This annual national championship has been one of my favourites since it was introduced about 4 years ago. However this year saw a decline in numbers from the Harriers and other clubs too for some reason with only George Stewart and myself entered for the senior race and Lewis Moir (Stuart's grandson) in the under 11 race. It is a tough event over a non-standard distance and I would hope that Scottish runners in general are not softening up and just chasing times on flat courses in our current, data/Garmin driven world and are not afraid to have a good hard race head to head with whoever happens to be around them. In the event, I was the only Harrier running in the senior race as ever present Fife racer, George, thought the race was on Sunday rather than Saturday! Doh!!!
The course was shorter this year and started and finished at Strathmiglo (usually the far point of the course), running back towards Falkland before turning around a loop and climbing back onto the forest road again for the return trip. I got the total distance at about 11k and wasn't complaining at it being shorter. This was certainly a much simpler course to marshall but certainly no easier to run.
The starting point was on the only flat part of the course on the tarmac cycle path which links Falkland to the forest trails just outside of Strathmiglo. This is quite a narrow, single track and it was just as well that the field comprised only about 115 starters as space was at a premium. I squeezed into the third row back and let the young guns occupy the first few rows. On the hooter we were off heading straight towards the forest road and the steep, curving ascent which is the final descent of the end of leg 1 (and start of leg 2) of the Devils Burdens hill relay. The initial fast pace soon dropped when we hit this long climb and I found myself coasting past a few "strugglers" in what felt like slow motion. I was soon on the tail of the leading lady from Edinburgh University although as the climb progressed she faded and I moved on through. At the top of the climb the trail evens out a little and with the lead pack streaking away and the first lady speeding past me again, I conserved strength. After a mile or two on this forest road, the course dives sharp left off on to a very steep ash footpath through the forest, where I was immediately re-passed by several. This descent seemed to go on for over a mile and all the time I was thinking, take it easy, you've got to come back up this again in a while! After a long, long descent we were directed back up hill again under the steel arch and between the hedges before turning sharp right up a brief section of tarmac towards the saw mill (this was at the start of last year's race). I had closed up on the pair in front by this time, one of whom I thought might be M50, and also passed the leading lady again. My luck was in when my lack of height meant that I had a relatively easy passage under a barrier onto the forest road whereas the much taller vet in front was virtually on his knees. I passed another few on this very steep ascent before once again, we dived off to the right for another steep descent on an ash path, meeting some of the field still ascending towards the metal arch. I lost a few places again here as fast downhills are not my strong point. We continued to drop before eventually turning left onto the usually very muddy path which climbs back up through the forest. Again, I found myself catching and passing those in front on this steep climb and knew that as we were past half way now, things were starting to look good. At this point I was certain that there were no further M50's in front of me.
The final very steep part of this path led back onto the top forest road which then climbed more gently back the way we had originally come. I was still passing people who were on their knees although at this point, another lady came flying past and was now the new leading lady. My pace judgement had been good this time. I was passing and not being passed. After the final few climbs we had the reverse, curving descent back towards the finish line. There was nobody catchable in front and nobody behind so I could run smoothly and much relieved to the line, crossing it in about 43 minutes. A 1.5 mile jog back to Strathmiglo village hall was a good cool down and the copious cakes, teas and coffees were a welcome nutritional boost! Finally it was the prize giving and I was keen to see if I had finally bettered the national silver medal won at this event last year.
And the answer was yes, Scottish M50 Trail Race Champion! After almost 40 years of racing national championships, starting with Scottish Schools 800m (5th position, aged 14), achieving a handful of bronze team medals with the Club in the National 6 Stage Relay and one individual silver at this race last year, I finally had a Scottish gold medal, aged 51 (and a half). I must admit, I had a wee tear in my eye when I sat down in my car and took the medal from around my neck. After all these years of racing and always missing out, I had thought that I would always be the not quite good enough man, especially as last year I was the in-form, undefeated M50 coming into this race and blew it, misjudging the pace and losing the lead. Each year you move through your age group it becomes more difficult. I didn't think I would get another chance. But now I have done it and could not have come at a better time for me. I needed a boost.
A heartfelt thanks to all the Harriers and friends from around the world who left messages of congratulations on Facebook. I have never had so many "likes" and comments. Running is about more than winning medals and running has given me a lot more than medals through my life. Never give up. If you really love the thing that you want, then you might just get it. But even if you don't, you will have enjoyed yourself trying.
Alan
