Training has gone ok for the Glenmore 24, I’ve had a total of three 20 milers! Well, I’ve never let inadequacy hold me back before so I’m not starting now. Besides I think I can count a 32hour WHW towards training and the memory of my hardest race. I’ve just read last years 24 hour race report, I think I glossed over the hard bits! My memory is of the dark and the stagger.
I entered Glenmore 24 after being buoyed up after a surprisingly good 20 mile run on the 1st of August, the other two 20 milers haven’t felt easy but that’s ok. I believe there is a trinity in running. Body, heart and soul and it isn’t equal thirds. Not many are lucky enough to stand at the start line with a fully fit, well trained and injury free body but with their heart and soul they reach the finish. The body is the smallest part of the equation, a heart and soul runner will carry their body to the ends of the earth if they so wished. I am prepared for a bit of carcass hauling. It won’t be fast and it won’t be pretty but with self belief I will still be standing at the finish. A 24 hour race isn’t a journey from A to B but a journey from within.
I don’t listen to music during races I think ipods are a bit anti-social and I like a blether but I make an exception for 24 hour races, (this is my fourth) I’ve loaded my ipod with a playlist of around 8 hours worth of lively and inspirational tunes for the wee small hours when most folk withdraw into their own wee world, music does make a difference. It goes without saying that Clash of the Ash by Runrig is on it, also loads more Runrig especially Live at Loch Ness, Queens Don’t Stop Me Now is another favourite and if I really sound like I’m in pain I’m just singing along to U2’s Elevation. Black Eyed Peas, I Gotta a Feeling works for me too. Footloose (theme from 80’s film) andFleetwood Mac’s Tusk are great for keeping a good cadence. A little Shakira keeps the hips loose! Being a Fifer I’ve got to have The Proclaimers I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) I’ve good memories of singing it in my head going up the Devil’s Staircase on my first WHW in 2003. I’ve a few good fighting songs, Glasvegas Go Square Go is a good “just get on with it!” song. Sticking with some local boys, Dunfermline has produced some crackers, I’ve got some Skids, Big Country and Nazareth.
My theme tune for Glenmore.
My philosophy - Confucius. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Robin Wombill's DOTH report
DOTH 2011 race report.
Royal Wedding day saw me in front of the telly but working on my drop bags for my support crew at the DOTH checkpoints. I seemed to ‘faff’ about for ages, I’m sure I made a better job of it last year, and never got to bed as early as I wanted. However I wasn’t as nervous as my previous ultra’s and slept well, but not for very long as I had the alarm set for 2 am.
I wasn’t as nervous because my goals were to finish in under 12 hours, in one piece and to have got my fluid and refuelling correct. It was also my third ultra this year and a conservative finish time of 11 hours was what I thought my body would be able to achieve.
I got up at 2 am, had some breakfast and left at getting on 3 am. I stopped in Scone at the cashpoint and realised I’d not made any sandwiches for my checkpoints ! Halfway to Tyndrum I also remembered I’d left my mobile with my son, Richard, as he would be buddy running me at points and I reckoned him using my £15 Tesco special was better than his own expensive one.
I got to Tyndrum just after 4 am, registered and then started on my race plan. Item 1, a plate of beans on toast and a cup of coffee. I really, really didn’t want the beans on toast ( and I knew I wouldn’t ) but I forced myself. After a couple of mouthfuls they went down easily and I polished them off. Then I took a mouthful of coffee, wow ! It was like rocket fuel. Silly thing was it never crossed my mind to have a second cup.
To save the whole family getting up at 2 am Ken Walker was going to support me at Bridge of Orchy. So before the start I gave him my drop bag and borrowed his phone to call Anne and request my sandwiches. In the event I got a bonus and was supported by Ken AND the twins.
Sue Walker and I started together as she also thought a conservative time would be the result of the event. We ran comfortably and I was surprised to get the bridge at Bridge of Orchy 2 minutes faster than we got to the railway station last year. Then we went over Rannoch Moor and it somehow seemed easier than last year. We ran/walked as necessary and I was pleased to see I was able to walk at 15 minute mile pace. Being taught by the masters (or is it mistresses?) in the shape of Fiona and Pauline, Sue is a demon at getting through checkpoints quickly so, if possible, I always try to pull ahead before a checkpoint to ensure we stay together. There was another surprise when we arrived at Glencoe. I was 7 minutes earlier than last year. I’d told my crew I’d be slower than last year so they were all sitting in the ski centre car park ! I’m not so fast in checkpoints, partly because I eat whilst stopped. I just find it easier. I set off from Glencoe with Anne and Richard buddying me and immediately passed Ray McCurdy and Victoria O’Reilly – Sue was no longer to be seen. This was where something we’d learnt last year came into play. I have trouble eating and last year struggled with daunting sandwiches until I refused to eat any more (bad idea in an ultra). This year Anne carried the food and occasionally a hand would appear with something bite-sized in it and the command ‘eat this’. It was a selection of things and I never knew what it would be, maybe a bit of jam sandwich or marmite sandwich, a couple of jelly babies or half a cheese twist. It worked well, I ate what was given, and did so for the rest of the race. I was carrying 1.5 litres of half strength Nunn in my camelback and at each checkpoint it was topped up and I drunk plain water.
I lost more time to Sue as I had to empty stones out of my shoes at the bottom of the Devil’s Staircase ( must get some gaiters). I did think at Glencoe that maybe, if I was sensible, I would be able to get nearer to 10 hours than 11, if I’d have told Anne this it may have eased tensions later in the race, but I didn’t want to tempt fate so I kept quiet. The sun had come out and it was hot going up the staircase, which seemed tougher than ever before. Near the top Sue came into view and I was sensible, I didn’t dash after her but stayed steady and took care over the rocky route. I did catch and pass Sue before Kinlochleven but as before she was through and out before me. I was 5 minutes slower to Kinlochleven than last year but felt a lot better and wasn’t worried as I didn’t intend falling and losing 10 to 15 minutes in the last section ! At Glencoe I swapped Anne for Fiona Morrison who has run off road but nothing like the last section of the WHW. The girl done brilliant. She ran everything the track threw at her with a smile, encouraging words for me and of course the hand shooting out with the food and the words ‘eat this’. I was really pleased because I want Fiona and Anne buddying me at the full WHW race next year and now we all know we can do it. All through the last section I stayed conservative because I wanted to get to the final run down Glen Nevis and be able to run properly, this was my plan to gain more time and bury the bogey of hitting the wall there last year. I passed Sue again and then gradually passed other runners as well. It was good to see our old friends the Wilderness Rescue crews but my favourite bit of the whole race was when we passed a large group of German teenagers (possibly scouts as they all wore matching red scarves). They did a Mexican Wave and staring shouting ‘number 1’, ‘number 1’, I had no idea what to do so starting raising my arms as if I’d just won the race and started running faster. I’m not sure if I suddenly realised I was on the section I fell last year and also in training in March ( the section I promised Anne and myself I’d walk ) or whether Fiona shouted at me ( I think it was the latter) but I rapidly stopped running and walked. Once we’d got through the dodgy section I got running again and came to Lundrava. Anne came to meet us with water and more food and the three of us carried on. Anne ran in front, me in the middle and Fiona brought up the rear. Now the stresses started. Anne realised that if I pushed on I could break 10 hours. I knew this and this was now my plan but I didn’t want to voice it out loud. Also I was tired and we were still climbing. My final plan was to take it steady and push it down the logging track at the finish. It got a bit fractious with Anne encouraging ( nagging ) me, and me getting snippy. We finally got to the start of the logging track at exactly the same time as last year but this time I wasn’t covered in bandages and blood and I wasn’t completely knackered. Then I started to run properly, I was wary at first in case I ran out of steam after a mile but I didn’t. Not only that but I started passing more people. It was great. I knew then that I would get sub 10 but by how much ? I overtook my last runner about 400 metres from the finish and just squeezed under 9:55. To say I was pleased was an understatement. To cap it all Sue also got under 10. What a race, what a day.
I felt with this race I really had to finish in a decent state, physically and mentally to feel more confident about the WHW race next year. I achieved this and also got a good time. Also crossing Rannoch Moor I chatted to Vicky O’Reilly. Vicky is about my pace for ultras and this year she did the WHW race in 34 hours so that also helped. Another difference was that after being so sick at the Fling I actually ran this race with no synthetic fuel like gels. I think it was Gail Murdoch who had gastric problems at Gloucester and I think that for her next ultra she tried to use ‘proper’ food rather than things like gels. I tried to follow her idea and used Slimfast, sandwiches, Ambrosia creamed rice, jelly with fruit in it, flat coke, flat ginger beer, coffee, jelly babies and cheese twists. I’d tried everything in training except the cheese twists and they were a bit of a gamble but I really like them and they worked.
Finally a big thank you to my own support crew and all the Carnegie’s who not only helped me on the day but for their huge ultra knowledge that they’re always happy to impart to me.
Royal Wedding day saw me in front of the telly but working on my drop bags for my support crew at the DOTH checkpoints. I seemed to ‘faff’ about for ages, I’m sure I made a better job of it last year, and never got to bed as early as I wanted. However I wasn’t as nervous as my previous ultra’s and slept well, but not for very long as I had the alarm set for 2 am.
I wasn’t as nervous because my goals were to finish in under 12 hours, in one piece and to have got my fluid and refuelling correct. It was also my third ultra this year and a conservative finish time of 11 hours was what I thought my body would be able to achieve.
I got up at 2 am, had some breakfast and left at getting on 3 am. I stopped in Scone at the cashpoint and realised I’d not made any sandwiches for my checkpoints ! Halfway to Tyndrum I also remembered I’d left my mobile with my son, Richard, as he would be buddy running me at points and I reckoned him using my £15 Tesco special was better than his own expensive one.
I got to Tyndrum just after 4 am, registered and then started on my race plan. Item 1, a plate of beans on toast and a cup of coffee. I really, really didn’t want the beans on toast ( and I knew I wouldn’t ) but I forced myself. After a couple of mouthfuls they went down easily and I polished them off. Then I took a mouthful of coffee, wow ! It was like rocket fuel. Silly thing was it never crossed my mind to have a second cup.
To save the whole family getting up at 2 am Ken Walker was going to support me at Bridge of Orchy. So before the start I gave him my drop bag and borrowed his phone to call Anne and request my sandwiches. In the event I got a bonus and was supported by Ken AND the twins.
Sue Walker and I started together as she also thought a conservative time would be the result of the event. We ran comfortably and I was surprised to get the bridge at Bridge of Orchy 2 minutes faster than we got to the railway station last year. Then we went over Rannoch Moor and it somehow seemed easier than last year. We ran/walked as necessary and I was pleased to see I was able to walk at 15 minute mile pace. Being taught by the masters (or is it mistresses?) in the shape of Fiona and Pauline, Sue is a demon at getting through checkpoints quickly so, if possible, I always try to pull ahead before a checkpoint to ensure we stay together. There was another surprise when we arrived at Glencoe. I was 7 minutes earlier than last year. I’d told my crew I’d be slower than last year so they were all sitting in the ski centre car park ! I’m not so fast in checkpoints, partly because I eat whilst stopped. I just find it easier. I set off from Glencoe with Anne and Richard buddying me and immediately passed Ray McCurdy and Victoria O’Reilly – Sue was no longer to be seen. This was where something we’d learnt last year came into play. I have trouble eating and last year struggled with daunting sandwiches until I refused to eat any more (bad idea in an ultra). This year Anne carried the food and occasionally a hand would appear with something bite-sized in it and the command ‘eat this’. It was a selection of things and I never knew what it would be, maybe a bit of jam sandwich or marmite sandwich, a couple of jelly babies or half a cheese twist. It worked well, I ate what was given, and did so for the rest of the race. I was carrying 1.5 litres of half strength Nunn in my camelback and at each checkpoint it was topped up and I drunk plain water.
I lost more time to Sue as I had to empty stones out of my shoes at the bottom of the Devil’s Staircase ( must get some gaiters). I did think at Glencoe that maybe, if I was sensible, I would be able to get nearer to 10 hours than 11, if I’d have told Anne this it may have eased tensions later in the race, but I didn’t want to tempt fate so I kept quiet. The sun had come out and it was hot going up the staircase, which seemed tougher than ever before. Near the top Sue came into view and I was sensible, I didn’t dash after her but stayed steady and took care over the rocky route. I did catch and pass Sue before Kinlochleven but as before she was through and out before me. I was 5 minutes slower to Kinlochleven than last year but felt a lot better and wasn’t worried as I didn’t intend falling and losing 10 to 15 minutes in the last section ! At Glencoe I swapped Anne for Fiona Morrison who has run off road but nothing like the last section of the WHW. The girl done brilliant. She ran everything the track threw at her with a smile, encouraging words for me and of course the hand shooting out with the food and the words ‘eat this’. I was really pleased because I want Fiona and Anne buddying me at the full WHW race next year and now we all know we can do it. All through the last section I stayed conservative because I wanted to get to the final run down Glen Nevis and be able to run properly, this was my plan to gain more time and bury the bogey of hitting the wall there last year. I passed Sue again and then gradually passed other runners as well. It was good to see our old friends the Wilderness Rescue crews but my favourite bit of the whole race was when we passed a large group of German teenagers (possibly scouts as they all wore matching red scarves). They did a Mexican Wave and staring shouting ‘number 1’, ‘number 1’, I had no idea what to do so starting raising my arms as if I’d just won the race and started running faster. I’m not sure if I suddenly realised I was on the section I fell last year and also in training in March ( the section I promised Anne and myself I’d walk ) or whether Fiona shouted at me ( I think it was the latter) but I rapidly stopped running and walked. Once we’d got through the dodgy section I got running again and came to Lundrava. Anne came to meet us with water and more food and the three of us carried on. Anne ran in front, me in the middle and Fiona brought up the rear. Now the stresses started. Anne realised that if I pushed on I could break 10 hours. I knew this and this was now my plan but I didn’t want to voice it out loud. Also I was tired and we were still climbing. My final plan was to take it steady and push it down the logging track at the finish. It got a bit fractious with Anne encouraging ( nagging ) me, and me getting snippy. We finally got to the start of the logging track at exactly the same time as last year but this time I wasn’t covered in bandages and blood and I wasn’t completely knackered. Then I started to run properly, I was wary at first in case I ran out of steam after a mile but I didn’t. Not only that but I started passing more people. It was great. I knew then that I would get sub 10 but by how much ? I overtook my last runner about 400 metres from the finish and just squeezed under 9:55. To say I was pleased was an understatement. To cap it all Sue also got under 10. What a race, what a day.
I felt with this race I really had to finish in a decent state, physically and mentally to feel more confident about the WHW race next year. I achieved this and also got a good time. Also crossing Rannoch Moor I chatted to Vicky O’Reilly. Vicky is about my pace for ultras and this year she did the WHW race in 34 hours so that also helped. Another difference was that after being so sick at the Fling I actually ran this race with no synthetic fuel like gels. I think it was Gail Murdoch who had gastric problems at Gloucester and I think that for her next ultra she tried to use ‘proper’ food rather than things like gels. I tried to follow her idea and used Slimfast, sandwiches, Ambrosia creamed rice, jelly with fruit in it, flat coke, flat ginger beer, coffee, jelly babies and cheese twists. I’d tried everything in training except the cheese twists and they were a bit of a gamble but I really like them and they worked.
Finally a big thank you to my own support crew and all the Carnegie’s who not only helped me on the day but for their huge ultra knowledge that they’re always happy to impart to me.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Plan A then B then C. Whatever!
At the beginning of the year there was a slim chance I might’ve been selected to run the 24 hour race at the Commonwealth Championship in September but as the year progressed my slim chance became nae chance but not to worry there are a few other girls that are loads faster and deserve a shot of doing Scotland proud.
So I thought I’d wait until after the WHW then enter Tooting Bec 24 hour so after the WHW I had my usual week of no running then gradually just running to how I felt, which was a big slow sack o’ tatties that was taking ages to recover so I decided that since 24 hour running is all about the distance you get there is no point in putting myself through it, there is no way I would get anywhere near my goal at the pace the I’ve been running this year so I’ll give it a miss and just look forward to taking it easy until the Loch Ness Marathon.
Last week I began to feel a wee bit spritely and took myself out for about 13 miles, the longest I’ve done since the WHW, I thought I might do the Speyside Way Race, I still have a ghost to bury regarding that race and I’ve waited six years already.
Then on Monday I went out for about 16 miles, just kept a nice easy pace, by about 15 miles I hit comfortable, I was in my ultra groove so decided to do 18 miles then revised it again and thought I’d just round it up to 20 miles. So on the strength of that I considered the Glenmore24 I ran the idea by Pauline yesterday, she thought it was a good idea and she would do my support, I laughed when she said it would be good to watch me suffer as it would help her get her head in gear for her own 24 hour race a fortnight later! Cheers Pauline! But suffering is just a state of mind not a physical thing. I just plan to have fun, the Glenmore is like no other 24 hour race I’ve either ran or supported. It’s going to be on a huge lap of 4 miles of trail and scenery so I’m just going to do it, no pressure of how far I will get, whatever the distance it will be a whole lot further than not running a 24 hour race!
I’ve posted my entry today before I change my mind again and besides I’ve got a cracking new bit of kit, high tech it ain’t but it is still essential. Erin made a bead bracelet for me. A wee bit of inspiration goes a long way…
So I thought I’d wait until after the WHW then enter Tooting Bec 24 hour so after the WHW I had my usual week of no running then gradually just running to how I felt, which was a big slow sack o’ tatties that was taking ages to recover so I decided that since 24 hour running is all about the distance you get there is no point in putting myself through it, there is no way I would get anywhere near my goal at the pace the I’ve been running this year so I’ll give it a miss and just look forward to taking it easy until the Loch Ness Marathon.
Last week I began to feel a wee bit spritely and took myself out for about 13 miles, the longest I’ve done since the WHW, I thought I might do the Speyside Way Race, I still have a ghost to bury regarding that race and I’ve waited six years already.
Then on Monday I went out for about 16 miles, just kept a nice easy pace, by about 15 miles I hit comfortable, I was in my ultra groove so decided to do 18 miles then revised it again and thought I’d just round it up to 20 miles. So on the strength of that I considered the Glenmore24 I ran the idea by Pauline yesterday, she thought it was a good idea and she would do my support, I laughed when she said it would be good to watch me suffer as it would help her get her head in gear for her own 24 hour race a fortnight later! Cheers Pauline! But suffering is just a state of mind not a physical thing. I just plan to have fun, the Glenmore is like no other 24 hour race I’ve either ran or supported. It’s going to be on a huge lap of 4 miles of trail and scenery so I’m just going to do it, no pressure of how far I will get, whatever the distance it will be a whole lot further than not running a 24 hour race!
I’ve posted my entry today before I change my mind again and besides I’ve got a cracking new bit of kit, high tech it ain’t but it is still essential. Erin made a bead bracelet for me. A wee bit of inspiration goes a long way…
Sunday, 17 July 2011
A waterfall, a hill and an Angel
Last weekend Pauline and I had a lovely few days chillin’ with no running whatsoever but still getting oot n’ aboot. We were camping in Fort William but there was no “roughing it” involved, a big tent, airbeds, table, chairs and lots of cosy layers and a good measure of wine and a little malt.
By a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon our camp was set up with a cracking view of the Ben, the evening was spent watching caterpillars of walkers coming off the hill. Ben Nevis was on our plan, it’s been a few years since we were last there but we decided to wait until Monday when the weather forecast was better and the weekend walkers had gone home, I’m not anti-social but I like a bit of elbow room.
So Sunday was gonna be a bit wet with low cloud so decided to head up the Kyle of Lochalsh road to the Falls of Glomach, reputedly one of the biggest waterfall in Britain. It was a smashing walk, we kinda underestimate how long it would take, a runner’s view of ten miles is a bit different to a walker and with lots of steep ups and downs, open moor, stops for photies and sandwiches, our rough estimate of four hours was closer to six hours but there was no time constraint and the waterfall was well worth it. I’ve never really been affected by vertigo but the sheer drop, narrow scrambley path to the viewpoint with the rush of the water just sucked you down. I could only look over the edge lying on the wet rock. I laughed at Pauline’s wide eyed exclamation; she’s never been keen on high paths, “Scary biscuits!”
![]()
Monday was fair but the Ben was cloudy on the summit, no different to most days, it only averages one day in ten of being clear. We went up the “tourist” path, that was fine by me, I had my camera and I don’t live there, tourist and proud! We kept looking down to the camp site and a wee blue speck that was our tent, I waved down to it, I’ll catch that later when sitting with my wine looking up.
![]()
I cin see ma tent frae here!
Nearing the top, the cloud was thick, still no wind which was unusual, I was only wearing a thermal long sleeved top and a t-shirt, a gentle breeze made me consider putting on my fleece, I looked up, second thoughts, I’ll no bother we’re at the top. A few photies, a clunk of hipflasks, my first effort of a plank, dunno if I got the fine points of technique right but at least it was with altitude!
![]()
I loved the blether and nods with everyone else on the hill although there were a couple of miserable buggers that just ignored us. The diversity of the folk on the hill made me smile from the “serious” walkers kitted out in hundreds of pounds worth of gear and rucksacks the size of a small shed to the old bloke in a nylon poncho carrying a Morrison’s carrier bag, the young lads with just rain jackets tied round their waists. The ten year old boy that asked us on the high zig-zags how far was the top, his parents were on the way up too but he had scampered off. I was chuffed for the older bloke from Birmingham, we’d caught him up on the upper zig-zags, he’d was pleased he’d got this far and was going all the way, we spoke to him again when we were heading down he would definitely make it. A few folk looked like they were struggling and hating every step, I felt for them, I’m sure they’d be pleased with their achievement when they got back down but for me it seems strange not to enjoy being in stunning scenery and if it’s hard work it only adds to experience. I think the couple that asked how far it was to the top thought I was only kidding when I said “You’re not far when you get to the snowman!” Sod’s law though, when we were back down did the summit no clear! Oh well, that’s fine I’ll never get fed up going up and down the Ben, maybe next time I’ll get the view!
Tuesday was a fine day but we were both working Wednesday so we slowly packed up camp after a leisurely breakfast in the sun. We broke up the journey home with a stop at Bein Glas Farm, it was the 12th July, two years to the day since Dario left us, so the opportunity of a wee walk in the Angel’s playground couldn’t be missed. We set off at ice-lolly pace, it was still bright and buying a Solero at the shop didn’t make us feel guilty about using their car park.
![]()
We stopped at Dario’s post for a bit, I always have a wee wobble to myself, survivor’s guilt, why was I so lucky when other’s who deserve luck were not. We went on passed Doune bothy to Dario’s memorial book, this was no moment of reverence or quiet contemplation but an evil version of the children’s party game of pass the parcel, I had retrieved the black bag parcel from its hiding place, knocked off the big black slugs with a stick, Pauline wussed out, she paced up and down shouting “Hurry up!” as I unwrapped the ice-cream box of its many many layers and zip-lock bag with midges crawling in my ears, nose and in my eyes, I could hear no music just the chortling of an Angel. We wrote a few words then Pauline left me to play the evil pass the parcel game in reverse and I placed the bomb proof parcel back in its hiding place.
We headed back to Bein Glas for some chips and beer before heading home, four days of not conforming to a timepiece but to what seems natural. We promised each other not to leave it so long until our next chill out. all my photies
By a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon our camp was set up with a cracking view of the Ben, the evening was spent watching caterpillars of walkers coming off the hill. Ben Nevis was on our plan, it’s been a few years since we were last there but we decided to wait until Monday when the weather forecast was better and the weekend walkers had gone home, I’m not anti-social but I like a bit of elbow room.
So Sunday was gonna be a bit wet with low cloud so decided to head up the Kyle of Lochalsh road to the Falls of Glomach, reputedly one of the biggest waterfall in Britain. It was a smashing walk, we kinda underestimate how long it would take, a runner’s view of ten miles is a bit different to a walker and with lots of steep ups and downs, open moor, stops for photies and sandwiches, our rough estimate of four hours was closer to six hours but there was no time constraint and the waterfall was well worth it. I’ve never really been affected by vertigo but the sheer drop, narrow scrambley path to the viewpoint with the rush of the water just sucked you down. I could only look over the edge lying on the wet rock. I laughed at Pauline’s wide eyed exclamation; she’s never been keen on high paths, “Scary biscuits!”
Monday was fair but the Ben was cloudy on the summit, no different to most days, it only averages one day in ten of being clear. We went up the “tourist” path, that was fine by me, I had my camera and I don’t live there, tourist and proud! We kept looking down to the camp site and a wee blue speck that was our tent, I waved down to it, I’ll catch that later when sitting with my wine looking up.
Nearing the top, the cloud was thick, still no wind which was unusual, I was only wearing a thermal long sleeved top and a t-shirt, a gentle breeze made me consider putting on my fleece, I looked up, second thoughts, I’ll no bother we’re at the top. A few photies, a clunk of hipflasks, my first effort of a plank, dunno if I got the fine points of technique right but at least it was with altitude!
Tuesday was a fine day but we were both working Wednesday so we slowly packed up camp after a leisurely breakfast in the sun. We broke up the journey home with a stop at Bein Glas Farm, it was the 12th July, two years to the day since Dario left us, so the opportunity of a wee walk in the Angel’s playground couldn’t be missed. We set off at ice-lolly pace, it was still bright and buying a Solero at the shop didn’t make us feel guilty about using their car park.
We headed back to Bein Glas for some chips and beer before heading home, four days of not conforming to a timepiece but to what seems natural. We promised each other not to leave it so long until our next chill out. all my photies
Monday, 4 July 2011
West Highland Way 2011
My training for this year had been pretty minimal, the only running on the WHW I’ve had was the Fling and a couple of 13 milers, everything else was on road, a 22 miler and a handful of 15/16 milers and that was it. I wasn’t too worried, I wasn’t chasing a PB, just being there to celebrate having my health and being alive was enough for me and at least it was more than the Pirate!
Just before the start Pauline and I were shouting at each other, don’t worry it was no twinny tiff, just a twinny tradition since Perth 24 hour 2008 COME ON! ALRIGHT! COME ON! ALRIGHT!
A countdown to the hooter at 1.00am and we’re off, and what a send off, I’ve never seen Milngavie High Street lined with applauding supporters all the way to the turn,
Pauline and I were amazed. We were together for a short time before she trotted off, I run no ones pace but my own. It was busy with lots of blethering and light hearted whinging about getting splashed from the muddy puddles. It wasn’t long before my nice white new shoes were spattered in mud, well, nearly new shoes, I’d worn them for the Skye half marathon the week before. I wasn’t sure if the mud was extra slimy and slippery or my lack of trail running made the going awfy slow, (I have it on good authority that the rain washes the oil out of the peat and that’s what makes the path slippy) I wasn’t risking battering along and becoming a cropper. I did have one “Eeek” moment at Beech Tree and there was no mud involved! I’d just passed their huge floodlight still dazzled and blind, I caught my toe on the pavement and nearly went all my length, that wasn’t the scary bit, (I’m a short arse with not far to go!) A campervan was haring down the road, I was seconds away from being roadkill, not what I wanted a few miles in! I was going slow as it was, that really would’ve held me back a bit!
Along the path of a thousand gates, I was mostly with Susan and Rob and another couple, I did have a cunning plan for this section, I don’t know why but in the past I always seemed to find myself in the front. That was fine when the gates were of the wee cute kissing variety but these big hefters! After a wee turn at the front, I paused a bit then tucked in at the back, my puny upper body wasnae getting the chance of a work out!
On the tarmac road heading to Drymen, I took off my head torch, it wasn’t quite dawn but light enough to see the nightlife, bats still flitting about and a huge hedgehog trundle across the road. At Drymen it was just a straight swap of backpacks, I was working with two, no faffing with refilling the bladder, Val and Allan had time to refuel the ditched one before I swapped again at Rowardennan. I was with Caroline heading toward Conic hill and enjoyed her company until I stopped for a pee before leaving the trees and heading into the open ground. On the descent, for the first time, I stuck to the stupid stone path, I’ve always came down the grass but this time it just seemed too slimy, I’ve done this descent in all seasons and weathers but this time my gut instinct was on the extremely cautious side and I wasn’t arguing with that.
At Balmaha (20 miles) I had a change from tradition, I’ve abstained from caffeine for a month as usual, and I’ve always had a mug of coffee here but I’d decided to have tea instead and save my big caffeine hit for Bridge of Orchy. Val walked with me as I ate my rice pudding carrying my mug, we reached the top of Fort hill before I’d finished my tea and took a few photos. I still loved it along the ups and downs towards Rowardennan, I always wondered if I loved this bit so much because of the coffee hit but I was glad to see it was still special without the caffeine enhancement.
At Rowardennan I changed my socks, my feet didn’t feel too bad at all but loads of Body Glide and dry socks were pre-emptive. I also learnt that I was half an hour down on last year. Yikes! That is slow. I don’t run to my watch, just my body. My support had a sheet of my previous splits for the past three years and last year I was quite slow because I ran with a wee chest infection. I also found out that Pauline was half an hour down too but she’d gone over on her ankle twice, besides still having the Comrades Marathon in her legs she was hoping for around 22 to 24 hours (she’s a tough ol’ burd I wasn’t worried, I knew she’d finish whatever the time. She finished 28hrs 20mins)
Heading towards Inversnaid I had a helluva faffin’ with my rain jacket, first it was on, then it was off, then it was tied round my waist, then it was rolled and tied, (I hate stuff flapping round my bahooky) then it was back on. This time I just put my jacket on over my backpack, I might look like a ninja turtle but a lot easier than putting in on and off under my backpack. Karin caught up with me here, she must’ve been watching, I bet she was laughing at my anorak antics. We were together for a fair bit along the loch, Karin, thank you for that smashing compliment, it buoyed me up no end.
At Inversnaid I picked up my drop/party bag, I was ready to go before Karin and HBT Jamie. I felt a bit of a wrench leaving before them, same as when I stopped for a pee when I was with Caroline, but you’ve got to run your own race, I didn’t doubt I’d see them both again throughout the race.
My right knee was complaining a bit along the rough path along the loch shore but once I hit the flat grassy bit I found a surge, my best and strongest section until Bein Glas, I don’t call this bit the Angel’s Playground for nothing I wasn’t just having a “good” section I was carried by an Angel, I stopped for a few moments at Dario’s post sharing the Talisker I got in last weeks goody bag.
At Bein Glas (40 miles) I picked up my second party bag, it was lovely to see Mags here, last year we were running together for a bit around Bein Glas. I ditched the half full 500ml bottle of juice (flat diluted Ginger Beer with a few grains of salt. I don’t do high tech, high price, blind ya wi’ science drinks) I had carried from Inversnaid and took the 250 ml bottle and walked up the hill eating my tub of custard.
After my high along the Angel’s playground the only way was down, my legs were sore, my knees were no liking the bendy thing, and I was a tad tired. I thought about taking some paracetamol but didn’t, I was saving it for later. Also I was with a couple of guys that were really struggling, one of them was for stopping at Auchtertyre, they’d ran out of drinks, so I gave them some of mine, I tried to persuaded him to carry on until Bridge of Orchy then make his decision, but he came back with “I became a Granddad five weeks ago, I’m not built for this, I don’t want to have a heart attack!” Whoa! This was serious negativity, what could I say. I’m not medically trained, so I hoped I wasn’t lying. I replied “We’re not moving fast, breathing hard or have a high heart rate, we’re only tired. Tiredness doesn’t put you in the “at risk” category.” if he felt this bad I wouldn’t try to persuade him to keep going any more. I rarely feel anti-social but I felt I needed to be on my own, selfish, maybe, but I was struggling too!
![]()
The rollercoaster was no fun at the fair, I was glad to cross the road and hit the tarmac where I could run without my knees screaming, I got to Auchtertrye at 3.48pm. Robin has now arrived for his stint of support. I had another change of socks, wolfed my baked tattie and watched race checkpoint pack up camp. 4.00pm was the cut off, I was relieved to see Karin come in just behind me, where was Jon? I felt quite rattled leaving Auchtertyre, I was close to being timed out. I’ll never disrespect a race marshal or volunteer, but no way was I stopping for something as trivial as time, at no point during the race did I ever think I would fail. I mean no criticism of the race rules, I do suppose that generally anyone who doesn’t get to Auchtertyre by 4.00pm Saturday isn’t going to get to Fort William by 12noon Sunday but whoever invented them didn’t bank on me being in the equation. The lack of speed will never equal the lack of ability, not in my book! I had some ugly “what if” scenarios playing round my head but by the time I got to Tyndrum I’d stopped rattling the bars of my cage, it didn’t happen, I wasn’t timed out, dragged off the route for disobedience and banned from future races so I can cancel the panic.
I eventually calmed down after Tyndrum,53 miles done, 42 to go, although my pace was slow I could maintain it forever. I had a mug of tea and some shortbread, and the easier going section got me back into my groove, it was raining really heavy and my quads and knees were feeling cold. I was having a rethink of what was planned for Bridge of Orchy and was about to get the phone out when I saw a bright yellow jacket with bare legs hanging out the bottom coming towards me. I thought “Nutter!” Then I recognised Lesley, she had just arrived with Gillian, it must’ve been better weather at home then. I had pinched Lesley from Pauline’s support. The original support plan was for Pauline to have Sue and Mel with Lesley arriving to lighten the load on the latter half, I was to have Val and Allan supporting until Auchtertyre then Robin and Gillian taking over for the second half but Gillian had been ill at the beginning of the week and wasn’t sure if she was even going to make it at all never mind any running but thankfully by Friday night she had recovered enough to come.
After a bit of discussion I asked Lesley to get the poly bag marked Glencoe from my big holdall, it contained tights, my favourite blue fleece (I’ve worn it for the Devil’s staircase every year since 2007) and the waterproof breeks, then she scampered off to get the team ready also if I was going to have to take my wet shoes off I might as well change my socks and shoes, my nice not so new and shiny white shoes had done 60 miles, time for a fresh pair. Now here is where support prove they’re worth their weight in gold, silver, platinum and all things priceless. Val and Allan were meant to go home after Auchtertyre, they couldn’t stay as they had family stuff on Sunday but with Gillian being doubtful Val said she would stay to go over Rannoch Moor with me then go home. We were both geared up for the slog to Glencoe. I headed for the hill then I saw the Pirate sitting in a campervan looking all cosy and comfy. (He’d probably disagree about the comfy part but from where I was standing he was at least dry and sitting down), his legs were giving him major grief, not surprising, after 60 hard miles with bugger all training, he was stopping here. He got no sympathy from me just an earful of abuse… then a hug.
![]()
![]()
It was lovely to see Murdo on the hill, I didn’t expect him to still be here in these conditions he must’ve had a long day, hanging around is so much harder than moving forward. Thanks Murdo for the jelly babies they were very much appreciated.
Rannoch Moor was long but my legs were moving in the right direction and my bag of wee boiled tatties tossed in butter, salt, pepper and mint from my garden, went down well. As we were heading up the hill we saw a couple of walkers come over the top, Val and I both thought it was a bit late in the day for traipse over moor then realised it was Sean, not just Lord of the Bridge but multi-tasking as shepherd.
I went straight through the Glencoe checkpoint just picking up my mug filled with hot pasta and Lesley now wearing waterproof breeks too, and headed down the road. Aagghh! I stopped dead! Oh no! I’d forgotten that Val and Allan were heading home and I wouldn’t see them again. I uttered not one word of thanks or even cheerio! I hoped I would be forgiven for my lapse in manners.
At Altnafeadh I had my fifth and last sock change. Although I was told there was nothing to see, I knew the ball of my left foot was developing a blister, and the right one had a hot spot too. I wasn’t too worried though getting this far without any real damage to my feet, besides a touch of trench foot, was good going. I wouldn’t go so far as saying I like blisters but heading into the second night with no sleep a bit of hot, sharp, jaggy, superficial pain certainly helps to stop you falling asleep in the vertical position!
I enjoyed the stomp up the Devil’s Staircase, with the zigzags the head torches ahead and behind looked closer than they were. Over the top my legs were still quite supple as I hopped across the boulders in the dark, I was complimented on my balance from a bloke behind me, I put it down to my arm waving technique. Lesley was great company and often made me laugh, more than once she said, “Don’t follow me, I’m ankle deep!” The quad killing descent to Kinlochleven didn’t seem to take as long as I remembered and it wasn’t long until we were in the bright lights of the Community Centre, it was a novelty using a proper lavvy, Julie weighed me and my crew got my stuff ready, then someone else’s support asked me if I would like some chicken noodle soup. “Thanks, yes, that would be lovely.” He handed me a big pot and a spoon. I was fine with that, ultra runners don’t have table manners, a table, or a bowl either. The only problem I did have was I thought it would be awfully rude to run away with his pot and spoon, my support know I don’t do stand still but he didn’t.
A quote from my instruction sheet - At all checkpoints I will always either walk or run through, I won’t stand and wait for anything, hopefully I won’t change my mind from my what I have on my requirement sheet but if I have you can catch me up. (Stop time is dead time and I don’t do dead!)
So I stood and shovelled in the braw soup while swivelling my hips bending my knees and prancing about as if I was burstin’ fur a pee. Also I was in the Race Doc’s house, standing still causes the blood to pool in your legs, I waznae risking the fainty thing!
It wasn’t long before I headed back out with Robin and Gillian for company, we ditched the head torches, bloody hell, don’t think I’ve headed up towards the Lairig Mor with the promise of daylight before. Not to worry, a finish is a finish.
Up the hill I had several flashbacks, from more traumatic years and also from supporting Pauline too, I knew there was no doubt I’d get to Fort William, even at Mingavie. I have a Magnus Magnusson philosophy,” I’ve started so I’ll finish.” Am I tough/stupid/pig-headed/lucky? Yes, definitely!
Lairig Mor was another slog, but with Robin and Gillian’s company I was pulling it in, I had a roll with ham and cheese, it was going stale in my hand, I took wee bites, it was rolling around in my mouth, I needed to eat, I was trying to force it in, it wasn’t what I wanted. Robin gave me his cereal bar, I managed half of it but it was like eating cardboard. I needed fuel but what? (With hindsight, I’m taking a Slimfast shake for next year)
The Wilderness Response Teams were brilliant, they offered loads of practical support but more importantly, peace of mind, I thought I’d be ok but it was very reassuring they were there.
At Lundvara I got a Mocha-coffee and some shortbread. That gave me the boost I needed, and I storming up the hill from Lundavara waiting for my support to catch me up, a wee touch of déjà vu. Without checking my old stories, I haven’t a Scooby if it was Pauline or Val that was chasing me with my mug of coffee a few years ago but it gave me a giggle that it was happening again. Lundavara although around 6 miles of fiendish up and downs was the finish straight. I could smell the malt in the Quaich!
The sun was up and shining brightly, I lost the rain jacket and my sleeves were pushed up, I couldn’t be bothered taking off the waterproof breeks although my legs were roasting. We were heading up through the woods, I looked up and saw a wood nymph flitting through the trees at an absurd pace, she came closer, I wasn’t hallucinating, wood nymphs don’t wear Scotland shorts and crop tops or give me the biggest, cheeriest, enthusiastic congratulatory hug I’ve ever had. Robin was jealous, it was Lucy, fresh from a night sleep after supporting Richie. (Patience Robin, next year!!!)
Gillian had the get out clause at Lundavara but what a trooper, she stayed with me all the way to the end. On the wide forest track, we saw someone coming towards us wearing a Carnegie top, was it Sue or Julie? Julie, thank you, a very welcome friendly face, your words brought my emotions to the fore, I tried to stifle the lump in my throat and my tears, I’m not afraid to show emotion but it gets in the way of breathing. The Glory Mile was approaching, it doesn’t matter how many times I’ve done this or the time it takes, PB or PW it’s still an achievement. I will never ever forget how lucky I am. I am proud of what I have achieved. 32 hours 17 minutes. I finished.
![]()
I have a fine crystal goblet that is no less special than any of the others. I will never do the “what went wrong analysis”. I was there, upright, outside and running, I never believe things go wrong anyway, they may not have gone according to the original plan but I am in a privileged position, I have my health and can put one foot in front of the other. A bonus only a few can savour.
Gillian supervised my shower then it was straight to breakfast, sitting still, tucking into bacon and eggs I finally had the decency to look tired,
![]()
I felt as if my body was still going at ninety miles an hour, I looked at my hands expecting them to be shaking but they weren’t, I felt I might’ve fainted but I didn’t . After loads of big sighs I began to feel a bit more like myself.
The prizegiving is a wonderful event in itself, every ones race is captured and condensed in that slow shuffling moment of glory collecting their Goblet.
My eighth and slowest WHW race, I’m not disappointed, it was tough but not traumatic, I didn’t feel the need to push hard for the sake of finishing slightly faster. If there is a pattern to my finishing times I’ve been progressively faster for my first four WHW’s then progressively slower for the next four, all I can say is for the next four years I’ll be getting faster again, so in 2015 Kate, Sharon and Debs should watch their backs! Yeah, I’m laughing too. I might just make the cut-offs by the skin of my teeth but as long as I’m upright and moving forward I’ll be there. I have a lot to celebrate.
None of this is possible without a brilliant support crew, I apologise for my inadequacy to put into words my gratitude. You are all very special, I get the glory and the goblet, you get a Buff scarf and bags under your eyes!
Mel's photos
My support's photos
This was Mel’s first year supporting and she’s now hooked, her diary is marked for the weekend 23rd June next year. We did warn her that doing support is the slippery slope to running the race, she made huge protests. Aye, right we believe you, I said the same myself about ten years and eight goblets ago! As the way of great support next year Sue and Robin are planning to run so Pauline and I have lost support again and Sue and Robin will be looking for support too so we are recruiting now. Form an orderly queue, all applicants should have a sense of humour, a strong stomach and believe that sleep is superfluous!
Just before the start Pauline and I were shouting at each other, don’t worry it was no twinny tiff, just a twinny tradition since Perth 24 hour 2008 COME ON! ALRIGHT! COME ON! ALRIGHT!
A countdown to the hooter at 1.00am and we’re off, and what a send off, I’ve never seen Milngavie High Street lined with applauding supporters all the way to the turn,
 |
| photo - Colin Knox |
Along the path of a thousand gates, I was mostly with Susan and Rob and another couple, I did have a cunning plan for this section, I don’t know why but in the past I always seemed to find myself in the front. That was fine when the gates were of the wee cute kissing variety but these big hefters! After a wee turn at the front, I paused a bit then tucked in at the back, my puny upper body wasnae getting the chance of a work out!
On the tarmac road heading to Drymen, I took off my head torch, it wasn’t quite dawn but light enough to see the nightlife, bats still flitting about and a huge hedgehog trundle across the road. At Drymen it was just a straight swap of backpacks, I was working with two, no faffing with refilling the bladder, Val and Allan had time to refuel the ditched one before I swapped again at Rowardennan. I was with Caroline heading toward Conic hill and enjoyed her company until I stopped for a pee before leaving the trees and heading into the open ground. On the descent, for the first time, I stuck to the stupid stone path, I’ve always came down the grass but this time it just seemed too slimy, I’ve done this descent in all seasons and weathers but this time my gut instinct was on the extremely cautious side and I wasn’t arguing with that.
At Balmaha (20 miles) I had a change from tradition, I’ve abstained from caffeine for a month as usual, and I’ve always had a mug of coffee here but I’d decided to have tea instead and save my big caffeine hit for Bridge of Orchy. Val walked with me as I ate my rice pudding carrying my mug, we reached the top of Fort hill before I’d finished my tea and took a few photos. I still loved it along the ups and downs towards Rowardennan, I always wondered if I loved this bit so much because of the coffee hit but I was glad to see it was still special without the caffeine enhancement.
At Rowardennan I changed my socks, my feet didn’t feel too bad at all but loads of Body Glide and dry socks were pre-emptive. I also learnt that I was half an hour down on last year. Yikes! That is slow. I don’t run to my watch, just my body. My support had a sheet of my previous splits for the past three years and last year I was quite slow because I ran with a wee chest infection. I also found out that Pauline was half an hour down too but she’d gone over on her ankle twice, besides still having the Comrades Marathon in her legs she was hoping for around 22 to 24 hours (she’s a tough ol’ burd I wasn’t worried, I knew she’d finish whatever the time. She finished 28hrs 20mins)
Heading towards Inversnaid I had a helluva faffin’ with my rain jacket, first it was on, then it was off, then it was tied round my waist, then it was rolled and tied, (I hate stuff flapping round my bahooky) then it was back on. This time I just put my jacket on over my backpack, I might look like a ninja turtle but a lot easier than putting in on and off under my backpack. Karin caught up with me here, she must’ve been watching, I bet she was laughing at my anorak antics. We were together for a fair bit along the loch, Karin, thank you for that smashing compliment, it buoyed me up no end.
At Inversnaid I picked up my drop/party bag, I was ready to go before Karin and HBT Jamie. I felt a bit of a wrench leaving before them, same as when I stopped for a pee when I was with Caroline, but you’ve got to run your own race, I didn’t doubt I’d see them both again throughout the race.
My right knee was complaining a bit along the rough path along the loch shore but once I hit the flat grassy bit I found a surge, my best and strongest section until Bein Glas, I don’t call this bit the Angel’s Playground for nothing I wasn’t just having a “good” section I was carried by an Angel, I stopped for a few moments at Dario’s post sharing the Talisker I got in last weeks goody bag.
At Bein Glas (40 miles) I picked up my second party bag, it was lovely to see Mags here, last year we were running together for a bit around Bein Glas. I ditched the half full 500ml bottle of juice (flat diluted Ginger Beer with a few grains of salt. I don’t do high tech, high price, blind ya wi’ science drinks) I had carried from Inversnaid and took the 250 ml bottle and walked up the hill eating my tub of custard.
After my high along the Angel’s playground the only way was down, my legs were sore, my knees were no liking the bendy thing, and I was a tad tired. I thought about taking some paracetamol but didn’t, I was saving it for later. Also I was with a couple of guys that were really struggling, one of them was for stopping at Auchtertyre, they’d ran out of drinks, so I gave them some of mine, I tried to persuaded him to carry on until Bridge of Orchy then make his decision, but he came back with “I became a Granddad five weeks ago, I’m not built for this, I don’t want to have a heart attack!” Whoa! This was serious negativity, what could I say. I’m not medically trained, so I hoped I wasn’t lying. I replied “We’re not moving fast, breathing hard or have a high heart rate, we’re only tired. Tiredness doesn’t put you in the “at risk” category.” if he felt this bad I wouldn’t try to persuade him to keep going any more. I rarely feel anti-social but I felt I needed to be on my own, selfish, maybe, but I was struggling too!
I eventually calmed down after Tyndrum,53 miles done, 42 to go, although my pace was slow I could maintain it forever. I had a mug of tea and some shortbread, and the easier going section got me back into my groove, it was raining really heavy and my quads and knees were feeling cold. I was having a rethink of what was planned for Bridge of Orchy and was about to get the phone out when I saw a bright yellow jacket with bare legs hanging out the bottom coming towards me. I thought “Nutter!” Then I recognised Lesley, she had just arrived with Gillian, it must’ve been better weather at home then. I had pinched Lesley from Pauline’s support. The original support plan was for Pauline to have Sue and Mel with Lesley arriving to lighten the load on the latter half, I was to have Val and Allan supporting until Auchtertyre then Robin and Gillian taking over for the second half but Gillian had been ill at the beginning of the week and wasn’t sure if she was even going to make it at all never mind any running but thankfully by Friday night she had recovered enough to come.
After a bit of discussion I asked Lesley to get the poly bag marked Glencoe from my big holdall, it contained tights, my favourite blue fleece (I’ve worn it for the Devil’s staircase every year since 2007) and the waterproof breeks, then she scampered off to get the team ready also if I was going to have to take my wet shoes off I might as well change my socks and shoes, my nice not so new and shiny white shoes had done 60 miles, time for a fresh pair. Now here is where support prove they’re worth their weight in gold, silver, platinum and all things priceless. Val and Allan were meant to go home after Auchtertyre, they couldn’t stay as they had family stuff on Sunday but with Gillian being doubtful Val said she would stay to go over Rannoch Moor with me then go home. We were both geared up for the slog to Glencoe. I headed for the hill then I saw the Pirate sitting in a campervan looking all cosy and comfy. (He’d probably disagree about the comfy part but from where I was standing he was at least dry and sitting down), his legs were giving him major grief, not surprising, after 60 hard miles with bugger all training, he was stopping here. He got no sympathy from me just an earful of abuse… then a hug.
Rannoch Moor was long but my legs were moving in the right direction and my bag of wee boiled tatties tossed in butter, salt, pepper and mint from my garden, went down well. As we were heading up the hill we saw a couple of walkers come over the top, Val and I both thought it was a bit late in the day for traipse over moor then realised it was Sean, not just Lord of the Bridge but multi-tasking as shepherd.
I went straight through the Glencoe checkpoint just picking up my mug filled with hot pasta and Lesley now wearing waterproof breeks too, and headed down the road. Aagghh! I stopped dead! Oh no! I’d forgotten that Val and Allan were heading home and I wouldn’t see them again. I uttered not one word of thanks or even cheerio! I hoped I would be forgiven for my lapse in manners.
At Altnafeadh I had my fifth and last sock change. Although I was told there was nothing to see, I knew the ball of my left foot was developing a blister, and the right one had a hot spot too. I wasn’t too worried though getting this far without any real damage to my feet, besides a touch of trench foot, was good going. I wouldn’t go so far as saying I like blisters but heading into the second night with no sleep a bit of hot, sharp, jaggy, superficial pain certainly helps to stop you falling asleep in the vertical position!
I enjoyed the stomp up the Devil’s Staircase, with the zigzags the head torches ahead and behind looked closer than they were. Over the top my legs were still quite supple as I hopped across the boulders in the dark, I was complimented on my balance from a bloke behind me, I put it down to my arm waving technique. Lesley was great company and often made me laugh, more than once she said, “Don’t follow me, I’m ankle deep!” The quad killing descent to Kinlochleven didn’t seem to take as long as I remembered and it wasn’t long until we were in the bright lights of the Community Centre, it was a novelty using a proper lavvy, Julie weighed me and my crew got my stuff ready, then someone else’s support asked me if I would like some chicken noodle soup. “Thanks, yes, that would be lovely.” He handed me a big pot and a spoon. I was fine with that, ultra runners don’t have table manners, a table, or a bowl either. The only problem I did have was I thought it would be awfully rude to run away with his pot and spoon, my support know I don’t do stand still but he didn’t.
A quote from my instruction sheet - At all checkpoints I will always either walk or run through, I won’t stand and wait for anything, hopefully I won’t change my mind from my what I have on my requirement sheet but if I have you can catch me up. (Stop time is dead time and I don’t do dead!)
So I stood and shovelled in the braw soup while swivelling my hips bending my knees and prancing about as if I was burstin’ fur a pee. Also I was in the Race Doc’s house, standing still causes the blood to pool in your legs, I waznae risking the fainty thing!
It wasn’t long before I headed back out with Robin and Gillian for company, we ditched the head torches, bloody hell, don’t think I’ve headed up towards the Lairig Mor with the promise of daylight before. Not to worry, a finish is a finish.
Up the hill I had several flashbacks, from more traumatic years and also from supporting Pauline too, I knew there was no doubt I’d get to Fort William, even at Mingavie. I have a Magnus Magnusson philosophy,” I’ve started so I’ll finish.” Am I tough/stupid/pig-headed/lucky? Yes, definitely!
Lairig Mor was another slog, but with Robin and Gillian’s company I was pulling it in, I had a roll with ham and cheese, it was going stale in my hand, I took wee bites, it was rolling around in my mouth, I needed to eat, I was trying to force it in, it wasn’t what I wanted. Robin gave me his cereal bar, I managed half of it but it was like eating cardboard. I needed fuel but what? (With hindsight, I’m taking a Slimfast shake for next year)
The Wilderness Response Teams were brilliant, they offered loads of practical support but more importantly, peace of mind, I thought I’d be ok but it was very reassuring they were there.
At Lundvara I got a Mocha-coffee and some shortbread. That gave me the boost I needed, and I storming up the hill from Lundavara waiting for my support to catch me up, a wee touch of déjà vu. Without checking my old stories, I haven’t a Scooby if it was Pauline or Val that was chasing me with my mug of coffee a few years ago but it gave me a giggle that it was happening again. Lundavara although around 6 miles of fiendish up and downs was the finish straight. I could smell the malt in the Quaich!
The sun was up and shining brightly, I lost the rain jacket and my sleeves were pushed up, I couldn’t be bothered taking off the waterproof breeks although my legs were roasting. We were heading up through the woods, I looked up and saw a wood nymph flitting through the trees at an absurd pace, she came closer, I wasn’t hallucinating, wood nymphs don’t wear Scotland shorts and crop tops or give me the biggest, cheeriest, enthusiastic congratulatory hug I’ve ever had. Robin was jealous, it was Lucy, fresh from a night sleep after supporting Richie. (Patience Robin, next year!!!)
Gillian had the get out clause at Lundavara but what a trooper, she stayed with me all the way to the end. On the wide forest track, we saw someone coming towards us wearing a Carnegie top, was it Sue or Julie? Julie, thank you, a very welcome friendly face, your words brought my emotions to the fore, I tried to stifle the lump in my throat and my tears, I’m not afraid to show emotion but it gets in the way of breathing. The Glory Mile was approaching, it doesn’t matter how many times I’ve done this or the time it takes, PB or PW it’s still an achievement. I will never ever forget how lucky I am. I am proud of what I have achieved. 32 hours 17 minutes. I finished.
Gillian supervised my shower then it was straight to breakfast, sitting still, tucking into bacon and eggs I finally had the decency to look tired,
The prizegiving is a wonderful event in itself, every ones race is captured and condensed in that slow shuffling moment of glory collecting their Goblet.
My eighth and slowest WHW race, I’m not disappointed, it was tough but not traumatic, I didn’t feel the need to push hard for the sake of finishing slightly faster. If there is a pattern to my finishing times I’ve been progressively faster for my first four WHW’s then progressively slower for the next four, all I can say is for the next four years I’ll be getting faster again, so in 2015 Kate, Sharon and Debs should watch their backs! Yeah, I’m laughing too. I might just make the cut-offs by the skin of my teeth but as long as I’m upright and moving forward I’ll be there. I have a lot to celebrate.
None of this is possible without a brilliant support crew, I apologise for my inadequacy to put into words my gratitude. You are all very special, I get the glory and the goblet, you get a Buff scarf and bags under your eyes!
Mel's photos
My support's photos
This was Mel’s first year supporting and she’s now hooked, her diary is marked for the weekend 23rd June next year. We did warn her that doing support is the slippery slope to running the race, she made huge protests. Aye, right we believe you, I said the same myself about ten years and eight goblets ago! As the way of great support next year Sue and Robin are planning to run so Pauline and I have lost support again and Sue and Robin will be looking for support too so we are recruiting now. Form an orderly queue, all applicants should have a sense of humour, a strong stomach and believe that sleep is superfluous!
Monday, 13 June 2011
Isle of Skye half marathon
Ok, it is technically a race but since it’s always the week before the WHW I haven’t given the Skye half loads of welly for years. It’s just a good excuse to go up and have great weekend and a leg stretch. This was my 14th Skye half and it is my favourite, we’ve been going up for it since 1993. I only do two halfs a year now, Skye and Glen Clova. The most I’ve done in one year is 17 in 1993 starting with Inverness in March and finishing with Glen Clova in November. This years Skye was my 107th half marathon.
It’s a lovely route, not an easy one though, a bit of steady climbing in the first few miles, some downs, flats and undulations until the long climb at 10 but it’s all open stunning scenery and the finish is all down hill. Since last year it’s now a standard 13.1 miles but it used to be 13.8 miles, I liked that unique quirkiness and was a little disappointed that it conformed.
Pauline and I ran together, a nice controlled pace finishing in 2.03.07 hrs, about 40 seconds faster than last year, we’re nothing if not consistent! The weather was beautiful, clear blue skies, hardly any wind and not a midgie! It couldn’t have been better… but it was! This year’s race memento was a wee engraved glass and a miniature of Talisker, my favourite. (It’s going in my hip flask to share with an Angel at the top of the loch next week.)
In the afternoon Pauline and I bought a picnic at the Co-op and headed off to Kilt Rock and The Quiraing and had a wee stroll, we weren’t planning anything big, Pauline was wearing pavement shoes!
In the evening it was lovely to catch up with the Sheffield crew, we meet up regularly… in the Tongadale, Skye half weekend.
Well, if I had a bit more sense I would’ve been watching where I was walking!
Here's more photos, I did get a few good ones, even if I say so myself.
Monday, 16 May 2011
Robin Wombill's Fling report
Robin sent me his race report and is happy to share.
I know it’s still very much a learning process for me and I don’t have any hidden ability that’s suddenly going to appear from nowhere, so I don’t expect to get much faster, but I do want to work on my refuelling so that I enjoy the events more and save some time. Again, like the Devil, I estimated my running time and forgot about the time I lose at checkpoints. My estimates weren’t bad until Bein Glas and even my last one of allowing 4 hours to get to Tyndrum wasn’t too far out ( despite the state I was in ). If I can stop falling over as well that’d be a nice bonus !
The Highland Fling 30/04/11
This was to be my ‘target’ ultra for 2011. For various reasons I never really had a rest period over the winter. I trained hard for the Water of Leith at the end of November but both Anne and I had rotten colds and we woke on race day to a covering of snow in Perth. We knew the journey to Edinburgh probably wouldn’t be possible so WoL was cancelled for us. As I was so fit it seemed silly to just waste it all and so I carried on so that I could start my Fling training in late December with a good level of fitness and endurance. This winter that meant lots of running in the snow, so all I did was run in my Asic Trabuco trail shoes instead of road shoes. The training went pretty well but I hate the periods I get during my training when it all seems to be hard work and I always feel tired, then out of the blue it all seems to come together and my performance suddenly matches my expectations. I did the D33 as part of my training and was really happy with the run. I’ve never done a long flat race and just didn’t know what to expect or how to pace myself so I cheated and ran with Sue Walker as she’s so good at pace – and a great mate who I enjoy being with. I had no idea what to expect and would’ve been happy with 12 minute miles, so to come home in 5:53 at sub 11 minute pace was fine by me. I even managed a local 6k Fun Run the next day.
With 4 weeks to go I had one of those awful weekends. I had a 28 and a 10 planned. I did the 10 on Saturday not the Sunday as I felt a bit jaded. On the Sunday I attempted the 28 and went from Kirkmichael to Blairgowrie and back along the Cateran Trail. It was just dreadful, I had no energy and was thoroughly miserable and eventually cut the run short to 25.5. I got home and had all these worries that I’d overtrained because I didn’t have a rest period during the winter. So, I took the week off. My next run was the following weekend, a favourite that I do every year, Glencoe to Fort William. Lochaber is one of Anne’s favourite marathons and she runs it just about every year and every time on the way up on the Saturday she kicks me out of the car at Glencoe Ski Centre and I meet her in the Premier at Fort William. I had an extra reason to run it this year. I had a ghost to put to bed. I wanted to run without falling over near Lundrava as I did in last year’s Devil. I just love the route and the weather was fine and I had a great time – until I got to Lundrava and fell again, twice ! I don’t know what upset me the most, the fact that I had fallen again, despite being very careful, the cuts and bruises or the £52 pair of skins that I wrote off. I was fed up – but I ran well and enjoyed it and all thoughts of overtraining were banished. It was also funny as I had a big tin of sweets and a ‘thank you’ letter in the car for the A&E staff at the Belford for stitching me up last August. I limped in with them on the Sunday and they were really grateful and then asked me why I was limping. I just said ‘don’t ask’ and rapidly left. It did make me decide to wear neoprene knee supports in ultras, not because I have knee problems but as protection. It also demolished a nasty raised scar on my left knee ( a legacy of 2010 ) and now I have a much neater ‘hole’.
I resumed my training with new heart and got a big boost 9 days before the Fling when I entered the club’s annual 10 mile handicap race. I made my time estimate and set off at my allotted time – and ran like a man possessed to come home first ! I have a huge trophy to prove it.
And now, my first Fling. I couldn’t cheat this time and use Sue’s pacing and planning skills as she wasn’t running. So I tried my best with other people ! Firstly my support crew of Anne my wife and good friends Iain and Fiona Morrison were wonderful as always and I wonder how they put up with me when I’m tired and irrational. Iain got up at 2 am to drive me to Milngavie, and instead of going straight home waited at Drymen to see me through. Then he went home, picked up Anne and Fiona and drove to Bein Glas and dropped Anne off so she could run south and meet up with me.
Anyway, I digress, my first Fling. I never managed to run any of the route before the race so I looked at other peoples times for last year and using maps showing ascent figures made some guesstimates. I geusstimated 4 hours to Balmaha, 6 to Rowardennan, 8 to Inversnaid and 10 to Bein Glas farm, leaving me 4 hours to get to Tyndrum to achieve my hoped for 14 hours. My nerves were better than last year’s Devil and I got quite a bit of sleep during the day on Friday and during the short night. When I wasn’t sleeping on Friday I think I was eating and probably started the race getting on 11stone ! I knew it would be hot and I’m not good in the heat so filled my hydration bladder with Nuun and tried to mentally prepare for a tough race. We were soon off and I ran with Fiona Rennie at first. I knew it would only be to Balmaha, at most, as I pussy foot around at checkpoints and she doesn’t. By that I mean that I stop to eat - remember I’m a man and I can’t run and eat at the same time ! Of course at two miles I went flat on my face, with loads of witnesses. I can tell you that the knee supports worked but I did land bang on the injured left knee and it did make my eyes water. Pete Humphreys said ‘hello’ as he went past at about 17 miles which is amazing to me as he’d started an hour after me. I don’t remember seeing any other runners I know going past me apart from Gail later on. Going up Conic Hill wasn’t too bad but coming down was scary. I got to Balamaha in just under 4 hours loaded up with some banana flavoured Slimfast, a pot of Ambrosia rice and a jelly with fruit in it. I topped up my hydration pack and set off again. At some point I met up with two Stonehaven girls Fiona Smith and Nicola Rhind who I ran many miles with at the D33 and we ran some more miles together. I left them before Rowardennan and I know this as there were no witnesses when I had my second fall ! I think it was a moment’s lapse of concentration and I was down. Again the knee supports worked but I cut my left hand. I was right by the water so stopped at a small inlet to clean up the hand. The water was clear but full of black bits so I went to some rocks where it looked cleaner and deeper. I squatted on the rocks and discovered they were slippery and I slowly slid into the loch ! I was sitting in about 9 inches of water washing my hand when some southern walkers came round the corner. I got a chorus of ‘you ‘avin a barf mate?’ That got me running again. I was soon in Rowardennan for checkpoint 2 in a shade over 6 hours. More food and a hydration pack top up and off again. Not long after this I linked up with Becky Munro and Carla Cesaroni and managed to stay with them until I met up with Anne at about mile 38, at which point the girls were pulling away from me. They were brilliant, Becky was from Inverness and I asked her if she’d done the Loch Ness Marathon ‘ Oh no, I’ve only ever done a half marathon before this ‘. Carla had come from Toronto for the race expecting Scotland to be cool not in the midst of a heatwave. Becky generally lead and Carla and I followed. I found the ‘technical’ bits alongside the loch fun but hard because they seemed to go on forever. When they finally finished and I got back on to something I could run on I no longer had any energy left. Anne met me about mile 38 as Becky and Carla were pulling away and we got through to Bein Glas in 10:34. Plenty of time to walk to the finish, which was good as my plans fell apart as I started to throw up. I couldn’t refuel and couldn’t really stop heaving so decided to carry on as best I could with Anne. I walked up the hills and managed some Nuun, flat coke and a jelly with fruit in it but couldn’t face gels or anything that tasted remotely synthetic so I didn’t get many calories on board. Finally at Derrydaroch Farm it all fell apart completely. I just couldn’t go on. I could hardly put one foot in front of the other and could only mumble. I cannot describe how I felt and couldn’t understand how I suddenly deteriorated into such a state. My mind was still working and I could still picture Sophie with the orange smoke stick going over the finishing line ( from the web site) and I still replaced Sophie with me. I slumped on a rock and thought that my body just wasn’t going to let me finish. Iain and Fiona had appeared and Fiona was encouraging me. I sent them away ( I hope politely ). Two blokes went past, one was attempting a shuffling run and the other one looked quite like me. This may have helped, I think I thought ‘ if he can I can ‘. I got Anne to pull me off the rock and I tried to get going again. I managed a pathetic walk/stagger and when we finally bypassed Crianlarich and stopped climbing all the time things got a bit better and I even managed some runs (about 100 yards at a time). We met Iain and Fiona where the WHW crosses the A82 and Fiona joined us to run me to the finish. When we got to the Auchtertyre Lodges I recognised where I waited for Fiona Rennie at last year’s WHW race. I didn’t know where the route went or what it was like but I knew it wasn’t far and that I was going to finish in under 15 hours. The running became more than 100 yards at a time and when Anne noticed a road sign beside the A82 announcing that you were entering Tyndrum spirits really began to rise. Suddenly there was a wall and a gate ( I think – well there was in my head ) and cheering people and we were there. I thought everybody would’ve gone home by the time I arrived and it took me a bit to realise all this noise was for me and I felt guilty because I’d done so much walking. A nice touch was that Neil MacRitchie was waiting to log my chip at the finish line after I logged him lapping the North Inch at the recent 100k race.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)