05/04/25 –
A day of two races. Neither really planned. Back in Aberdeen for the Scottish National Age Group swimming champs with the eldest. I reached out to Stuart at Trek Climb Fitness (we met at Lairig Ghru race and always said next time I was in Aberdeen I’d say hi) to see if he fancied a run and he suggested Clachnaben Hill race. Quick Google and turned out I could still enter, and the time worked with Emily’s race. Didn’t have a clue where it was or anything about it but with other 13km distance and 700m elevation it sounded good.
So soon as her swim was over we set off. Sat nav helped find the location although finding registration was a bit trickier. Park on a forestry track, go through the forest and find registration but I went the wrong way in the woods. Got registered and numbered up. Caught up with Stuart as we headed to the start. Sun was shining and a cracking day so knew it would be a good race. Emily came down to film the start/finish so very much a day of family racing. Race started and my thought process was just to follow the person in front or the flags. We started by going through the woods then up across a fire break, more up and through the heather. The heather was a nightmare. It covered the trail and was really deep so hard to see where I should be placing my feet and running. It was above my knees in many places which cut my legs to shreds. Long up battling the heather for about 5km before a really tricky technical descent. I love downhills but this one was more about keeping footing rather than speed.
Next it was up Clachnaben. This bit was on a path with stunning 360 views. Reached the top at about 8km and knew it was going to be downhill back. There was a trig about 100m away so I’m claiming I bagged it despite not quite touching it (why would the race not go to the trig?). Not an easy downhill, there was a path that led downhill but a hill race is not a hill race without completely ignoring the path and going rogue through more heather, bogs, peat, rocks. About 11km hit a better track and I was amazed I was still upright and hadn’t decked it. Through the woods and then turned off the track and through the undergrowth, at this point I caught my feet in a branch and hit the deck. Typical, so close to the finish. Swore a wee bit then kept going. Final stretch was lovely and saw Emily at the finish filming (hopefully I looked alive). Across the finish line in 1hr 42min and straight for a cuppa and cake. Fab race courtesy of Cosmic Hillbashers, defo recommend.
At hill race I found out that Out and Back Store in Aberdeen were hosting a SaySky Sub Rosa run that night. I had previously done the Glasgow one and loved it so knew what I’d be doing at 6pm …. I headed down to the store (do have to say they have a fab selection of trainers!) to get the brief. Loads of runners all eager to find out what it was all about. I knew the script but given I don’t know Aberdeen I knew it would be tricky. These are unsanctioned runs and the route is down to the runners. The team gave the first location as bandstand in Duthie park, aim to get there in the quickest time using any route. Issue…I don’t know Aberdeen. My theory was that I’d follow someone who looked like they knew where they were going, a bit like the race earlier but with no route. Runners set off from the shop in every direction. I made it to Duthie park with next location being some art gallery. Now I really was following folk. Made it to the gallery and next up was Fittie park. I joined up with a runner and ended up following him (thanks Will), he got us there whilst listening to my quality chat, final location was somewhere in the city centre, really glad Will knew the way. We reached it then straight back to the shop. Done in just under 10km. Can of Fierce beer waiting for us…result! Then time to look at more shoes (I didn’t buy any) and finding out about the Tuesday run club from the shop. Great fun!
