It was a great day for the race – lots of sunshine, a wee breeze and great views. First time I’ve done the new route and really enjoyed it, but then I’ve always enjoyed this race and the route tweaking seems to make it better each time. Realised that this year is the first time I’d done the race for a few years, which means I’ve probably not had my descending cycling shorts on since then. Luckily they still fit. Dodgy calf meant I’d taken the first track section pretty gingerly, losing all the places I’d gained by sticking myself near the front of the race on the narrow singletrack at the start. As we passed the leaders on the way to East Lomond I noticed that James Waldie was having a good scrap with Scott Fraser, with some impressive gate-louping skills on show as well. Pity he turned his ankle later on.
The new (to me) sheep-trod westward from maiden castle was quite enjoyable, well it was for Neil B and myself – think some of the others had different words for it. Bumslide off West was in fine condition, perhaps a little damper would have helped some of the heat build up in the lycra but my steering gloves worked a treat (just as well I had my full body cover).
Back at the hall it was good to see the Lomies managing keep up the fine North of the Bridge tradition of copious tea and cakes. With the results finally out it turns out that this was my best %age of the year on Scottish hill racing, so maybe there is something in this ‘starting easy’ lark.
Bruce Smith
Sunday was my first outing on the Lomonds of Fife hill race. I have decided that after Stuc a Chroin earlier this year that I am much more suited to shorter hill races but as I am on a mission to get my SHR mug this year I have to get round the Pentland Skyline in October so I thought that I should start running for more than my usual 2 hour limit.