Arrochar Alps
It was yet another hot day for running, but the contrast with 2009, when this 'long classic' was a SHR counter with a large entry and blanket hill fog couldn't have been different, this year it resumed its parochial charm with just 30+ runners. The tops were totally clear of cloud, so no excuse for getting lost, and minimal navigation required. The salient features of the race are big ascents and descents, one for each of the 4 Munros traversed, and the first one Ben Vorlich felt very familiar, having summitted this one two weeks earlier in the LAMM. There was a large group of hill walkers on the second one, Ben Vane, celebrating someone's last Munro-unfortunately they had just finished the champagne when I arrived!
Then there is Ben Ime, and finally Ben Narnain with its notorious descent, where great care is required. I knew WHW winner Kate Jenkins and HBT club mate Stuart Barrie were stalking me, but I had enough lead to hold them off by a minute or so, and was very pleased to crack 4.30 this year. Al Anthony (Ochil) successfully defended his title from Stewart Whitlie, and Andrea Priestley (also Ochil) broke the long standing women's record from 1987 by 3 minutes.
The catering in the plush new Arrochar village hall was well appreciated and many of us went home clutching presentation packs of established sponsors, Loch Fyne ales.
Slainte mhath
Well done Martin ,
yes, a bit of a " groundhog day " .
Congrats on your Time , position & SHR Points - Uncatchable !!
Another good day out . Maybe see you at the club one of those days ( once you stop running up those damm hills )
Splendid! I do like to read your reports then compare it to Steve Fallon's wee book where a number of these classics are also noted. Tough run, but a beauty of a day for it. Well done on the series.
Well done Martin! You now look to be unassailable in the champs.
I went for a jog from Braemar to Aviemore yesterday on what turned out to be hottest day of the year so far.
Thats a poor attempt at a report lad! ;] I hope you fared better than last Sunday healthwise?
If a picture paints a thousand words then this is worth at least fourteen thousands words:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?a...
My expressions reflect the progress of my race.
Results here:
http://www.shr.uk.com/RaceResults.a...
Turns out I was actually 5 minutes faster than last year, despite the stupidly hot and muggy conditions, and losing a massive 20 minutes advantage I had over my time from last year to the 18 mile mark at the Pools of Dee (which were still hidden under large snow fields), in the final flog through the hot and still Rothiemurchus Forest.
5mins PB wasnt equal to your form for sure, next time you'll smash it. I do know part of the problem however... you wore the blue vest again. The high reflective properties of the CAAC vest would've seen you right ;]
ooi, did you do anything different with the seven hills in mind with regard to hydration? Camelbak?
Good effort Nick. Distinct contrast between photos 1 and 14, and no. 8 is decidedly camp! Think I might be tempted to give this a bash next year - scenery looks awesome and walked the route as a part of a camping trip when I was about 13. Tough conditions though and after the seven hills and the LAMM you've had a pretty hard build up so count it as a very good performance.