Gothenburg Meeting This Thursday

All Göteborgare (those going to Gothenburg in July), I plan to have a brief meeting at the sports club after training this Thursday to update on the following:

1. Accommodation costs (already paid by me)
2. 72 hour Gothenburg Travel Card (for buses, ferries, trams)
3. Estimate of other costs for food, T-shirt, etc
4. Travel arrangements (to/from Edinburgh Airport)
5. Travel arrangements (Gothenburg Landvetter to the island)
6. Rough itinerary/training programme for the weekend
7. What else to bring
8. AOB

After the meeting, I shall summarise in an e-mail as a reminder and for those not able to attend.
Alan

LAND O BURNS 10K

The Land O’ Burns 10K

Andrew and I headed down from East Kilbride on a beautiful summers night for the Land O’ Burns 10k, and to my surprise Sharon Gregg and Julie Thomson headed down with us to support me and the rest of the Harriers who were out in force.

Having come off the back of a PB at Monkland’s half Marathon I felt great going into this race and was in high hopes to achieve the same success. After a brief warm up the Harriers all headed down to the seafront for the start. There were approx. 280 runners competing and we all set off on a long straight road before turning a bend and heading back parallel to the start line before crossing a foot bridge over the river Doon for the first time, and in to a loop of a housing estate. During this point of the race I was behind Gordon, Sandy and Russell and took the decision to overtake Gordon shortly in to this loop. I then hoped to stay with Sandy and Russell for as long as possible to help me achieve a good time. Towards the end of the loop and crossing the bridge I managed to catch up on Sandy and pass her before we got to the water station. This was a bold move as I was still aware there was a climb to come in the race albeit not a very steep incline and this is were I thought Sandy would over take me and regain her position, however I managed to hold her off for a wee while longer and now I was chasing down Russell who was running well. I managed to catch Russell Just after the bridge, who had the sportsmanship to congratulate me in my manoeuvre and I now had 3 harriers to try and hold off, all more than capable of catching me.

Going in to the incline I was working my wee legs off in the hope that I wouldn’t be caught, especially as this is where I thought I would struggle. At the 7km mark I had the urge to look over my shoulder and low and behold Russell was breathing down my neck which gave me a shock to the system and spurred me on further. Knowing the end was in sight I had to dig deep to ensure that my hard work at the beginning of the race was not in vein. I had managed to get back to the pavilion playing fields knowing that I was on to a PB again, were I was greeted by the shouts and encouragement of Sharon, Julie and Andrew, (who had already finished the race in 9^th place, show Off!) and crossed the line in 51min 44secs which was a massive new PB for me.

Many of the other harriers also had a great race, as mentioned before Andrew finished in 9^th in 38min 30sec which surprisingly for him he was happy with. 2^nd Harrier home was Julie Beveridge who took 2^nd female prize in 41min 24sec. 3^rd Harrier home and 3^rd Female prize went to Joanne McEvoy in 42min 32sec. Martin Howell was 4^th Harrier Home in 43min 21sec who had came off the back of a fast park run at the weekend and hard training session at Chatelherault. Next up making his Harriers Debut was Callum Wright in 44min 54sec.  Thereafter the harriers finished in the following order and time’s Richard Lawton 45min 06sec, France Ferguson 45min 18sec, Geo Ferguson 45min 43sec, Kirsty Wilson 45min 58sec, David Searil 48min 30Sec, Lorraine Buchanan 51min 44sec, Gordon McInally 51min 55sec, Russell Couper 52min 21sec, Sandy Hayden 54min 57sec.

Former Harrier Alumni David Wardrope finished in 47min 22sec and yet to be signed up harrier Marion O’Conner finished in 45 min 49sec.

Thanks to Sharon and Julie for coming and supporting the harriers and thanks to Ayr Seaforth for putting on a well organised and enjoyable race.

Lorraine.

Calderglen Trail Race T-Shirts

22/05/2018 - Deadline for Harriers ordering T-shirts is Thursday 31st May 2018.
21/05/2018 - "Large Child" option added (smaller than S). Karen, I have added a note beside your "S" order stating that you wish to change this to "Large Child". Alan

Jim is about to place the first order for the stylish unisex Trail Race T-shirt illustrated on the left (technical fabric). If any Harriers would like to order one at a price of £5, please use this form to make your size choice.
Alan

Victoria parkrun (grand prix event part A)

For those doing the Victoria parkrun this Saturday 19th May it is part A of a Grand Prix event. Part B will take place on the 26th then the results will be merged. (only your 1st run of the two will count).
Anyone running it this Saturday that wishes to play any jokers should declare them before the run either by messaging myself or Alan or leaving a comment on here.

Alan or myself will not be there on Saturday.

Russell

The Gypsy Glen Hill Race

Another Wednesday, another hill race. This time I headed to peebles for The Gypsy Glen Hill Race. Hosted by Moorfoot Runners and our old ex-harrier Kenny Davidson.

The weather was great at 16 degrees and a total contrast to previous week at Dumyat. It was an 8k out and back route with an elevation of 262ft (half the height of Dumyat).

The race started a short walk from the sports club. For those that remember the old 10k that they used to do, it was along the river bank and over a bridge to a large grassy area. Kenny was there at the start and took me round the field as a warm up, this is actually the starting route and the loop is used to thin out the field.

The race was soon away with about 60 runners. I started at a controlled pace and picked off a few as we went round the loop again. Across the field, through a few streets and on to a loose stone track. It was climb, climb, climb....I was really struggling and thought it was harder than the previous week. The difference being that there's no respite, no dips or a bit of flat to take a few breaths and recover. We came off the track and are now on the hill side. This was different terrain and was grass with lots of rocks sticking up. Everyone near me was walking and you could see the line stretching as far as the eye could see. I kept thinking not long to go and you'll soon be on the descent. No such luck as there were 2 false summits, and when you reach the top, you need to run round a field! I've never ran a hill race with so many markers, usually you have freedom for a large part or unmarked on the way down. No cutting corners with this bunch!

The descent was great and you are back in no time. Finally hitting the field (like the finish at Crieff) and heading toward the funnel.

This was a tough wee number in a fantastic location and with a bonus of  great weather. Hopefully adding a bit of form and maybe breaking out of pack 1!!
George

MONKLANDS HALF MARATHON

Hundreds of photos taken by Julie T's husband now added to this album!
Sunday 13^th May really was a great day for a run! 13 Harriers descended on to the bonnie town of Coatbridge to take part in the Monklands half marathon and for the first time in 14 years the reigning champion Robert Gilroy was not on the start line, therefore we all had a chance of winning it.

The weather was overcast but we expected the sun to appear at some point which it suitably did half way through the race. On the start line we had Andrew J Buchanan, Richard Lawton, Jim Holmes, Gordon McInally and Russell Couper representing the men and representing the ladies we had Julie Beveridge, last years female winner, Karen Allen, Kirsty Wilson, Sharon Gregg, Julie Thomson, Sandy Hayden, Lorraine Buchanan and Holly Rankin.

I turned up to the start line on the back of some good performances at recent races and expected to put in a good performance. Having recced the course a few weeks earlier I was well aware of what to expect and when to put the boot down and when to dig deep.

I started on the line next to Sharon, Julie, Sandy, Holly and Gordon, this pack stayed together for few hundred meters until Sharon broke off and was not to be seen again until the finish. This pack then split within the first mile upon which I was able to overtake Russell who in the past few weeks had been struggling with an injury however felt ok to compete in this race. We ran into Drumpelleir park past the first water station and continued on the undulating course through the park peaking at the top of the hill upon which we ran on the Lanarkshire Road Relay’s. It was after this point we began our decent towards the Monklands canal, down Blair road and along Glasgow road were we then began our climb back towards Drumpellier park. The climb into Drumpelleir park was long and arduous, after this climb it was back into the park for lap 2. It was during the run in the park we had our Calderglen Cheerleading squad of Anne McLellan, Ian and Seonaid Morton with Andrew and Noah Thomson further ahead on photography duty, all encouraging us on our laps of the park.

During the first lap I was feeling strong I had managed to maintain my position with Julie Thomson hot on my heels where at mile 7 Julie over took me going in to lap two. At this point the sun decided to appear causing a different type of battle upon which us peely-wally scots are not used too. There were two water stations upon the course, which as we were doing 2 laps became four water stations, they were ideally situated and at every opportunity I rehydrated as I began to feel the effects of the heat. In this second lap I was certain that I would be caught by Russell and Holly, I anticipated this up until I passed our cheerleading squad, however as this hadn’t happened and I was going in to mile 12 I knew I was having a good run, this urged me to glance at my watch upon which I realised I was having a really good run! Going into the last mile I knew I was on to a PB which spurred me on even further. We finished the race as we started on a grass verge by the entrance to St. Ambrose School I crossed the line in 2hrs 2min 58secs beating my previous PB of 2hrs 7min 57sec.

I have to say this race was really well organised by North Lanarkshire Council, knowing that the roads would not be closed I thought it would be quite chaotic. However, there were sixty marshal’s on the route and all strategically place in the correct positions.

A huge congratulations to Julie Beveridge who took the second female prize in a time of 1hr 31min 10sec.

The finishing order was as follows

Andrew J Buchanan 1hr 29min42 sec     Julie Beveridge 1hr 31min 10sec.

Richard Lawton 1hr 39min 42sec A PB   Jim Holmes 1hr 40min 06sec

Karen Allen 1 42min 19sec                        Kirsty Wilson 1hr 42min 46sec

Sharon Gregg 1hr 46min 06sec A PB      Julie Thomson 1hr 58min 39sec A PB

Sandy Hayden 1hr 59min 04sec              Lorraine Buchanan 2hr 2min 58Sec A PB

Gordon McInally 2hr 04min 53sec.         Holly Rankin 2hr 06min 51sec. Holly’s first half marathon.

Russell couper 2hr 11min 01sec.

Thanks to Lorraine for the report and our many cheerleaders on the day.

May Auldhouse 5k - A Winter's Tale

On a very cold, wet and windy night, 15 Harriers set their 2018 benchmarks for the Auldhouse 5k time trial. Its never an easy course due to the severe undulations but this time the headwind on the first half was a real handicap. At least that meant a tailwind for much of the run in to the finish.

Ignoring all these issues, Richard Lawton impressed all with an absolute course best time of 22:05, a good 10 seconds or so faster than his previous best on this course. Also improving on his previous best (since his comeback to running), Allan McLellan set a time of 21:18, a handful of seconds faster than his best from last year. However, the biggest improver of the night, Mark Saez took 38 seconds of his previous course best, to finish in 18:33.

Fastest time of the night went to Kevin Farmer, setting a great time of 18:11 on his first timed lap of this course. The other first timer on the night was Morgan Beaton, who set a time of 27:13. Fastest woman of the night was Karen Allen who knows this course well and recorded a good season opener of 22:18. Geo Ferguson also had a strong run, sprinting across the line only around 15 seconds down on his best in a time of 22:00. Youngest (and lightest) runner of the night, Lewis Moir had a strong run in difficult conditions for a youngster, recording 22:27. Well done to all under not very pleasant conditions.

The individual results are here. The Auldhouse results database (see the menu on the left) has been updated with these results.
Alan

Dumyat Hill Race

Well, it's the big one tonight. Dumyat 7.8k hill race. Hill races are usually a couple of quid on the night. However, this is a well organised event in Stirling university campus which is supposed to have sold out at 400 places. You get a teashirt as well for your £10.
Having ran it last year, I knew it was going to be tough, but well worth the effort to see the best views I've ever seen in Scotland.
Sandy, Ian and me were there in plenty of time get organised and have a good warm up, that took place in the car! It was a total contrast to the previously year with a chill and light rain which created a mist. Only the brave few went out in just a vest.
We all gathered at the start/finish which was within a minute from the car and registration.
The first 600m was a gentle climb through the car park and on to a trail, this continued for a good bit and makes you think "so where's the hill then?". There was a few bottle necks on the way so you end up next to people you past a few minutes early (annoying). As expected, the incline suddenly gets steeper and a bit of walking kicks in (you didn't hear that Alan)....everyone around you is actually in the same boat and no-one is passing you anyway. Before too long you are in the clouds and the leaders are come at you like bullets. There's no "best route" so you have people passing you on both sides....this provides extra motivation as you know that will be you soon. Visibility at the top this year was zero!
Now the enjoyable bit.....however, it's not just about running ability, decision make and footwear both play a part in this type of race.
Ian ran a stormer and was reported as finishing the race like a Mo Farah last lap! Sandy loved it and ran strongly the whole way. Both claiming to be back next year. There's races and there's races, but some become a must do.
George

Raffle Tickets

We have raffle tickets to sell at £2 each with very reasonable prizes. All proceeds are going directly on the refurbishment of the small lounge.

See Frances for tickets and get some for your friends, family (or yersel).
Alan

SVHC Trail Race - Pollok Park

Since I forget that the SVHC Snowball race was on Wednesday, I decided to head to Pollok Park on Sunday for the 7k trail race. On arrival at Cartha Rugby Club Russell Couper was already registered and complaining about the heat. Given that Russell has been carrying an injury it was good to see him today.

The route consists of 2 laps of the trails within the park. The weather was pretty warm by the time the race started at 1.30pm, 19°. The trail is pretty narrow in places and you have to be very careful of the overhanging branches, tree roots and the mud. The entries were down this year and after about 2k I had no-one in front to follow. The route was marked with red and white tape placed on tree trunks and branches throughout. However, when you're busy watching where to place your feet it's quite easy to miss the tape and take a wrong turn, which I did! Unfortunately, there were 2 other runners who followed me but after a quick look about we found the tape and were all back on the correct path again.

The conditions were a lot muddier than last year with a few runners taking a tumble along the way. My time of 41:25 was almost 2 minutes slower than last year but on chatting to some of the other runners it seems their times were slower too. Russell finished in a time of 55:18. Just for the record I wasn't the only one who took a wrong turn.....
Frances

Catch up

Hi team, many thanks to all who turned up at the Monty on Friday. It was great to see all the old and some new faces. I appreciate that some couldn’t make it but your thoughts were appreciated. Hopefully my next visit will be soon and for a longer stay.

Dechmont Law Trail Race

I have been in touch with Lothian Running Club to find out when the Dechmont Law 10k Trail Race is being held as it was provisionally in our Grand Prix. Turns out that LRC have not finally confirmed the date yet but are proposing Sunday 24th June. As this is the same weekend as the WHW race in which quite a few Harriers are involved running and as back-up teams (and hopefully supporting), I am reluctant to put Dechmont Law in the GP this year. Watch this space for confirmation.

I have put dates in for the other races in the GP (Victoria Park parkruns, Land O Burns, Chatelherault World Champs and Vertical Mile). List of races here.

Alan

Kintyre Way Ultra

Stop Press: Starting at 8 o'clock this morning Robin has run today's Kintyre Way Ultra in 7.22.26, finishing in 47th place overall just after twenty past three. Huge congratulations to Robin.

Whangie Whizz 7k Hill Race Carbeth (past Milngavie)

4 harriers lined up for this one, so excuses are in for the Thursday TT already. We were all there for different reasons - Ian Hughes was planning to run 6 of the "Bog and Burn" races as it qualifies you in the grand prix (not too sure how it works, better ask Ian), Joanne was testing her legs after London and feeling a bit jaded after Monday's session (she ended up deciding to just run round with her cousin John), Sandy had been dying to try out her Salomons and run a hill race, me....just to get racing again, my race was more about the downhill.

It was well organised in a local farm shop car park with the start just over 1 mile away up a farm track. Many were walk /jogging trying to avoid working the legs too much before the start. It was dry with a cold wind and I knew it was going to be boggy with recent rain fall. We were soon off running uphill and working hard within seconds. Ian was gone in to the distance, I was last just behind Sandy (she started too fast), Joanne's cousin John was in front of Sandy, so I though "what about plan for easing the legs back?"... lasted about 5 seconds as Joanne was gone too. The initial mile or so was all over loose and jagged rocks which made you have to choose every step, usually from left to right looking for a firm grip. After clearing that, we hit some really boggy terrain where you could lose your shoe.

The leaders were starting to run by in the opposite direction, so I knew we were close to the turn. Eventually we hit the road and a Marshall directed us to the right, this is great as we are on tar and a nice recovery. However, after about a mile, it just didn't seem right.....it was too long and no sign of a turning point. I asked a bloke in a caravan and he said that we had missed the turning point. Shambles! Sandy was just behind me and another 2 runner behind her. We all decided to scramble over the rough cross country and try and get back on route. Talk about first man on the moon, I think we were first humans to ever cross that piece of land. The ground was soaking and just clumps or holes, climbed two 8ft fences (think they were 6ft, but they are getting bigger each time I tell the story), jump a 5ft ditch, managed to run over the top of the Whangie and ironically ended back on course with about 400m to go! Felt like we had ran twice the distance!

Ian was 41 mins, Joanne 43 mins, Sandy and me 72ish mins. I felt cheated out of my long awaited down hill decent but glad to get back without a search party. I think there should have been a Marshall at the second turning point, but I'll know for next year.
George

Ding, ding the thirteenth Highland Fling

By half past five last Saturday morning Milngavie Station car park was the annual mix of nervous laughter, old and new friends chatting, selfies being taken and queueing for the portaloos. This race is now the biggest ultra in the these islands, in terms of numbers, and this year was also playing host to the Scottish Ultra Trail Championships. There had been 861 names on the start list but I was fairly sure that number would come down to somewhere around 750 on the day, sadly that dropout rate included our own Jim Mearns who had reluctantly but sensibly concluded that both his foot and fitness were not yet up to running 53 miles on the WHW. The three amigos would not be together on the trail today.
Having previously run the race two years ago Ruth was this time treating it as her longest training run for the big one whereas I lined up for the sixth consecutive time, and my 35th ultra, with no set goal or target in mind other than to enjoy myself.

Please note we did not pop in to Greggs for supplies, steak bake anyone?

We had decided in advance not to run together as in 2016 but to run our own races because she will have to do just that come June, at least until Auchtertyre. Given that there isn't a great deal between us in our ultra pacing we weren't at all surprised to come into Balmaha together, some 19 miles into the route.

If Carling did views...

Half way down Conic, carefully watching our footing

Approaching Balmaha

Having initially dropped me on the climb up Conic (quote as I was passed, 'maybe if you shut up now and again you might run faster') it was on the much shorter and steeper ascent of Craigie Fort that Ruth finally attained the peace and quiet she so evidently desired, remaining within sight for many miles thereafter but eventually disappearing into the distance.

It's worth running ultras just for the views

I continued to struggle with every incline, losing places all the while and, frankly, was not a happy chappy. I don't usually mind running alone but in my current form I needed others to help lift my mood and so ignored Ruth's forceful advice and chatted to everyone and anyone even as they were passing me as she had done. By this method of distraction I found myself 14 miles up the course at Inversnaid where I committed the cardinal sin of not concentrating on what I was doing (and yes Ruth, talking too much - in my defence I did know quite a few of the marshalls!). I walked out of the CP eating, gabbing and leaving my bottle of water sitting on a table. By the time I realised it was too late to head back and reasoned I could get by with burn water - I know, I know, check for dead sheep upstream, etc, etc. However I got very lucky when telling another runner of my stupidity she immediately offered me a full bottle she had in her backpack. So a huge thank you goes to Lynne Zabek of Kinross Road Runners for saving my day (and gut?).

Another mood lift appeared when I reached Beinglas Farm unscathed, unlike last year's WHW race, in the shape of ultra-buddy Jim out supporting for the day and telling me that Ruth was only five minutes ahead. I'm getting to know him well, or so I thought, and didn't believe a word - I assumed he was being positive and upbeat for me. Looking at the splits later it turned out there were in fact six minutes between us so I have to say sorry Jim, I'll hang on your every word next time.
Leaving here chatting (sensing a pattern here?) I was still toiling on the big uphill sweeps and had to watch as yet another companion headed off. I began to sense a personal worst was to be my lot for the day but trudged on, hardly running at all, under the railway, the road and through cow sh*t, sorry poo, alley just before the forest above Crianlarich.

For the last couple of years there has been an unofficial checkpoint here dispensing water, coke, music, encouragement and hugs to all and sundry manned by Graham Kelly and Katie Hall whom some of you will know - it's a long and hilly few miles up Glen Falloch towards the finish and it was most welcome.

At the very edge of the forest (yes, at the top of that big hill, if you know it) were sat two ladies playing accordions complete with sheet music stand. Giving them a wave of thanks I suddenly realised one of them was calling my name. It turned out to be a running friend I hadn't seen for a while - she explained that since we had last met she had been diagnosed, treated and was now clear of breast cancer. I blurted out my own situation which she hadn't previously been aware of, we both became a wee bit emotional and hugged each other. As an aside I would highly recommend removing an accordion from your shoulders before trying to hug someone - it doesn't half get in the way!

Leaving them to get back to playing I suddenly remembered I had a recently acquired packet of honey stinger chews in my pocket, a reliable go-to source of energy for me until two years ago when they disappeared from the market. Two were quickly down the hatch and the transformation was almost instantaneous. You can make up your own mind whether it was the chews, the emotional and unexpected meeting with a friend, the cup of coke at the bottom of the hill or a combination of all three but - as Tommy Cooper used to say 'just like that', I could run again. Wow, it felt wonderful - I was initially running the downhills only but, gaining confidence, I surprised myself by running many of the ups too. I was charging past loads of runners at a ridiculous speed (for ultra running ) and would have to suffer some caustic comments should I come to a sudden halt yet began to run even faster. Unsurprisingly many folk commented later on the turn of speed I had found.

The longer this went on the more confident I became of keeping this pace going all the way to the finish and, despite my delight in Ruth beating me for the first time, began sneaking the odd look ahead to see if I could spot her red top - it wasn't to be though and the first I saw of her was when she called my name just after I crossed the line. I did so in 13.28.01, in the end only 54 seconds slower than last year, in 534th place from 673 finishers while Ruth breasted the tape in 13.24.39 - a pb by an incredible 1.08.28, some four minutes ahead of me and, of course, leading harrier. Chapeau Ms Kelly, as the cyclists say, hats off to you.

Ruth's smile says it all, no caption required

The male race winner was pre-race favourite and GB international Kyle Grieg of Metro Aberdeen in 7.06.58, which is 8.02 minute miling. Given that chunks of the route are difficult even to walk it begs the question of what pace these guys are running the remainder? Kyle was two minutes up on Rob Sinclair's 2017 course record of 6.41.13 at Drymen but paid for his (too fast?) early efforts in finishing a full 25 minutes off that pace, still an astonishing time from a man who only ran his first marathon in 2016.
The female race winner was last year's third place finisher Rachael Normand in 8.22 23, a mere four minutes ahead of her Carnethy club mate and training partner Nicola Duncan.

Anecdotal evidence indicates there was a high dropout rate on Saturday but, as seems to be becoming the norm these days, DNFs were not included on the published results spreadsheet. Perhaps race organisers are trying to be kind to some runners by masking the fact that they did not finish but I find it frustrating to be unable to view all the results. Everyone on the start line is taking part in the race and to pretend they didn't exist on the day is not giving the whole story. Seeing where and when some people's races ended can give a much clearer picture of the entire event and can also indicate the effects of the weather on that particular day. If I hadn't seen a friend standing in the car park in Garadhban forest with a blanket draped over her shoulders I wouldn't have known she was in the race at all. Simply making it to the start line of an ultra is a huge effort in itself and there is absolutely no shame in not finishing. You might carry an injury to the finish during a 5k, 10k, half or even a full marathon but not in an ultra. It will happen to all of us at some stage. Sorry, rant over.

PS All the very best to Robin Ramsay who is running 35 miles on Saturday at the Kintyre Way Ultra. Hope you smash it pal.

PPS The John Muir Way Ultra

I didn't blog about this race at the time simply because the weather conditions made it unpleasant in the extreme. We are all familiar with those times, few and far between thankfully, when a run or race is nothing but a chore to be over and done with as soon as possible. Now viewed from a distance of five weeks I'll briefly recall my day. 

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I can honestly say that I have never been so cold at the start of a race in my life (and never want to again!) with the bitterly cold wind driving in off the North Sea across the seafront at Port Seton.

I've never raced with four layers on before

Not long after the start we had to contend with near-horizontal rain too just to make us even more flipping miserable, in fact it was so unlike a 'normal' ultra no-one was chatting much, not even me.
I didn't begin to warm up properly until the route turned inland at North Berwick, although not up the Law thank goodness, some 25k in. Unfortunately we now faced a good few miles along riverbanks which someone likened later to 'running on six inches of cold porridge', no doubt making for hilarious viewing but horrible to run on. Many runners came in covered in mud due to falling on this section, I had a couple of close calls myself. 

At last the end was in sight and I gratefully crossed the line in a poor time for a relatively flat 50k of 6.03.18. The female race winner was Nicola Duncan of Carnethy in 4.09.59 who went on to finish second at the Fling while the male race winner was Steven Rowntree in 3.50.56. Later, just to complete my day, I spent fifteen minutes struggling to get out of the field which was doubling as a car park and drove home with the car splattered in mud, oh how I laughed - not.
In retrospect I'm certain this would be a lovely route to run on a better day but definitely not on the 31st of March this year!