Highland Cross 2010

I had said I would never do the Highland Cross ever again soon after finishing last year. Lorna (coach Dave's wife) had not really believed me and of course she was right. As soon as it was possible to sign up I had and before you could say - "you must be crazy to run 20 miles cross country and then cycle 30 miles after", I had entered the 2010 Highland Cross. Having had the pleasure of Keith and Dave H as partners last year on this tough duathalon I switched allegiances to the dynamic Carrs! I fancied my chances ............

Two CAAC teams set off on Friday the 'Hardlopers' [Gillain Dean, Jan] and the '3Ds' [Dave H, Dave L and Derek] - I still can't understand why we didn't win a prize for the most original team name..... We arrived in Beauly just in time for some of us to follow a rather tedious world cup football game while others were tucking in to their pasta and talking about the other beautiful game. Conversation soon focussed on the next day and what to expect. The Cross novices rather excited about what was ahead, the others knowing what was ahead of them and feeling perhaps slightly more apprehensive about what is a bit of a gruelling day. Still an early start meant that none of us really went over board on celebrating the football results and some of us actually were very sensible about our hydration strategy.

The day of the Cross starts early. Dropping off bikes and bags to be taken by lorries to the change over point, having breakfast and then on the bus to be ferried to Kintail where the race starts. After an uneventful bus journey you arrive at the start point which consists of a shed and a few portaloos. At 11am the race starts with a 20 mile cross country of some amazing countryside - I am told. I am always far too busy checking where to place my feet! The first 10 miles of the run were spent in a very usual way for me. Seeing Mrs Carr somewhere in front of me although not too far (as yet) . Dean joined us at mile 8 and as we had decided that we would compete and finish as a team I felt reassured that we were sticking to this solemn promise!

At mile 12 I started slowing and the Carrs starting to disappear into the distance. Those who had set off at a more sensible pace soon started followed their example with first Derek and the David Law drifting past. After mile 15 the hot weather also meant that the cramp normally reserved for the cycle reared its ugly head a bit earlier for me! I stumbled over the line in around 3 hours 15. And was pleasantly surprised to see the smiling Carrs waiting for me! After a quick cup of tea, change and some fruit loaf it was onto the bike for the next 30 miles. Dave and Derek had set of earlier and on form we were expecting Derek to finish first. Dean had set of on his mountain bike saying that we would soon catch him. It was just as well that he decided to wait for us after 20 miles otherwise we would most probably still be trying to catch him.  We made it to the finish as a team and crossed the line three abreast. A perfect finish for me as this is really my last Highland Cross!

We joined Dave and Derek outside our B&B 100 yards from the finish (great find Dave L!) and found that Derek ha indeed finished first in 4 hours 40 with Dave Law finishing in 4 hours 46. We finished in 5 hours 23.  What about coach Dave I hear you ask. Well he managed to complete a very hot and hard Cross in 5 hours 29.

Did I enjoy it? Of course I did! And the team finish made it special for me especially because I am never ever doing it again. Still I reckon that there are plenty of CAACers that would like to and are ideally suited to this challenge. So go for it - it really is worth doing and excellent event which is a really tough challenge!

Sounds like a great weekend up there, superb reportage as per usual! Hopefully, in fact certainly some solid endurance work ahead of the 'Tour.