The Nebit (Downfall), possibly so named because it resembles
a big nose sticking out of the earth, is one of a series of three short steep downhill thrash races that take
place late August to early September. The other two being Bishop Downhill in
Fife and Caerketton Downhill at Hillend. It’s around 1400 feet of a climb to
the start of this one – made less pleasant on Wednesday as the dreichness was plentiful
with a good breeze thrown in. All are togged for the weather and jog around the
cairn at the top to keep warm. We are given 15 second spaced count downs by Al Anthony.
My coat is off and in the bum bag with 30 seconds to go. I
charge off and already my eyes are filled with rain. I manage to keep a good
pace and soon pass a runner, then another and another. Coming down the zig-zag
section I catch an Anster Haddie but am unable to reel her in until the long sweep
left to right. I’m passed myself, and then the runner slides off the hill but
recovers well. I follow his route over a small crag and am soon aware that my
legs are no longer my own. The jelly is setting in.
The route runs under an
overhead pipe. Duck or decapitation! 100 meters to go and a set of stairs need
to be negotiated. The legs just make it and it’s on to a rough path through the
trees. The finish is in sight – last dash with what’s left in the legs. I
manage to pass another runner (Julia Connor I think) over the line and breathe!
The results are calculated in the back of a VW camper as waiting
runners a feasted on by hordes of voracious midges. The Gilmore brothers are 2
seconds apart - on 5.12 and 5.14. I manage 19th in 6.56. 2 days on
and the legs are still complaining!
No comments:
Post a Comment