20 swim-runners took to the Pentlands last night for a sneaky wee run round the local reservoirs. Mike coordinated with the weather deities to ensure fine conditions for the run – dry, warm and with practically no wind. We met at Bonaly car park to start, then straight into the main climb of the day to Bonaly reservoir (despite Mike confusing it with Torduff). The group skipped along, working-up some heat before the first dip. The first swim proved quick, though my trainers felt heavier than last year, and the water fairly cool compared to the warm air. Then through some woods down to the next reservoir (even colder, much clearer), and then a military-style attack on the next (also pretty cold, also pretty clear). Back onto the run, things were going well – the runners ran, the chatters chatted, and it was all very enjoyable! The sting to this route is the third swim, across Threipmuir, the longest of the route. Threipmuir was fairly warm compared to the previous, but I think that warmth is held in its sludgy-brown colour, and the duration meant things were getting a bit chilly. The group spread-out a bit across the swim, meaning those that were quick swimmers had to hang around for…em…me. Sorry! We moved quickly to Harlaw, dodging through the woods and straight into the short swim crossing of Harlaw, and quickly back running for the long slog to Clubbiedean. This part is my favourite section – a nice weaving trod across the moorland at the foot of Harbour Hill, then down into the reservoir hidden among a clump of trees. Clubbiedean also feels like the wildest of these swims, being completely surrounded by greenery, and was as enjoyable as ever! The last of the day was Torduff, the most dramatic of them all. Entry and exit to this one is always a bit annoying, but it needed to be done, and so we did. All that was left was an easy jog down to the cars, for a brief game of “hide my nakedness” around the cars and then head home for a well deserved feed!
Thanks to Mike Lynch for sorting all the everything.
Jim