Luthrie. Not sure if it’s just me, but even the name of the village just sounds idyllic; rolling green hills, fluffy white clouds, happy heifers with their sleepy calves… The auspices were promising for this 4.5 mile race, with unexpectedly gentle weather. I chugged a Red Bull (hence writing this report at midnight – I may never sleep again). I’ve set myself the mindless challenge of running every day for 101 consecutive days, and having accumulated a fair number of miles in my legs over the last couple of months feel obliged to prove to myself that it’s all been worth it, and that I’m faster than I was in the last couple of low-mileage years.
After the race briefing (enthusiastically mooed over by the spectating cows), we set off for a speedy couple of trail miles, and tried not to get stuck behind anyone marginally slower on the single-track sections. The change of pace on the climb up Norman’s Law came as a welcome relief. I could see Mike Andrew way up ahead at the front of the pack, and was oscillating with another Carnethy, Ally. He took his own line slightly to the left of the main pack, and left me wondering if he had superior local knowledge. I was hell-bent on beating my previous PB to the top (25:54) and beasted myself up, squeezing past other runners. I staggered over the top as if it was the finish line (approx 1 min faster than 2014…yuss!).
Legs were absolute jelly for the start of the descent, and as there were a couple of slightly rocky lumps and bumps, I took it easy(ish) until the path smoothed out a bit. Most of the descent was very enjoyable, although fraught with panicky decision-making about the route (it’s any way you like back to the finish). I think I managed a decent line apart from a slightly wonky stumble through a field to avoid a climb over barbed wire. The final blast along the track to the finish was hellish.
Mike was first Carnethy home, fourth out of 132 runners, and the bashful recipient of 2nd gent prize. I couldn’t catch Ally in the end, and he came in 23rd place. I was 25th overall (and second lady), and Steven Simkin was 45th. Results here.
So that’s day 68 in the bag for me. Looking forward to a leisurely Sunday 69.
Mary