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Saturday
morning, early start at the White Corries Ski Centre in Glen Coe, running
around for registration and to place all my equipment in three separate
vans, but I had only one thing in my mind, I was desperate for the loo and
that the loo was closed. Luckily John was there to keep me right!
Finally, with a light drizzle and pushing breeze, I
started just one minute behind Jackie. The cycle route goes from the Ski
Centre to Taynuilt, 49 miles of fast scenic road, magical if it wasn’t
for the spurts of heavy traffic. I thought my up hill cycle technique was
OK until John was shouting from the car to change gears. So that’s why
my legs were spinning like the clappers for the last 15 miles! I could not
understand how Jackie could cycle faster than me going up hill and then me
shooting off on the flat and down hill. In all, the cycle section went
brill, although, I only just managed to stay in one piece when a speeding
tour bus pushed me off the road. We got to Taynuilt and in a respectable
time of 2.41 for a non-cyclist who has still not worked out how to play
with gears!
Once completed the cycle, we had plenty of time to rest,
stock up with food and drink, and to get ready for the canoe section. Very
well if you are not in Scotland, you can lie in the sun, socialise with
other competitors, use the massage facility provided and help your self
with the massive amount of food layed out for you. BUT HERE IT IS NOT
POSSIBLE. The midges were at their best, they always know how to spoil a
party, also they know who to target, don’t they? Well, while I was been
eating alive and forgotten about eating and drinking, Jackie managed to
keep calm, got changed and had her two bagels (perhaps they like extra
meat on their on their pencil)?
Time flew and we were ready to set off for the ten miles
up Loch Etive. This was one of the best parts of the race. The sun came
out, the water was reasonably calm and the two of us were paddling well in
synch according to Maggie Creber, who managed to get into the rescue boat
and followed us after, unfortunately, missing out the canoe section due to
an injured elbow, a real pity because I think I would have had her this
time!!!!!!!! We managed to pass a few single canoes and kept our position
in the middle of the field. The last two miles were hard, Jackie was
silently tired, although she did say loudly ‘that this would be the last
time I do 10 miles in a canoe’. I was feeling it too but found the canoe
exhilarating, happy to be out there and to be able to race others who
perhaps have more experience than us. I felt a bit of a cheat in the
double canoe, so I promised myself to follow John and play this game a lot
more.
With the beach in sight Jackie was already making plans
for shooting off as soon as possible. As I was in the steering position my
knees and my feet were pretty sore and I could have done with a good rest.
On hindsight, we should have taken much much longer before heading on the
road since we would have had the time for free. However, Jackie was very
keen to get going.
So, I just managed to hobble from the boat, put on some
running gear, go for that pee and off we went. The run through the
glorious Glen Etive back to Glen Coe turned out to be the most painful 13
miles I ever attempted in my running life. Giving everything not to walk,
I struggled behind Jackie’s overwhelming smiles and newsreader
encouragement. I didn’t want to let her down although 13 miles of Jackie
Bird bouncing ahead with the cheers of onlookers was hard. As many Boat
Racers, LAMMers, HEBers and KIMMers know it takes a special ingredient to
run in a team.
Crossing the finish was made even more delightful with
the cheers of Maggie, Chris, Ross, John, Gilly, Rachael, and Pat.
What a brilliant event, I’ll be there next year and
you’ve got to give it a go.
Serena
Miscalizzi
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