TOF Squirrel Twirrel

Well, here I am at in Fife facing 5 days of racing. The first race always has a bit of fear and apprehension, which is just pre-race nerves.....but after the adrenaline starts to kick in, you wake up on the 6th day thinking that there's something wrong with you because you are not racing.
Registration was at the village hall, Falkland (a familiar sight for the Devil's Burden/National Trail Race Harriers). Followed by the usual warm up of about half a mile through the twisting streets to "the duck pond" Falkland Estate.

Some of the (more serious) clubs were well represented, like Anstruther Haddies with 20 runners of all ages. I guess some (less serious) clubs allow their flock to go on a 3 day jolly with one race in the middle, something I'll never understand!

The race started on a hairpin bend, so for once in my life I had to become Russell (sorry pal) and get up the front. It was frantic as the 1st mile was all down hill. We then went over a few wooden planks and up, up, up through the woods. My claim to be a hill specialist was soon found out as I was walking at one point. I was certainly going through a bad patch here and was disappointed as 2 Fife runners (usually close to me) sped past. I soon hit the top of the woods and was met with a mile down hill finish. Great, just what I needed! This allowed me to reinvent myself and at least past several runners, including one of the Fife guys.
Distance 4.6 mile Time 35.28 Sitting 59th position
It was a hard start for sure with 4.8mile on Thursday night. I've ran this before and it's not as demanding (as long as you wear studs).
George

Well done George for a fine performance on day 1 of the Tour of Fife and for not blowing our cover as one of the less serious clubs (walking in a 4.6 mile race!). The rest of us are off for a less than serious weekend on Islay for the half marathon (13.1 miles). By my reckoning its going to take you 3 days of racing to match that distance. Keep the reports coming through.