RR: Lairig Ghru race - Page 2

np426z wrote:
> "Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote
> in message
>
> BTW, how did your eldest do in the exams? Does Uni beckon?
> If so, which one?

Dunno yet. She's only just done her standard grades (she's
in S4) so Uni doesn't beckon yet.

>> With my little cr*p disposable camera, without a bit of
>> foreground interest, they'd have been even duller. Scenic
>> grandeur is all very well but you do need something for
>> the hill to look grand against.
>
> Piffle. The Lairig Ghru looks fine without splotchy
> runners littering the tracks.

Then we'll just have to agree to differ. What it really
*could* do without is nutters dragging bicycles through it.
Now they really do make the place look untidy. ;-)

>
>> Given my relative lack of mountain craft, I'm kind of
>> reassured by having other runners and mountain rescue on
>> hand. ;-) One day perhaps.
>
> Choose a sunny day with a good forecast and you'll be
> fine. There are plently of walkers to assist if things go
> pear shaped, and mobiles work well for most of the route.

Hmm... I think I'd rather die of shame than admit to being
unprepared for the conditions. Once I get my gear sorted
out a bit better and improve my navigational skills I'll
be happier.

>
>> What, and risk inflaming your ardour even more? No
>> thanks, I'll try and keep myself moderately
>> repulsive. ;-)
>
> Timmy, my love for you couldn't be stronger, even if you
> turned into Uma Thurman wearing a t-shirt with the logo
> 'Shag me NOW please Roger.' emblazoned across her
> spectacularly cute chest.

Quick, please tell me what other running gear you hate.
Clearly I'm not repulsive enough. How about one of those one-
piece tri suits?

Tim

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Tim Downie wrote:
>
>
> Pretty typical of much of Scotland. You don't have to
> climb particularly high to find it. Ling heather covers
> most of the Scottish hills
> (http://www.habitas.org.uk/flora/photo.asp?item=3902) and
> blaeberries are very common too up Deeside.
> (http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/tfl.blaeberry.html)

Thanks for the links. The Trees for Life site has some neat
stuff that I'll have to spend more time reading.

>
> I still feel so good I feel a 43 miler coming on in
> August....

Go for it!

Dot

--
"Success is different things to different people" -Bernd
Heinrich in Racing the Antelope

"Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message news:<2kd8dsFtm2aU1@uni-berlin.de>...

> "Start" banners?! Your clubs must have money to burn. ;-)

Well, the same set of banners can be used for years and it
is usually donated by a sponsor (which is usually the local
branch of a major bank).

Actually, my club requests that the runners return the
number bibs and the safety pins so that they can be
re- used:-)

> > This boulder field could easily be on a fjellside in
> > Finnish Lapland (where it would be called a "rakka") and
> > I´d imagine that it was/is created in a similar process
> > of erosion.

> I think it's repeated freeze fracturing of the rock on
> either side of the valley. Being a narrow valley, all the
> pieces just pile up in the bottom.

They don´t ususally wander far in any case:-) But, yes, that
is the process. (I was too lazy to look up what
"kylmärapautuminen" could be in English...)

> Speaking of A to B, I've posted my cheque off for Tyndrum
> to Fort William on the 7th of August.

You know, a bit of googling first brought me to the West
Higland Way Race..."He must be off his rocker!"...but the
Devil O´ The Highlands Footrace probably warrants a "He must
be mad!", too:-)

Anders

"Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:2kiui7F2guh3U1@uni-berlin.de...

> Dunno yet. She's only just done her standard grades (she's
> in S4) so Uni doesn't beckon yet.

Uh? You're adopting a rather cavalier attitude to her
future. Both of mine have already indicated their Uni of
choice (St A. and Glasgow for Big and Baby respectively)
though neither has a clue what they'd like to study. Big
seem geared towards the sciences by nature, whereas Baby may
well major in street-brawling (maybe that's why he favours
Glasgow?).

> Then we'll just have to agree to differ. What it really
> *could* do
without
> is nutters dragging bicycles through it. Now they really
> do make the
place
> look untidy. ;-)

Yup, I'll have to agree with you on that one. If you can't
ride it there, it shouldn't be there.

> Hmm... I think I'd rather die of shame than admit to being
> unprepared for the conditions. Once I get my gear sorted
> out a bit better and improve my navigational skills I'll
> be happier.

Anyone with a scap of sense won't go far wrong in the
Scottish hills. The 'safely' aspect is completely over-
hyped. After all, it's the Cairngorms not the Caucuses

> Quick, please tell me what other running gear you hate.
> Clearly I'm not repulsive enough. How about one of those
> one-piece tri suits?

Running things I HATE? OK. Select from:

Timex (or any) GPS time distance thingie. Dark socks teamed
with light-coloured running shoes. The aforementioned one-
piece tri-suit. Hats. Of any sort. Vests. Of any sort.
Camelbacks. 'Running' drinks. Salt tablets (together with
those who 'swear by them'. Hi, Doug.)

'Running' dogs. Leaking shoes. Matching shorts+shirt combos.

People who want you to stop and talk to them.

Babes who won't talk you you while you run with them. Anyone
who recounts their training schedule. Anyone who *has* a
training schedule. Running shoes that get 'hot' - you know
what I mean. Marathoners, as a species. They represent the
botton feeders of the running community.

I could go on but I'm sure you're getting bored. Perhaps we
should return to this subject another day?

"Anders Lustig" <touho3@excite.com> wrote in message
news:e621e2ab.0406300024.4f4439a0@posting.google.com...
> "Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote
> in message
news:<2kd8dsFtm2aU1@uni-berlin.de>...

> > Speaking of A to B, I've posted my cheque off for
> > Tyndrum to Fort
William on
> > the 7th of August.
>
> You know, a bit of googling first brought me to the West
> Higland Way Race..."He must be off his rocker!"

Not quite that crazy yet... although who knows in
2006. (That's far enough away for almost anything to
seem possible)

> ...but the Devil O´ The Highlands Footrace probably
> warrants a "He must be mad!", too:-)

I'm reserving judgement on my sanity until *after* the race.
;-)

Tim

np426z wrote:
> "Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
> message news:2kiui7F2guh3U1@uni-berlin.de...
>
>> Dunno yet. She's only just done her standard grades
>> (she's in S4) so Uni doesn't beckon yet.
>
> Uh? You're adopting a rather cavalier attitude to her
> future. Both of mine have already indicated their Uni of
> choice (St A. and Glasgow for Big and Baby respectively)
> though neither has a clue what they'd like to study.

And that's a big advantage because...? Deciding where you
want to go when you've not decided what to study seems a
little daft to me. Besides, it *her* future that's going to
be based on her decisions. Given that I'd rather have my
fingernails ripped out without an anaesthetic than go though
medical training again, I'm happy for her to make her own
choices about her future (within reason). I can claim no
special aptitude at choosing a career that ensure future
happiness.

> Big seem geared towards the sciences by nature,

Ditto. Well that and running a record shop.

> whereas Baby may well major in street-brawling (maybe
> that's why he favours Glasgow?).

Ours has been watching too many vet programmes and wants to
go to vet school.

>> Then we'll just have to agree to differ. What it really
>> *could* do without is nutters dragging bicycles through
>> it. Now they really do make the place look untidy. ;-)
>
> Yup, I'll have to agree with you on that one. If you can't
> ride it there, it shouldn't be there.
>
>> Hmm... I think I'd rather die of shame than admit to
>> being unprepared for the conditions. Once I get my gear
>> sorted out a bit better and improve my navigational
>> skills I'll be happier.
>
> Anyone with a scap of sense won't go far wrong in the
> Scottish hills. The 'safely' aspect is completely over-
> hyped. After all, it's the Cairngorms not the Caucuses

Still a good number of deaths every year though. I'm sure
though, that with a modicum of common sense, most perils can
be avoided.

>
>> Quick, please tell me what other running gear you hate.
>> Clearly I'm not repulsive enough. How about one of those
>> one-piece tri suits?
>
> Running things I HATE? OK. Select from:
>
> Timex (or any) GPS time distance thingie.

Got that

> Hats. Of any sort.

Got that

> Vests. Of any sort.

yep

> Camelbacks.

yep

> 'Running' drinks.

yep

> Salt tablets (together with those who 'swear by them'.
> Hi, Doug.)

Swear by those. (capsules actually)

> Matching shorts+shirt combos.

Yep.

? Seems to be the kind of running you espouse.

> People who want you to stop and talk to them.

That's me

Definitely me.

> Babes who won't talk you you while you run with them.
> Anyone who recounts their training schedule. Anyone who
> *has* a training schedule. Running shoes that get 'hot' -
> you know what I mean.

Fail on all those.

> Marathoners, as a species. They represent the botton
> feeders of the running community.

That's me again.
>
> I could go on but I'm sure you're getting bored. Perhaps
> we should return to this subject another day?

Darn, just when I was doing so well on your "hate" list.

Tim

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"Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:2kjdpnF34afbU1@uni-berlin.de...

> And that's a big advantage because...?

...because if you ask people to make plans - even little
people - you nudge them towards the formal process of
analysing *who* they are and *what* they like. And this is
useful why...? Because most folk drift through life
without ever REALLY asking, or answering, those questions.
And it shows.

It's not the plan that's important, it's the planning
process. It's determining who you are, where you are,
understanding how you got there, and ascertaining your hopes
and dreams for the future. Kids are naturally flexible in
their approach toward goals, and that's OK. What's not OK is
the failure to engage in the planning process, or the
inability to 'step out of yourself' and take an honest and
critical overview of your life and works to date.

> Besides, it *her* future that's going to be based on her
> decisions.

Naturally. But it's your job to guide and motivate. She has
the final say, that's all.

> I can claim no special aptitude at choosing a career that
> ensure future
happiness.

Selling yourself short again, Timmy.

This child is yours. You watched her grow from a helpless
baby into an (I'll assume) attractive young woman. You
already know her better than anyone ever will. Her
husband(s?) will be amazed by some of her ideas and
opinions. You will instictively understand the hows and whys
of her life. As she stumbles through adolescence, you are
not only best placed to offer her real-world advice, you're
probably the ONLY person who will do so without having
ulterior motives - other than the continuation of her own
happiness and wellbeing.

Don't help her choose a career. Help her choose a path.

> Ditto. Well that and running a record shop.

I think that Finlay may be her long-lost twin, for he too
inhabits this dark world of music and science. Do you think
it's something we said?

> Ours has been watching too many vet programmes and wants
> to go to vet school.

Ha! You'll have to sell a few shares to pay for that. Let's
hope the market has bounced back by then.

> Darn, just when I was doing so well on your "hate" list.

Oh, you know I like you. You're like the little brother I
never had; stupid, irritating, dressing like a complete
ninny, yet quietly loveable.

Hell, I feel a hug comin' on...

np426z wrote:
> "Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
> message news:2kjdpnF34afbU1@uni-berlin.de...
>
>> And that's a big advantage because...?
>
> ...because if you ask people to make plans - even little
> people - you nudge them towards the formal process of
> analysing *who* they are and *what* they like.

I suspect you deliberately misunderstanding me just to
annoy me. Of course I'm not against helping them make plans
but it seems a little odd to choose your potential Uni
before you've decided what to study. Cart before the horse
and all that.

Anyway, this is all getting boringly OT. Got my number for
the Devil O' the Highlands today (55). Hopefully it won't
appear in the "DNF" list. ;-)

Tim

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"Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:2kl1u8F3h2u2U1@uni-berlin.de...

> I suspect you deliberately misunderstanding me just to
> annoy me.

Now, why oh why would I go and do that?

> Anyway, this is all getting boringly OT.

It's certainly OT but it's far from boring. In fact, I'd go
so far as to suggest the only truely boring posts on
rec.running are those related *to* running. As you're just
about to prove...

> Got my number for the Devil O' the Highlands today (55).

Like, who cares? I'd rather you told me of the route
profile, gave a brief description of the flora and fauna
you're likely to encounter, or related the reason behind the
races name. ANYTHING but the trivia of your race number.

> Hopefully it won't appear in the "DNF" list. ;-)

Oh, so let me get this straight. If you complete a race it
is, by definition, a worthwhile experience. Yet if you 'dnf'
the run lacks value or meaning.

<shakes head, slaps self. no, timmy really did imply
that nonsense

"np426z" <np426z@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:cc41s3$bo8$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
> "Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
> message news:2kl1u8F3h2u2U1@uni-berlin.de...

> It's certainly OT but it's far from boring. In fact, I'd
> go so far as to suggest the only truely boring posts on
> rec.running are those related *to* running. As you're just
> about to prove...
>
> > Got my number for the Devil O' the Highlands today (55).
>
> Like, who cares? I'd rather you told me of the route
> profile, gave a
brief
> description of the flora and fauna you're likely to
> encounter, or related the reason behind the races name.
> ANYTHING but the trivia of your race number.

Well okay, fair comment, but if you weren't so lazy you
could google it yourself. Profile is illustrated on the West
Highland Way race site http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/

Just ignore the bits before Tyndrun and you'll know as much
as I do about the hills. As for flora and fauna, well I
reckon you pobably know as much or more than I do about
Scottish wildlife. Anyway, about time you stopped living
your life vicariously through me, get out there and run it
with me and stop whining.

> > Hopefully it won't appear in the "DNF" list. ;-)
>
> Oh, so let me get this straight. If you complete a race it
> is, by definition, a worthwhile experience. Yet if you
> 'dnf' the run lacks
value
> or meaning.
>
> <shakes head, slaps self. no, timmy really did imply that
> nonsense>

What's the opposite of "telepathic", you know, a bit like
mind reading but when you get everything wrong? Whatever it
is, you have a talent for it.

I only put the DNF bit in as I'm feeling ever so slightly
intimidated by the distance. I'm trying to look upon it as a
stepping stone the the full WHW in 2006.

Tim

Don't suppose anyone's remotely interested but results from
the LG are up at last.

http://homepages.tesco.net/~deeside....irig%20Result-
s%202004.htm

Tim

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"Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:2kngs6F49m17U1@uni-berlin.de...
> Don't suppose anyone's remotely interested but results
> from the LG are
up at
> last.
>
>
http://homepages.tesco.net/~deeside....irig%20Result-
s%202004.htm

Could you translate the categories column? Yes , I
understand M for male and F for female but how do I
translate the rest of the letters to age?

-DougF

"Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:2km03gF42frjU1@uni-berlin.de...

>As for flora and fauna, well I reckon you pobably know as
>much or more than I do about Scottish wildlife.

True, but it's not something of which I'm especially proud.

> Anyway, about time you stopped living your life
> vicariously through me, get out there and run it with me
> and stop whining.

What this? An invite from Timmy to share some quality
running time together? I seem to recall making a similar
offer to you some time ago and being slapped around the head
for my trouble.

Sorry old chap, but 2004 is now chock-a-block with things I
couldn't possibly re-schedule. But if you'd like to name a
race in 2005 - preferably late spring/early summer, off-
road, with just a hint of danger, in a dry climate, and with
pretty views all around, I'd be more than happy to accompany
you on such an adventure.

> What's the opposite of "telepathic", you know, a bit like
> mind reading but when you get everything wrong? Whatever
> it is, you have a talent for it.

I think the word you're looking for is 'trolling'.

v stands for veteran sv stands for super veteran (over 50) -
u/a is unaffiliated , i.e not entered as a member of a club
affiliated to the Scottish? athletics union or whatever it
is. So basically a bunch of scrawny old buggers went
running in the hills.

J

"Doug Freese" <dfreese@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:%xxFc.15533$4h7.2046588@twister.nyc.rr.com...
>
> "Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
> message news:2kngs6F49m17U1@uni-berlin.de...
> > Don't suppose anyone's remotely interested but results
> > from the LG are
> up at
> > last.
> >
> >
> http://homepages.tesco.net/~deeside....Lairig%20Resu-
> lts%202004.htm
>
>
> Could you translate the categories column? Yes , I
> understand M for male and F for female but how do I
> translate the rest of the letters to age?
>
> -DougF

Another quaint detail: if a club is called something ending in Harriers or
even Road Runners you'd better watch out because they are mean and serious.
If they're called "Tortoises" or "Trotters" they are in it for fun (or like
Tim they enjoy having lots of other club members to beat!)
If they're called Hashers ... well ...
J
"Doug Freese" <dfreese@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:%xxFc.15533$4h7.2046588@twister.nyc.rr.com...
>
> "Tim Downie" <timdownie2003@obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
> message news:2kngs6F49m17U1@uni-berlin.de...
> > Don't suppose anyone's remotely interested but results
> > from the LG are
> up at
> > last.
> >
> >
> http://homepages.tesco.net/~deeside....Lairig%20Resu-
> lts%202004.htm
>
>
> Could you translate the categories column? Yes , I
> understand M for male and F for female but how do I
> translate the rest of the letters to age?
>
> -DougF