Buchlyvie 10k Race Report

Post date: Feb 2, 2016 1:45:51 PM

By Ewan Smith

Buchlyvie, being one of the first races in the year, is always popular and sells out well in advance. With a field of under 300, it’s a friendly race where people actually speak. The sight of a CRC hoodie immediately leads to you being informed that you’re a long way from home- handy to know if you’d just set out for a LSR and forgotten to turn. Experience has taught me not to bother explaining that being a Dooker in sheep’s clothing, I’ve not actually travelled as far as a real Toonie; easier just to go with it - until they start asking about their auntie in Drumlemble.

Given the time of year, conditions can be variable; last year it was icy, the year before was more like a plooin’ match and the year before that it was cancelled. This year, was perfect; 9 degrees, dry and only a light breeze. Great for running - no so good if you’re looking for an excuse for a poor time.

The start is at the far end of a narrow lane which can be quite cramped as runners set off, so anyone looking for a good time needs to position themselves well to the front. Then it’s on to the main road and downhill for the first K. After that, it’s a forestry road and the kind of surface with which CRC members are very familiar. It was originally a railway line, so it’s straight and, according to Strava, flat – though to me it seemed to be going uphill both ways!

It’s an out and back course which can be a bit depressing when you meet the first runners coming back and you still can’t see the turn, but on the other hand, it’s quite satisfying when you eventually turn and see that there are still a few behind you. A nice lady at registration said there were lovely views of Ben Lomond but I‘d be telling a lie if I said I noticed. And so back onto the main road, where the incline you came down appears to have got a lot steeper now that you’re going back up.

I hadn’t expected a great time but 42.14 (winning time Alan Hume, 35.54) was distinctly disappointing given the conditions. Having now reached an age where PBs will be thin on the ground, I did wonder on the way home if it was time to retire. The answer is of course no; because I still enjoy it which at the end of the day is the whole point. And there was one small comfort; (apologies to both ladies if they ever read this!) I passed Sgt Trish Collins and Superintendent Marlene Baillie of Lochgilphead Police and it’s always good to know you can still run faster than the polis!