Race plans had changed so felt it right to have a stab at The Four Fifers in between the sunshine and thunder that we’ve had this week.
I welcomed the strong wind at the crest of East Lomond as the head and stomach were feeling the pub from the night before. Glad I wasn’t aware of how steep the final lump was prior to starting after lunch!
If the hangover wasn’t out of me earlier it was by the time I dropped off the south side of West Lomond. Made use of a trusty banana as I went across the Glen Vale heather - my only snack. I’d had one of two 500ml flasks of water at this point. Would have liked my inovs on for the descent of West Lomond, the devils burdens were loose and slippy.
Into my regular stomping ground I was quick on the ascent to Bishops Hill. Time 1.40. Thanks to Alex for the route suggestion going cliff side over the bumps. A ferocious wind similar to that off West, propelled me upright allowing a fast decent all the way into Kilmagadwood.
Felt strong on the road section and had my eyes on a sub 2.45 finish, but alas; protective cattle over their calves in the field up to the mast on Benarty meant I had to re-route via the road and usual zig zag path. Realised I did care about my time at this point as my annoyance boosted my speed, for all of one mile. Thinking I could save time and ‘just send it’ through the middle of the zig zags (bracken, nettles, trees?) brought me down a peg as I came out with numerous nettle stings and an even angrier mindset - stupid bitch one might say - and even further off 3hrs (2.45 was wished away at the route change).
I scrambled the rocks on the corner to avoid the silly hair pin path and had 4 minutes to hit a sub 3hr. Having never done Benarty, I was once again humbled; why is the path to the trig point along the top so long?
Hit the trig at 3.05.19, disappointed but only at fault of my own really. And some cows 🤪 I’ll be back, and when the wind is in a favourable direction!