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What a
surprise being asked to compete in a duathlon. Stewart Whitlie and I had
been discussing adventures one night over a few beers when the
Corrieyarick came to mind. The Corrieyarick is a sponsored event where
you must raise £200 per team. The event is over 43 miles, 17
miles of hill running and a 26 mile cycle from Fort Augustus to Kincraig.
There is an individual and team race but you must enter as a team.
Team Carnethy consisted of the ever present Stewart Whitlie and Rupert
Warren, another Carnethy cyclist-running convert, whom I had never met.
It was a fine night prior to the race, and the assorted competitors
camping outside the Kincraig community hall were in good form. The
assortment of bikes, green ones, blue ones, orange one's meant someone
had a flash lightweight, racing machine that most people would die for
but I certainly wouldn't have recognised it.
Ben, the formidable spaniel was equally excited by the rabbits behind
the tent and a day out with new friends, whom I had not yet identified.
Race day was overcast but warm. Once the bikes were placed on the
lorry to go to the change-over, (we trusted these people whom I was
convinced were Italian mafia), we were transported to Fort Augustus by
bus.
The journey from the sunny wee village of Kincraig took quite a while,
so the usual eating frenzy before these long distance races was part of
the pre race activity. As we moved west the weather grew darker
until a grey drizzle descended on the hills. Ideal running
conditions? Arrival at Fort Augustus saw the usual clamber of
runners clothing themselves in "full body cover" in
anticipation for another wet race. Shelter in the hotel prior to
the race was welcome as it was non too warm. What would it be like
at 2,500 feet? The usual Carnethy, Cosmic, Ochil and HBT vests
were ever present but there seemed a distinct lack of many other hill
runners. Was this really a different type of race to the normal
hill race.
The recognizable faces included Tim Brand, a renowned cyclist with a
good running pedigree and Donald McLean with John Gallacher in an Ochil
team. The ladies from the Cosmics included Elaine Stuart but I didn't
recognize anyone else.
The gun announced the start and there was the usual youngsters (below
40) who shot off, eventually Stewart led the chase and Tim and I
followed. Halfway up the first climb on a good track, Stewart had
a good few minutes lead as Tim and I chatted away about our recent
adventures……there hadn't been many!! The scenery wasn't as
inspiring either but it was a crap day. Memories of the Lowe
Alpine were still close enough to feel the scars as we compared old
injuries going up the hill.
Into the mist near the top of the climb, Stewart was out of sight and I
was still running with Tim, as the drizzle made it cold in the
stiffening wind, which at least was now at our backs, a good omen for
the cycling to come. The rough descent to Garva Bridge was just my
type of running and nothing gave me more pleasure than running past
mountain bikers on the descent. Tim dropped back on the rougher
sections with a stream of water having formed between the large boulders
and tyre ruts. Out of the mist and I could at last see Stewart who
seemed at least 2-3 minutes ahead with only 5 miles to go to the
changeover. As he was undoubtedly a better cyclist I realized I
had to try a wee bit harder to reduce the gap. Tim was still just
behind me by some 300m or so and as we struck the tarmac road with 3
miles to go Stewart suddenly looked catchable. I belted along the
road with the knowledge of being "stuffed " on the bike by the
other guys. However my effort was rewarded as I caught Stewart
with half a mile to go and pulled some 20 seconds ahead of him with Tim
another minute back. Was it enough of a lead on the bike?
The changeover was fun as I had heard so much about them in triathlons.
I ripped off my t-shirt and grappled with my cycling shoes while Angela,
Stewart's partner kindly helped me change shirts as he came in!! A
cunning plan. Ben licked my face and I was refreshed enough to
start peddling. Meanwhile Emer (Ruperts partner) helped Stewart,
and after getting a chocolate bar stuffed into my mouth by another
willing helper I was grappling with my gears on the bike with sticky
fingers from the mars bar. And how did I get it on my shorts?
The tailwind was superb but I was hyper and pedalling like fury as
George, my cycling coach come guru had said I needed to push a low gear
to keep my legs moving. Unfortunately we hadn't reckoned on a
tailwind of 30mph…..you never normally get this on a bike!!
It was when Stewart came past me a few minutes later at such speed and
in a high gear going uphill!! that I realized I needed to change my
chain ring to push a higher gear and generate some speed. I also
needed a change of legs. Tim also caught me after about 5 minutes
and I held onto him for all of 5 seconds. Then it was a long winding but
enjoyable ride to Newtonmore then Kincraig. Fortunately I wasn't
caught by anyone else but finished a creditable 3rd behind Stewart and
Tim who were 6 and 5 minutes ahead of me. I took me 3 hours 20
minutes.
I perished at the finish but it was strange finishing on the bike, my
legs didn't feel too bad but everything else hurt especially my bum.
Fortunately I wasn't the only one suffering as Stewart and Tim also
looked a bit stiff. Rupert came in a wee while later to give
Carnethy the team prize.
The finish area was full of people with a physio tent and massage
facility available. We went straight in and felt much better for
the gentle massage and lie down, just too relaxing for words.
After a good feed, the presentation with some TV personality,
highlighted the good causes of the event and also how much was raised.
A lady then turned and looked at me as if something was wrong and
it was only then I realised what Ben was up to. Ben was now paying
particular attention to her legs which he had started licking.
Fortunately her husband just laughed as did a few others…..salty legs
are obviously a very good substitute for those high energy and mineral
drinks. I was accused of yet another chat up tactic!
The overnight camp spot and ceilidh were excellent, a great way to get
rid of any aching limbs. A few foreign lassies who couldnae ceilidh
for toffee made it all the more amusing as the locals flocked to help
them improve their dance steps. There were also a few variations
on barn dancing that I couldnae fathom. After several beers too
many and a wee dram for a night cap with Andrew Patience and Gary
McInnes, I groped into my tent and fell fast asleep only to be woken by
a wet slurp from Ben in the morning. A crackin day oot!!
Adrian Davis |
