Angels, Devils and sleeping with celebrities!

Last year when I found out that the Devil O’ The Highlands was going to be on my fiftieth birthday I thought I should celebrate with running it but by then I had already promised Mel I’d do her support, my next thought  was why change the habit, I’ve supported every year since the race started, stick with tradition.

Early Friday afternoon I picked up Morna, also running the Devil O’ for the first time, we headed to Pauline’s where she and Mel were waiting; Ken and Sue were following up after work, Mel had booked the By the Way for us, a twin room for herself and Morna, and for the minions/support, we’d be sharing a room with two others.   Kirsty showed us to our room and told us who else we were sharing with.  Andy (dog bite at Cateran) and…  I sent a quick text to Sue.  Guess who we’re sleeping with tonight? After a few wrong guesses, I had to give her a clue, he’s quite a celebrity!  Within a nano second she replied correctly, Ray McCurdy!  Kirsty had put post-it notes on the beds giving Ray the first bottom bunk as you entered the room, hopefully he’ll not get lost in the night!

Mel and Morna went for an early night, Pauline and I went for a pint or three in Paddy’s Bar, Ken and Sue soon joined us, it was very quiet, Ian and Sandra joined us briefly but most of the runners must’ve been arriving in the morning or taking the race seriously!   We tip-toed back into the By the Way trying not to wake the sleeping runners, I grabbed my jammies and toothbrush and nipped to the loo and got changed.  I think I was last back into the room, as soon as I closed the door it was pitch dark,  I made it to my bed without disturbing anyone, pulled back the sheet and climbed in, but in the dark I didn’t realise the pillowcase and sheet were all-in-one, I was fighting my pillow to get it underneath me, in my mind I had an image of Johnny Weissmuller fighting a crocodile, I successfully stifled a giggle as I wrestled my pillow into submission and if I was making too much noise everyone else politely pretended to be asleep.

Someone’s alarm went off around 4.00am, and we were all up shortly after that.  A mug of coffee and I was ready for support duty, Mel seemed calm and was ready to go for the goal she’d set herself.  Loved the pre-race buzz in the Green Welly, Garry gave his race briefing, a quick scrambled egg roll for us support and then it was time for the off.  Kevin had arrived, I think the original plan was for him to appear later, but it was lovely he was here to see Mel off at 6.00am.

Pauline I and went round to Bridge of Orchy which was quite a midge fest, Mel was on schedule and Pauline walked up the hill a bit with her, she’s settled into her race nicely.  Kevin went round to Inveroran so we went straight to Glencoe, 

and had another cup of coffee, it was now around 8.00am and I think I started to wake up properly after that.  We walked down to the checkpoint with Mel’s requests, Pauline hasn’t had much running this week and took the opportunity for a wee run and ran out to meet her, Mel wasn’t looking for running support but I think she was happy to have a bit of company, it was coming up for 9.00am, the sun was shining and it was promising to be a hot day.  I trotted down the road with them for a bit while Mel had her food, she struggled to get it in but managed to have some, she wanted some coke, so I said I’d meet her at Kingshouse with it.  It was quite a jog back up the hill to the car parked at the Ski Centre so I didn’t hang about setting off for Kingshouse but as I drove down the track Ken waved me down as I went by, Morna was needing Compeed and they’d left theirs in the car at the Ski Centre,  I gave them mine and was back on my way, I wasn’t sure I’d make it to Kingshouse before Mel and Pauline so I went passed the entrance and drove into the single track road that they’d come along before heading through the gate and up the hill, glad my car is a wee one, a three point turn wasn’t any bother and Mel got her Coke, and  Kirsty was pleased to get a bottle of iced water here, glad I was in a position to help. 

Next stop was Altnafeadh, I was wearing my wee kilt and had pinched Erin’s trident from her Halloween stuff and a fleece hat with red horns and tail, I was aiming to emulate the race logo and set off up the Devil’s Staircase with a box of jelly babies. 

I’d missed the super-fast folk but met Marco coming down with a spray bottle, I was granted a skoosh in the moosh too, it was roasting and I was over dressed, fleecy hat, long sleeved top under my t-shirt and thick tights under my kilt!  I also carried a rain jacket, Buff and gloves! I was prepared for the weather forecast, rain and thunder, although you could now see that wasn’t going to happen any time soon, it could still be cold at the top and I planned to stay there until Mel had come past. 

The views from the top were stunning.  I believe these places of outstanding natural beauty are where Angels hang out, I waved to a couple; I smiled at the thought that the perfect spectator weather was a birthday present arranged by one very special Angel, my first birthday without Mum but she’ll never be far away.

The looks I got from a few walkers suggested their thoughts were I wonder if her carers know where she is? I did explain my getup to a German tourist; she nodded, smiled and took my photo!  I think all the runners appreciated my gesture to give them a smile, most looked hot, some knackered and all covered in midges, I think Paul summed it up for quite a few when he uttered  “I’m f*ckin’ burst!”  I hope my face kept a look of caring concern, I didn’t laugh out loud, that really would’ve been devilish… but I thought it! 

Mel arrived at the top with Kevin and Pauline; she was hot but still going strong.  We left her with the words “See you at Kinlochleven!”  

We trotted back down to Altnafeadh, Kevin pulled away from us as I was stopping to offer jelly babies to everyone coming up, one runner didn’t look hot and bothered, Vicky Hart, I know you didn’t believe me when I said you looked fresh as a daisy but you did! 

Pauline was getting concerned with the time we were taking, I was concerned with not putting my eye out waving my trident about as we belted back to the car.  I would never drive dangerously but I was going as fast as my wee Fiat would allow with total disregard for fuel consumption (not my normal with the price of petrol these days) Pauline was feeling a little queasy, and we were about 15 minutes away when Sue phoned.  “Mel’s just gone through; she’s taken some water and carried on.” Mega fail in the support department!  We drove on through Kinlochleven and were slightly relieved to see Kevin’s car parked opposite where the route goes up the hill, he would manage to catch her.  In previous years, I’ve been dropped off at Altnafeadh and ran over to Kinlochleven, I hadn’t realised how long it would take to get back down and drive round.  I won’t make that mistake next year!

We went on to Lundavra, Pauline loaded up her backpack and set out to meet Mel.  I opened a pot of rice pudding and dolloped on a big spoonful of jam, it wasn’t long before she arrived, still going strong, even better it didn’t mess with her head that we missed her, she was fine, Kevin did catch her and she’d had some Irn Bru from Jeff at his Wilderness Response post.  We walked up the hill with her, I handed Mel the pot of rice, she didn’t want any but I told her I wasn’t taking it back until she’d ate the jam, she made a face, stuck her tongue out but the jam went in and so did some more coke.  Satisfied she’d fuelled up enough for the finish we left her to push on to the end.

We didn’t go straight to the finish but to Braveheart to give her a final cheer, Kevin was here too, we walked up the hill for bit with a bottle of water, in case she needed it.  Mel pushed straight through but shouted for Pauline to come with her, I doubt I could’ve kept up with her so drove along to the finish and was lucky to get a parking space.  I was jumping up and down watching the time, it was close to her goal, would she make it?  WOOHOO!  Here she comes with Pauline and Kevin in her wake. 7hrs 57mins 34secs. Mission accomplished, sub 8 hours!  Huge congratulations and hugs, brilliant running, dealing with the hot conditions and duff support! 

It was time to relax, have our lunch at last and catch up on how others had got on and get updates on how those that were still out there were faring.  

Morna finished strongly in 8 hrs 57mins pleased with her race in these conditions.  

There was a bonus for Mel at the prize giving, First Female Vet, a very successful first ultra!  

Pete, Erin and Tim have arrived and it was time to get ready for our night out,

a table for fourteen had been booked a week or so ago in the Nevis Bank Hotel for a joint celebration with our birthday and race successes, Anne Wombill also completed her first ultra, she had taken quite a sore tumble but unlike Robin in his first DOTH didn’t go for the sympathy vote and finish with a bandage round her bonce and she only winced when hugged! Apart from that Pete, Erin, Pauline, Tim, Mel, Kevin, Morna, Ken, Sue, Anne, Robin, Fiona, Iain and I had a lovely evening.

I couldn’t have wished for a better 50^th birthday, I got to spend it in my favourite place with some very special friends and family.  Now that I’ve reach a significant mile stone in my life should my behaviour be more fitting for a lady of my mature years?  

Hell no! Age is just a number and I’m no lady! 

West Highland Way Race 2012 – “It’s a bit damp!”

Training has gone very well this year, without a single cough, sneeze or niggle covering around 50 to 60 miles most weeks.  The Skye Half Marathon on the 9^th June was a breeze and the following fortnight of taper was fine without too many symptoms of the dreaded taperitis.   I was in great shape and decided to just give my support the splits from my PB year to work from (26.14.48hrs in 2007) although I included last year’s sheet (32.17.11hrs, my slowest year) for reference.  I always move forward at the best of my ability and these splits were for guidance only, not goals, there are too many variables on the WHW to plan precise timings and you’ve just got to go with the flow.  

I had a nice chilled Friday, having bagged and labelled all my gear on Thursday, just resting, cooking some potatoes for my adventure supplies, doing my race manicure, (Carnegie colours) and going to bed for a few hours in the afternoon, I managed to doze off for a while and then just lay listening to gentle music until 5.30pm. I had a lovely long shower, savouring the warm water knowing the next time I’ll be clean will be Sunday morning. 

9.00pm Mel, Kevin and Adam arrived and within half an hour the roof box was on the car and my mountain of gear was added, luckily Kevin does have quite a big car but I think it was groaning all the way to Milngavie.  The weather had been fair in Fife and we tried to bring it with us but failed, at Milngavie the rain was stotting down, Mel wouldn’t let me out the car until I’d donned a big ghost of a poncho, she volunteers at the Moon Walk every year and “borrowed” a handful.  I registered and was weighed then went back to the car, it wasn’t long before the rest of the Carnegie gang arrived and we had a bit of birthday bash. The WHW was Sue’s way of celebrating her 50^th birthday and doing my support was a rather unique way for Adam to celebrate turning 18! A rendition of Happy Birthday and a couple of bits of birthday cakes at midnight was a splendid way to while away the countdown to the start.

After Sean’s race briefing it was time to attempt a team photo, there’s always someone missing, this time it was Richie. 

Then over to the start, the air was crackling with excitement, Pauline and I were shouting our Clash of the Ash. COME ON! ALRIGHT! COME ON! ALRIGHT!  Some hugs and best wishes then at 1.00am we were off, 172 runners with hope in our hearts.  

(photo from Pauline's support Jim Garvie)

Milngavie High Street was lined with cheering supporters, last year it took me by surprise but this time I was grinning from ear to ear as we were cheered all the way to the turn, I switched on my head torch and with so many runners the path was brightly lit, as we strung out in the dark, I wondered what we would look like if seen from above, probably a gigantic, magical, sparkly caterpillar.  There was a fair bit of banter and chatter as folk were skirting round puddles trying to keep feet dry for as long as possible along the lumpy bumpy path, I heard a loud shout of sweary words from behind, Fiona MacD had just gone over on her ankle, I shouted to keep moving, walk it out, but I saw the pain on her face, it was a sair yin, Vicky O’R was with her but I felt guilty moving on, and it wasn’t until I spoke to Fiona in Fort William I found out that that was the end of her race… until next year!

Along the old railway line by Glengolye Distillery aka the path of a thousand gates (and this year the path of a thousand puddles) it was along here I finally gave up trying to keep my feet dry, it was impossible and a waste of energy going around and up the banking of the path.   I was with David Ross, he said he had the honour of being the heftiest in the race weighing in at 115kilos, which was more than two of me!  I was in awe of what he was doing; if pound for pound the effort was equal did it mean I would have to get to Fort William then turn round and go back to Milngavie? That will never happen!

I was a bit confused when we hit the tarmac road at Gartness, someone said “If you’re lost, heaven help the rest of us!” In my defence it was still pitch dark; I’ve often switched off my head torch once I’ve got here!  The rain was still bouncing off the tarmac and the road was just a river, I was now blethering with Gary, doing his first WHW heading towards Drymen.  After turning right into the field I phoned Mel to say I was about five minutes away, it was here I had my first wee problem with my shoes, heading up hill the right insole started to rumple up and crease under my heel, I think with it being so wet it was just floating about, I‘ve worn this make and model of shoe for years and never encountered this before. When I met my team I stopped to flatten out the insole and swapped my backpack, (I use two, so I don’t have to wait on it being refuelled) heading up the path my insole rumpled again, it was quite uncomfortable with a big fold under my heel and my toes hanging over the front of it, but on the flattish bits and downhill it would sort itself out, I’ve had blisters the size of golf balls on my heels during my first WHW and I didn’t want to repeat that experience if necessary.  I had planned to keep these shoes on until Bridge of Orchy but I’ll change them at Rowardennan.  I eventually took off my head torch at the Garadhban stumps, and heading up Conic hill, this is the first time I’ve walked up a waterfall, the water on the path was shin deep, I’ve never seen it like this before, and this is my ninth WHW, I supported Pauline in 2002, which was a wet year too, I’ll ask her later if it compares.   Heading down I was with Sue, Silke and Robin, I walked down cautiously on the wet slippy ground, it’s just not worth the risk of gaining a few seconds here, there are no goblets awarded for getting to Balmaha fast!  

I went straight through, shovelling in my rice pudding with honey, Mel carried my mug of tea and Kevin and Adam shoved a banana and some Maltesers into my backpack.  As usual, I enjoyed the section to Rowardennan, the night is over, Conic hill done, relax and enjoy the privilege of being here.

I had a wee problem with my left foot, the bones were now jarring with every footfall, I went through the possible causes, between a stress fracture and just having my lace a bit tight, no matter, only half my footsteps to Fort William would hurt and as the race continued, no doubt, other pains will shout louder.

At Rowardennan my team were brilliant, getting my socks and shoes changed; I was soon on my way now wearing my wrap around clear lens glasses to keep the midges out my eyes.

Towards Inversnaid  it was lovely to have Sue’s company and Jonathan’s too, we looked out for each other crossing  all the fast flowing water, one wrong step or slip and it’s an ouchy flume into Loch Lomond.  As we approached Inversaid the waterfall was thunderous, I regretted not carrying my camera. I was rendered almost speechless; “WOW!” was all I could muster.  As we approached the checkpoint, two folk came towards us, heavily disguised in waterproofs, we got closer, Karin pushed back her hood.  Huge emotional hugs!   Thank you for being there with Brenda, in such miserable conditions, just to raise the spirits of all the runners coming through, the memories of running with you last year came flooding back. 

I was buzzing after Inversaid, really enjoying the challenge, the rain was still bouncing off my hood, my fingers-tips were wrinkled hanging on to the soggy moss covered rocks and trees.  The scrambly path is only scary if you were trying to go faster than your capability; I stayed well within my comfort zone.

(photo from the Hoka Highland Fling 28/4/2012)

At Dario’s post, Sue and Jonathan were already there looking down the loch, I unfastened my racing hip flask from the chest strap of my backpack, I poured Dario’s share on his post, raised the flask and said “You’re just havin’ a laugh… but so are we!”   I shared the rest of the Talisker with Sue and Jonathan, minutes later Sue missed her footing and took a gracefully roll down the side of path claiming she’s not a whisky drinker and it was only a token gesture touch to her lips.  I tried not to laugh too much… but fail!

I was having another problem with my shoes, both Sorbothane heel pads (which are made of a sticky silicone type stuff) that normally stays put, were floating forward under my arches, I stopped a couple of times to sort them but eventually gave up, deciding that as they moved about it was just like a foot massage although not a very comfy or relaxing one! 

One bonus of the dreich conditions is that the foxgloves are beautiful; they stood out bright and tall, their deep majestic purply pinks rich and vibrant. I think they are always at their best on race day. (I have a couple of my own)

After Beinglas, the path isn’t so sheltered and with the wind behind us I started to feel the cold penetrate my hamstrings and shoulders.  On the track heading to coo poo corner, the water we were wading through seemed colder than before and was giving me an ice-cream headache in my feet, but it dulled the pain in my left foot and hopefully would reduce any inflammation. 

Sue and I were still together and were discussing our plans for Auchtertyre, she was going to have a complete change of clothes, that’s something I’ve never done before but I’ve also never been so wet before!  I don’t mind being wet really, it’s being cold that causes problems so I decided to have the luxury of a full change too.  The Bogle Glen rollercoaster whooshed along uneventfully and after crossing the road heading towards Achtertyre a runner was heading towards us fully kitted out in waterproofs and it wasn’t until she was quite close we recognised Morna, Sue’s support, she took our requests and shot off back to the checkpoint. 

Auchtertyre marks 50 miles and over half way, I arrived at 2.55pm, with over an hour to go until the cut-off at 4.00pm, no panic like last year where I just made it with 10 minutes to spare.  I was weighed and Mel pointed me towards one of the toilets with its huge cubicle, where she helped me strip, what a struggle it was getting a fresh pair of Skins on damp cold legs! Swapped the Sorbothane from my other shoes and layering up with the clothes I’d bagged and marked Glencoe.  Three quarter length Skins, tights and waterproof breeks on my legs, long-sleeved thermal, fleece, lightweight jacket and big rain-jacket on my top half, no wonder it took 18 minutes, my longest stop!  I walked out shovelling in a tub of custard, and started running as soon as I finished it, I could feel my body start to build up some heat, lovely.  Heading past the By The Way Hostel Ken told me that the runners were now being advised to go round by the road instead of crossing the river as it’s in spate.  Ok, no problem, there’s not a lot of difference in the diversion except you’re on tarmac.  I met my team again after crossing the road, heading up past Brodies Store I had a lovely mug of Mel’s homemade soup, and Sod’s flaming Law! The rain had eased and briefly I had a smidgen of a shadow! (If you blinked you would have missed it) I decided to take off the waterproof breeks, I was roasting now, Mel and Kevin hauled them off for me as I leaned on them.  Adam was running with me now and it was lovely having his company along to Bridge of Orchy.

Bridge of Orchy (60 miles) no stopping here, just a wave to the Lord of the Bridge as I went through, I didn’t even break stride, my team were ready with my mug (my first coffee in a month, aaahhh!) and my rice pudding.  Kevin was now coming over Rannoch Moor with me.  We headed up the hill towards Murdo’s Mount and we spend a few minutes with him and his Saltire, he said that the race was won and Jez’s record had been broken!  I think my reply was a bit confused, I couldn’t comprehend that that was possible in these conditions.   Sue with Morna keeping her company arrived and we struck a pose trying to replicate 2010, the only thing that was the same were the smiles! 

Rannoch Moor can be a long slog if you’re struggling but my legs were feeling strong and supple, I love the wide openness and that the landscape hasn’t changed much since the ice-age with only a handful of manmade intrusions. The weather stayed fair, I even take off my peaked Buff and rain jacket for a short spell only putting them back on as we headed up and into the cold wind towards Peter Flemings Monument. 

At Glencoe gave a wave to Karen and George doing the checkpoint and headed over to the car. With the path being a lot drier I decided to change my socks for the first time since Rowardennan, I could feel a few hot spots but there was nothing more than three wee blisters which I was rather pleased with I expected them to be a bit more mushed after all the water, it took Mel a bit of scrubbing with wet wipes trying to remove the silt and grit ingrained in my skin and slap loads of Body Glide on. I was happy just sitting eating my cheesy pasta Mug Shot, this stop took 13 minutes but well worth it, my feet were warm and comfy, the hot spots soothed in to submission.  Mel was keeping my company now for the last 25 miles, we walked down the tarmac as I finished off my pasta and my legs got back into moving smoothly.  I added my florescent yellow woolly hat to my peaked Buff to keep in the heat, looking like a proper Smurf, that’s fine, they had brilliant adventures too!

We passed Alyson just after Kingshouse, her legs looked sore and seized,  it was going to be a long slog but there was no doubt she’d get her ninth Goblet.  Silke and I were together again for a wee while. I worked well getting up the Devil’s Staircase, time was marching on, it was after 10.00pm and my goal was to get past the long boulder strewn path before needing the head torch back on. Mel led and I followed, we did manage a fair way before giving into the fading flat light, I’d started to kick, stotter and squeal across the stones, Mel would jump round with lightening reflexes to catch me in case I fell, but there was no real panic in my antics I was just fairying, I told her not to waste her energy and only turn round if she heard a clump!  I took my first couple of paracetamol, I wanted them to kick in before heading down the long, long stony track into Kinlochleven, the descent always hurts, my knees weren’t too happy and taking the edge off helps to stay relaxed and moving, we didn’t run it, just speed marched a good long stride, on this terrain, for me, it was the fastest way to travel with minimum effort and damage to quads.

Kinlochleven Checkpoint, 80 miles. 00.59hours-In.  Went for a pee, Julie weighed me.  01.01hours-Out.

Walked up the road with another lovely mug of Mel’s soup then slogged up the hill which has more climbing than the Devil’s Staircase, it just doesn’t look so impressive on the race profile since it starts from sea level.  Once up we pause and look back over Kinlochleven to the top of track and see twinkly head torches just starting their descent to the checkpoint, I wished them well.  Lairig Mor was another speed march with not a lot of running, I’m a shuffler and don’t pick my feet enough to make running an energy efficient technique.  We stop briefly for a wee blether with Jeff Smith from the Wilderness Response Team, the path winds on, the sky lightens and we take off the head torches, the path winds on, I take another couple of paracetamol with a Slimfast, the path winds on.  I do a wee stock take; my body is sore and tired but my heart is strong, my head is up, my mind is clear, there will be no hallucinations for me again.  My thoughts turn to my Mum, its six months since she lost her battle with cancer, no matter how tired or sore I feel from running, it will never touch the level I witnessed my Mum endure with dignity and stoicism.  It is a luxury having the health to push my body to this extent and for fun! 

The cold was starting to penetrate again, Mel was great at making sure I was taking on food and drink, I was carrying a wee can of coke but she just kept handing me her big bottle.  I was longing for Lundavra and the elixir what was waiting for me there, a big mug of hot chocolate with added coffee and a finger of shortbread. We eventually reached it and the boost is instant, I warmed up, the path is less stony and more runnable although it has huge undulations.  We passed more runners but not in a competitive way, I’m just moving well, the big steps down, the steep climb up through the tree stumps previously known as the spooky woods to the wide track, for the first time in all my WHW’s I run every step, that never ending quad jarring descent with a few sneaky inclines near the end (maybe they don’t incline much but after ninety odd miles and lack of sleep they are tough!)  

Mel asks if I want her company for the glory mile. I want her to share it with me but know when I hit the pavement after the Braveheart car park I’m very insular and selfishly savour my achievement.  Kevin is at Braveheart, and I asked for my Carnegie vest not realising he’d parked at the Leisure Centre and ran out to meet us, if I’d known I wouldn’t have asked for it but after the request he bolted off back but didn’t hear Mel shout it didn’t matter, it would’ve been nice to finish in my vest but this race surpasses club allegiance we’re all family. 

At the corner of Braveheart, I turn my watch round to race time for the first time since leaving Milngavie, 28hours 51minutes. Can I run a sub 9 minute final mile? COME ON, go for it! I revel in what I’m about to attempt, no matter the time; this just makes it even more fun! Halfway along I say to Mel to go on I wasn’t going to let it go.  Although I’m working at “sprint” pace Mel moves off like a floored Ferrari to get a prime spot for a photo, Kevin is sprinting back to me with my vest, a humungous thank you but I’m in my stride and not stopping now.  I see the sign for the Leisure Centre, the car park is chock-a-block with vehicles, I try to go “racing line” luckily no car loses a wing mirror as juke my way though, I bang both hands on the glass door with a bit more force than I intended , I startled the folk inside.  The door is opened and Ian says “Fiona, I’ve got you at 28.59.59!”  I laugh and think sub 29 hours, bonus!  Mel hugs me tight until my breathing and emotion is under control. 

                               I've done it!

Mel takes me for a walk round the car park then I sit and have a mug of tea and a slice of toast and I gather myself and my thoughts together, that was tough but not traumatic…but that was a thought too soon!  Mel and I head to the showers; I get my clothes off Mel squeals “A tick!”  I squeal louder “Gerr it off, gerr it off!”  I twist round to see the wee beastie on my bum!  Mel threw my towel over my shoulders and shot off to get help. I stand there starkers, all of a dither, but I put my big running knickers back on at half mast, just in time for Sean to enter the ladies changing room, my knight in surgical gloves, and what a pro, he doesn’t flinch at all at the proximity of a minging white butt cheek and removes the blood sucking b*stard.  I take a deep breath, trauma over, a shower, and sleeping bag in a tent behind the Leisure Centre, what luxury!

 We head to Nevisport and catch up with most of the Carnegie clan also there for breakfast. All faring well, we had eight starts and sadly Richie was the only one not to finish.  My legs weren’t too bad on the stairs either, it’s traditional for support to mock their runners here but I didn’t give them much to laugh at.   I also catch Mel while she’s still a bit dazed and tired and ask her if she’ll do my support next year, I think she thought I was asking is she was enjoying her fry up and she said “Yes!” I’ll hold her to it though!

The prize giving is an exceptional event where every finisher, all 119 of us is awarded our goblets individually, the conditions took their toll, 53 didn’t make it. Some walk fairly normally for their moment of well-deserved heart-warming applause, some hobble, Tim shows off with a sprint! (He couldnae of ran hard enough, the slacker!) Ada receives her Goblet sitting in a wheel-chair, Lesley’s is pick up by Morna on her behalf as she’s still in A&E.  Whether you finish first or last, everyone is a winner.  Pauline is awarded a special memento for joining a rather exclusive bunch, The 10 Club, one of only five and the first woman to have completed 10 WHW races, next year Alyson and Tony will hopefully join the exclusive club and I hope they don’t mind if I make it a little less prestigious and they let me join too!

But just because I’ve completed nine WHW’s before there is no guarantee I’ll do it again. I’m not much of a gambler but the more often you chance fate it’s bound to slap you in the gub eventually, I do feel a bit invincible having dodged the bullet in 2005 but how much longer will my luck hold?  FOREVER if I’ve got anything to do with it!

But without the dedication of the race officials and supporters no Goblet will ever grace the mantelpiece of those privileged enough to make it to the finish.  Sean must also be mentioned in dispatches for going beyond the call of duty.

Before and after with my team.

Mel, Kevin and Adam I could not have done it without you. THANK YOU SO MUCH

It is an honour being part of the West Highland Way Family and the next clan gathering will be on the 22nd June 2013, see you all there if not before!

Scotland Outdoors

If you want a sneaky preview of an article in a brilliant magazine available now called Scotland Outdoors check the link below Outdoor Passions and you can find out more about the magazine at Scotland Outdoors

Five Sleeps to go!

Not long now to the main event, the highlight of the year; the excitement heading into the unknown, the unpredictability that is the West Highland Way Race.  No matter my previous experience or how well training has gone, the weather is the only thing that can scupper my goal of swinging the doors off their hinges at the Leisure Centre.  I’m not afraid of a bit of weather, I’ve got seven rain jackets to choose from, an Inov8, a Goretex, three Montane, an Aldi’s tenner special and another that I can’t remember what it is! I commend my friends when they have used common sense and aborted runs and races in the face of life threatening conditions, I doubt I’ll ever be that sensible; I’ve been lucky that all the miserable conditions I’ve encountered haven’t done me in, I completed the Marcothon in 2010 outside in over a foot of snow, (treadmills are unnatural), my 5 mile route was taking an hour and a half but I never gave in, once my hat was blown off the top of West Kip in the Pentlands, except it was firmly attached to my head at the time but I regained my feet. During Hurricane Bawbag I recorded a sub six minute mile and also a fifteen minute mile, (we did modify our run that day from Conic Hill to a route with no trees round Preston Island on the Fife coast, and that six minute mile was scary, I thought I was going to smash my face in, my legs struggled to keep up with my body!)   Rain? Pah, it’s only water; as long as you’re warm you’re fine. But the Scottish Highland weather is not to taken lightly, the race has been stopped for safety a few times before, the last time in 2005,  if Sean decides to stop the race, I will respect his decision and I hope I can handle my devastation with a bit of stoicism.

In one of the early podcasts Lee was giving very good advice and I totally agreed with her every word until she said “It is only a race!” I took a sharp intake of disagreement, of course she is right, there is nothing worth an early grave but if it wasn’t for the WHW race I doubt I would be who I am today or had found the strength to face what life has thrown my way. 

Running 95 miles in the most scenic part of the country is a luxury only the fit and healthy have the privilege to choose to experience.

My training has gone well this year, I predict a finish!  Ok I’ll narrow it down a bit, somewhere between 26.14.47 (a PB by one second) and 34.59.59 (just inside the time limit) but hopefully sub 30 hours.

There are only two things that will get you into Fort William, well I suppose three really, your body, that’s the thing most folk spend ages training and getting into shape but that is the least important part of the trilogy, and it can take a lot of abuse, niggling injuries, blisters, dodgy guts, concrete quads, broken bones  (Mark Hamilton) these things only slow you down but do not stop you. Your body just holds what will get you beyond Kingshouse.  No matter if your training has gone well and covered mega miles or you’ve hurpled along on a handful. No matter if your rain jacket is a high price, high tech, state of the art, hundred pounder, or a plastic poncho from the pound shop.  No matter if your shoes are the expensive, new, all the rage ones or thirty quid in the sale. Two things and two things only will get you to Fort William… HEART and SOUL!  Your body will suffer some collateral damage and only to be expected but as long as your heart can roar like a lion and your soul sings you will get your goblet.

Here’s a song that the last verse never fails to bring my emotion to the surface, I’ve ran naked before and by that I mean stripped to the core, heart and soul carrying my bag of bones, and I’ll do it again as long as my body draws breath.  

Hold my soul, let it carry me!

Isle of Skye Half Marathon

I picked up Pauline Friday morning, we decided to go up the A9 and turn left at Dalwhinnie, I prefer the Tyndrum, Glencoe road with glimpses of the West Highland Way but with the World Cup being on in Fort William (the mountain bike one) there would probably be delays going that way.  

After our traditional stop for a picnic at Eilean Donan Castle (wondering how many millions of photos are taken there every day) we tootled our way up to Portree, we called into the big Co-op before going to our B&B, they were only accepting cash due to a technical problem, we later heard that the whole of Skye’s broadband was wiped out because thieving numpties cut the fibre optic cable around Lochcarron or Kyle of Lochalsh thinking they were stealing copper cable, so it was good old fashioned cash for Friday night.

We picked up our numbers and laughed at “being at sixes and sevens” after a bite to eat we headed into the Tongadale, we promised Ozzie, Karen and Sarah from Sheffield that we’d have a pint for them since they weren’t going to manage up to Skye this year, I think they’ve been coming  nearly as long as we have, our first Skye half was in 1993, we’ve missed a few years here and there but glad to see Davie Aitken keeping his record going, he’s now ran all 29!

Saturday morning was absolutely beautiful, warm, and sunny with hardly a cloud in the sky and a bit of a wee breeze to keep the midgies away. Perfect!  Also for the first time this year I didn’t have a t-shirt under my vest! I haven’t “raced” the Skye half for quite a few years since it’s usually the week before the West Highland Way race so Pauline and I run together enjoying a last leg stretch before the big adventure, this year there was two weeks between the races but I still didn’t want to work hard and wasn’t concerned what time we’d do, Pauline has standards and as the Pipe Band was leading us to the start line she said, “Right, if we’re over two hours you’re buying the ice-creams, if we’re under I’ll buy them!”  I thought Aw naw, pressure! But I accepted the challenge. 

The first few miles are undulating up hills and folk were settling into their pace, it was quite warm as the breeze, if any, was behind us, but that’s how I like it. The route has wide open scenery all the way and the Pipe Band appeared again around 5 miles.  My legs felt really good and strong, I was relaxed and comfortable keeping the pace under cruise control, and we were steadily passing people. At the Borve drink station, I could hear Fiona (Chief Wee Grumpy) before I saw her, but it’s great having friends in high places, with Vicki’s help we were handed a Capri-Sun instead of water. (photo from Vicki MacLean)

It was a lovely wee boost just before the big hill at 9 miles, I had to breathe a bit more near the top but the legs still felt good and strong, after going over the top it is just over 2 miles to the finish and all downhill, with gravity assistance (checked my watch for the first time) we were sub 8 minute mile-ing, (steep downhill) AND Pauline was on the ice-creams! We finished in 1.52.54, which was a lovely surprise and proved to me that I'm in great shape and ready for the WHW.

I’m afraid we were a wee bit anti-social and didn’t stay for the prize giving, it was too nice a day to stay in a school hall and our time on Skye is short so we took our race mementos and a picnic up to the coral beach near Dunvegan, it had clouded over a bit and breezy at the top end of the island, perfect hat wearing weather! Debbie gave us a lovely surprise, a wee while ago I’d commented on a facebook photo she’d posted of the HBT hats she’s been busy knitting. 

We rounded of the evening with a lovely meal, a couple of pints and a couple of malts.

For quite a few years, we’ve come away saying we’ll need to do the Heb 3 Challenge, and for next year we really mean it! 

The West Island Way

Ages ago Vicky invited me through facebook to an event, The West Island Way on the Isle of Bute.  I said to Pauline, do you think running 29 miles three weeks before the WHW race is too much? She said no, so I asked her if she’d like to come as well, and we accepted the invitation.

So yesterday I picked up Pauline at the back of 6.00am and never got home until the back of 10.00pm and the time in between was absolutely brilliant!

We met Silke at Wymess Bay for the 8.45am ferry; Vicky met us off the boat and drove us to the start of the West Island Way, we didn’t have long to wait until the rest of gang arrived, Ada, John, Terry, Sue and Drew.  There was a bit of a cool breeze but it was a bright sunny day, the weather was going to be good.

Customary photo and we were under way; I tried not to stop too often to take photos but I was clicking away, sticking in a bit of fartek to keep up.  I was in a new place making new footprints and I didn’t want to miss anything.   The West Island Way might be short in comparison to other long distance footpaths but it is super concentrated in terrain and scenery, rough shore path (with a notice to prove it!)

 tarmac road, farm track, rolling hills, forest track, open moor, beach, and even a golf course.

(love this photie)

A big thanks to Tommy (Mr Vicky) and their lovey assistant, Arran, for meeting us at Loch Fad with bottles of water and bars of chocolate. We had another stop at the Ettrick Bay Café where I have never seen such huge cakes, the size of the lemon meringue should be checked by the Guinness Book of Records and I had the biggest slice of carrot cake I’ve ever seen!  

The last few miles of the route have recently been changed. There are marker posts but no beaten track so with a bit of bog hopping and a lot of heather bashing

we made our way up the hill before dropping down and round into Rothesay and the finish.  Tommy and Arran were there with bananas, cans of juice and certificates for our achievements. 

Silke, Pauline and I will have to get better organised for next year, the others stayed overnight. There is talk of a winter run, count me in, this was my first visit to Bute and it won’t be my last.

Vicky, thank you and your family for your hospitality and showing us your island. A brilliant day out with great company, a day that’s going to keep me smiling through the dreaded taperitis of the next three weeks!

The Happy Highland Fling

Ok, technically it was The Hoka Highland Fling but this is my race report and I'll call it what I like. 

3.00am alarm!  I groaned and smiled at the same time,  an absurd time of day to get up but with the promise of an adventure the rude awakening would be well worth it.  At 4.00am Ken and Sue were outside my door, they had already picked up Pauline and we were in Milngavie at the back of 5.00am.  It was freezing cold but the weather looked promisingly dry, and speaking to George, Karen and Mike, (they'd just ran down from Tyndrum), apart from a couple of places, the going under foot wasn't too bad at all considering all the rain there's been.  I was sorry to hear that George had a duff knee and it scuppered their plans to do a double and run back up.  Ken was able to give them a lift back up to Tyndrum as he was heading up to Bridge of Orchy for a bit of Cally Challenge practice before picking us up at the finish.

My plan was to run WHW race pace until coming off the rollercoaster above Crianlarich then give it some welly for the last few miles.  I took my fastest WHW race splits as a rough guide which was the 2008 WHW race, in that year I got to Tyndrum in 13hrs 37mins, and Fort William 27hrs 11mins it was my fastest to Tyndrum in recent years but not my WHW PB, that was in 2007 and I reached Tyndrum  in slower time of 13hrs 50mins and Fort William in 26hrs 14mins. (As John K says "Slow and steady wins the race.") I always run to my body and don't pay any attention to time although I was wearing a watch and carried a piece of paper with  the times I expected to go through the checkpoints, purely for peace of mind of getting to Beinglas before the cut off.   

Consistent should be my middle name.

	WHW2008 Splits	Fling 2012 Splits
Drymen	2.19hrs	2.16hrs
Balmaha	4.06hrs	4.04hrs
Rowardennan	6.00hrs	5.59hrs
Beinglas	10.08hrs	9.56hrs
Tyndrum	13.37hrs	13.03hrs

Rightio, that's the boring numbers blurb out of the way, back to the important part of having fun.

After a short race briefing from John, us old gits and girlies were off at 6.00am, I shouldn't have been surprised to see some patches of white frost on the path, it took a good few miles until feeling had returned to my fingers and that was wearing gloves!  The sun was rising and bringing a bit of warmth with it, the sky was clear blue with a few wee fluffy clouds, it was never going to get as lovely and warm as last year, I kept my arm warmers on all day but we were quite lucky weather wise after how horrible it's been lately.

Pauline, Sue, Robin and myself stayed together after the start although there was no plan or pressure to do this, we were just happy running the same pace,  there were others around the same pace and nice to blether with friends old and new.  (Pauline's back had been a bit stiff and sore after gardening , she did say she might just run with me, I did cheekily warn her that I wouldn't wait)  Going through the Garadhban stumps Robin got a bit of ribbing, he was the only bloke in a group of about fifteen woman.   Thomas aka Crazy German from the 7.00am start whooshed past.  That was the start of the faster runners coming by, the Fling is a unique event where  every runner respects and encourages everyone else whether they are doing the ultra or the relay, apart from two ignorant gits that went by around Rowardennan without a word or a nod of existence with their ears plugged into music. "Oi! Get back on the treadmill you soulless numpties, you don't deserve the WHW!" is what I would've shouted if they could've heard me.  I don't think they realised what they were missing,  the Red Squirrel in what was left of Garadhban, the cheery  bird song and the distinctive Cuckoo and Woodpecker  are just a few of things that make it special for me.

I carried my camera and made them stop on Conic hill, with a view like that you can't just watch your feet!  

Thanks Helen for taking this one for me

Balmaha was busy with marshals working their socks off finding drop bags, after getting mine, I didn't stop but walked on shovelling in a rice pudding, I wanted to finish it before passing the bucket at the side of the road before going up the hill so I didn't have to carry a sticky plastic spoon and carton to Rowardennan.   Pauline and Sue were soon back with me but we'd lost Robin, he takes  a bit longer at checkpoints.  (Robin, learn to walk and faff!)

Dawn joined us along to Rowardennan, and was happy to stop for a photo on one of the wee steep  hills, I am very persuasive though. "Do you lot want a butt shot or do you want to turn round and smile!"  I did take a few butt shots but no close ups! more photos here

As we approached Rowardennen we were warned there was a fallen runner  just ahead, I envisaged someone sitting  tending to a bloody knee or the like but it was a shock to see Ellen lying on the path covered in survival blankets, we stopped to see if there was anything we could do, she had a paramedic and friends with her so there was nothing else we could do but it felt wrong to leave her.  (Ellen, wishing you a speedy recovery, hope the broken arm/shoulder heals quickly xx)

At Rowardennen I was again the first of us out of the checkpoint, I stuffed my drop bag goodies into my backpack and walked up the wide track glugging down my Yazzo banana milkshake, Pauline and Sue took a little longer topping up on some water.  It wasn't long until Dawn was back with us too, maybe I shouldn't have been so quick, I think I left my bag of Mini Cheddars lying on the ground, but Sue being the generous soul she is shared hers when I was disappointed I didn't have mine.

Once the path narrows I love the way it flows with all the ups and downs,  running with the flow I always feel good here, I think the constant change of stride and pace keep the legs fresh, I dropped behind the others a bit after stopping for a pee, kinda tricky to find a secluded spot without climbing the hill or dropping into the loch also timing it without the youngsters in the 8.00am start and the relay at the 9.00am start hurtling past! Luckily I managed without being caught with my bahooky hanging out, also wearing a wee kilt does offer a little modesty if I was.

After the Inversnaid checkpoint we were back together, I don't eat or drink much after Inversnaid with having to hang on to the trees and boulders, my short stekky legs and creaky knees  were going cautiously along , I think there has been a lot of erosion since the last time I was along it.  I was pleased to see the flat grassy bit and celebrated with my dinky 150ml can of coke. 

We stopped at Dario's post, my racing hip flask was shared among us and as we left the sun blinked through the clouds and shone brighter than before.

At the Beinglas checkpoint I was pleased to see we were well within the cut off and after picking up my goodies from my drop bag I walked up the path drinking my Slimfast milkshake, another runner was looking at his sandwich and said he couldn't face it and it was going to be bird food, I offered him the rest of my Slimfast but he didn't fancy that either, he was still travelling well though and disappeared over the hill

.

It was just after Beinglas, Pauline, Sue and I had decided that since we've come this far together we might as well finish together.  Next thing I knew I'd caught my toe and down I went with quite a clump, my first thought was "Mick Jagger!" I instantly felt a fat lip! I started to get up, Pauline encouraged me to stay down until I gathered myself but I felt ok, apart from spitting mud, "yuk!", I was crunching grit between my  teeth, then thought actually that's a good sign, my front teeth are still there.  I looked at Pauline and asked "Am I bleeding?"  The smidgen of laugher in Pauline's voice spoke louder than her words " Yeah, try not to drip on your white t-shirt."  I can't be that bad then.  Sue handed me a wee pack of anti-septic wet wipes, (sorry Sue, I used them all), I found quite a few stingy bits on my nose, lip and chin.  But apart from that nothing else was damaged, legs fine and no holes in my Skins, camera pouch was a bit dusty and my hip flask which was clipped to the chest strap has a few scratches but luckily nothing to stop me running.  It didn't take too long until I was back in my stride.  I was still moving well, my legs felt supple and strong. 

We picking a careful path through coo poo alley, and moved well on the rollercoaster.  After crossing the road Pauline put her race head on, looked at her watch, and said it's close but we might finish under 13 hours.  She was pulling away, Sue and I followed putting in a good effort, it was the plan but I had a wee conspiratorial whisper to Sue "I don't think we're going to get under 13 hours, are you worried?"   She wasn't, that's a relief, but we weren't slacking,  Pauline was feeding us chocolate coated coffee beans, and I was breathing hard.  I heard the piper, we were nearly there.  

photo from Muriel Downie

We finished together in a row of grinning Cheshire cats in 13hrs 3mins.  Pauline was happy to lay the blame of failing to finish under 13 hours on me stopping for a lie down, that's ok, I can live with that, it was a brilliant day and mashing my moosh wasn't going to take the shine off.