It was going to be an incredibly hard run. This 30km run involves 1600m of ascent. The slopes were said to be steep and unforgiving.
We planned to go running together as a group months before the event. It was more of an outing than a high-speed race.
Back to the home turf
After moving from Hertfordshire to Scotland in the mid 1980s with my family, I completed my final years of education at Peebles.
Although I left home in my late teens and started a career as a journalist, mum and dad stayed near Peebles – next to Glentress Forest – for another 30 or so years. They moved south, to Cheshire after dad retired so they would be closer to canals.
I saw Peebles as my home town – and even today I have a strong connection with the Scottish Borders. Even today I maintain strong links with the Scottish Borders.
Like I mentioned before, I didn’t know what I was in for when I ran the Two Breweries Hill Race from Traquair to Broughton. My life was changed by a phone call I received during the challenge. It took me a decade for my life to turn around.
Race Start
It was straight uphill from the initial tarmac section. It climbed and climbed until the first hill top – and then continued to undulate, sometimes at crazy gradients, until the final flat section, again on tarmac.
My partner Lynz had only planned to race, not finish the outing.
Lynz was dehydrated and nauseous at times.
As we walked, we chatted to other runners. We met some lovely people, including Lynz Gio and Iain. They stayed close to me during the entire second half of the race.
Donald Peeblesshire from Peeblesshire was an old friend who surprised me when I bumped him at the finish line.
Westies wearing yellow vests made them stand out. We ran some sections with them and enjoyed it. Catriona Bryce, a fast Highland Hill Runner of the same club who won this female competition, was the winner.
The atmosphere was very welcoming and even though we did not think that we would run as quickly as other runners, we felt confident enough to finish the race.
Each person should be prepared with a map, compasses and know the route.
My life was changed forever by the phone call
As I climbed the long and steep slope towards the last summit on Trahenna Hill, my phone rang. Hubby G called me and asked if my father was still alive. I was sure the news would not be good.
I received the devastating cancer diagnosis for my mother a little over seven weeks ago. Her rapid, horrific and brutal degeneration began shortly after. I had spent as much as possible time with my mum in the previous month. Mum was going to leave us soon. The next day, I was planning another visit.
G said that my dad had already informed him about the hospice call. He would then be driving straight to mom. Livingston was already on the way for my brother and sister. G was on his way from Ayrshire.
The hill was steep, but I was also in the middle of a race.
It was time to descend. I did so at my own pace. Lynz was still behind me and had not reached the summit of the hill.
She was feeling faint and unwell. She was not sure why she felt weak, but knew that she had to rest. She asked what had happened and I explained. I didn’t want to leave her but she was with race marshals at the hill checkpoint – and she urged me on.
Although Lynz’s car had been parked at Broughton, and I was using it to get back to Traquair so I could pick up my car, I figured I would be able to find someone to give me a lift.
My thoughts racing, and me upset I sprinted as fast as I could down the slope. On the phone, G and I were talking to each other while I was running.
I reached the end after finally crossing a field of flat grass.
It was then that dad called – and, so very sadly, he told me that mum had passed away. He stated that Mum’s last moments had been peaceful.
When my heart stopped, I started to cry. My heart broke, even though I was glad that my mum wasn’t suffering anymore. This was the first time in a very long while that I had loved my mother.
When I was able, I made a promise to go as soon as possible.
The last section of the article was blurry. I saw the end – and at the same time spotted my friend Donald. I ran into his arms and cried. While he was holding me tight, he let me cry. As soon as I promised him that I would finish the race and jog, I did.
Donald overtook me. His legs appeared to be more fatigued than mine. He hugged and kissed me once more.
The looked confused. The race must have been a disaster for them. The fact that I was angry was clear.
When I told them what happened, they hugged me and embraced me. They were so kind to me that I started crying again.
Waiting until she crossed the finish line seemed reasonable. She wept as I said it.
When I returned to my car, I began the journey back home.
The Two Most Important Thoughts
My memory will never forget the location where my mother passed away. This place has a great deal of emotion.
The fact that my mother loved the Scottish Borders and the hills surrounding it is comforting.
Although she moved with her father to England, she still spoke of Scotland’s Lowlands as well as the hills surrounding Peebles.
It was in the 80’s that I went on a hiking trip with my mum up Cademuir.
It felt good that I didn’t run with my normal style of competition. I spent the day with a great friend.
It’s likely that she spent many years trying to figure out why I was so determined to get faster and stronger. The race was completed in a manner that Mum could have approved of.
As I drove south, the sun was setting over St Mary’s Loch. My dad, my sister, brother and HubbyG were waiting for me. Even though tears were shed, the landscape provided comfort.
Mum has heard me saying it loudly.
I am going to miss my mum so very much – the thought that I will never again have a chance to call her for one of our long and lovely chats again is unbearable – but I will always have the hills to go to. The Two Breweries Hill Race will become a pilgrimage for me from now on.