Dunblane Hydro 7.5 Mile Road Race 2014

Chip Time: 01:00:58

Having originally planned to run the all new Sunderland City Half Marathon on this day, I changed my mind last month when I noticed this little race only 36 Miles from my doorstep.

I was born in the City of Sunderland so was initially very keen to sign up for the half there, but with family life, work commitments and all the other races I had lined up for this year, I felt that I really couldn't justify that length of trip. (I definetly intend to add it to my 2015 list though.)

I'd planned on running the Dunblane Hydro Road Race last year, but unfortuantely the race didn't go ahead in 2013, so was pleased to be able to sign up this time around. My very kind and supportive fiance Clare (a running widow before we're even married) and our two children, came along for the ride to offer their support. The race didn't start until 1pm, with registration open until 12:30pm, so we set off at 11:30am for a leisurely drive down the A9.

There was no race parking availble at the hotel so after dropping off Clare, the children and all the other child related paraphenalia (prams, changing bags, harnesses etc.), I parked the car in a residential area in Dunblane and walked back up to the hotel to register. This was when I noticed the really nasty hill that would be the last leg of the race!

My legs were still recovering from the Kinross 10k, Pencaitland 10k and Balmoral 15 Mile Trail Race which I had completed over four days the previous week. I'd also been out for a longish walk with my 1 year old son Jack the day before (which involved carrying him for most of it!) However, even though every joint and muscle in my legs seemed to be complaining, I didn't let the horrible thought of running up the hill take root and phase me.

Accompanying Jack on his Saturday morning constitutional.

I met back up with Clare and the children outside the Dunblane Hydro and registered. As usual Sophie my eldest was complaining she was hungry. (My children are always hungry! They take after their parents in that respect.) So I said my farewells before Clare took them off to forage for plates of chips inside the hotel, to prevent their hunger turning to hanger!

The sky was overcast when all the runners gathered outside the hotel for the race briefing. I briefly removed my earphones to hear the organiser declare that it was extremely unadvisable to wear earphones on some sections of the course, I quickly put them back in at this point as I find it very difficult to run without music. La la la.. I didn't hear you!

We were piped down to the start line on Perth Rd. near the entrance to the hotel grounds. The police and marshalls had held up the traffic so that we could all line up on the road. Although the race had a chipped finish, it was a gun start (air horn actually). So after a minute or two.. and a loud honk.. we were off!

The race heads along the Perth Rd. out of Dunblane, across the roundabout and on to a country road (the B8033) through to the hamlet of Kinbuck. I know this road well. When I was a student in Glasgow, I often hitch-hiked it and sometimes even walked it, when I was visiting my parents some weekends. (Dunblane being the closest train station to where my parents lived at the time.)

From Kinbuck the route crosses an old stone bridge and takes a sharp left at the other side, then meanders along more country road before reaching a hill at mile four. I always find breaking the half way point of any distance a psychological boost, so at this point I mustered up the mental strength to power up the hill and collect a bottle of water off a cub scout at the waterstation at the top. I poured most of this over my head to cool myself down, so between that and the drizzle my clothes were soaked through.

It usually takes me about 5 miles to warm up in a race, find my stride and for my breathing to get into a good rythym. So by this point I was feeling quite strong. After another couple of miles of country road, the route re-entered Dunblane passing the Tesco store and headed across the roundabout and back towards the Dunblane Hydro. All of the marshalls and spectators along the route were exceptionally friendly and supportive, shouting words of encouragement as we ran by. I especially remember them cheering me on in the last mile and this spurred me on a lot.

Doubletree by Hilton, Dunblane-Hydro

The final hill was a bit of a struggle as I had expected, but the thought of my family waiting at the top kept me going and I powered up it, completing the race in 01:00:58. (I initially thought I had managed a sub one hour time, so was slightly disappointed to miss this by 58 seconds.)

After collecting my medal, bottle of water, funsize Mars bar and banana, I found my family, who had been awaiting my finish. Unfortunately Clare just missed a photo opportunity due to Jack falling and scratching his face on his pram at exactly the same moment I crossed the finish line. 

Exhausted, I collapsed into a chair whilst the children helped me demolish the banana and Mars bar and Sophie proudly displayed the medal around her neck.

All in all, this was an excellent local race. Very well organised, with exceptional marshalls, great support and a nice route. I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to increase their distance from 10k without yet comitting to the half marathon distance.

After the car trip home, it was nice to relax with a few beers, play with the children and contemplate the other five races I had booked for that week. Those being:

06th May - 60th Anniversary Sub4 Mile Markinch 1 Mile Road Race

07th May - Self-Transcendence 5K, Silverknowes

10th May - Loch Leven Half Marathon

11th May - Monikie 5k & Monikie 10k

I think I might have lost my mind, but along with that my fear too, so it's not all bad.

Lumphanan Detox 10K 2014

Gun Time: 00:53:08  Position: 197/395

Running races isn't only about the medals for me, it's sometimes also about bibs, t-shirts, headbands, snow globes and other assorted resin coated gubbins too, but usually it's just about completing the races themselves, increasing my level of fitness and getting out to places that I have no other excuse to visit.

I stumbled across the Lumphanan Detox 10K on Google a few weeks prior to the event. I'd never heard of Lumphanan and presumed by its name that it would be in Wales, so was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was nestled away in the heart of Aberdeenshire. Although still a bit of a trek for me, I was looking for some races in early January to keep my momentum going, so although I was aware that there was no medal at the end and knew I'd regret it on the day, (when I was sure to wake up with a three day hangover), I signed up. It's Scotland's first 10K event of the year, it would have been rude not to!

Having ran the 30th Blairgowrie Ne'er's Day Fun Run (a 3.7 mile road race) the day previously, this was my second race of 2014. The race started at 11:30am, so I clambered out of bed at 8:00am, had a quick shower, got dressed and made myself a roast beef roll (still using up left-overs from New Year's Day). I'd cut short my continued celebrations by early evening the night before, knowing that I had an early start and a long drive ahead, not to mention a race to run, so felt relatively good. An app on my phone plotted the shortest route to Lumphanan, this being over Glen Shee and then passing through Braemar, Ballater and Aboyne.

Glen Shee aka Gleann Sith "The Glen of the Fairies"

I always enjoy the roller-coaster ride of a drive over Glen Shee and the scenery is pretty spectacular too.

Highest public road in the UK reaching 2200 Ft. above sea level

Apart from a few cars making their way to the Glenshee Ski Centre, the roads were almost deserted at that time in the morning. I imagine even more so due to it being the 2nd of January.

I arrived in Lumphanan about 45 minutes before the start of the race, soon found the race car park (a small patch of muddy farm land behind some derelict buildings) and was ushered into it by one of the helpful marshals. After parking the car I made my way to the village hall to register and collect my race number and t-shirt. I also mistakenly used the Lumphanan public convenience, whilst not quite as bad as the toilet from Trainspotting, it was pretty grim and came complete with damp toilet roll. At least I hope it was just the damp that had gotten to it. 

This race definitely isn't one for a PB. There are a number of reasons for this, one of these being that the first two kilometers are all up hill. A treacherous horrible hill. I consoled myself with the knowledge that it would soon be out of the way and that there was a lot of down hill to follow. It was tough though, especially after all of my Christmas/New Year over-indulgence and I found myself puffing and panting toward the top, but was determined to run it all. I took inspiration from a few firefighters who were also tackling the hill (whilst dressed in full fireman's overall's. helmets and oxygen tanks), and was very relieved when I passed the two kilometer marker at the top.

The third kilometer was mostly downhill and passed quickly. Sadly, around about this point I heard a lot of screaming over the top of my MP3 player. On turning around I noticed that a car had come to a sudden halt about 50 yards back around a corner. A crowd of runners had gathered around and I instantly thought the worst, that someone had been knocked down. Word quickly came down the line that it was a runner's dog that had been hit by the car. I gather the driver had misjudged the corner at speed and careered into it. Although there were plenty of luminous "Caution Runner" warning signs and marshals around so why he was traveling at such a speed beats me. 

Saddened by this, but also realising there was nothing I could do to help with the situation, (as I didn't even have my phone with me) I carried on. For the next three kilometers we continued on road , passing a water station at the 5K mark, before we switched terrain to a very muddy farm track for the next two. It was exceptionally muddy to the extent that in some places I almost lost my shoes to the suction.

Going to need a new pair of trainers.

It was a relief to get back onto road for the final two kilometers. The last kilometer was deceptive, when I reached the Lumphanan village hall, I assumed the finish line must be in sight, only to find I still had to do a lap of the block. On approaching the home straight it was a nice touch to see and hear a piper piping the runners home. I mustered a strong sprint finish on the grass completing the race in 00:53:08  After collecting a cup of hot soup I headed back to the car for the long drive home.

The Home Straight

Although this race comes at a difficult time of year I strongly recommend it, but intend to be better prepared for the first 2K if I run it again next year. Oh.. and I found out on Facebook later that the dog managed to stand after it was hit by the car and was driven off to the vets straight away. Let's hope it was OK.

The wider road which stands in place of the infamous "Devil's Elbow"

Driving conditions deteriorated on the way home