbed in stuff for no real reason. Facebook is a major trap.

I am setting  the bar low for the day in terms of achievement. Why be cross with yourself? If we get out for a run during the day and have some kind of adventure, and maybe manage the dishes later on, that's good enough.

On Wednesday the weather seemed reasonable and we ventured up into the hills. It's just dawning on me that we are signed up for the Feel the Burns race on the 20th January and have been doing very little hill work. 

Peter wanted to go to Bonaly so I concurred, it being no skin off my nose. We weren't very impressive on the hill and only managed 5 miles, however, it was good to get out. We went through some woods near the reservoir where there is a seat and a stone fire-place. The seat was covered in thick, dry, moss and was warm and comfortable. I have this on-going ambition to bivi out some night. Maybe that would be the place.

The next day I was tired from the hills, so foolishly suggested we head to Corstorphine Hill. I really was tired (of running at least) by that time, but I knew I had work and wouldn't be running the next day so I made an effort. It was very mild and there was hardly any wind and the birds seemed to be out in force. We heard, and saw glimmers of, lots of birds; tits and finches, cute little wrens, and Peter even caught a glimpse of a kingfisher. Getting photos was a whole other game though. The light was low and shutter speeds were slow and I came home with many blurry shots of twigs and not much else.

After Corstorphine Hill, I wanted to take the most direct route home, which is through the centre of town, whereas Peter wanted to go back down the Water of Leith. He was still longing to sight a dipper. We separated, and that worked well for both of us. I quite like running Queen Street  - doing short bursts of speed on wide pavements and then getting a breather until the lights change. I like running down Leith Walk as well because it's pretty fast and easy.

So on Friday I went to work. I quite frankly welcomed the opportunity to spend many  hours sitting on my arse, and rest my weary legs. I got a lot done too because people were on holiday. I share a small office with four other people at its busiest and it can be hard to concentrate. I saw some people and got some letters written and the day flew by. Peter went out and ran a nearly 20 miler, and he was welcome to it.

Then Saturday - yesterday - was blowing a hoolie - but sunny at long last. We made a plan to get out to the Pentlands promptly, and we stuck to it. We arrived at Flotterstone around 11am - not super-early by many people's standards, but not bad for us at all. We had some extra coffee and big wedges of cranberry cake from the cafe there before heading on up. It was so windy it was genuinely intimidating. We'd both gone for wearing two long sleeved tops and a gilet on top and we carried jackets in case that wasn't enough. I think we probably dressed just right because we neither took off nor put on layers. The very worst of the wind was at the top of Turnhouse, which often seems to be the case. I was trying to take a panorama with my camera while the camera case, which I had secured to a leash on my rucksack, kept flying up and boxing me in the face. It was vexing.

Conversation was impossible at the tops,  and moving was problematic at times. Running didn't seem that hard as the slight edge of fear takes the edge off the effort.

We did Turnhouse, Carnethy and Scald Law, and then veered down to the right of East Kip to take the path over to Black Hill. It was a huge relief to drop down out of the wind, but the path down towards the Howe was very slippy from the rain the night before. I found I was doing some moves from the Charleston, which was surprising as I have no formal training.

Black Hill was  welcoming as there has been heather burning and the paths were unusually exposed and  easy. Also, now, the wind was mainly behind. My legs were tired from the hills but we didn't have far to go. We went over Black Hill and then Bell's Hill and then headed down on the rocky path (Maiden's Cleugh?) to the road and back down to the car.

Phew. We were back, alive, in one piece, and feeling we'd had a proper adventure.

So the troops were very tired this morning. All I was after was a slow recovery run. I have a few aches and tweaks from the sudden onset of hill work. My right ankle and my right knee felt creaky. My left achilles, too, was giving out a protest.

We decided just to go out  a jog around Leith, and look for birds, and go to Tescos to pick up some bits and pieces.

It was dark and grey and the wildlife gave us the run around. We could hear what sounded like a thousand wrens chirruping in the brambles off the cycle-path but there was no way in and nothing to be seen. We tried scrambling up a muddy bank to see if we could get a better view from above - but no. Not a thing.

Since we were up the muddy bank we ran along a narrow path for a while and then joined onto the part of the cycle path that comes out near Ocean Terminal. I've been on this stretch of the path maybe 10 years ago and Peter says he has never been that way. There are some trails going through some scraggly woodland so we had a bit of an explore. There was nothing to see, really, except trees and tree roots and mud and ivy, but it was nice and it was good to get off the cycle path with its mix of dog walkers and stoners and kids on bikes, and walkers, and stoner kids on bikes. And dogs.

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