Team Twinnies - 2009

For 2009 Pauline and I are going to run together, it was the plan in 2005 but it never happened. This year with Pauline running the 24 hour for GB in May and with focusing on another 24 hour race in September this year's WHW was not going to be a race, it was just purely for the fun. I'd written an optimistic PB schedule based on my previous best, my training had gone well and I was raring to go. Support was organised, then there was a wee change and a further reshuffle as Team Carnegie had eight runners and we were pooling our resources. So finally Pauline and I had Val and Sue with one vehicle until Auchtertyre where Lesley and Gillian would arrive bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after the luxury of a night's sleep.

We arrived at Milngavie in good time, it was busy but would get busier, Pauline and I registered, got weighed, gave a blood and urine sample for a research study also gave an interview for the BBC's Adventure Show amid the hugs and best wishes for the race. Changed days from when all you did was sign a disclaimer and shake hands with Jim Robertson in the railway station! Just before the start Val was trying to round up Carnegie Harriers for a team photo with the success of a cat herder! Oh well, one short, we'll just have a photo of the Magnificent Seven. 1.00am. We're off, at last, on our adventure, my first laugh was the look on the faces of local revelers wondering if they've been caught up in the Milngavie version of the Pamplona Bull Run, all they were missing was their wee red neckerchiefs as mad runners charged at them. Pauline and I settled into our pace, chatting to everyone especially Debz and Jean, it was a lovely night for running apart from having to keep wiping the midges of my face. Along the path of a thousand gates I said to Pauline that this tapering stuff of piddly wee runs for a fortnight, nae caffeine for a month and even worse nae alcohol from the 1st June must be working my legs feel fresh and bouncy.

We bounced along quite happily; at Drymen I swapped my backpack for my bumbag and trotted onwards and upwards, the view from Conic hill was its usual inspiring self and headed downwards. Two girls came bounding down through the woods flying past us, my knees cringed watching them, I thought "Look after your legs girls, you're gonna need them later!" At Balmaha Val and Sue had our rice pudding and coffee ready which I was really looking forward to but I had a mug malfunction, I had two thermal mugs, one for coffee and hot chocolate, the other for soup and pasta so it wouldn't matter if they never got rinsed properly between courses but they had the wrong lid on and I ended up wearing more of my coffee than drinking it as it leaked out, and there was me thinking my mouth wasn't big enough. 

Another slight wee problem; I was carrying one of the GPS trackers with a battery life of 24 hours so I was just going to pick it up after around four or five hours running. When Dario asked me if I'd like to be a guinea pig for one and that it'll weight about 100g, I said yes, thinking it'll be about the size of a big greedy bugger Mars Bar, well, in its waterproof bag it was closer to the size of a half brick! (Maybe a wee exaggeration), but my bumbag was stuffed already before squashing it in so decided I didn't need to carry a rainjacket between Balmaha and Rowardennan so hauled it out of my bag and shoved in the tracker which incidentally stopped working somewhere after Bridge of Orchy giving concern to family following our progress. A half brick might have been more useful, I could've used it later for lobbing at support in petulant huff (more about that at Lundavra). 

I enjoyed the run to Rowardennan with its scenic ups and downs and a few blethers with other runners on the way. Rowardennan was a big test for our support, Val has done WHW support for the last eight years and Sue supported Pauline last year and at Perth, they're both experienced but can they cope with two demanding runners wanting a sock and shoe change at the same time? When we arrived the two chairs were waiting with fresh socks and shoes at the ready. Val asked me what I wanted, just my body glide and fresh socks and shoes I said, then I looked at Pauline beside me, and she was getting nice cold wet wipes round her tootsies first! Time for a twinny whinge. "Aw! She's getting wet wipes, why didn't I get wet wipes!" Val's reply was "You didn't ask for wet wipes" "Ok but I want them next time" I was ready before Pauline so set off without her, I knew she'd catch me up soon. I hurled abuse at the pirate as I went by, he was lying on a comfy massage table having his legs rubbed, "Aye, yer legs will still be sore when you stand up!" probably a wee tinge of jealousy there, I don't plan to lie down until the Leisure Centre. Pauline caught me up pretty quickly and we covered a fair bit of ground with Chris Moon, what I love about this family is that you may never have met before but conversation is easy and varied, from land-mines to how to make a teenager tidy her room to there's not much eating on a squirrel!

Pauline and I caught up with the Morley gang at Inversnaid and we more or less stayed together until the easy ground where at last I could go to the "wee girls room". Along the rough path along the shore of the loch there is literally nowhere to "go" I was relieved when we saw the flat grassy stretch and was able to take a wee detour, running is so much more easier and relaxed without buttocks clenched and knees tied together! After my pit-stop, I was starting to feel a bit warm and wabbit so just kept an easy running pace, I was a bit down on my schedule but not too far adrift, it wasn't worth worrying about, going past Beinn Glas I was remembering last month's three day run over the WHW with the club and our first day stopped here, I recalled feeling tired and I was glad to call it a day, but now I was trotting past not even half way into my run and felt fine, it just goes to show it's not your body that decides you're tired but your mind. It was a long haul to Carmyle Cottage where Sue and Val had more coffee and rice pudding ready. I perked up after this caffeine hit and enjoyed the run through the rollercoaster and down to Auchtertyre where Lesley and Gillian were joining us. We headed straight to the weigh-in, great, just us, no queue this year, I was asked for my card, oh yeah, where is it? More importantly where's our support? They've got our weight cards and they are nowhere to be seen. A girl shot off, she'd seen them and knew where they were. A few bellows of "COME ON!" and they appeared not knowing how they missed us going by. Gillian handed me my baked tattie, it was on a plate with a fork, but table manners are hard when you're eating on the hoof, so just grabbed my tattie and handed Gillian the plate and cutlery. Gillian was coming with us to Bridge of Orchy, not that Pauline and I had run out of conversation but it was nice for a fresh face to join in, at Tyndrum, we were lucky enough to cross the road without any delay from the traffic, walked up the hill with a mug of soup and a roll, I felt a bit full afterwards since it wasn't that long since we had our tatties but it soon went down, we had a nice steady pace along with Gillian scooting around taking photos. 

At Bridge of Orchy we had our final shoe change, the team had to lug all the stuff from the car park up at the hotel down to the checkpoint and Lesley had to sprint back to the car for Pauline's arm-warmers before accompanying us over Rannoch Moor. Pauline and I sat down and I was handed a rice pudding and a spoon, I noticed it was Pauline's spoon but I didn't say anything, had a wee smile to myself and waited… Val started on my feet, Pauline was handed her rice pudding and my spoon while Sue did her feet. Pauline had one spoonful then said "Why have I got Fiona's spoon, I want my own spoon!" I joined in, "Yeah! I want my spoon!" Sue's reply was class, "Will you pair behave! Besides I licked them both clean after the last time!" (Pauline's has had spoon issues since a 24 hour race in 2006) My mug of hot chocolate had the right lid so I didn't have to wear most of it this time. 

We were getting updates on the rest of Team Carnegie at the checkpoints; it was quite exciting as we knew Richie and Scott were in the mix for the top places and everyone else were still going fine apart for Iain who has had to call it a day at Bridge of Orchy. As we just cleared the trees on the climb over the hill out of Bridge of Orchy, Pauline jumped as her phone rang, it was Tim at home. "Had we heard the news?" "Scott's WON!" There were big cheers from Pauline, Lesley and myself. About 100 yards ahead were a couple of guys, I'm not sure what they thought of our song and dance, but Pauline soon put them in the picture. "The first runner has just finished and he's one of ours!" They didn't reply and were too far away to see the look on their faces; maybe just as well, because without the euphoria and pride I felt for Scott, I probably would be thinking "Bastard! He's now off to the chippy and the pub, finishing the whole race in a time close to what it's going to take me to cover the last thirty odd miles!" (Scott, I'm going to "out" you as a top tough dude, you've never mentioned your past adventures but your Dad did! Type Scott Bradley into the search box on www.crazyguyonabike.com). The next call was to say Richie was third, brilliant news that put a spring in our step for a fair bit, Rannoch Moor was uneventful after that, just kept a "get on with it" pace while eating my nice new potatoes tossed in butter, sea salt, ground pepper and fresh mint and parsley (from my garden) no manky pot noodles or synthetic mash for me, I'd made some for Pauline too but did hers separate as Miss Pickypants likes less butter, but she forgot to lift them when we left the checkpoint. (She can make her own next time.) 

Heading down to Kingshouse I could feel a couple of hot spots on my feet but I didn't expect anything less from the rough rocky descent. Pauline and I spent a few minutes at Kingshouse, I put on my blue fleece and saltire buff, now a tradition for my climb up the Devil's staircase, Val was coming with us now into Kinlochleven, at Altnafeadh the rest of the team had pulled in just to take some photos and for Lesley and Gillian to give a "for one night only, live performance of Is this the way to Amarillo" I don't know how you're going to top that next year, you'd better start rehearsing now! It certainly lifts the spirits of a tired runner to see support enjoying themselves and giving us a good laugh too.

I knew I was down on my schedule but by how much I didn't know, it was not important, I'd written it as a guide only to be paid attention to if a PB was on the cards, I just wanted to be heading into Kinlochleven before it got dark, it's a tough path to find your footing with just a head torch to pick out the easiest route, we managed to get most of the way down the steep track before I had to get out my torch, in the dimming light I thought there was a black trainer lace hanging from the head band on my torch, but there was nothing there, not very exciting I know but it's my hallucination and going on past experience the only one I'm gonna have! My feet were sore and nippy I could feel a few blisters and my quads weren't as supple as I would've liked but I was still moving fine. At the weigh in I'd put on a kilo but what do you expect after eating some crystallized ginger, five bars of chocolate, three rice puddings, loads of tatties, some soup, pasta, three jam rolls, a handfull of cereal bars and fun size Mars bars, a couple of bags of Mini Chedders and a milkshake! And I wasn't finished yet! At the car we stood still while I drank my mug of oxo, Pauline said she wanted to change from coffee to hot chocolate which was on the list of requirements for at Lundavra. "Oh yeah, that sounds nice I'll have hot chocolate too!" (I think I said it out loud!) Sue was coming with us now, and we started walking up the path but "OUCH!" with standing still, a mistake I won't make next year! My feet went into shock getting moving again, I had considered changing socks and putting on some Compeed but with only just fourteen miles to go any treatment won't make much difference they'd still be sore anyway so didn't bother wasting time poking at my feet. I had a cheese and ham roll which took me ages to eat; I was still nibbling at it long after the steep climb up onto the Lairig Mor. Once we'd cleared the trees we looked back down at the streetlights in Kinlochleven and over to the hill, we could see a few twinkling head torches coming down the thigh killing descent. Right, turn round and get on with it, I wasn't going to managed to run the Lairig Mor so just kept plodding on with nothing to focus on but the boulders in the circle of light from my head torch. I spent most of it on my own about fifty paces behind Pauline and Sue, I thought it was their wee ploy to keep me moving, they would turn round and wait for me, both of them giving me some chocolate or crystallized ginger to eat, I felt a bit sick but managed to eat all the stuff they handed to me. I did a lot of thinking along this section, my feet were nippy but not as mushed as my first WHW, my legs were tight and sore but still not as concrete and immobile as my second WHW, the weather was fine, just a bit of a cool breeze I didn't have to fight for survival against hypothermia inducing rain and gale force winds like last year's Lairig Mor. So why wasn't I moving better when I've had Lairig Mor loads harder? I was concerned that I'd lost the fight in me. I have never considered life after the WHW until it just happens naturally but this year I have another race to think about and going along Lairig Mor I thought this next one is going to be so easy, a mere 24 hours on the flat with no boulders, the other difference will be is I'll be wearing a blue and white Scotland vest and fighting with every ounce of my eight and a half stone. Ah! Eureka moment! I realised fighting wasn't necessary for the WHW, I was doing it for the love of the race, the scenery and the camaraderie of the family. So I relaxed back into my plod pace and eventually reached Lundavra, Sue had gone on to make sure Gillian and Lesley were ready for us and she handed me my mug. Yuch! Coffee! I'd asked for hot chocolate! Just handed it back, I didn't want coffee. But hang on, Pauline's got hot chocolate! That's not fair! I wouldn't really lob a half brick at support (I didn't have the energy) for messing up my demands but I certainly whinged on for an inappropriate length of time! Just ate my shortbread with my bottom lip sticking out. Kept plodding on, it was now daylight again but still fairly dark in the spooky woods with the cruel steps and stiles. With every step Fort William was getting closer even though we tend to measure the final section in life times or eternities and not miles. Once on the wide forest track Pauline and Sue were breaking up the walk down with little runs, I think they thought I'd join in but I was having none of it, two figures were walking up the hill, it was Lesley and Gillian coming to escort us in. Once on to road out of the Braveheart car park I did pick it up and managed to run all the way in, both doors of the Leisure Centre were held open so we could finish shoulder to shoulder. A very special finish, Pauline and I shared hugs with Dario and support, sharing the Quaich was a bit special too.

A shower, more blood and urine samples, a massage then a lie down! Bliss, the back of Lesley's estate felt like a king size four poster. But in no time at all, they opened the door, "Right you two, its breakfast time!" Wriggled forward and dangled my sleeping bag clad body out of the back of the car, trying to gather myself together. Ahh! Horror! There's the guy from the BBC and he's coming straight at us. Over 29 hours of running, a couple of hours kip and bed hair, is Sunday night telly ready for this? This Adventure Show might need a PG rating!

At the prize giving, another endurance event and rightly so as every finisher is awarded their goblet. It was a proud moment to receive my goblet with Pauline at my side and good to catch up with other runners, nice to see Iain Thomson looking well, I hope he'll be back next year for his goblet, but Carnegie Harriers going home with seven goblets for this year is great success for the club. The most poignant moment being a minute of applause for Stan Milne who passed away last year, he was the first WHW nutter I ever met, and at that time I never ever imagined I'd follow in his footsteps.

It is always hard to put into words the gratitude felt for support. Val, Sue, Gillian and Lesley Team Twinnies would not have been successful or so much fun without you.

This is not the end of the story; the next chapter begins on 19th June 2010.

The long and the short.

Thanks to Sarah Self for posting in the Ultra Dafties facebook group the link for The Winter Wonder Run, a no frills race organised by the North East Marathon Club on the Town Moor, Newcastle. I was looking for an early race and this fitted the bill, a 3.77mile lap with a six hour time limit, it was up to the individual to do as much or as little as they wanted as long as it was full loops.  

So after a planned wee break from running at the end of December, (it’s nice to take time out occasionally for no other reason other than to feel raring to go at the start of a new year). The week before the race Pauline and I went for our first long run since Glen Ogle 33, the fourteen miles felt a bit of a slog, but no worries, no pressure, we were aiming to do eight laps whatever the time, just a fine steady wee ultra.

Then the thing that made the weekend special, Sharon Gaytor invited us to stay with her and Bill the night before, we hadn’t seen Sharon in ages, it was lovely to catch up and the bonus of staying with a runner, (besides talking running all night) we had pasta for tea and there was no hassle finding the venue as we just followed their camper-van in the morning. It was freezing cold, minus three when we left but the sun eventually got up too, it was bright and clear and the sun eventually raised the temperature up to a balmy two degrees! 

I was dressed for it though, two pair of tights with my kilt to keep my bum warm, a cosy fleece over my thermal top, I was surprised my vest fitted over that! Woolly hat and gloves, and after a couple of laps I stuck a peaked Buff under the woolly hat to keep the sun out my eyes and freezing wind out my face.

photo from Phil Owen

There was quite a lot of icy patches on the route, but it was flat and it’s fine running on ice as long as you don’t push it, change direction or speed but after a few laps there was a skim of water covering the ice so I moved on the rutted grass verges, they were marginally less slidey. After the third lap I was on my own, everyone running their own pace so I plugged my playlist in, just the one ear, I’m not anti-social, although it felt a bit wrong listening to music in a “short” race. I placed a bag beside the table at race HQ with a selection of stuff to pick up as well as an extra  jacket if needed but with it being so cold all I had was two gels, a wee Yazoo milkshake and 300mls of water, there was hot water available but I didn’t bother stopping to make a hot cuppa.

It’s a lovely concept for a race, stick a number on and do what suits within the time limit, there were over fifty runners, the majority doing a marathon, a fair few getting a long half marathon, six of us making an ultra with two doing nine laps. Pauline and I finished our eight laps eleven minutes apart with just enough time to do one more lap if we wanted to push it, but with a three hour drive home up the A1 to consider, a smidge over thirty miles was far enough for the first ultra of the year.  I was pleased I managed a steady pace throughout and a it was a great reminder for running constant on the flat, good practice for Perth at the end of March.

Six days later I was standing on the start line for the Bucklyvie 10km, I was meant to have an easy-ish run with some folk from work, not runners but fit with youth on their side. In the build up to Christmas they put off entering until it was too late and was full… (not to worry I’ve now suggested we do the Donkey Brae in August instead “Mmwwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!” )  So anyhoo I was heading over to Buchlyvie Fiona-nae-pals but Pauline came to watch and keep me company, she wasn’t jealous at all not running but did say it felt funny being at a race without either running or marshaling.   After a longish warm up, I knew it wasn’t going to be a easy run, but an excellent exercise in the push-hard-on-tired-legs category. Also after years of perfecting my ultra-shuffle to the extent I can practically tie both my shoes with one lace trying to get a little leg lift and length in my stride is flamin’ hard work but ultra runners benefit from speed work too!

Time wise it wasn’t anything special but a great quality run with a lovely goodie bag, and to show my appreciation for Pauline’s company I gave her my orange from it, not giving away the cosy beanie though!

I haven’t covered a lot of miles for January but what I’ve done has been quality, a great start for the year, hopefully February will follow in the same vein, my next race is the club’s Devilla 15km now what can I do the week before…

Donna, you were right!

At the end of 2014 Donna Macpherson said “You’re going to take 2015 by the baws and rock it!”

Well, I’ve had a brilliant year, a wheen o’ races, loads more than I usually do in a year, a few were shorter than my normal so it was fine to stick them in, although any before June were purely training but with sticking a number on my front I have a couple of rules for training races, no walking in a marathon and push the last hour. Most races were just because I could fit them in and enjoy them, time pretty irrelevant, although it was great fun running like my arse was on fire for the short ones, and it was a bit of a bonus for the Quiraing 10k and the Donkey Brae (7 miles-ish) I was pretty close to PBs I set around twenty years ago!

2015 Races

January     Buchlyvie 10km

February    Devilla Forest 15km

March        Smokies 10

                  Borders Marathon

                  Loch Katrine Marathon

April           Highland Fling

June           Skye Half

                  West Highland Way

July             Fort William Marathon

August        Donkey Brae

                  Quiraing 10km

September Glenmore 24

                  Loch Ness Marathon

October       Loch Rannoch Marathon

November   Glen Ogle 33

December   Carnegie Harriers Festive Forest

The highlight of the year still puts a smile on my face when I think of it. Auchtertyre checkpoint, 51 miles in the West Highland Way Race, I was sitting in a foldy chair eating mashed tatties, shouting at Pauline who was doing a rubbish job of finding a specific pair of socks I wanted. I was giggling inside and I tried to keep it off my face, my crew know I don’t do hang about, but I was savouring just sitting there waiting for Pauline, I was only halfway-ish for this year’s race but I’d just completed 1000 WHW Race miles! Mad! (Just looking at the all time results there’s only been seven that’s done that and I’m one of them!) Thoroughly enjoyed all 95 miles, although Lairig Mor was cold and wet I was buzzing the whole way, the West Highland Way Race for me will always be a celebration of life, the love and support of the family and the majestic scenery as the journey unfolds.  I ended up settling for a different pair of socks but the ones I wanted eventually turned up, I had them in a zip-lock bag along with a fleece and an extra pair of tights marked Glencoe, not the bag marked socks! Oops, my specific packing wasn’t as perfect as I thought!

Then the Glenmore 24, I focusing on getting the best distance I possibly could, it was important for me to prove to myself I was back to full strength and health,  although you still need a fair bit of luck there is no hiding in a 24 hour race. Finishing with 107.35 miles, 4th from 28 ladies and 12th overall from 88 runners also comparing the distance with all my other 24 hour races, it’s right in the middle, so I felt I had achieved what I set out to do.

On the medical front I feel the healing in my mouth has plateaued out, I had hoped the sensitivity would have settled down a bit more and not remaining so severe but I manage, my weight is stable and a lot of people have commented on how my speech has improved.  I still have check ups every three months and the consultant is happy with me and although I’m still  a wee while away from the magic five years he did say that to go over two years with no recurrence is quite significant, he also proudly told me he is now running up to 5km, so I congratulated him on that.

Looking forward to this year I’m hoping to complete my 100th race of marathon distance or over and it would be lovely if it happened at Glenmore, so plans are in place and races entered, and the first one is this weekend, thanks to Sarah Self for post the details in the Ultra Dafties facebook group, Pauline and I are heading south of the border for the Winter Wonder Run. A low key race on a 3.77 mile lap at Town Moor, Newcastle, with a maximum of six hours, only full laps are counted so seven laps is a marathon and eight an ultra, depending on the weather, I’m planning on making it an ultra but whatever distance I do it’s an early quality training run. An extra wee bonus is we are staying with Sharon Gayter the night before and it will be lovely to have a catch up

Next up will be the D33 and thanks to the generosity of Lorna Sinclair, she has gifted me her free place that she won in the raffle at the Scottish Ultra Marathon Series Award night but can’t go and George has allowed it. The next few races hopefully will go according to the plan, 100km at Perth, the Highland Fling, my twelfth West Highland Way (it would've be nice if this was my 100th but only if it happened naturally without having to cram in some stupid stuff)  then Fort William Marathon.  I’m not one to knock out races just to log the numbers but I’m liking the challenge of making Glenmore 24 even more special. After Glenmore, I plan to keep my Loch Ness Marathon ever present streak going and after that probably Glen Ogle 33, some may say I sticking to the same old, same old but I love these races so much I don't feel the need to head to pastures new.

One more special event I’m looking forward to in April is Ally K Runs Skye to maggie's, Pauline and I are his support runners and I’m hoping the weather will be kinder than his Skye run in 2014. The future isn’t guaranteed for anyone and plans are never set in stone, I may end up with the luxury of a running injury, yep, it is a luxury to have the health and fitness to sustain a sport related problem and although frustrating, as far as I’m aware, plantar fasciitis or any other running related injury is not fatal!  However the year unfolds, I know one thing for sure, I will enjoy all the runs and races I can.

Knitted WHW Hat

After seeing the post for a Christmas sale of WHW clothing on the facebook page using this picture

it gave me the idea of knitting myself a hat with the WHW thistle on it, so I took my old magnet off the fridge and used it to work out a thistle that would be a good size on a hat done with double knitting wool.

A wee practice square to see what it would look like then added the celtic knot pattern just because I like it. I used size 9 needles so it was a nice snug fit, (circumference 18 inches) so if you want it bigger, use size 8 needles or add an extra celtic knot pattern it's an 8 stitch repeat, or do your own thing and just have the thistle on its own. 

Cast on 100 stitches, starting with a purl row work stocking stitch for 23 rows (or if you don't like the roll brim just do a ribbed one, rib 19 row then st st for 4 more rows if you want a turn up) then follow grid for 15 rows,  I did 5 repeats of knot either side of the thistle. I had a 2 stitch gap between the thistle and celtic knot.

After pattern I did 21 rows in stocking stitch, add more if you wish.

Shaping the top

Row 1 K1, K2 tog, K7, repeat to end

Row 2 and alternate rows Purl

Row 3 K1, then K2tog, K6 to end

Row 5 K1, then K2tog, K5 to end

Row 7 K1, then K2tog, K4 to end

Row 9 K1, then K2tog, K3 to end

Row 11 K1, then K2tog, K2 to end

Row 13 K1, then K2tog, K1 to end

Row15 K2 tog to end

Row 16 Purl

thread wool through remaining 12 stitches and fasten off.

Make a pompom if you want.

A wee update - 

The Great Glen edition, after Helen asked if I did it on four needles, I hadn't, the purple one was on two needles but I thought I'd have a go, so got myself some size 4mm double pointed needles  ( I tend to knit in old money since most of my needles were my Grandma's, it's a lovely thought that most of my knitting is done on needles that my baby stuff and kid jumpers were done on.)

I didn't bother with starting with a purl row since it's all done in knit, the brim still rolled up nicely and it's a tiny wee bit bigger than the purple one done on slightly smaller needles.

Glen Ogle 33 2015

Last year this was the first race since my treatment that I felt my strength returning, and this year I’ve had brilliant races, nothing awfy fast but cracking enjoyable strong runs and this being the final ultra of the year has a last day of term feel about it, I was looking forward to the GO33

On Friday afternoon I picked and laid out my running clothes, put “after clothes” in a bag and prepared my drop bag, yeah, just the one, a dinky wee 150ml can of coke to pick up at Strathyre.  I usually just have a couple of gels in a marathon so for a “wee” ultra I would just carry a pouch filled with custard with my two gels and picking up the coke in the middle would be fine, I just drink water and would top up my bottle at the checkpoints if and when I needed.

Pauline picked me up in the dark and it was still dark when we got to Killin but I don’t worry about losing sleep and getting up at daft o’clock for adventures besides it’s not the night before that matters but the night before the night before a race that getting a decent sleep does you good. We registered and blethered for a bit, even managed a Carnegie team photie before the start.  

This time we were starting in Breadlabane Park, every year the race has had wee tweaks of improvement and I think now it must be near perfection. After the briefing we were sent on our way by a Piper, out the park, up the main road and across the bridge over the Falls of Dochart before hitting the climb up the forest track, I scampered about with my camera but I’m afraid it was a bit dreich and most of the photos I took were blurry. 

It didn't seem long at all until we were heading down hill, a wee hug with Robin then down past the burger van. The checkpoint over the road was busy and since I wasn’t picking up a drop bag I just kept going. Oops, sorry Karen I forgot to shout my number but you were on the ball and got me as I scooted on by. 

It’s a lovely run down the old railway line over the Glen Ogle viaduct, a gentle descent that feels more like you're cruising well than pushing a pace, 

after the steep zig-zag path with stunning views of Loch Earn I felt I was going a smidgen too fast and settled into my comfy pace, loving the gently rolling path through the trees, enjoying the blether with everyone I was in step with, except for one guy that went by, I said hiya but his lugs were plugged into his tunes, oh well, only one anti-social git out of all the runners isn't bad going, there were a lot ultra virgins running today and what a grand choice for a first one.

The weather wasn’t cold but a bit dull and drizzly, I had started wearing two long sleeved tops under my vest and as long as I wasn’t cold I wouldn’t bother with my jacket but the rain got heavier and was soon torrential and once I turning into the chilly breeze past Balquhidder I got my jacket on, no point waiting until I was cold.

I like the undulating road section now it’s in the middle of the race, it used to be a bit of a slog when the race started and finished in Strathyre. The rich autumnal colours were still stunning even in this dull damp weather. 

I picked up my wee can of coke at CP3 and stuffed it in my bag, and risked the wrath of the lollipop man stopping in the middle of the road to take his photo, I sipped my coke on the steep uphill to the wide forest track.

Colin went by me, the track continued to climb and disappeared into the clouds and mist, there’s a cracking view down to the left but not today.

I’d caught up with Colin on the descent and gave him a row for wasting a running bit, he mumbled a reply about refuelling, both his cheeks were stuffed like a hamster. Ok, I’ll let you off! Then under the road at Kingshouse and back on to the lovely path, last year there were some bright red toadstools but I couldn’t see any this time, at CP 2 and 4 it was too busy when I went by the first time but I paused to take a couple of photos of a radioactive marshal and a bag lady on the way back.

Another pause on the zig-zags for some more photos looking down the Loch before heading back up old railway line, 

I gave myself a rule to run by, no walking, it’s a long slog up but not a proper hill so no excuses, just get it done. (I did stick my arm out of the railing to get a photo of the viaduct but that doesn’t count) 

It didn’t take too long to get back to CP5, I had to pause for what seemed ages to cross the road, then up past the snack van, another hug for Robin then wheee downhill all the way to the finish.  I’d looked at my Garmin earlier, a sub six hours was close and ran to another rule I have - You can always push the last hour. - I was delighted to feel my legs supple, strong and moving well, placing my feet exactly where I wanted. I was passing quite a few folk but not in a competitive way, I was just moving well and I could see there were quite a few sore and stekky legs jarring down the hill, I know well how that feels and I wasn’t too sure on what to say going by, I think I stuck with “We’re getting there!” There’s nothing worse when you’re in a tough, dark place than have some cheery nutter bounce past you shouting “Not far now!” Bound to make you want to shout back “Piss Off!”

I was pushing hard but not on the edge, I kept it under control with an eye on the time, left turn back on to the road and over the bridge, the sub six was gonna be very close, pushed the pace even more, visualising the sprint straight across the grass to the finish arch. Into the Park and over the grass… oh wait… there’s tape on poles marking the way to the left, I better go that way then… Oooft! there’s more tape awaaaaay over the back of the park.... I can see someone still running and they’re a teeny wee speck in the distance. Double Oooft!  A huge loop of the park it is then! That’ll be the sub six up the Swanny, I had an ironic giggle to myself, I wasn’t too bothered really, it was my choice to hug marshals and take photos, it just made it a fun and exciting thing to aim for at the finish. I was pleased I had the ability to give it welly at the end, and if you believe the randomness of Garmin, my pace for the last bit was 8.10min/mile, finishing in 6.00.55 (I won’t bore you with the splits but you can see them here if you want)

photo from Andrew Paterson

I found Pauline in the hall, she was rushing to get changed to come back out to see me finish, I told her she must have been too slow. I got a quick change and we headed back out to cheer more finishers, then sadly we headed down the road, missing the ceilidh.

Another fantastic day out courtesy of team BAM and volunteers, thank you all.

more photos here 

On the road home, Pauline and I realised something a wee bit special, with either running, supporting or marshalling, we both have 100% attendance for every BAM event there’s been, (not counting the first Great Glen Ultra which was more of a trial event) so there’s no doubt we’ll see you at the next one whatever we’ll be doing.  

Glenmore 24 2015 - A perfect day.

I dropped a car load of stuff with Ken on Thursday evening so he could do the jigsaw thing with all the camping gear, club tent and my race stuff before picking me up Friday morning, I hoped there was enough room left for Pauline’s gear! In the morning we managed to squeeze in Pauline’s adventure supplies and set off fairly sharp. With the forecast for rain in the afternoon we hoped to get the tents up before it started, we were fairly successful, the big club tent, a posh sports gazebo type thing that snaps up in a minute but far more wind and weather resilient than a gazebo and the two wee tents we were sleeping in on Friday night.  We had a tea-break while the rain was at its heaviest before setting up the rest of the paraphernalia then headed back to the Italian restaurant in Aviemore for some pasta.

Back at Hayfield Ally and Donna had arrived, we were joining forces, having two supporters sharing the work of three runners made it easier than have Ken do Pauline and I on his own and there was plenty room in the tent.

Next was the Glenmore 24 party, this year’s theme was Cowboys and Indians, with a Bucking Bronco, I only watched, it looked great fun but no way was I risking injury falling off.

It was bitterly cold on Friday night but I was a well prepared cowboy, under my long sleeved top and checked shirt I was wearing a long sleeved thermal and I found an ancient blanket in the cupboard with the old tins of paint, I slashed a head hole, cut it to fit and blanket-stitched the edges, Clint Eastwood style, an arrow through my head topped with a cowboy hat and a set of pistols I was ready to party.  My jaw aches in the cold but I think it was the laughter that got it this time. There is no other 24 hour race in the world with a pre-race evening like this! (Think I’m fairly qualified to make that statement having supported Pauline in 24 hour races in Holland, France, Italy, England, Wales and Canada!)  After a lot of giggling and two cans of sports drink (Belhaven Black) it was time for good little athletes to go to bed. I was well prepared for a night in a tent at this location and time of year, air mattress, cosy sleeping bag, warm jammies under fleecy jammies, double layer fleecy blanket and I threw my cowboy blanket over the top just for good measure, if I woke up roasting I could knock it off… I didn’t! 

In the morning there was no rush to get ready, I had two pots of the Oats so Simple porridge and a banana for breakfast before we took down the wee tents, there will be no sleeping for us, it’s only 24 hours! Then got race clothes on but left doing my feet to the last moment, I’d borrowed my daughter’s festival wellies and I was keeping my feet dry for as long as possible, the grass was wet and a wee bit waterlogged at the bottom of the field and I was concerned about having a repeat of the carnage that happened in my shoes last year.

At high noon we were off, (some still in costume) I was surprised how fast the leaders went round the field on the first lap; I presumed it was the relay leading the charge, new for this year and not an easy option, run like the clappers for one lap then hand over to three other team mates keeping the same order doing a lap each, then run like the clappers again for one lap and maintain that for 24 hours, I think my constant steady plod will be easier! 

Photo from the first lap by Chen Chee Kong

Photo from James Day

Although the first few laps were a wee bit quick which is quite normal as long as you don’t go too daft, I clicked into the routine of the points I picked in previous years for where to run and where to walk on the beautiful four mile loop and hopefully I’d be able to maintain the discipline every lap no matter how tired I got. It took me to the fifth lap (20 miles) until I felt settled and relaxed into my groove and was keeping a fine steady consistent pace.

The eating plan was to pick up a little something every lap and to make things a bit easier for Ken and Donna I placed a box at the top of the field for us to drop our half-drunk bottles and empties into since neither Pauline or I stop to eat and Ken or Donna could collect them at an opportune moment. All my race food has to be fluid these days, so it was mostly milkshakes either Ensure Plus or Yazoo, supplemented with custard,  chicken soup, sloppy mashed tatties, very soft cheesy pasta, hot chocolate, coffee and coke. I was supposed to give my next lap order when I came in but I didn’t always think ahead but Ken was brilliant at guessing what I would like when I didn’t pre-order. On one lap I arrived without having left instruction and ask for a milkshake, Ken took longer than a nano-second to find one, so I just flounced off empty handed shouting I’ll get it next lap. I heard Donna laugh and she called after me asking if I wanted it at the top of the field.  Thank you Donna for pandering to my only diva strop, she was waiting for me with my milkshake I paused and had a couple of mouthfuls, giving myself a row for being such a brat.

Patricia Carvalho Photography

 I had planned to pick up my camera for a lap in the afternoon or early evening but I kept forgetting, I was concentrating on getting my food and I never took any photos of the gorgeous  route but I do have some cracking images locked in my memory, every year I’ve had a moment where the view has stopped me in my tracks and I enjoyed the privilege of owning it. In 2011, the clear sky with a millions twinkling stars had me pausing briefly, 2012 the sky wasn’t clear but the full moon made an occasional appearance and I followed my moon shadow rather than my head torch, in 2013 the setting sun had tears running down my cheeks, I was around 12 weeks post chemo and radiotherapy, fighting my way back to health. Being back where I belonged running a special 6 hour “race” just for me, my emotion was as intense of the colours of pink cotton wool clouds and blue sky reflected in the Loch. I struggle to find an image in my memory that made my heart sing in 2014 but the giant red toadstools made me smile. This year’s “pause and cherish the moment” happened in the evening, on the stretch after the hill and before the left turn, the setting sun gave the heather an intense warm and vibrancy through the long shadows will never be forgotten, I consoled myself that a camera probably wouldn’t do it justice. Another beautiful sight was seeing George and Karen running towards me doing a lap in reverse.  High fiving them both as they past gave me a boost, it’s great to see George looking and moving so well.

The laps steadily notched up, I picked up my head torch before it got dark and my iPod when it was, it was usually only in one ear, I enjoyed a wee blether whenever I had company and just a wee word when folks were going at a different a pace. Even the speedy pants relay runners flying by always gave a shout; the camaraderie of ultra is second to none.   

At around 11pm I asked Ken, for the first time, where I was in relation to my 2012 splits, he told me I was around five minutes slower.  I felt as if I was running slower than that and to find out that I was only five minutes adrift was a big bonus.  I don’t wear a Garmin for 24 hour race, just my old Timex Ironman to clock the laps so I know what one I’m on. I always run to my body and never to a watch or gizmo, I’m usually pretty consistent when things are going fairly smoothly and I’m settled into my groove.  How’s this for consistent! Studying my lap sheets, at just over thirteen and a half hours of running there was only one second of difference for the time I went through the 16^th lap (64 miles) in 2012 and this year!

Around 3.00am and 4.00am is where the body is at its lowest ebb but I had a great boost in my arsenal to combat it, I would complete my 18^th lap between those hours totalling 100 laps for my five years of running Glenmore24. Ken asked if I wanted my bottle of beer opened for when I came round but I declined, it was more the thought of celebrating with a beer than actually doing it was the goal, my stomach was doing ok but a beer at the back of 3.30am might have tipped it over the edge so I just had some custard.

It was still dark when I caught up with Pauline she had been ahead until her stomach started to give her jip, so she knocked her pace back a bit and we ran a couple of laps together, then she said she was going to ease back a bit more to try and let her stomach settle, I was quite relieved for selfish reasons, listening to her dry heaves wasn’t doing my guts any favours, they were threatening to come out in sympathy!

The sky lightened and with moving well all night I only had to add one long-sleeve top and gloves which came off as the day warmed up, the weather was so much kinder than last year. After 6.30am I’d gone through lap 21 (84miles) I started doing some sums in my head, working out that if I was going to complete 27 laps I’d have to up it.  It was do-able but I’d have to pick up the pace, so with around five hours still to go I started to push. I thought that if I could finish lap 26 with 55 minutes still to go I’d go for one more big one, I wasn’t keen on spending nearly an hour on the wee laps and that thought spurred me on, but after a couple more laps I felt I’d have to run myself into the ground to do it and even then I wasn’t sure I had the pace to finish lap 26 in time to do one more big one. I felt I was working too hard so decided I’ve had a fantastic run anyway, the 100 miles was in the bag, so was the 104 as long as I didn’t fall and smash my face in.  I didn’t let go but stopped working so hard, I’d get the 26 laps and whatever I got on the wee laps would be a bonus.

At 10.14am Ada sounded the horn, I yelled a “Woohoo!” with my arms in the air, the dream 100 miles done.  

100 miles

A few mouthfuls of coke and set off on my last big lap, as much as I was glad to get it done I savoured every moment of the beautiful lap, the narrow winding and lumpy first mile, the long wide forest track where I ran every step ever lap, the relief to have a wee walk on the left turn up the hill, only to the post sticking out the ground, then walk/run the rest of hill depending on the gradient,  I walked the last part of the hill with Jenni, we agreed on how fantastic this race is. I then ran down the last mile for the final time and came into Hayfield with about 45 minutes still to go. 

I needn’t have dreaded doing “millions” of wee laps, the support was phenomenal, the party tents on the back stretch, Sarah’s with the fairy-lights through the night next to Noanie, Carol and Kaziah, with music and cheering that wasn’t just in the last hour but every time I went by for the whole duration of the race, same too for the kids at the top of the hill, throughout the whole event they put a smile on my face. Now in the last hour on the wee lap I shouted my number to George and Julie logging everyone’s laps at the top corner, before heading down the hill and round again, I caught up with Ally and shared a hug, he’s had a tough day but was still smiling. I kept an eye on the entrance of the lap looking for Pauline coming into the final effort, then going past our tent I saw she was sitting in a chair cheering!!! What???  She wimped out (I’m the only one allowed to say that) after lap 25, the 100 miles, stopping with an hour and a quarter still to go, her stomach never settled, there was no point flogging a dead horse. It confused the hell out of Julie, she didn’t know there was two of us and wondered how I managed to run the wee laps with her AND sit on the side in a comfy chair!

Pauline clocking the 100 miles

 My quads weren’t as knackered as I thought; I flew down the hill, the noise of support at the bottom was the fuel they needed, I heard my name being shouted, the encouragement pushed me on like a strong hand on my back and with the momentum from the hill and the cheering I lengthened my stride and pumped my arms, no longer tippy-toeing the soggy bottom, it didn’t matter anymore if my feet were wet, then hands on thighs, stomp up the hill trying to catch my breath, shout my number, fly down the hill, push as hard as I can round the bottom, hands on thighs, stomp up the hill, shout my number, fly down the hill… I lost count how many times I went round but I never stopped pushing. I was amazed at how strong I felt but I wasn’t just having that rare occurrence of a great race with everything going to plan, I was kicking the shit out of cancer.

On the wee laps in the final hour - photo from James Day

12 noon the final horn, I plant my peg with my race number into the grass, luckily it’s right beside our tent and Ken gave me my chair so I didn’t have to collapse in a heap. I let my bum sink into a chair for the first time in 24 hours, I take a lot of deep breathes, my legs are still jumping, I’m still sitting there when Bill is measuring everyone’s final distance with a wheel, it took a great effort to move out of his way.

 I am back, as fit and as strong as I was before. No! I think I’m fitter and stronger, this race more than any other has proved that to me (Finishing with 107.35 miles, 4^th from 28 ladies and 12^th overall from 88 runners.) I will never eat normally again but I do bloody well on what I can, my mouth will always be sensitive and painful from the treatment and nerve damaged from the surgery, this year a lot of friends have said that my speech has really improved. I’m probably a bit hard on myself but in my head I still think I sound like a pished Sean Connery without his teeth!  I’m lucky that I have running and the support from my ultra-family; I doubt I could have faced the trauma as well as I have without either.

In 2011 I finished my Glenmore 24 blog post with this.

Put the Glenmore 24 in your diaries, it is going to grow to be an event equal to the WHW.  Folk that know me know I won’t say that lightly. 

Well, I didn’t have to be Brahan Seer to predict that! It has grown and although I think, this year, base camp may have reached its limit, from a runners point of view, it was perfect, at no point did I feel I was hindered or in the way of faster runners. The work that goes into putting on the race is akin the big dod of iceberg under the water, race day is the tip and as long as BaM and all the helpers are willing to give up their time to pander to divas living their dreams I am grateful, I thank you all for letting me realise my goals. Hopefully for years to come I will still manage to run, I may have completed over 100 laps, I still have not had enough, magic happens at Glenmore.

I’d like to finish by congratulating Lorna on her second Glenmore 24 win and doing it in style wearing number 100 celebrating her 100^th race of marathon distance and over. For me, lumping my marathons and ultras together this was my 90^th race, I’m not a great fan of churning out races just to clock up the numbers but looking forward I just have to find one extra marathon to add to my race plan between now and next September for me to hit the hundred, there’s a new cheeky wee ultra in May at Glen Lyon, the date is still to be confirmed and I wonder if that might do it for me? All being well, next year I will run my 100^th race of marathon distance and over and it will be wonderful if it could be Glenmore24, I can’t think of a better race to reach that milestone. When do entries open?