Today I started my year of official running events. I'm trying to compete in one event per month. I reckon I can afford the time and physical impact on that schedule.
My first race was a cracker. Held at the mountain bike Mecca of Glentress, it was a 10K trail run through the woods and up the steep inclines of the hills near Peebles. The weather forecast was kind, if a little cold.
Sally and I drove south in blue skies with a temperature below freezing and some ice on the roads at Eddleston. We parked up in the frozen grassy field near the cycling centre with a few hundred others and went to registration. There were three races being held today, each starting within 15minutes of each other. First, the marathon (42K) set off and this was the biggest field. Next was the Half; a smaller field. And then was out turn. There must have been about one hundred runners.
The route ascended gradually through the forest on wide tracks before switching to narrow footpaths for a few sections. Eventually we reached 300m altitude and I felt I was in a good position so cranked up the pace. It was great running, very good underfoot, with any mud well frozen.
The last km was through some wonderful pines and then a steep descent back to the start. I was back in 5th place.
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| The Half-Marathon starts at Glentress |
