A fine turn out of 14 Harriers was not matched by the weather at Sunday's Dechmont Law Trail Race in Livingston. This was the 14th race in our Grand Prix series and there were both Grand Prix and Club Championship positions still to be decided. The rain poured and the mist shrouded the course as the large field gathered on the grassy start line for a midday start (note George Stewart later declared that he could not handle morning races, confirming that George is possibly on a different time zone to the rest of us!). When the hooter sounded there was the usual cavalry charge up hill but this soon thinned out within 100m and by the time we had hit the narrow path, I was sitting 6th or 7th in single file. Then we were in to the woods which were darker than normal but heading downhill. After following an undulating loop through the woods we emerged back in the start line area after 3km for the main descent down towards the M8 and across the other side. By this I was clear in 5th position with 100m or so to the runner in front and a similar distance to the runner behind. This is where racing becomes a game of controlled relaxation and, having run the course many times before I knew that this long descent was a time to conserve energy without losing position and to save it for the long drag back up to the finish. Despite the rain, the course was in very good condition under foot with only a few muddy patches on the trail parallel to the M8. Road racing shoes were perfectly fine.
The climb starts gently at first for a few km on the far side of the M8 and I was able to close the gap on 4th slightly. However, the real challenge started when we hit the footbridge back over the M8 which had a very steep on ramp and a hump in the middle. Thereafter it was gradually uphill all the way to about 9.8km (despite the very friendly marshall at 9k claiming it was all downhill to the finish!) with only the final downhill 200m allowing a return to good running form for the finish line photographer! I finished a comfortable 5th overall and 1st M50 in a time of 39:33, about a minute slower than last year but a year older!
The Harriers battling behind me were much more competitive. Stephen Phimister is thankfully over his injury problems and starting to demonstrate good form, finishing in 43:26, fully supported by the family. We now know the secret to David Herbertson's improving form. On the morning of the race he had told son Gavin that he was aiming for about 45 minutes. Gavin duly instructed his Dad to beat 45 and so as David sprinted towards the line, he was fully aware that the clock was ticking towards 45 and he had to beat it. This he did in 44:39. I'm e-mailing Gavin to ask him to tell his Dad that he must beat 6 minutes for the Vertical Mile in a few weeks. That should be interesting to see.
Despite having given his "core" a serious workout on the Ben Alder Challenge (see separate Blog report), Jim Holmes managed to hang together to finish next in 45:06. Joanne McEvoy is unbeatable at the moment, particularly on hilly courses and ran to form with a great time of 45:26. Although George Stewart and Colin Banks had variously held onto the next few positions in the earlier stages of the race, by the end, Alison Lessells had broken clear to finish in 49:12, chased all the way to the line by Stuart Waugh in 49:20. Stuart continues to stretch away in the lead of the Grand Prix with an excellent series of race performances this year. Richard Lawton goes from strength to strength this season, finishing in 50:08 with Colin Banks chasing hard in 50:19 after his earlier over exuberance. Frances Maxwell is on the road back to fitness and was not far away either, crossing the line in 50:31 and consolidating her lead in the Grand Prix and Scratch Championship.
Gordon McInally has been piling in the races recently and added this tough one to his portfolio, finishing in 51:59. John McBride has a big frame to transport about such a hilly course, finishing in 53:11. George Stewart did another Harriers first, bursting away in the first few km's, only to stop of a minute or so (bent over double by all accounts) to chat to Eddie Reid who was out on the course supporting. Nevertheless, it is great to see George back racing regularly and his fitness improving race after race. George finished in 54:07. Russell Couper's legs would hardly be fresh after two races during the preceding week and this explains his step backwards slightly compared to recent performances, finishing in 1:02:29. We should also mention Gordon's partner Marion who finished in an excellent 46:56 (need to get her signed up).
Although the conditions were perfect for running, a huge thanks goes out to all our supporters and photographers on the course who were suffering more than us. These included Stuart Waugh's grandson Louis (and dad) who had earlier won the 2k fun run, Neil Green and son Cameron, who had earlier dead heated for first position in the 3k and Eddie and Sandra who were out on various parts of the course cheering us on and taking photos.
All the photos from Eddie and Sandra are here and full results here.
Alan
