{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\uc1{\fonttbl{\f0\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fcharset0
Arial;}}{\colortbl ;}{\stylesheet{\s0\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1\f0\fs20
\kerning28 Normal;}}\paperw12240\paperh15840\margt1440\margl1800\margr1800\margb1440
\headery720\footery864\deftab720\pgnstart1\viewkind1\viewscale125\fet0{\*\docvar
{ColorSet}{-1}}{\*\docvar{ColorPos}{-1}}{\*\docvar{StyleSet}{-1}}{\*\docvar{StylePos
}{-1}}\pard\plain\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\qc\sl240\slmult1{\b\ul\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28
{\header\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\fs20\par
}{\footer\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\fs20\par
}A Pleasant Surprise\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28 I have some
 startling news to reveal, in that I recently ran in a race that featured some hilly
 conditions and I found myself actually in danger of enjoying it. I have written
 previously of how difficult I have found hill running and thus for me, best avoided
. I think that one of the reasons I find the hills difficult and in particular descending
 is the mental concentration that is required; when I run I quite enjoy letting 
my mind wander into all sorts of aimless things, which is fine when on the road, 
a bit more difficult when on the hills or even cross country.\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28 The race 
in question, which I think I have commented upon before, is the Arran Runners Multi
 Terrain Race which I have partaken in a number of times and held this year on Monday
 3{\super rd} January. The route which is about 9 miles goes from the Ormidale Pavilion
 in a clockwise direction along the main road, down the Corriegills Farm road, over
 the Clauchland Hills, which rise to about 1,000 ft, along forestry tracks, across
 a field and back on the road by the Glencloy Burn and finally returning to the 
Pavilion. As I said ,I have run this race on a number of occasions and thus have
 a reasonable idea of the course and which parts I expect to find difficult. Last
 year because of the underfoot conditions of snow and ice it was exceptionally hard
 going and I recall spending at least  5 minutes and possibly longer going through
 a gate, after which there was a very large frozen puddle covering the totality 
of the path, plus a bit more. In previous years it has been muddy and equally for
 me difficult. \par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28 This year
 the conditions were really good, it was hard underfoot, but not too hard and thus
 these conditions did not work too much against the road runner. I was quietly descending
 along what for me is the worst possible feature, namely a narrow and  twisting 
path, proceeding carefully and making what I thought was for me, reasonable progress
, quite happy in my own little world, thinking \u8220\'93this is not too bad after
 all\u8221\'94. This race is run as a handicap and I was somewhat brought down to
 earth as I paused to take stock and admire the views across to Goat Fell , when
 I was passed by  a proper hill runner, who was literally bounding down the hill
 and very rapidly  disappeared into the distance, never to be seen again until I
 got to the finish, some time after this particular gentleman.\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f1\lang1033\fs22\kerning28 I am not 
sure what conclusions I draw from this , other than I enjoyed my pint and trough
 in the Ormidale Hotel afterwards. Well done to the new Team at Arran Runners for
 putting on this escapade and I will conclude by risking to say I am looking forward
 to next year, weather permitting of course .  }}