Tour of Fife 2016

The story so far.............

Race 1: West Sands, St Andrews. Chariots of Fire 4.2 mile beach race

164 lined up at the start for this. It's always the one that I fear the most. I think it's because it's a speed session and you are hurting the whole way back. Road or track runners seem to fair better here. I finished 77th in 31.35. Joanne was 38th in 29.19, 3rd female (first female was a junior) 2 seconds behind the first in her age category. Joanne has a 6 and 17 second lead over the chasing FS's after race 1. It's going to be a an interesting few days as we head into a trail race followed by a hill and see if speed or endurance wins the female senior category. Note - times were all generally well down from the previous year, soft sand in the middle and running into a wind on the way back was the cause of it.

Race 2: Hill of Tarvit, near Cerse, 3.1 mile trail/hill race

This is another regular in the 5 day event and I have ran it many a time. 1 and a quarter laps - half mile on tar, round some woods and fields, then corkscrew round a grassy hill before a rapid decent with the finish being a sharp left at the foot of the hill (pays to know this as many over run the turn and not good if someone is on your shoulder). Down to 157 tonight and the course looked great. We were there early and had the chance to run at least half of it. The grass on the hill had been cut and they had moved the cattle, however they had left loads of potholes to worry about. The start was a bit "eyeballs out" as you need to get in a good position before hitting the woods, it's hard to pass anyone for the second half of the loop. It wasn't a huge hill to climb, but you do end up walking a bit before the summit. I was pretty rubbish at this point, but found top gear once over it and probably pulled back about 7 places. I finished in 26.06 85th position. Joanne finished in 23.31, 35th position and 5th female. The female junior won it again in the ladies and looks out of sight of the others (on 49.11), however Joanne is still in 3rd FS position - 1st FS on 51.48, 2nd FS on 52.04 and Joanne 52.50 with a 47 sec lead on the 4th. All can change tomorrow night as the hill climb can change it all. For example a vet 50 that I talk to was 5th male in first 2 races, but was 27th on the hill last year.

Race 3: Uphell Time Trial, East Lomond mast car-park 1.4 mile

The start times were released early as you go off in 2's every 30 seconds. I have a start  time of 7.43.00. My PB is 14.07 from the year I started with Julie in 2011, never managed to get close to it (probably the last time I beat her!). They leave all the fast people until last so that the course can be lined with spectators. You are encouraged to bring pots and pans, cow bells and anything that'll make a noise. Joanne is off at 8.03.00 with the female race leader off 30  seconds behind her. Pressure or what?

George