11/05/24 – Another week another hill race. This was so much easier (although still hard) compared to last week. Today it was Ben Lomond hill race and West District Hill Champs. 13km and 967m elevation. It was a hot hot day and not used to this temperature yet. I knew the heat would be the thing that got me so made sure my hat was on, water in my vest and salt tabs. We parked at Balmaha and got the bus along to the start. This section of road can be very busy and not much parking so always better to share lifts.
Starting in the Ben Lomond overflow carpark it was straight up, I think all the walkers weren’t sure what was happening as all the crazy runners took to the hill. Luckily the higher we went the more breeze appeared. The up got a bit harder when we were taken off the main path and onto the hill for some added scrambling. At this point the summit was visible so knew not much further. We hit the top path, with a quick run and climb along the path to find the trig point with water and sweets.
Now time for the bit I like, the down hill. I just let my legs and arms go and went for it. I got into a rhythm and kept going. Luckily the walkers moved as I really couldn’t stop until I hit the fire path at the bottom. Eventually I could hear the finish and kept going as fast as I could. The cattle grid at the end just added to the challenge on tired legs. Across the line and then some yummy soup from St Mocha. Bonus was to finish in 1hr 48mins, 1st FV40 in the race and 1st FV40 in the west district champs too. Finished off with a wee dip in Loch Lomond and an ice cream.
