Been trying to put my finger on what makes the Chevy such a popular event hereabouts. Is it because the course showcases the Cheviots so well? The super-slick organisation? The unpredictable nature of the terrain- will we be wading or baking, or both!? The sense of history?- Chevy's now in its 53rd year! Well, all these things go toward making the race what it is but, if I had to use just one word to sum it up I'd opt for 'Camaraderie.'
It's that sense of friendship in particular that makes it a special event for me. There's always lots of familiar faces from the strong local contigent of WRC/NFR club members, other pals I've made through club running in the NE in the past and friends who turn out especially for the Chevy. But, the camaraderie seems to extend between everyone who turns up, new and old participants alike and is born, I think, from a common knowledge that the race will get tough at some point or other for one and all, regardless of their standard.
However, camaraderie can't mask all rivalries and competitive instincts.....! I've found it's not the best approach to treat the Chevy as a race but, this year, I think, a race of sorts is what I had on my hands. One Mr.B.Crombie might deny it, but I had a sense he was gunning for me at this event and, truth be told, I'd thought beforehand that if it came down to a tussle in the later stages of the race he'd have the tenacity to take me out. I've been chasing 3hrs 15 as a personal target time over the 9 attempts I've had too, and had spent ages studying previous splits, wondering if I could combine best times for parts of the course over the years to get this target pb. A recce of some of the course last week (Ran the 'extreme weather' route.) had shown one thing favouring fast times this year- underfoot it was going to be as dry as it had ever been, even if there was to be rain beforehand.
And only some overnight rain fell last week, easily sponged up by the hills. Race time drew on, the walkers were off in sunshine and light headwinds for the way out, and runners kitted up, smeared suncream on and lined up for the hooter. I got my mantra running through the noggin, "Run your own race!" And tried to put aside the urge to go berserk early on.
Initial pace felt reserved compared to some past years. I went through Broadstruther about a minute slower than in 08/09 but the heat seemed to bearing down even by then on some of those amongst the top 10-15. My 'good energy' feeling, which I'd had even before the off- despite the usual apprehensions- was persisting and I managed to make places going to Cheviot Knee and then Cheviot with the strongest climb I've had yet. Bruce was there all the way though, unshakeable, just a shade behind and going equally well on the climb. Dropping into the valley I found a good line but, as per usual, lost what time and place gains I'd made on the up. I favour a cautious descent and the 2 I'd passed to make 3rd place at Cheviot summit just cut loose and bowled down to the burn. Nevertheless, finding the right line for Hedgehope kept me in good spirits and I still felt not-bad-at-all-thank-you at the summit there. And, it seemed I'd shrugged off some of Bruce's chase as well on the way up there- a few glances back to look for the telltale white bandana revealed he'd slipped a bit further back. Down off Hedgehope and going across to Langlee was where some telltale signs of tiredness started to manifest though and I had a few minutes feeling sketchy until I passed Long Crag. The breeze had been cooling up on the tops but this was the start of the more sheltered part of the course. A waft of heat rose up from the ground, another couple of strong descenders went past, whooping and then chatting between themselves whilst I had to just tell myself to relax, ease up a little and save something if I didn't want to blow it! Time-wise things were going well; once again I just had to resist the urge to chase the places and concentrate on getting through. Brands Corner came up. I was still plodding steady but old friend Keith Mackie came up on me then went past as he often does at this part of the course! We curved round toward the Carey Burn, across the bridge and into the second part of the Carey Burn Valley approaching Hellpath. Keith faded a little and I moved up again but only after we'd both been passed by Noel Craine of Eryri, storming the latter sections. I'd suffered a sprawling fall on the stony track whilst losing focus on swigging from a water bottle but held it together despite a shock. The next shock came right at Hellpath when none other than Mr. Crombie re-appeared in the equation, right at the point when I'd hoped he wouldn't be anywhere in my vicinity! I'd put him out of my mind after Langlee when I'd not been able to see him behind but he'd stormed the Brands Corner-Hellpath leg (2nd fastest split) to get back at my shoulder. We set about the Hellpath climb with grim determination, eventually agreeing to curtail the chit-chat that started about who felt what! My partner Sarah, out on the course taking photos, was (by accident or design!?) at one of the most testing parts of the course for most, halfway up HP. "This is a race!" I gasped as we passed and she clicked the shutter on us, another 2 competitors locked into their struggle. Something happened for me that hasn't happened before though. As we crested the Hellpath I had energy left, just enough to make a few yards burst. I still wanted to will Bruce on too though and shouted encouragement! Weird. Then I found another surge and opened the gap a bit more although still not sure I'd got clear enough, not sure I'd hold out the rest of the way. Last ditch running, dregs of the tank stuff. I went hell for leather down to Wooler Common Farm and then down to the road trying to open more space up. Only allowed myself a look back once I'd got so far along the tarmac but that was a bit of a mistake as even the slight turning motion to see behind induced the feeling of having a golf ball inserted into the back of each calf! Luck was with me to the end though, nothing seized up and I kept going through to the finish where, I'm sorry to say, I wasn't the best recipient of the attentions of the marshals there as I was trashed!
Hurrah for Sportident eh! As Sarah put it, "I do think it's nice that you get a receipt for doing the race!" Results are on their website and, a little scrutiny of the split times can reveal a lot about the race progress. There are numerous noteworthy performances from local runners whose stories I hope to pick up on soon. Trashed soon gave way to elated in my case as I saw I'd beasted my previous best by about 7mins and got well under my target time. Bruce, you lit the touch-paper for that! Sarah's pics are up on my Flickr pages, see link in another blog entry.
Hurrah also for all involved in the organisation, marshalling, catering etc. WRC members and friends certainly play host to one of my highlights of the year. There was talk of 'retirement' from the event amongst some who felt they'd run at their best this year. Had Les T. seen a hint of this idea in my eye even though I'd not said anything? "Ye cannae stop coming along yet Adam, ye've still got my best time tae beat..." Ah well, no resting on any laurels for me yet then!
