Alternative Seven Hills

Seven Hills aan de Rotte

Sunday 14th should have been the day of the Seven Hills of Edinburgh, my favourite race and the reason I have this blog. Alas, Corona. Need not explain that further.

While coming to terms with the fact that, after running in this event 11 years in a row, I'd be missing out on my annual trip to Scotland, I came up with an alternative. Despite living in a very vertically challenged area, surely I could find seven hills to conquer. And indeed I did, in and near the Bergse Bos, where I do my hill training, I could (with some artistic license) identify seven hills to have my race.

And so it happened that on June 14th, 35 brave souls set out to scale the seven peaks near the river Rotte.

The rules regarding social distancing were respected

We started on top of the skiheuvel, an artificial hill (in fact, all of today's hills were man-made) and the highest point of the race (32 metres NAP, bearing in mind that parts of the race are below sea level). In addition to the lookout point where we set off, it houses a ski slope and an mtb track.

The white bit is the ski slope, we make do here in the flatlands

To make it easier to keep the mandatory 1.5 metres distance, to prevent clogging the small paths, and also to make route finding a bit more difficult, we set off individually. In order to not overcrowd the start, we also split up in two starting waves. I put myself in the second group, so I could take some pictures of the others starting.

Raoul was first to set off

 

                             

                       

As our first starters were getting round the course, they encountered some drizzle. Then rain. And as they reached the skiheuvel again it was a downpour of biblical proportions. The kind of rain where you're glad you're on top of a hill, just in case the rest of the lowlands get flooded.

It was possible (note: possible) to complete the race in less than 8 km, so some of us still had to start. As the last starter, I was one of them.


My race
Undeterred by the weather, I set off for a blistering descend. Luckily, I didn't have to pass any finishers on this small path. It didn't take me long to reach the first 'hill', the Rottebanbrug.

Photo taken on a better day

Next up was the hill in the Ommoordse Veld. I had done a few reccies and found it with no problems. I think most managed to find this checkpoint all right. The hill stands out (it's at 1.5 m NAP, but in an area that's at -3.8 NAP), provided you're at a spot where trees don't block your line of vision.

The real question was: how to swiftly return to the river Rotte and the second bridge of the day? Beforehand, routes where shared that involved getting back on the dyke as soon as possible. However, I had noticed that a straighter line was possible by sticking to the side of the road for a bit, rejoining the dyke at the last possible moment. Afterwards, I saw many others had chosen this option as well. One of them was Wiebe, who I passed here. He was limping a bit, having overstretched on the downhill at the Ommoordse Veld.

Crossed the other bridge (third checkpoint done) and at some point noticed some soapy foam coming out of my shorts. My best explanation is that some traces of laundry detergent were responding to gallons of rain pouring down on me. The result was that: 1) I didn't need to wash the shorts afterwards, and 2) I waxed all my body hair in that region (can't recommend).

The foam didn't slow me down, however. I took the 'garage shortcut' which I suppose will be the new standard if we ever do this again. Passed Jeannette who had also discovered this route option. But I think my way towards the golf course (next cp) was faster. That said, we both found the next hill without much ado.

The golfer's clubhouse, next checkpoint

As Alan would say: "beware of golfers and their balls". I shared this practical tip beforehand, but no golfers were out in this weather. So I quickly summited and ran down towards Heuvel B. At this point the race had really started, with some steeper climbing in more rapid succession. My legs were already getting tired and I had to push hard to keep a good pace.

Up the next hill, then down the shortest way. A small, slippery path. And yes, I involuntarily did a slide down. No harm done, and quickly on my way to the Tussenbult. It has a pretty visible landmark we used as the checkpoint, a piece of modern art which resembles a tunnel upside down.

I'll repeat: these photos were taken on a different day

The next bit I had reccied just three days earlier. There are two ways in similar length to go from here back to the top of the skiheuvel. Despite the earlier tumble, I took the slippery descend (no fall, but probably lost a bit of time due to cautiousness). This meant I had a more gradual ascend, which my tired legs appreciated. However, a small group of mountainbikers caused me to stick to the far side of the path (fair play to them, I was on a mtb-track).

Pushing hard I went up and tagged the sign, less than 32 minutes after I had started there. It was intense, but very enjoyable. My total distance was just 7.5 km, checking out route options definitely helped me there. The total elevation was over 100 metres. Not as spectacular as in Edinburgh, but enough to set it apart from your typical Dutch road race.

The aftermath

After catching my breath and catching up with others, we quickly realised that quite a few runners got lost. Most notably, a group had run into the Lage Bergse Bos, somehow missing the golf course. Before we got too worried, they showed up (well, most of them did). Making an epic finish on a rainy hill.

We had planned an after party. With of course rhubarb pie and other goodies, just like the real Seven Hills has. Due to the rain, we mostly stuffed our faces with pies, tarts, and quiches at the parking lot.

The rain spoiling most of the fun, quite a few runners had left already. Those who remained were also keen to get going, but we were still one man short. Antoine was still out there, and we were getting worried. But, just as I was going up the hill again to see if I could spot him, our French contestant was walking down after finishing his run of one-and-a-half hours. Despite the rain and getting utterly lost, he had enjoyed it. We gave him a lot of pie to recover and then all went home. Slightly disappointed about the weather, but having had a great day otherwise.

The results

Most times were double checked with Strava, but other than that we were all under the honour system.

All participants received a special coaster. The design is largely copied from the Seven Hills of Edinburgh mementoes, except I made the hills a bit smaller and added a little corona to the background.

No trophies for the winners. However, some outstanding performances will be awarded here virtually.

Fastest time (male): Ton

Fastest time (female): Rosanne V

Best British runner: Matt

Best 'overseas': Menno (Brabant)

Shortest distance: Bob (just 7.2 km)

Longest distance: Antoine (17.5 km)

Best outfit: Menno

Best route mapping: Roland

Best after party catering: Angela & Wiebe (serving hot drinks from their van!)

Next time?

The event was designed as a one-off. But with many positive responses, we might do another one in the future. Perhaps in 2021 as a warm-up for the real Seven Hills, when hopefully we'll have a strong Dutch squad travelling to Edinburgh again. 

Some (and I'm guilty as charged) have also consulted the map to check for bars, restaurants and the like in the vicinity of our hilltops. Perhaps a Seven Beers version of the course is possible.

Chattanooga aid station

Moon pies at the #GVRAT

One thing I gathered from the many posts on social media about the GRVAT is that moon pies are somehow essential to completing this challenge. This is a snack that's being produced in or near the Chattanooga. I've read this online so it must be true.

With my virtual self passing Chattanooga recently, I spent last Saturday (a rest day from running) making moon pies.

Step 1: Graham crackers
I don't think I ever had these. Somewhat plain cookies, with a distinct cinnamon flavour. Though I potentially used to much cinnamon because I winged that part of the recipe I found.

Not sure why I bothered with those dots, it'll all be covered up eventually.

Those twelve cookies can make six moon pies. I had a lot of extra dough and made a whole batch of smaller Graham crackers as well.

Step 2: Marshmallow filling

Found a few recipes to make marshmallows, but it seemed like a lot of work. Maybe I'll tackle this in the future, but for now I went with storebought ones. Hey, I'm in a race, clock is ticking.

Step 3: Cover it in chocolate

This is were things got messy. But delish. Taking two Graham crackers, stuffing them with marshmallow (heated it up a bit to make them squishy and runny) and coating it in chocolate.

The end result was served up at my very own GVRAT aid station.

You might imagine it wasn't easy leaving Chattanooga. But the race goes on! And I still have some moon pies left over for the road ahead.

Virtual parkrunning in Tennessee

So lately I haven't been able to emulate the virtual route through Tennessee in my actual runs much. That was about to change as I closed in on the 297 mile mark. Because that meant I'd be very close to the course of the Mountain Goat Trail parkrun. A perfect opportunity to squeeze out a relatively fast 5 km on our own parkrun course at the Kralingse Bos.

Below, pictures of the parkrun course. Either Rotterdam or Tennessee.

  

     

The Animals of Selby Farms Park

#GVRAT1000k Day 6

After crossing the Mississippi I got a bit carried away, which meant my run took me not only into Memphis, but straight through town into the suburbs, where I actually found myself near the entrance of Selby Farms Park. This provided an excellent thematic backdrop for the next run.

Setting out to log some kilometers I visited several local parks. Not sure what animals reside in Selby Farms, but I had some encounters of my own.

Deer at Park Zestienhoven

Ducks in the Wilgenplaspark

The Schiebroekse Park is home to Highland cattle

Shy phaesant on the greens of the Bergse Bos

Lovely sunny day, and the 32 km were good progress in the GVRAT.

Enter Tennessee (GVRAT Day 4)

Crossing the Harahan Bridge

It took me four days of running in the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee, but I made it to the state we're supposed to cross. After about 41 km I virtually reached the Harahan Bridge, which took me from Arkansas, over the River Mississippi, into Tennessee.

No better way to honor this first milestone than by running over and around our own Van Brienenoordbrug. It's named after the small island underneath it, which in turn is named after a baron who owned said island back in the day. I used to think of the island as an undiscovered gem for runners, but I believe it's become more well known these days. 

A nice and sunny day to rack up 24 kilometers, which means I'm well into Memphis, Tennessee now.

GVRAT1000k

Virtual Racing

In order to remain motivated during the coronacrisis, I have decided to participate in a virtual race. Not just any race, but the largest of them all (probably), the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee 1000K.

Today it started, and we have until the end of August to log 1000 kilometers. I intend to use my virtual progress across the state of Tennessee to liven things up a little. And perhaps write a few blogs here and there.

Day 1
The virtual course actually starts in Arkansas. The first kilometers are near the river Mississippi, so I decided to start with a gentle run by our own river, the Nieuwe Maas. First 18 km now done and dusted, I can actually afford a rest day and still be ahead of the cut-off limit of four months.

Nice sky over the Mississippi

It'll be a wild race.

Seven Hills and Seven Beers in Three Hours

November 2015, as I was spending a vacation in warm and sunny Guatemala, and email from Alan Lawson took me to the presumably rainy Edinburgh. Some crazy lads had ran the Seven Hills course while sinking Seven Pints in between the hills. Alan added "I'm surprised that there were no teams from Rotterdam!" and over the years kept asking me when we'd finally attempt this.

No further group attempts were orchestrated in the years that followed, however. But the idea was there in the back of my mind. So this year I emailed Jim, basically threatening him that if the Scottish runners weren't having a go, a bunch of Dutchies would. He confirmed that indeed there were no plans, but that, as I'd hoped, they'd likely join us if we got the ball rolling.

For those too lazy to click the link above, the idea is you do the course of the Seven Hills race, and in between the hills you stop in a pub for a beer. You run in pairs (or more), because when you get drunk you need someone equally drunk with you to keep you safe. Like the original event, you choose your own route, and you also choose the pubs you visit (however, not doing the same pub twice).

Flash forward to November 16th and we find ourselves in The Kilderkin with 13 teams readying themselves for the run. Who'd have thought that running and drinking would prove this popular. Jim had made a starting order based on intel and intuition, which had my team (Leon and myself) in the final starting group, i.e. we were expected to be fast.

Getting ready at Calton Hill

A little after noon we set off, under the watchful eye of Alan Lawson, who'd come over just to watch a bunch of drunks run his course. Stopping traffic on North Bridge and the Royal Mile proved a little more difficult as it was just the two of us, rather than the stampeding bunch you'll see in June, but we managed to reach Ensign Ewart in good time.

Inside, we quickly ordered two pints (I think Belhaven Best, but might have been Edinburgh Gold instead), drank them, and left. Under 2'30, a feat we wouldn't repeat.

Leon already struggling with his pint

From the pub it was a short run to the Castle Esplanade, where Ronnie Sloan stood cheering us on. Down the steps and we'd only just hit 2 km as we entered our next pub, the Blue Blazer (pint of choice: Jarl by Fyne Ales). Most teams opted for a later pint, but we liked this one as Alan Lawson had shown it to us back in 2011, while we were over for the Seven Sober Hills.

Haymarket went fine, I think. We did run a few red lights, but so did the police officer I spotted. Without the whole tourist-dodging we had near the Castle, Leon proved to be faster and I struggled to keep up. Luckily he didn't chase the two teams that overtook us (Jim&Roly, Sasha&Alex), who had quite some speed on us. Then again we were one pint ahead and saw them stopping for a beer soon after.

Sasha and Alex passed us a second time near the end of the Corstorphine climb, where a third runner awaited them who guided them through the tricky descend. Well done for taking the challenge this serious. I made sure Leon was behind me as I like the line I know on the downhill. It's rather straightforward but a bit technical, and I had quite some distance on him as we ran onto Kaimes Road. Sure, he'd catch up, but I also took the time for some failed selfies.

 

On towards The Pub at the Corn Exchange. We passed Graham&sailors and noticed Jim&Roly catching up again. We got there first, though, and I quickly placed our order (two pints of Machlachlan's Best Ale) adding more beers to the order as the other teams entered. They wouldn't accept my charity, though, as someone slipped me a twenty which more than covered the expenses.

Meanwhile, Leon decided to take a closer look at the interior, slowly sipping from his pint. I teamed up with him because he's from the Westland (for the non-Dutch readers: a place known for excessive drinking), but he proved a-typical. As the other teams left the pub, I decided to munch on some jelly babies and kindly spur Leon on to drink faster.

We caught Graham and his bunch again passing under the railway at Slateford, where bad traffic caused them to pause for crossing. We skipped the Meggetgate shortcut due to the difficult crossing, and nearly went the wrong way as I'm less familiar coming from the other side. Banter from Graham, but we got on our way and headed for Craiglockhart.

Leon climbing Craiglockhart

Another team summited just before us and we passed them on the downhill. I thought they were shouting abuse at our route choice (not doing Fly Walk, essentially), but it later transpired we nearly got hit by a truck. Reached the Braids Hotel safe and sound (even though I nearly fell on the slippery deck near the entrance). Another Belhaven Best there and we saw the other Dutch team, Bob&Raoul for the first time.

Four pints in and we'd reached the hard part. Jim asked ahead and could confirm that the golf club would be open and willing to serve us (for those unfamiliar with the finer details of the route plotting of this challenge - it's a game changer). First, though, we struggled up Braids as a cross-country race was on heading in the opposite direction.

You bump into other teams as well, which adds to the fun

Downhill we took a very direct line, tumbling down through some bushes essentially, and found the golf club. Another Belhaven Best, this time from a can (though we poured it into pint glasses to make sure we drank enough, an extra can was already available for the required top-up).

We skipped Lang Linn Path, which I believe was the right call. I'll admit I used the gps for this bit, which I think is bad form in hill racing. Sorry, but also not sorry because as Dutchmen we were unable to recce. On the Blackford steps spotted Bob, and heard Raoul spurring him on. We'd seen them at the golf club as well, but just like in the hotel they'd left before we finished drinking. Now we we're definitely catching them, but they did the steep downhill (towards the duck pond) where we opted for the observatory.

Pub 6: The Old Bell (pint: Red McGregor)

We were making good progress. I really wanted to stay under the 3 hour mark, and I never worried we'd finish outside that window. However, a lot can happen on Arthur's Seat, so we kept going as fast as was somewhat sensible.

Gutted Haddie, because why not

And down again

As Leon was struggling a bit with the technical bits, I figured the Dry Dam was our best option. Quite a few walkers there making it harder to pass, but we managed. I kept looking over my shoulder to see if Leon was still in sight (and more importantly, if he could see me as I was doing the navigation). He caught up fine on the tarmac and we entered the Kilderkin together.

Two pints of Edinburgh Gold were waiting for us

The sub 3 was still very possible, so I forbade Leon to linger and within 6 minutes we were off for the home stretch. We missed the shortcut Jim had shown us (Campbell's Close) but our route (Lochend Close) wasn't much slower. We we're making it! Passing another team at the steep bit and then almost sprinting towards the trig point. Finish in 2:54:44, extremely happy.

Bit knackered, also 

Mark, Tom and Ivar

Raoul and Bob

Walking back towards the Kilderkin, Leon realised he lost his phone. Bob, Raoul and I did the sensible thing and got someone to take a photo of the three of us. Shortly after, a lady came up to us with the phone. We made her hero of the day and went back to the pub for chips more pints.

Little did we know, the real heroes of the day we're still out there. Dutchman Tjalling had teamed up with his Scottish mate, Archie. I figured the latter would work out a good route, but didn't know he lived in Glasgow and was far from familiar with the Seven Hills. Long story short, they did Arthur's Seat in the dark (no headtorches, either) and racked up a marathon.

Archie and Tjalling having a pint, 

with Leon in the background happy it's over for him

It was a great day out, incredibly fun. Was it because the Seven Hills is my favourite race? Was it the beer? Sure, but even more so it was getting out there with a fantastic bunch of people. This wouldn't have been as fun without you joining us. Thanks to all, and I look forward to the next time.

Pascal

Links:

Report by Jim (includes final results)

Photos and more reports (includes the tale from Archie and Tjalling)

Report by Peter