Two of Maryhills finest, my good self and Sarah, flew around the Whangie on Wednesday night.
Weather conditions were good for running and the ground was not unduly wet or soggy. The course has change from previous years due the erection of a deer fence, making the route longer and across more bog. It does, however, cut out the return along the rocky path to the finish.
I definitely felt the effects of the Fling in my legs on the up hill sections, with my brain saying go and the legs not responding, however, my reduced fear of taking a tumble is allowing me to pass more sensible people going down hill. This was Sarah’s first hill race and she did manage full body contact with the ground, but no nothing more than pride was affected. She is going to look for a proper off road shoe before the next race, proper equipment never stopped me falling over, although it does allow you to go further and faster before you fall.
There were 139 runners, with the first male home being Matthew Gillespie (Glasgow H and H) in a time of 27:25, and the first female home was Catriona Buchanan(Central AC) in a time of 31:52.
I finished 44th in a time of 35:35 and Sarah was 102nd in a very creditable time of 42:29.
My aim was to beat Chris Stockdale’s time of 36:09 from 2 years ago, does a time of 35:35, on a longer, boggier and hillier but different course count? I leave this question open for debate on the forum.
Next week Dumyat, up at Stirling, if any one is interested, let me know.
