Kaim Hill Race

In the following note I’ll try not to cover old ground and anyone interested should see my report from last year: http://www.zen31010.zen.co.uk/troontortoise/index.htm

This was the first Ayrshire Hill race of the year and in bygone days, one that was very difficult for Tortoises to run since it clashed with our own 10K. However, last year the date was changed to the week before and long may that continue.

On my way up to Fairlie I picked up John McKinlay who had run out of excuses for not going. Whilst John has over the years covered a lot of hills, it’s been infrequent. A lot of concern and worry was therefore sitting in my passenger seat and no matter how much I tried to set his mind at rest with my cheery descriptions of waist deep water traps, calf crunching slopes and joint destroying finishing straights, John just didn’t seem to relax – wonder why?

When we got up to Fairlie we met up with a couple of virgin hill runners in the form of big Kev from Seaforth and Killie Keith from Johnny Walkers. (hidden smirk and guffah – Keith was wearing WHITE socks! – guess what wasn’t white at the finish ). We did a warm up in pouring rain and I again tried to lower everyone’s stress with my cheery tales!

From the start, Keith showed that he’s no slouch on the road and was up with the best. The rest of us started a bit more sedately and with the usual banter as found on the hills. Onto the trail that leads up to the hill and banter stopped as concentration and pain took over. This section can be run but it saps the energy fast. Over the burn and onto the hill itself. At the post race discussion, this came as a bit of a shock for our virgins, especially since it doesn’t get easier. Like last year, the heather had been burned so it was a leg slashing climb up to the plateau. Unlike last year when I went in up to my waist, this time, ½ way up my calf was the worst. Kev passed me on the way up the hill which was a slight I couldn’t let go. I trailed him to the top and followed on the descent – which I have to admit, he negotiated pretty well . I caught him just before the start of the trail (undone lace he says?? Why should that slow you down says I).

Rod Pugh was the runner ahead of me and whilst I was catching up very quickly, when we got to the road I gave up and took it easy to the end in 42:24. Kev came in about ½ min behind me and John who ran a superb race to come in 2nd over 60 in just over 48 minutes. Keith got a prize for coming in 8th overall – terrific 1st hill (mind you, he didn’t look too good at the end – hope you’re ok now K.)

This was another race I thoroughly enjoyed. However, I did have a very worrying niggle from my calfs when on a number of occasions they threatened to cramp. Fortunately, with the warning twinges I was able to slow things down a tad and do a bit of running stretches.

A well run race with good markers. A good start to Ayrshire’s Hill Running Championship!