This was very much a run of two halves, the day split by a marked change in the weather at midday, not what the weatherman ordered. Mark Hartree started this series of long winter training runs a few years back, and they are a great way to introduce runners to longer distances. The pace is social with regular regrouping, and usually a lunch stop at the halfway point so anyone can leave or join if they don’t fancy the full distance.
15 Carnethys met at The Steading for a 08:15 start. It was great to meet new members and some folk I’d not seen for nearly two years for some reason.
We headed into the Pentlands, and took the high level route over Allermuir, Capelaw and Harbour hills basking in winter sunshine, with regular stops for photos of the stunning views. At Bavelaw we continued heading SW to pick up the old drovers route to the Bore Stane and down to the North Esk Reservoir and onto Carlops where Lucas departed to head home for his dinner date. Half an hour later at 12:00 we were at The Gordon Arms in West Linton (17 miles) enjoying refreshments. About half the pack decided to stay and enjoy the lunch menu before catching the next bus back, whilst Michelle forged ahead solo. Having picked up 3 fresh runners, 9 in total continued on for the next 13 miles. It was at this point there was a dramatic change in the weather. The temperature dropped a few degrees and the sleet started. By the time we reached Green Knowe, it was full on heavy snow. A quick warmer of raspberry gin gave us some heat to the core, but the snow kept coming. Everyone was thankful for having full gear, but our hands were becoming numb in sodden gloves, and we were keen to keep moving and get to Peebles.
Michelle bumped into John Ryan 5 miles from the finish, and he kindly gave her a lift back to Straiton. The rest of us were half an hour behind, making fresh tracks in the snow – studded shoes having an advantage over the slipper like Hokas. Arriving in Peebles shortly after 15:00, a warm welcome awaited us at The Bridge Inn, where we stripped out of our damp clothes in the snug, and downed a couple of pints, or a couple of coffees (depending on how cold you were), before getting the trundling bus back to Edinburgh. A great day out, and a reminder how quickly the weather can turn at this time of year. Look out for details of the next long winter run in a few weeks.
Graham Nash