Peebles XC, final of 09-10 series.

Peebles in the snow, at least partly. So endeth the 21st Borders XC series with 150+ Seniors covering the course today and nearly 70 Juniors in the running for their race. 

Leaving Belford and coming into view of the Cheviots it was a bit of a surprise to see more of the white stuff lying on the high hills and to the north, as Belford's peculiar snow magnetism seemed to have worn off this weekend and it had all gone away around here. However, the course itself was snow-free for the most part, although senior runners faced some pretty cold headwinds with snow flurries which toughened the going a bit. The route has some playing-field/parkland/farm fields, muddy riverside pathways along the Tweed with root and rock ready to trip the unwary, woodland paths, and a good stiff hill about midway. Nice and varied terrain.

Off we went, looping the park and heading out into 'proper' country. Quashing the initial mad-dash impulse today set up the basis for a better run for me than in the last 2 of the series. My aim was to maintain a second place overall in the Vet40 age group. Grant Wilkie of Corstorphine has hit form this year and had 1st place for the group well and truly sewn up before today. I had good early season results from Norham and Lauder but knew I couldn't relax with both Mike McGovern and Tom Hobbs of Moorfoot, and Damon Rodwell of Norham all within striking distance of 2nd place Vet overall, especially if I had another stinker. Mr Rodwell wasn't to be seen so I stuck to a plan of just keeping up with Mike and Tom once the initial dash settled down and seeing what was to be later on. The leading few places got established in the first mile or so. Mike faded a bit from our little following group and Tom and I took up the running until some others pushed through before the hill, including one Portobello runner who took the ensuing climb apart in fine fashion. The hill did for me a little, I lacked fight. Tom had the strength and made 20 yards. Mike was maybe only the same distance behind me and I certainly didn't feel like I'd shaken him off. Nothing was coming easy. A downhill blast across two fields was straight into the wind and falling snow was putting a biting chill in the air. My hands and arms were pretty cold, tiredness was on me and at a turn into the last mile I realised Tom was away too far for me to catch, and that I'd have to dig to keep ahead of Mike. Into the last section in the woods I seemed to find a bit extra though and charged through the muddiest bits in the last quarter mile, making up one place I'd dropped earlier and holding out with a strong finish. Result- 9th overall, 3rd Vet 40 which made my best 4 Vet placings for the series a 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th- 10 points in total and a 2nd place overall for the age group.

So- I'll join the even older f@rts (Hello Kenny!) in the 45+ mob next year and see what happens there!

I didn't make the presentation. Had to go back down to Gala to collect Sarah who'd been teaching there. Thanks to Jeanette & Peter of Berwick Harriers who collected a trophy on my behalf. Thanks as well to all involved in organisation of the series, and congratulations too to all teamates who've taken part in this season's races. You might've seen already some smashing photos from this season which can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nimmo/ 

And series results are here: http://www.norhamrc.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

Wet Weekend.

Logged a few training sessions the past couple of weeks but the surf kicked in this weekend so all good intentions to do another longish run were hung up, along with the trainers.

Swiftly home from work on Fri. afternoon and off to beside the seaside, beside the sea. Spots up around Berwick had shown promise but an easterly swell meant that things weren't really happening at Bamburgh, so it was a toss-up between back-tracking to what I'd seen earlier or taking a chance on Embleton and the opportunity to hook up with mate Rob who I'd not seen for a bit. That I did. Which proved to be a good choice I think. Waves approaching head-high and some friendly company. Another mate, Andrew, made it along later too and we braved the intermittent squalls and snow showers to get our fix of good rides. Snow was setting in quite seriously on the way home though, by which time it had got dark, and even the A1 was getting covered.

Sunshine and whiteness for Sat. Went out in the pm. accompanied by Sarah and Fynn out for a walk and with the motive of taking photos for a seascape commission Sarah has to do. Embleton again. The swell had picked up quite a bit from Fri. evening and was pushing in with gusto. Quite a few surfers out at various spots along the coast. I managed the paddle-out along with another lad, James, but spent most of that session getting caught by big rogue sets marching in from the horizon and got numerous floggings. Only managed a couple of decent waves and rode the second of those too far in, ending up floundering around in the whitewater mush unable to get back outside again. End of story. Retreated with dignity only partly intact. However, a nice sunset spurred Sarah and I to go up to Bowden Doors when we got back and take more pics which was a good close to the day.

This morning's efforts made up for yesterdays swatting though. I made an early start and braved -9deg (!) temperature and icy roads on the way to Embleton yet again. Everything was calm, clear and crisp. The sea had settled and shoulder to head high waves were rolling in, super glassy. A much more user-friendly scenario, and one which I took advantage of for the best part of 4 hours until, I think, even parts of my brain were being burned up for energy. I reckoned that made up for missing the Sunday mileage though. Gav and Sally and then Rob all arrived to take the opportunity too and waylay me with tales of reef action at Howick yesterday. It was a great morning's surfing.

XC, Xmas, Entries, Etc.

Too much happening all at once this last week or so... Going to try and be brief.

Was suffering a persistent sore back at the start of the year there. Enough 'Carry On' style jokes about a 'little stiffness in the mornings,' thank you very much! It was all getting too much and I had to succumb to treatment at the hands of Brian Shanks, The Wizard of Church St., in Berwick. A couple of sessions there, along with renewed focus on stretching has eased up things a great deal fortunately, but running took a distinct downturn in the meantime and I've only done three training runs so far this year.

Consequent lacklustre performance in the recent XC's of the past two Sundays at Berwick and Gala respectively hasn't therefore been exactly a surprise to me. I've always found the Spittal out and back course quite testing despite it being relatively straightforward, but I do confess to being disappointed with my showing at Gala today on the revamped 'Old Skool' course which buried me completely on the out-of-the-park open country section. I'm sure we've all felt the frustration of how quickly good form can fall away if you can't keep up with training for one reason or another. And how long it takes to get the fitness back! Certain diehards on the circuit are always an inspiration though, with the ability to dust-off and get the bit between the teeth again, and being amongst a mix of familiar and fresh faces all giving it a go is part of the fun of this series. Good luck for all as we approach the last leg for this year.

Motivation to get going is high mind you. A spate of events open up the doors to entrants at this time of year and the wallet has taken a kicking, even if the pavements haven't- yet. I've put my paw-print against a much similar list of To-Do races as last year. So, look out Borders Tri Series, Castles Challenge Triathlon, Chevy Chase, Coastal Run and (gulp) Helvellyn Tri. amongst others. Some eyebrows have been raised. Some hushed tones adopted. Slogging up some of the hills at Gala today there was a perverse imp on the treadmill-in-my-head giggling at me, "Helvellyn! Who you kidding!" I shall endeavour to throttle it in the coming months.

And what of Christmas? So last year! Or even, 'So last night,' for that was when Wooler RC took their festivities down to the Ryecroft and gave them an airing. Bellydancing meets Rolf Harris meets A Stand-Up meets Abba meets A Folk Singer with a Smelly...Cat meets Al Jolson. I'm sure pictures may appear elswewhere, so I'm saying nae more about it other than.....All in the best possible taste!  Drinking too much would've been an easy excuse today but a liberal dose of surreal was somehow sufficient for me. G'day mates!