The Pentland Skyline

I had a good result yesterday and ate and drank well after the race and got a reasonable night's sleep, hoping to feel decent this morning before the final long hill race of the season and part 2 of the Manor Mouse. I actually woke up this morning feeling better than yesterday and my legs were in good shape, so I was hoping, if not expecting, to get round ok today.

It was sunny but there was a biting cold wind in the car park, which didn't bode well for the top of the hills. I decided to stick with just the vest because I knew I would heat up on the climbs and I didn't want to be messing about taking kit on and off during the race because I was running with a camelbak (a nice new sparkly North Face Boa number which worked a treat) in order to help ensure I drank enough through the day.

So, after enduring a very cold wait at the start, the hooter went and everyone charged up the hill and I settled in with Stewart Barrie (who also ran yesterday) and took the first hill or two very gently, losing a boat load of places in the process.

The first big descent to Flotterstone was quite amusing to me because it's very fast but that early in the race, it pays to take it easy and not burn your legs out but a lot of runners were ignoring that and barrelling down at top speed. Once we hit the road I made sure I ate and started up the climb of Turnhouse. From Flotterstone to the finish, I wasn't overtaken by anyone again (though a couple of folks came past but I re-passed them eventually), which is truly amazing (and probably means that I started a bit too slow). The first half of the race has most of the climbing and all the big hills and here is where I have a big advantage since I am a lot quicker than most on steep hills due to my bambi-like long legs. My strategy from Turnhouse on was to pass people on the climbs and to try to hold my position on the descents, and I managed that pretty well.

From Turnhouse, over Carnethy, Scald Law and the Kips, it was extremely windy and breathing was hard work. It seemed to be a head wind though so I was hoping it would benefit us on the way back. I felt good and pushed on over the high hills and down to the drove road where I had to start running. The ground was soft though and my legs were still fine. From Hare Hill the ground becomes harder to run over with boggy ground and heather. It didn't seem too bad though, certainly better than I was expecting and I kept catching runners, though fewer than before.

The last couple of climbs were hard work for everyone but I didn't break and I kept my eye on my watch, hoping I could hit my (ambitious) targets two days in a row. Over Allermuir and Caerketton, I felt a bit dizzy but I was close to the line and bowled down the hill to finish in 3.29:52, for 79th position of 170 runners. Not brilliant but certainly better than my expectations.

And, in the Manor Mouse competition, I managed to place third of 12. To be fair, the faster runners this year didn't seem to do both races but 3rd is 3rd!