Searching for a Scout

How to embarrass yourself in one easy lesson.

A few years ago, I entered some Kong Fell Races, clearly I had an inflated opinion of myself that I could race against some seasoned fell runners, people who are made of sterner stuff than me. It was all part of my elaborate plan to prepare for The Dragon's Back Race. I am scared of heights, I can't map read and I'm not used to running up or down proper hills. The only advice that had seemed to stick with me was from listening to Vassos Alexander, who had said something along the lines of, when running downhill, 'brain off, brakes off.' Not sure why that resonated with me?

We'll be organising a staggered start today, the organiser of 'Belt up Blencathra' announced. The slower runners can set off first then we'll let each of the quicker runners go.

The hill looks like a 60 degree incline, of course it's not, but to my wheezy chest and weakling legs it certainly feels like it. I trudge on, people keep passing me. It is so frustrating, all those years of, look what you're missing out on.

‘You're amazing’ I mention to a gazelle like runner who fairs scampers past me on her tiptoes, she had the bounce of a springbok and the power of a stealthy tiger, and as quiet!

At the bottom of the hill after the event I see the same runner and venture over to her, to say how in my opinion she was one of the most elegant, effortless runners I’d every encountered. That’s Scout Adkin another entrant mentioned after Scout had politely and humbly tolerated me.

I didn't know who she was though did I?