Gav's Ultras

YIKES !! - It's Race time already !?

2011-06-16T19:37:00.001+01:00

I can hardly believe that it's that time of year again, June seems to have rushed up on me, and my plan this year of increasing my training mileage started well, but then went into reverse. Was never the most motivated person in the world to go training but seem to have really struggled a bit with motivation this year, particularly after the Fling, but that seems to be an annual occurance !

My training miles for the year looks like this -

So whilst I feel like I've not really done as many miles this year, it isn't much less than other years, and I doubt that 30 miles in traininng will really make that much difference, so this year should be the same as other years. If only it were that simple !!

I've not been in the right place mentally for the Race this year, which I think can be illustrated by the number of blog posts I've recorded this year, 4 compared with 43 last year ! However as it draws nearer and I start to gather all the gear and food I need, i.e. today, I am now looking forward to it.

I made a note last year of earning points from the race so that I wouldn't forget them (being organised is most unlike me !) The link to the post is here.

The forecast for Friday / Saturday is dominated by this symbol -

So good luck to everyone that's running, hope you all have a good race and make it to the finish. See you tomorrow night !

Monthly Update (not that there's much !)

2011-03-31T22:56:00.000+01:00

Well February was a good month mileage-wise, but March sees me return to my old ways. I finished off Feb with a long run of 31 miles from the Drovers to Kingshouse with the following group -

Richie, Marco, John, Neal, Me, Bob & Ross

Within half a mile of starting I knew the pace was too hard for me and before too long I was trotting along at the back. I really toiled over Rannoch Moor, desperate to get the run over, made worse by knowing that everyone was waiting in the pub for me before we got the bus back to the start. It brought home I've got a long way to go that before June.

March was a difficult month to find the time to run but I had reasonable excuses, the first week was spent working all the hours of the day, unsuccessfully looking for the buried body of a murder victim, then I developed a chest infection. The chest infection meant that I didn't enter the D33side ultra as but I did do one run of 22 miles but after 16 miles I blew up, didn't have any liquid or food with me and basically walked the last 6 miles. I had planned to do

Worryingly I'm not developing the speed or stamina that I would liked to have achieved by this time of the year, but I'll keep plugging away. I've entered the Fling at the end of April which I'll use as a training run and a gauge of my fitness.

On the plus side I ran less miles in March '08 and that was the year I set my best time, so lets see how I get on. It would be most uncharacteristic of me to do hundreds of miles in a month !!

An icy slide along the Cateran Trail.

2011-02-19T00:33:00.000Z

Firstly, thanks to everyone who commented in response to my request for training suggestions. I'll go with the unanimous majority and keep doing what I've always been doing, although this year I might bump the mileage up a wee bit.

Went for a run along the Cateran Trail yesterday, a route I've done a few times, run was from Bridge of Cally to a bothy known as the "Lunch Hut" between Enochdu & the Spittal of Glenshee. In total it's not far off 28 miles, so would be a good test for me at this stage of my "season".

The Route

We are currently dog sitting so have 5 dogs in the house and by the time I'd got them walked, fed then driven to the start it was mid-day - a lot later than I'd planned to be. As 2 of the other dogs were still pups and the other 2 are fat little barrels, it was only Cody that I took with me.

Within 10 minutes I was slipping and sliding along icy forestry tracks. When hard packed, wet ice covers the entire width of the track, it makes for very slow, cautious going, and I found places more stress on your legs as you tense up and try not to fall. And when there was no ice there was mud, lots of it.

Cool signpost near to Cultalonie Farm

Going out was a bit of a slog, previously I have been to the halfway point at the hut in 2 hours 15 mins, but yesterday it took me 2 hours 55 mins. I knew then I was going to be finishing in the dark. The way back was even tougher, obviously the terrain was the same, but my poor fitness really showed and I came back in 3 hours 25 mins, making a total time for the 28 miles of 6 hours 20 mins, an average speed of 4.4 mph - yikes !!

I'm putting it down to the underfoot conditions stopping me getting in to my stride ! I hope that's the case as I'm planning a run on the WHW on the 27th with John Kynaston and a group of pretty good runners, so I don't want to hold them up. I'm really wishing the snow would disappear now, but there's more forecast tonight and it looks like I might struggle to get to work in Blairgowrie in the morning.

Snowy run with my "new" Packdog !

2011-02-11T15:53:00.000Z

I decided to go for a longer run on Tuesday there, so headed up to Dunkeld to do a run in the Loch Ordie area, I had a target of 20 miles give or take in mind, and thought that after the recent, relatively warm weather most of the snow would be gone - I was wrong !

As I headed past Perth I could see that the snowfall we had on Sunday night had stuck around locally, but I decided to carry on anyway. Cody was with me and this was our first outing with his new dog backpack. I figured there was no point in me carrying everything when I could give the dog gainful employment, so he got the pack for Christmas. He's only worn it for a few walks but doesn't seem to mind it at all, his tail continues to wag incessantly -

So given the weather he was tasked with carrying a spare fleece and a pair of trousers for me. We set off from the car park and it quickly became clear that the run was going to be a lot harder than running in normal conditions. The soft powder snow was generally 2-3 inches, but frequently was 6 inches deep and any standing water was frozen solid, making for slippy, tiring progress.

Typical conditions

I trudged up to Loch Ordie then down towards Kindallachan and back to the car park by Rotmell Farm. The distance covered was about 17.5 miles and because of the underfoot conditions I was regularly reduced to walking so it took me 3hours 15 mins, an average speed of 5.3mph, which I guess I'm quite happy with given the limited running I've been doing and the snow / ice.

I'm running a bit more regularly now and hope to get another couple of longer runs in before the end of February so my monthly target is 70 miles which, work permitting, should easily be acheivable. I've created a table of my monthly mileage again, but this year I've added my total mileage prior to the WHW race and my time. I've never done this before and what I found amazing was how close my totals were given that I don't really know what I'm doing and have a completely unstructured, run-when-you-can training regime.

This year I'd like to increase my mileage to see if it makes any difference. Looking at some other blogs Marco Consani ran 285 miles in January ! And Ian Beattie ran 2,035 miles throughout the whole year, so I have some catching up. I've deliberated this many times before and I'm not sure if the running that I do suits me, or if increasing my mileage would improve my times ? So Jez, if you're reading this and you have the time to make me up a training program then feel free to e-mail me ! I know that it's a completely individual thinag and if you ask 2 ultra runners how they train, you'll get 3 different answers but if anyone else wants to contribute some suggestions then they would be gratefully received.

2011 - here we go !

2011-01-02T00:59:00.000Z

Now that the New Year is here I tend to start thinking about training for the Big Race in June andlook to increase my mileage, this year that won't a difficult thing to do. Traditionally I tend to have a pretty easy second half of the year running-wise. I think it's probably because I've done so much (for me anyway) running during the first half, but this year felt worse than normal, so I added up the totals and was pretty shocked to find out how few miles I had done -

July was probably 15 miles max, I don't actually know, but it was the run when I supported Pete Duggan on his Rasmsay Round run.

I had hoped to have started my training a month earlier this year and was all set to begin in December but the snow scuppered that. Frustratingly the roads round my way are still thick with ice, making falling and picking up an injury a big risk, but I'll need to look at some way to kick-start my training.

Cateran Trail Race in doubt !!??

2010-12-02T22:10:00.000Z

Only joking !! but below is a picture I took today of the Cateran Trail Race start line when I was up opening the snow gates in Glen Shee -

If the winter keeps going this way I don't think it will have thawed by 21 May !

On a separate note I went for a 16 mile run to try and kick start my training last week in the Loch Ordie area near Dunkeld. It went well, with no aches or pains, but I did develop a mad craving for sausage rolls during the last couple of miles, so had to stop off via the bakers in Dunkeld on my way home.

Training has now been halted due to all the snow, but I have purchased a turbo trainer so hope to get some miles in on my bike. A turbo trainer is a much safer option than bike rollers, and for those that missed Marco's attempts on rollers that was recently posted on Deb's blog, then click here to see it - absolutely fantastic (Debs - I hope it's not copy writed, but I figured the more people see it the better !).

A Slow Start

2010-11-13T14:00:00.000Z

I decided to get off my backside on a recent trip to Aviemore and did my first run since August ln Tuesday - wahay !! It was only a little over 4 miles, and rather embarrasingly I found it a bit harder than I thought I would, but it was a circuit around Loch an Eilein, so the scenery was fantastic -

Loch an Eilein, castle in the foreground, snow covered Braeriach in the back

The next day was a snowy ascent of Cairngorm, the snow was right down to the car park and we passed a few hopeful people carrying snowboards up the hill. It was a cold, crisp, clear, beautiful day and the summit cleared of cloud just as we approached, giving awesome views. The descent was a blast running straight down, through the snow, it only took about half an hour. The following day, after a stormy night, it looked like most of the snow had been scoured off the mountain by the wind - the ski centre may have to wait a bit longer.....

On the summit of Cairngorm

WHW 2011 - Here I come !

2010-11-05T16:49:00.002Z

Not had much to write about recently, mainly because I haven't run a single step since August - Ooops !! But I usually have a big chunk of the year off in the autumn, so not really been missing it.

Bought a new bike on the cycle to work scheme so been getting out on that quite a bit -

For those interested it's a Van Nicholas Mistral frame & fork with mainly Ultegra components with a few FSA bits. It's made of titanium, which is pretty much indestructable, so in theory this should be the last bike I ever buy.

Received an e-mail today from Stan Bland of the WHW organising committee confirming that I have a place in next years race. I don't normally really start training for the race until the New Year, but I'd really like to give 2011 my absolutely best shot, so I guess I should get off my backside and start gently pretty soon. The thought of getting back into race shape is not one I'm particulalry relishing !!

Club Hill Race

2010-08-19T21:45:00.001+01:00

Tonight saw the running of the Dundee Road Runners annual hill race. As we are primarily a road running club the hill race is not too demanding, basically a lap of Auchterhouse Hill, a few miles to the north of Dundee,

The route

It was a beautiful night with some cracking views from the top and turn out was pretty good - maybe about a dozen of us - we're not a big club ! I'm pretty unfit just now so the initial climb hurt quite a lot but I got to the summit in 3rd place and that's where I stayed till the end. It felt a lot more that the 2.2 miles with 530ft ascent, I think wy finishing time was around about 18mins 10s and I got a Bounty bar at the end which made it all worthwhile :-)

The "Duggan Machine" does it !

2010-07-27T12:13:00.000+01:00

During this years WHW race Peter Duggan ran past me on hills a couple of times and I called him a 'machine', well this weekend he pretty much confirmed that when it comes to hills - he is. Pete ran the Ramsay Round a 56 mile (poss longer) loop which takes in 23 Munros and 28,500ft of ascent over Saturday and Sunday.

The Ramsay Round Route

A few weeks ago I offered to help Pete by running as a pacer during his attempt. He had 2 others pacing, a friend of his Jon Gay and Richie Cunningham the winner of this years WHW race. After various permutations on how best to tackle the route a midday start on Saturday was decided upon. I met Richie and we travelled up to Pete's friend Noel's place at Torlundy for the final preparations then it was down to Glen Nevis for the start. Traffic was abysmal so instead of the midday start we had planned, it ended up being a 12.10pm start. The midday start had been preferable as that's when Charlie Ramsay started his initial 23:58 run and Pete had his splits so it would have been easy to compare, as it stood we would just have to subtract 10 off everything.


Jon, Pete, Richie & me

I took the 17:50 train from Spean Bridge then had leisurely walk in to Craiguaineach Lodge and waited. I wasn't alone though, I had a billion midgies to keep me company ! Pete and Jon almost took me by surprise, arriving at 20:20, well in advance of when I expected them, they were both looking strong and were in good spirits.

From there we headed up the long shoulder of Beinn na Lap into the mist. I was quite surprised by the speed of the ascent, the pace was unrelenting with Pete and Jon certainly not acting like they had been going for 9 hours.

Approaching the summit of Beinn na Lap

As we descended Beinn na Lap it got dark so time for headtorches then a big haul back up Chno Dearg, during which Jon announced the sole was coming off his shoe. Thankfully I had some duct tape with me so at the summit we had a brief stop and Jon was able to make some running repairs (pardon the pun!)

Summit of Chno Dearg

Pete and Jon were about an hour up on Charlie's time by this stage, but the next few miles were to be frustrating and tough. It was dark and misty up there and we had to really concentrate with the navigation to get to the top of Stob Coire Sgriordain, which we did eventually but probably lost 30 mins. The descent down to the dam at the north end of Loch Treig was torturously slow as it was steep rough ground, but we got there eventually. I know Pete found this loss of time annoying, but on the plus side if they hadn't got it already in hand then the leg would have been much worse.

We met Noel and Richie at the dam and had a refueling stop, Pete and Jon seemed in good spirits and the addition of Richie to the team would probably inject a bit of pace. I toyed with the idea of leaving with Noel here but I felt pretty good so decided to go over the next 2 tops then leave.

About 10 minutes into the climb up Stob a Choire Mheadhoin I was ruing my decision to continue. The pace of ascent was phenominal considering how long they had been going and I was struggling just to keep up. We climbed the 850 metres and 5km in 90 minutes and by the top I was beginning to flake. I had been concentrating on bringing food for Pete and Jon that I had overlooked my own requirements, a few sweets from Richie at the top gave me a wee boost which took me over to Stob Coire Easain and from there it was a treacherous descent into the Lairig Leacach.

Everyone knew that this was my bail out point, my job was done, so they went on ahead , the glow of their headtorches disappearing in the mist. I'd put trail shoes on and they were not the best on this terrain so I just took my time doing down the slope. It was such a relief to hit the track, especially when I looked up at Stob Ban which I knew the other 3 were now climbing, there's no way I could've gone up there.

By the time I was on the track it was day light and I now had a very pleasant, early morning, 6 mile run back to my car. As I came down the hill towards Spean Bridge I could see a blonde lady with a dark coat on standing looking out at the view. A bit strange I thought at 5:30 in the morning, but there was a tent not too far away so maybe she was from there. As I got closer she didn't move even though she must hear my feet scuffing on the track. This is what the 'lady' turned out to be -

I think if it had been dark when I had come across I would have wet myself, he was quite spooky in that still morning.

On getting a bit further down the track I looked back and saw that the Grey Corries were now clear and basked in sunlight. I knew the runners would not be far away from getting there and hoped they could make the most of the clear tops.

Early morning sun on the grey Corries

All the way down the track I'd been longing for a can of Irn Bru so when I got back to my car I headed in to Ft William and bought 2 cans which were downed immediately. Then it was back to Noel's where I had a shower then sat down to look at the paper, the next thing I knew it was 9:30am and I was waking up on the sofa.

I'd received a text at 8:30 from Richie saying that Jon had gone on ahead as he was flying, but Pete was on the summit of Aonach Beag and it would be a bit tight. All we could do now was wait, so Noel and I headed down to the finish at the Youth Hostel. Within half an hour of getting there we could see the black clad figure of Jon racing down the mountain, past the throngs of walkers. He crossed the finish in 23hrs 7 mins. I could tell it was bitter sweet for him as he was delighted with his time, but felt guilty at leaving Pete, even although it had been done at Pete's insistance.

Jon had given it his all

Now the time ticked by, would Pete make it ? It was agonisingly close. Through the binoculars Noel spotted someone with white shorts descending, but it wasn't Pete. Where was he, time was running out it would be awful to go through all this and not make it. The he hoved into view. We reckoned that from the point we could see him was about 20 minutes running time to the finish, but there was only 20 minutes to go. The Jon pointed out that they'd actually started at 12:10 so there was really 30 minutes to go ! From that point it was in the bag and Pete made it home in 23:50.

The happiest man on the planet !

Pete and Richie had become separated in the mist on the ascent of Carn Mor Dearg and Richie came home about 10 minutes later looking like he'd been out for a wee Sunday morning 3 miler.

Having had time to reflect on the weekend I am at a loss to know how these guys managed to do what they did. They were so strong for the whole Round, obviously there were lows, as anyone who does endurance events is only too familiar with, but they just kept marching on. I only ran 24 miles and climbed 8,500 ft, they ran over twice that distance and climbed 20,000ft more that me and pretty much dropped me 16 hours in to their run ! I hope in some part it was down in some part to me not having run a single yard since the WHW race - but I doubt it. One thing I can comfortably say is that I will never attempt a Ramsay Round. WELL DONE !!

PS - It has just dawned on me that there are no pictures of Noel on either my blog or Pete's. He played crucial role and his hospitality was exceedingly generous the way he opened up his house to us all. So here he is (2nd from the right in case you're wondering!) -

Post Race Musings

2010-07-21T22:28:00.001+01:00

Now that I've had time to reflect on this years race there are a few things that I learned that I want to record so that next year I can read this post as part of my race prep, there's no point going through something like this and nor remembering any of the many things learned along the Way !! So I'm going to bullet point them -

- Stay positive, you've done the training and the race probably won't be as bad as you expect. This year I had no real lows and felt good most of the day. Staying relaxed helps this which bring me on to ...

- Take it easy. Don't get caught up in the mass rush at the start. I was deliberately last over the line then stopped in Mugdock park for the loo, meaning I was on my own in the dark for this bit. I was 31st at Rowerdennan and 20th at Auchtertyre, you need to save something for the 2nd half, and I normally make up a lot of positions in the section.

- CRAMP. There are a few things I can do to tackle this ever present menace, so I'm just going to have to assume it will hit me at some point and develop a plan to deal with it.

1. Drink enough. Despite it being pretty hot, my weight stayed constant from Auchtertyre to the end. I was drinking a lot but drinking on thirst, so it was pretty safe and not excessive.

2. Try salt tablets. Marc gave me a couple and they seemed to work.

3. Bananas. I was force fed these, but in managaeble quantities. A 3rd of a banana every stop is easier that forcing down a whole one twice during the race.

4. Compression shorts. They might help with hammies and quads. I now have a pair of Skins so will try them out, nothing to loose (except £35 !)

5. Massages and stretching in the months leading up to the race. This year I only had one deep tissue massage, but last year I had several and felt they really helped. Also Gaynor kept telling my to stretch, I must confess I was telling her that I was, but wasn't really !

- I need to find a food that I can palate later on in the race. I had wee boiled potatoes which I enjoyed early on, but they got difficult later - maybe mashed next year ? From the Ski Centre I was struggling for any sort of apatite. Ironically there were energy bars that my mum had brought in the car, but because they were a last minute thing their presence hadn't really sunk in so my brain, so I'd forgotten about them, just like the energy drinks she had brought, which would have been a refreshing change from Lucozade.

- Don't stop - walk with my support wherever possible. Jamie Aarons did this and it was pretty effective. She wouldn't really stop, just keep walking and eating / drinking. And since I didn't need to sit down this year I could have done the same. It was quite incredible to see how much distance she could put on you when you stopped and she kept walking - 18 seconds maybe ?

- Walk in to Kinlochleven. The slope is so bad that walking the steep bits will not make much of a difference and might just safe the quads for the last 13 miles.

- Remember the sign that says Braveheart Car Park 3.2km is ABSOLUTE NONSENSE, what idiot put that up ! Every year I look at it and it drains any enthusiasm I have at that point. The car park is only about 4 mins away.

- Music. I had my ipod with me this year, but it was in the car. I don't like trail running with earphones in as i like to soak in everything around me but the right track can give me a really big boost in training. If I was near the 20 hour mark again it might spur me on, so have music not just for the end, but as it takes up so little space and weight it would be handy to help endure lows at any point.

- First Aid Kit. Don't let the half of your support team that are leaving immediately after the race take the first aid kit ! The Sunday can be a very long day if you don't have access to the various strappings, tape and lotions that you so desperately long for.

- Post race massage. If having one (and I believe these help recovery a lot) then make sure the towel is out from under your knee before you roll over !

- Monthly mileage. For 2011, following a lot of comments on the subject of my low training miles, I plan to try and increase my monthly mileage. Don't know how I'll get on with it, because if I'm honest I'm pretty lazy and whilst I really enjoy the big long training runs, I really struggle with motivation for the smaller 10milers after work.

So there we have it, points learned from this years race. Who knows how next year will go, but I won't be able to blame forgetting about how I did this year.

There are of course variables outwith my control i.e. the weather. People said this year was tough with the sun and strong northerly wind, but if I'm honest I didn't really find them a factor on the day. I don't think was running fast enough for the wind to adversely effect pace in the way it would on a 10k, and I didn't find to too hot, in fact some places were chilly, borne out by the fact I didn't change out of my Helly Hansen thermal top all day !! But it would be a different kettle of fish if we have the sun without the wind, or rain like we did yesterday. The joys of running in Scotland ...

Knee Shakedown

2010-07-13T20:52:00.003+01:00

Today I gave my knee its first test since the race and spent the day hillwalking. I was a bit concerned about how it would stand up so we did a circular route from Glen Doll that had bail out options. We did 4 Munros covering 17 miles in about 5.5 hrs. I was wearing big clumpy Scarpa Manta boots so there was only the odd wee jog downhill as I didn't want to push it, but I can report that apart from the odd wee twinge the knee gave me no problems. It seems that the 3 weeks of relative rest has worked. Hopefully I'll get back out running on it again in the next day or two.

The route

It was a beautiful day and the route we took passed just to the south of Lochnagar on the 1 year & 1 day anniversary of Dario's passing. I was working frantically at T in the Park yesterday so didn't mark the occasion like others with a whisky but did so tonight with a dram from a bottle I was given on my 21st (yeah, I know, only a couple of years ago) which I save for special occasions.

It was a relief to find that my knee was much better than I thought it was going to be as I have volunteered to be a pacer for Peter "The Machine" Duggan's attempt of the Ramsay Round on the weekend of the 24th / 25th July. Pete has 3 pacers lined up, the first Jon Gay, I don't know, but he appears to have a not too shabby 1hr 52min Ben Nevis time. The third is a chap called Richie Cunningham, then there's little old me - gulp ! Hope I don't hold him back.

The goal for the (insane) 24 summits, 56 miles and 28,500 feet of climbing is to break 24 hours, which I'm sure Pete will manage. I'm really looking forward to helping him on the way and getting a good day out on the hill with it. Fingers crossed for the weather.

2010 Race Report

2010-07-10T15:28:00.000+01:00

My preparation for WHW '10 had gone a lot better than the previous year, my training mileage had increased, I was injury free and I was feeling pretty good all in all.

My memory of the 2009 race is clouded by the last couple of miles when I felt dreadful, so to remain in a positive frame of mind for this year I had to keep telling myself that the other 93 had been pretty good, plus I had done an appalling amount of training and that year had not really run with a single person from Rowerdennan almost 70 miles yet still managed 21 hours 1 minute, so 2010 should definately be better.

I tapered well - quite easy to do when you're lazy, and only had a couple of easy runs the 2 weeks before the race. I didn't really waste any nervous energy getting worked up about the race and found it quite easy not to think too much about it. That had the benefit of keeping me calm, but on the downside it did mean that even by the Thursday before the race I'd not done any preparation. So a frantic trip was made to Tesco to buy goods on my way to work, then I did a late shift at which I was delayed and didn't get to my bed until 0400 hours, but slept till lunchtime on the Friday, meaning that my body was slightly better acclimatised for the ordeal ahead.

I had a race plan of going out really slowly and trying to maintain a constant pace. I had learned my lesson on the Fling where I went out far too fast and paid for it. I remember reaching the finish line in that race and thinking there's no way I could run another mile, let alone another 42, and my Fling time this year hadn't been far off my Tyndrum split the year I went under 20 hours so that was a bit of a worry. 2009 had taught me that you can have a bad Fling but still bounce back for mid-June. Looking back I feel the "not thinking about the race" tactic definately reigned me in and kept me calm at the start.

Prologue

This year my support plan was for my sister Gaynor to support me on the first half of the race to Auchtertyre then my friend Jamie and his wife Elaine take over. As it turned out Gaynor showed up at my house with my mum in tow. Mum had decided that she was going to do the support role from the start this year. Each year she does a little more, in 2008 she appeared at Lundavra, 2009 at Auchtertyre so I think in 2011 she might actually run it herself - go Moira !!

We arrived at Milngavie train station about 2300 hrs and parking was already at a premium. I registered, got my goodie bag, was weighed (83.5kg) then it was time to hang about until the 0030 hrs briefing. I took time to speak to a few people in the car park, had a lood catch up with Phil Tipping who wasn't running but supporting Ian Beattie. He was telling me about Ian's intriguing plan to only take water and Complan during the race ! I 've not seen Ian since so don't know how he got on.

Also saw Karen D who looked relieved to be running a race and not organising one. She was with George Reid who unbelievably had run the day before to the start from Ft William - madness ! And of course had a quick chat with John K who was looking very relaxed and feeling pretty good about the race.

As always time in that car park went pretty quickly and before I knew it the briefing was over and we formed up at the underpass. Instead of a minutes silence for Dario, we had a minutes applause, which I felt was a much more fitting gesture, especially at the start of 'his' race.

This year we had a countdown which we'd never had before, in fact on previous years I've never even head the gun / whistle / hooter or whatever's been used to start the race. I was right at the back with Mum and Gaynor and as last year was the last person over the line - did it take me 18 seconds to cross it ?!

The Start (photo © Flip)

Spectators lined the whole length on the pedestrianised area then bang, we were in the dark of Mugdock Park.

Milngavie - Rowardennan

As soon as I was in the park a reasonable distance I needed a toilet stop. As I was already near the back of the field I watched in frustration as everyone elses head torches disappeared into the distance and suddenly felt very lonely. Once I was running again I kept telling myself to take it easy and keep it slow. I know from previous experience that too many people go off far too fast so seeing head torches away in the far distance at this stage didn't phase me at all, I was pretty confident of catching them in another 50 miles or so !

The danger of being at the back is that you start to pass slower runners and I think this can probably subconsciously confuse & increase your pace as you pass. So again I had to hold myself back and run my own race.

It always surprises me how quickly the field spreads out and by Carbeth I was on my own. Running down to the old railway line that passes Glengoyne Distillery I heard an unmistakable scouse tone say hello, it was John K. I ran with him for the next wee while and we discussed how we both planned to run the race. The conversation we had still makes me chuckle as we both planned to take the first 50 miles easy then hoped to be strong in the second half. Only aft ultra runners would have this sort of surreal conversation, normal people just don't talk like that !

I always feel a bit guilty about Beach Tree Inn, Mum and Gaynor, like all previous support crews had made the effort to get there, find a parking space, get bits and pieces out the car , and as usual I run through without stopping - I do appreciate it honest !

About a mile after Beach Tree John stopped to meet his support crew and I carried on, I was sure I'd see him again at some point. I then fell in with a group through the really annoying bit with all the gates. As we approached the road at Gartness I found myself running next to a short stocky bloke who was puffing away heavily as if he was belting out a 10k. I wanted to tell him my rule of thumb, that if your running so fast you can't hold a conversation then your running too fast, but how do you tell a complete stranger how to run. He was never going to make it at that pace, I've no idea who he was or how he got on.

My head torch was off about 2 miles from Drymen, which was a relief as I'm not that keen on running with it. I had planned to be at Drymen in 2 hours and not the 1hr 39min I'd done in the Fling ! In both my previous races I'd been there in 1hr 58 min, this year it was 2hrs 3min, but I wasn't worried.

I slowly inched nearer a group over Conic Hill then passed them. I was finding that as I passed people I felt that I was going too quickly, but I had to keep telling myself to run my own race and that I had no idea who these people were and what type of race they were running. It was a beautiful sunny morning by now as I walked off the hill as per usual and was joined by an older chap, who made the mistake of running off in the Fling so joined me in the walk.

Into the chaos of Balmaha car park, I had half a banana, some malt loaf and a change of water bottle. I didn't stop, Gaynor just walked through the car park with me. Then it was off again onto my favourite leg along Loch Lomondside.

Sunrise at Balmaha © Fiona R - shows just how good the weather was

As the road at Milarrochy came in to view I could see a couple of people in front, one was the long blonde pony tail of Debs MC, the other chap I was to later learn was Dave Troman. Again I caught them up at a glacial closing pace and ran with them through Sallochy. Debs cheekily pointed out that by this point (about 20 miles in) I'd doubled my monthly mileage !!

I think I went past Rosie Bell at the wee bunkhouse beside the bridge then plodded on towards Rowerdennan. It was about half a mile out from the checkpoint that Pete Duggan went past me, running up a hill, I remember thinking to myself "that guy won't last if he keeps running up hills" - how wrong I was !

I had a very quick stop at Rowerdennan arriving there in 4hrs 52min, 10 mins down on my 2008 sub-20hr time. I remembered to take my head torch off this time as I'd been running with it on but not using it since before Drymen - muppet ! But I felt really comfortable and was confident with my pace. Another half banana forced down my throat by my support, a muller rice and more malt loaf, it was a very quick stop, which I was happy with, then it was off again on to the never ending stage along the lochside. Ben Glas Farm, and my next rendezvous with my support seemed a long way away....

Rowerdennan to Auchtertyre

Debs must've just looked at her food, if she had any at her checkpoint, because as I set out from Rowardennan she was miles in front of me again. On the long incline after Ptarmigan Lodge Pete Duggan went past me again. I don't know how I'd describe his gait, I'm sure many have tried, it's not a walk and it's not a run, a plodding shuffle ? Anyway it's effective and he ran past me up the hill in the company of another who was running the hills that I think was Dirk Verbiest.

I arrived at Inversnaid at 07:20 am, I normally faff about there, but this year was much slicker, top up water bottle remove packaging from food and off, eating on the hoof. Went past a few people there who had stopped including one chap that was being patched up by the MRT.

I had come out of Inversnaid behind a group of 4 runners but soon found them a bit too fast so left them to get on with it. Although by the time I'd got to Doune Bothy I'd caught and passed them. I arrived at Ben Glas Farm and met Gaynor & Mum who force fed me another banana in an effort to stem any cramp, a change of water bottle then off again.

I felt great in contrast to how I'd felt there at the Fling, I can sometimes toil up Glen Falloch but this time it presented no problems at all. The last 2 years this stretch has been broken up by meeting my team at Derrydarroch or the old A82, but this year those points were banned so it was another long stage to Auchtertyre. As I walked up an incline Pete Duggan ran past me again showing no signs of flagging, it was quite impressive and I passed the comment that he was "just a machine on the hills"

Just after Derrydarroch I encountered 3 calves, 3 cows and a bull walking up the path in front of me. The bull wasn't bothered but the cows seemed a bit edgy if I got near the calves they held me up a good bit as it took me quite a while to get past them.

I ran easily along the track above the A82 remebering how I had been unable to even run the flat bits during the Fling a couple of months before. This gave me the confidence that the slow start meant I was getting my pace right this time.

I don't like Ewich Forest, it seems never ending and all looks the same to me so it was a relief to get out of it. As I headed towards St Fillans Priory I was Jamie & Elaine in their car. I thought they'd come to see me but were lost so Elaine got an awful fleg when I wrapped on the window ! I cruised into Auchtertyre feeling good in 9hrs 56min, and was now 11 mins up on my 2008 time.

Auchtertyre to Glen Coe

I was looking forward to my baked tattie at Auchtertyre, but this year there was none ! So I made do with my own salted boiled potatoes. My weight had gone down to 80kgs, but was well within the limits. Jamie and Elaine had arrived to take over the support role and in previous years I'd changed to my road shoes here but this year I kept my trail shoes on.

I'd planned to have a decent stop here, in 2009 I'd stopped for an age, but in the end I didn't need it so after no more that 5 minutes I was off again.

As I approached Tyndrum Debs was in front of me again - how had she done that ! ? Turns out she didn't stop at Auchtertyre and was stopping in Tyndrum. It was at this point that I was first aware of Marc Casey who was running just behind me. I ran over the Fling finish line 5 minutes faster that my finishing time in April, back then I couldn't have taken another step, yet here I was quicker to this point, and feeling good. Isn't the human body a strange thing ?

53 miles in and my support finally take a photo ! Jamie leading Marc & I across the road at Tyndrum

I climbed out of Tyndrum alongside Marc Casey, but we were both concentrating on the climb, and didn't converse. At the top the full force of the northerly wind hit and suddenly Bridge of Orchy seemed a lot further away. Marc was slightly infront then suddenly turned round and suggested we work together to reach Bridge of Orchy. Given the exposure to the wind and the sight of the track winding in to the distance I was in full agreement. Neither of us would be aware at this stage just how long this partnership was going to last.

Just before the path passed under the railway I felt my first twinge of cramp in my hammies. Marc reached into his bumbag and pulled out 2 salt tablets which he willingly gave me and I gratefully accepted. The cramp didn't come back till much later.

We kept each other going which made the miles to BoO much more bearable. Even though it's a stupidly long race if there's someone just infront of you or just behind you can end up racing them and put yourself off your race plan, so it was a welcome relief to work with someone instead.

A quick stop in BoO, the obligatory half banana, change of water bottle then off again. Marc was right behind me and we climbed together. On this leg we were passed by a runner (sorry I don't know who) who had been joined by his wife and 2 young sons for the short haul over to Inveroran, it wasn't rally pacing, but I bet it gave him a real boost.

A final stop at Victoria Bridge and a refuel of the water bottle, we gave Marc some water, then it was on to Rannoch Moor. I'd had no lows by this point and really enjoyed the race thus far, so was kind of expecting to be hit by one soon and was sure if it was going to be anywhere Rannoch was it.

Here comes Rannoch ...

It's along haul on to the Moor, the climb is gentle but lengthy so Marc and I would pick a target then run to it, then walk a bit then run, etc. We crested on to the Moor and could see a handful of runners that we started to reel in. The first was Jamie Aarons who was running really well but going through a bit of a lull, so we forced he in to running with us and she kept going.

On the climb up from Ba Cottage we caught Dave Troman (I don't know where he'd got past us) then we caught "The Machine" who was also experiencing a bit of a low. The run into the ski centre is pretty rocky and unstable underfoot so maximum concentration was required. I arrived there in 14hrs 17 mins. I always feel that once Rannoch Moor is out the way I'm almost finished, daft I know 'cause there's still 25 miles to go, but it's a massive relief.

Who says men can't multi-task. Jamie doing support AND eating a cornetto - what skill !

Last year I stopped for around 25 minutes at King House, this year I still felt really positive so took my half banana, but was now starting to lose my appetite and couldn't really manage much else. My right knee had been hurting a little to I strapped it up at this stop and it didn't bother me again. After no more than 5 mins I was off with Marc again. Jamie Aarons hadn't stopped at all, eating on the hoof and was now a dot in the distance.

Glen Coe - Finish

The last 2 years I have struggled between Kings House and Altnafeadh, but this year it was no bother at all. As we ran through the Kings House I was surprised to see Jamie's mum and dad there, they were spending a couple of days in Ft Bill so had travelled down to watch. Support Jamie ran out to meet us & took requests I asked for some diorolyte to stem cramps as I could feel them brewing. A change of water bottle then off up the Devils Staircase. The name's a bit of a misnomer, it's not actually that bad and if you just keep walking it's over surprisingly quickly in about 25 mins.

Posing for the camera and "pretending" to run up the DSC.

It's a surprisingly long descent into KLL and Marc was struggling a bit here so told me just to go on. I felt a bit bad leaving him, but he'd been running well and was sure he'd catch me up. I caught Jamie A just after the path hits the track, it must be one of the steepest tracks in Scotland and it quite difficult to run down. With hindsight I should maybe have walked the steeper bits to save my quads.

On arriving at KLL, in 16hrs 41min I was weighed - still 80kgs, so must've been drinking enough. Another half banana, then off towards the desolate Lairigmor. It's quite a climb up from KLL but I just kept plugging away, passing Jamie A again then just kept putting one foot infront of the other. I was starting to feel a bit weary here, but nothing too bad. I heard footsteps behind me and expected to see Jamie, but it was Marc. So we found ourselves running together again in to Lundavra.

About a mile shy of the checkpoint we caught Sharon Law, or the "Gibbering Midget" as Debs MC so affectionately calls her ! She was struggling but as ever incredibly cheery and was still going to finish in a good time.

Lundavra was only a quick stop, then we were off. As Marc and I entered the Nevis Forest I knew I was in trouble and was hit with cramp. I think I was paying for the descent into KLL, whereas Marc who had taken a bit longer was still going strong. I was conscious that I was holding Marc back but despite my protests he insisted on sticking with me.

As we neared the exit to the forest Jamie A appeared behind us. I told Marc to crack on and thankfully he did - with ease, Jamie also glided past me. Despite it being all downhill to the finish I really toiled as my quads were just shot to bits. I'd been at Lundavra in 18hrs 33 mins and knew that in 2009 I had a bad last leg but ran it in 1hr 25min, so I knew getting under 20 hours would be close.

Unfortunately my quads were shot and as much as the rest of my body was willing I just could not push it any harder. As I got to the Braveheart Car Park I knew that I was not going to get under 20 hours, I'd started my stop watch at the begining of the race, but just couldn't bring myself to look at it, because I knew I'd be agonisingly close. With hindsight I wish I had it might've spurred me on.

Anyway Gaynor came out a couple of hundred yards to meet me and told me how close I was closer to breaking 20 hours than I thought, so I sprinted the last bit down the road and across the Leisure Centre car park.

The End is in sight

My time ? 20 hrs 17s .... I was GUTTED, to run for such a long time and miss out by such a small amount. I think I would have been inconsolable if I didn't already have a sub-20 under my belt. It was sooo frustrating !

I'd finished in a credible 13th place, out of an eventual 109 finishers, an improvement on last year anyway. Marc had left me for dead, finishing strongly in 11th place and a time of 19hrs 51mins.

The Team

Post Race

After the race Mum & Gaynor, who had stayed the entire day, headed back to Dundee and I had my massage (see the entry on my recovery for the story there). In 2009 I had a Steven Redgrave moment when I said, no video, that I was never doing the race again. Whilst getting my massage this year Jamie asked the same question and this time I felt a lot more positive.

The last couple of years I had camped and wasn't doing that again so this year we had booked in to a hotel. Jamie's mum & dad came back to the hotel and the 5 of us had an Indian carry out in my room, which Jamie managed to spill most of over my bed. I managed a couple of drinks in the bar then it was bed. The hotel had kindly given me a room on the second floor, and there was no lift, so it took a while to get there !

The next day we went for a swim in the hotel pool which eased the legs somewhat then it was prizegiving. It's absolutely right that everyone who finishes should be recognised by going up individually to collect their goblet, and it was a nice touch to have the winner present the last placed runner with their goblet. I was surprised by the number of 'no shows', but maybe some people have long journeys home.

Looking back I really enjoyed this years race, I felt positive & happy throughout and amazingly had no real lows at all. I don't know if it was because I felt I was running well that kept me positive or if being positive made me run well - chicken and egg I guess. I definately think running with Marc for the majority of the second half helped, I'm sure he'd agree, it's just a pity we couldn'tve crossed the line together.

Definitely planning on running 2011 and hope yet to run the Speyside Way and River Ayr Way races later in the year to qualify me for the SUMS. I learned quite a bit during this years race and will post a 'Learning Points' entry in the near future.

Recovery Update

2010-07-04T17:09:00.002+01:00

Firstly I'm still writing my race report and hope to have it on here in a few days, but I've already been saying that for a few days, so we'll see what happens. It's usually published around November time !!

This year my post race recovery's not been great and I still can't run. As expected the day after the race I had very stiff legs and between my toes was tender, although this hadn't bothered me during the race. I have previously used vaseline between the toes but that usually requires a couple of applications during the race. This year on the recommendation of John Kynaston I used Sudocrem, lashing it on at the start and did not require to reapply at all during the day. Top tip - thanks John.

All the above was expected and I knew would disappear after a couple of days, however I also had an incredibly painful right knee after the race. It hadn't really bothered me during the race, it's usually my left knee that gives me jip, and the pain was quite significant that if it had occurred during the day I'm sure it would have caused some discomfort during my run.

I've always accepted the offer of a massage at the Leisure Centre and believe this markedly reduces recovery time, however this year whilst lying on my back I had a rolled up towel under my knees then when I rolled over on to my front it was directly under my knee cap. My legs by this point were completely spent meaning that I did not have the strength to lift them at all. This resulted in my lower leg cantilevering out, unsupported and I think I may have hyperextended my knee slightly.

I've been managing to do a bit of cycling as that does not involve straightening my leg, but running is a no-no. It causes a sharp pain in my knee cap which I hoped would've gone away by now, although it is getting slowly better. It's really frustrating as I'd like to do the Speyside Way race in 5 weeks and the River Ayr Way Challenge in September, fingers crossed.

By the way, I've considered my running future and am 99% certain I'll be running the Big Race again next year - got the 20 hour demon to beat again !

A quick update

2010-06-20T18:17:00.003+01:00

Ok, just a quick update if I can stay awake long enough, because now I'm home I'm pretty shattered. There were 163 starters according to the latest list and 109 people finished, slightly down from last years 122.

I ran well with no bad patches until the end when my quads went. I finished in 13th place, in an incredibly frustrating 20 hours 00 min 17s !!!!

I am now off to ponder my running future ......

Here we go ....

2010-06-18T20:43:00.001+01:00

k, I'm about to leave the house in about an hour and head for the start, think I've got everything packed. Don't really seem to have much food this year, maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Despite the disappointing performance in the Fling I think I've learned from it and am feeling pretty good about the race. I plan to take it easy at the start, Drymen in 2 hours and not the 1hr 38min of the Fling - so I'll be keeping away from Marco !

The forecast is for clear skies tomorrow, with temps not too bad, about 8deg at 0700 hours, rising to 16 deg at 1600 hours. The wind could be a problem as it going to be northerly all day so we'll be running into the wind all the time. Gusts of 27 mph expected at the northern half of the route (nothing like the overnight conditions 2 years ago tho !). Here's what the Beaufort Scale says about a 27mph wind - "Large branches in motion. Whistling heard in overhead wires. Umbrella use becomes difficult. Empty plastic garbage cans tip over." On the positive side it will be quite cooling.

Don't know what to expect this year, training's been going better and even though last year was an hour slower that the previous year it could pretty much be put down to a leg at the top of Loch Lomond and an excessively long stop at Kingshouse, the rest of the legs were fairly comparable. So I guess I'd like to go under 20 hours again, but aiming for last years time is probably more realistic.

Good luck everyone !!

Well, that's it .....

2010-06-15T23:03:00.002+01:00

My taper's been going well (i.e. I've been doing very little !!) On Friday I did my normal Ballo Hill run, taking 79mins but cut a couple of the hairpins, then yesterday I did 20 miles on the bike and tonight I ran a very, very gentle 7 miles in 58 mins.

My last couple of runs have been at a very easy pace as I have been trying to get myself in a relaxed running mode to prevent me going out too fast, my first year I went very easy and made up loads of places in the last quarter and that's the way I want to run on Saturday.

I may do a wee 2-3 miler in a couple of days but unlikely so here is my monthly mileage for the year. May looks a bit low, but my last big run just crept in to June. Either way I've run almost 3 times the miles for May & June compared to last year,that's because last year I only did 3 runs between the Fling and the Big Race (2 x 7.5ml & 1 x 43 mile) - what was I thinking !!

I haven't done ANY preparation for Saturday so the next couple of days I anticipate will be frantic, but I'm sure I'll find time to record some random ponderings and musings.

If not Good Luck to everyone taking part and to the support crews, your help is so much appreciated !

Revisiting an Old Friend

2010-06-02T21:05:00.010+01:00

Today was my last big run before the WHW which isn't far away now. I planned to run an old Duke of Edinburgh Silver Assessment route that my school used to do, basically Killin to Aberfeldy. I've walked it many, many times as a pupil and supervisor and I remember my assessor reckoning the route could be done in a day. As a 15 year old taking 3 days to do it, it seemed absolutely impossible. Last year I ran it and took about 10 hrs 15 mins to cover the 45.5 miles.

Here's the route :-

As last year I planned to get the bus from Aberfeldy to drop me off in Killin. The bus left Aberfeldy at 6:50am and I just made it. The driver was Dave the same driver as last year, who remembered me from last year. The bus comes back to Aberfeldy picking up school kids so dreadlocked Dave is kinda like Aberfeldy's version of Otto the Busman from The Simpsons, i.e. a pretty chilled out, cool dude. We had a good chat and the journey was nothing like a bus trip, more like being given a lift from a mate. He even went out his way to drop me off at the start of the run - Cheers.

It was raining lightly when I started, but the big climb up to Loch Breaclaich kept me warm. It's part of a hydro scheme and the pipe between Breaclaich and Loch Lednock emerges above the ground for about a km, when we used to do DoE hikes up here it was a test of manhood to walk the length of it, which was alright until the last 100m when the ground drops away leaving the pipe about 50ft above the ground, with no handrails it was a test of nerve to cross it. We never lost any pupils though ...

It don't look much but the pipe's 6ft in diameter !

I arrived at Invergeldie, usually the end of the first day in a little under 3 hours. Then it was the big climb up Ben Chonzie. With it being a Munro this was the only place I saw people all day. The summit, where I stopped for lunch was bitterly cold so I was soon moving again ,down for the long slog along Glen Almond.

The glen was heavily populated with sheep but it seems that I finally got Cody trained, he did not need to be put on the lead once and showed no interest in the sheep at all, even when they were "danger close". What a releif, 'cause it is a major pain to run any distance with him on the lead.

A quick skip through Glen Lochan to Croftmill and the end of the 2nd day, which had taken me 3hrs 30 mins, and I was 32 miles in to my run. If you look at the map the next bit seems a bit daft, going round Loch Freuchie then coming back over the hill, but that's the way the old route went so I stuck to it.

I was going pretty well and it was good to get the climbing out of the way but I knew that the most awkward bit was still to come. I got lost after Loch Hoil last year and, despite a path showing on the map, its not there. So I took a few detours down firebreaks and accross tussocky fields which really slowed me up, it was so frustrating being so close to the end and not being able to make good time, but once I was at the Birks it was a simple run back to the car.

I covered the 45.5 miles in 9hrs 52 mins, by no means fast, but I was quite happy given the ups and downs involved plus the difficult terrain which was freqently encountered. Also felt pretty good at the end, the new shoes were just like the old ones, and so much better than my other Salomons and even more encouraging I had no cramp !!

Cody definately enjoyed it, but you'd never know from the look on his face ! -

Monthly Mileage

2010-05-31T22:01:00.004+01:00

Well it's hard to believe that May's over already - less than 3 weeks to the big event - scary ! My miles for May are not as good as I had hoped, probably because I changed job in the middle of May, (those that were at the start of the Cateran Trail ultra would've seen me on my first day in my new job) which messed my days off a bit, meaning I had a barren couple of weeks in the middle of the month.

To push the mileage over 100 miles I'm just in from a 14.2 mile run which incorporated the 2 mile, 750 feet climb from the Perth Heaven & Hell half marathon, in case your wondering the climb is the "Hell" bit.

I started out really easy and finished strong, running it in 1:45:50 which worked out at about a 1:38:20 half marathon. My pb for a flat half marathon is 1:31:00 so this was quite encouraging, given that I found it easy and it incorporated that hill.

As can be seen from the milage table I usually reduce my miles from the start of June. Again due to the way my rest days have fallen my last long run is scheduled for Wednesday, just creeping in to June, it should really sit with Mays mileage to give an accurate comparison, so I might revise the table in a couple of days.

Footwear Problem Resolved

2010-05-28T13:53:00.004+01:00

Isn't the interweb a wonderful thing. These are what I found lurking in a dark corner -

They arrived today, are identical to my last pair and because they are a couple of seasons old, they cost pennies. No more stressing about what shoes to wear, I won't even need to break them in as I know they'll fit straight from the box.

What Shoes to Wear ??

2010-05-26T21:04:00.006+01:00

Since the start of this years training I have had an issue with my trail shoes. Previously I have always run in Salomon XA Comps but whilst I find them comfortable, grippy and most importantly very cushioned, they do not last very long -

Shoes : 2008

: 2009

This year its appeared that Salomon had stopped making the XA Comp so I bought a pair of XA Pro's however, as I hinted at a few posts back, after a couple of runs it soon became apparent that they had no where near as much cushioning, exacerbating my shin splints and during the Fling the balls of my feet were really feeling the pain, especially along Loch Lomondside and the sole of my right foot blistered quite badly. I think this was probably a contributary factor in my poor performance during the race.

Despite my 2009 pair of Comps having large holes in them I wore them for my Cairngorm run and despite their high milage the difference was like night and day. The XA Pros have now been ditched and the search is on for a suitably grippy and cushioned alternative. Ideally I wouldn't be changing shoes this close to the race but if I get another pair of Salomon's in a 10.5 I'll know that they will fit and not require to be broken in - hopefully ....

South Cairngorm Run

2010-05-26T20:32:00.005+01:00

I've not managed out for many runs recently so a combination of days off and a good forecast meant that I headed for the Southern Cairngorms for a longer run on Monday. I'd run the route before, 2 years ago in April, it was about 30 miles, but then 11 of those miles had been in deep snow - it had been torture, taking 7 hrs 30 mins !

My route was from Inverey, east along the Dee, north through the Slugain, across the Clais Fhearnaig to Derry lodge up to Corrour, down to White Bridge and back.

The route

The first few miles up to the Sluggan used to be part of a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh route that I tooks kids out on a few years back. It would invariably take a day of grumbling to walk it, but too me a leisurely hour and 20 mins.

There must have been a lot of rain fall in the Cairgorms the previous day cause the river levels were clearly much higher than normal. There appears to be a new path on the north side of the Quoich Water but I couldn't get accross to it, the river was far too fast and deep. Eventually I found a spot which although not idea (especially on your own) got me and the dog accross. The water was up to my thighs and ice cold and the poor, wee hound came out the water a good bit further downstream than where he started!

Looking back down to Derry Lodge, Lochnagar in the distance

I then crossed over to Derry Lodge and up to Luibeg Ford where another deep, fast river crossing was necessary. I didn't go up to Corrour Bothy, but cut over to the White Bridge Path. Last time I had done this run it started to snow heavily at this point and the lacing system on my Salomon shoes broke so I had to seek refuge in the bothy to fix them.

Devil's Point & Cairn Toul from just south of Corrour

The path between Corrour and White Bridge has been greatly improved from the muddy swamp it had previously been and after 24 miles I passed my first person of the day. From White Bridge it was a simply case of back to the Linn 'o Dee and along the road back to the car. I felt pretty good over the last 3 - 4 miles which were all comfortably under 9 min/mile pace and would have liked to continue the run.

All in all it was 29.5 miles and took me a comfortable 5hrs 45 min, but there was a lot of very rough ground covered so I was happy with my 5.1mph average. I plan one last long run before the race and that will hopefully be a 43 mile jaunt next Tuesday.

A F*$@ng Distaster !

2010-05-20T19:59:00.000+01:00

Okay, the title really means A Fling Disaster, 'cause that's what I had during the race !

Going in to the race I felt pretty confident with my level of fitness and if I'm honest I harboured hopes of maybe even dipping under 9hrs 30m. As I said in my previous post I was working the night before but managed to get away early however still had bits and pieces to do at home in preparation before bed. Gaynor came over the night before and helped get me ready like a good wee sis should. For some reason I struggled to drop off and was still awake at 2.00am, so really appreciated the alarm going off at 4.30am.

The drive to the start was through mist and rain, so I was hopeful that it wouldn't be too warm. On arriving the staggared start certainly seemed to have worked, cause there were plenty of spaces in the car park. I collected my timing chip said a few hellos in the car park and before I knew it we were lining up at the start.

Start to Drymen

Muppet !

The start as always is a relief, no more hanging about and the run through Mugdock Park is always quite pleasant. I quickly found myself running alongside Andy Murray (no, not that one) who I always seem to run with at some point on these races. Andy ran in a kilt 2 years ago and it almost killed him. He disappeared off pretty quickly and ran a 9:41:35 race.

I was then running alongside Marco for a good wee while, we were chatting away and I felt pretty comfortable, but I had a suspicion that if I was running with him I was running too fast. He pulled away just after Carbeth Loch and I didn't see him again either. Marco eventually finished 3rd ! (told you I was going too fast) in a time of 8:22:19.

I grabbed a wee Mars bar cake at Beechtree Inn but didn't stop. And on the next section, the one with all the gates, I fell in with a Kiwi chap who I think was called Rob Westaway. He'd flown up from London for the race, I think he was drawn by the UTMB points, but he said that he planned to run in 6 alpine races this year - mad ! He'd got his start time wrong and instead of starting with the male vets he started with the regular males, but his chip was synced to a 7am start - so everyone that finished from 26th place down, you're actually one place lower !

Rob left me as we came in to Drymen, but I was feeling pretty good and arrive in about 1hr 39min. Scanned my chip, swapped a water bottle then off again

Drymen to Rowardennan

As I was running I was concious of my right hamstring but it wasn't feeling giving me any problems. It was a relief to get over Conic Hill without cramp this year as that is where my troubles had started in 2009. I was making a concious effort to drink more in the first quarter this year. I followed my usual mantra of walking off Conic which is really frustrating but I know my quads would explode if I ran, then it was into the car park at Balmaha for another water bottle and more cake.

Arriving in Balmaha (photo © Davie Hall - ta!)

The next section along Loch Lomondside is my favourite, it's a bit up and down, but the views are good and I like running through the trees, although it always seems longer than I remember. I ran well on this part and as I began catching the back markers from the vets race went past a lot of runners, which always gives you a bit of a boost.

I arrived at Rowerdennan feeling pretty good and was met by Gaynor & Cody. I took a reasonable stop and despite not really feeling hungry I had a tin of beans and a Muller rice before stting off again.

Rowardennan to Ben Glas

I had passed Rob Westaway just after Balmaha but he had run straight through Rowardennan so I caught him up again on the track. As we climbed from Ptarmigan Lodge I bagan to feel the first pangs of fatigue which I put down to my body digesting the food it had just taken on. Then, as the track turned to path, the cramp arrived again on the inside of my right leg from my groin to my knee, slowing my down to a hobble. I'm not sure why it hit me again, I'd been drinking plenty, but obviously not enough.

Unusually Inversnaid seemed to appear sooner than I expected - it's usually the other way round. I didn't stop long, took on some fluid and pushed on. The trudge along Loch Lomondside was pretty much a walk for me, the lack of cushioning in my Salomon Pro 3D ultras shoes meant that the balls of my feet were starting to get tender, in fact the right foot was blistering badly - oh to have been wearing my trusty XA Comps.

As I neared Doune bothy I tripped and both my calves went into rock solid cramp, it was excrutiating trying to get on my feet again so I could stretch them. A couple of miles further on I passed Ian Beattie he, like me, was struggling badly with cramp and didn't look like he was enjoying himself either !

I shuffled in to Ben Glas Farm to meet Gaynor who had been joined by TJ - who I heard long before I saw her. I took on sone food and pressed on - I just wanted to get finished.

Ben Glas to Finish

The next stretch up Glen Falloch was agonisingly frustrating. I knew there was still 10 miles to go and I couldn't really run any more, even on the flats I just felt like walking.... I was gubbed. A lot of people went past me and I seemed to get slower and slower. It didn't help knowing that I was not going to see Gaynor again until Auchtertyre Farm, which seemed miles away, and just to make it even more fun the cramp kept coming back periodically.

The last stretch from the A82 to the finish seemed to be never ending, that bit's pretty flat so I felt obliged to run it but couldn't really be bothered. As I got the finish line in sight I was aware of runnner catching me so I was able to up my pace, I didn't fancy losing another place, but they were far too fast, then some kind soul shouted that the person closing in was a relay runner - phew.

I scanned my chip at the line then was awarded my medal from John Kynaston, who looked pretty fresh, I think he'd been finished for a long time. I was such a relief to get to the end, I couldn't have gone on which was a worry for the big race in June, because in 2008 my split at Tyndrum wasn't far off this Fling's finishing time !

Now I know how it feels to be knighted !!!

Post-Race Analysis

I genuinely believed that I had a 9:30 in me, so where did it go wrong ? It was probably a combination of issues butJohn Kynaston had an entry on his blog about taking positives and learning from a race, even if you were disappointed with your run. So here are my learning points / excuses !

1. I think I may have gone out a bit too fast, Drymen in under 1:40 is a bit nippy for me. I felt really confident of a good time beforehand and thought I probably needed to push it a bit from the start. In hindsight I should have kept it steady for the first half.

2. The evening after the race I was suffering from a heavy chest cold and cough which lasted for a good few days. I would have been running with this developing inside me which is bound to blunt the lungs' efficiency and performance somewhat.

3. Bad shoes. The balls of my feet were badly blistered by the time I'd finished making each step unpleasant, I need better cushioned trail shoes.

4. Cramp AGAIN ! - lack of fluid intake ? Stretching ? Who knows but it seems to hit me regularly at about the 25 mile mark.

And finally ......

A big thanks to my wee sis, Gaynor

With Gaynor at the finish - I may be smiling on the outside ...

A Wee Update

2010-05-14T21:09:00.003+01:00

I'm concious that I've not updated my blog since the Fling almost 3 weeks ago, but I should be putting that right finishing off the race report tomorrow or Sunday.

I was hit with a stinking cold, pretty much the second I finished the Fling so that laid me off running for the best part of a week, but I'm back into it now and running quite well. Did my usual Ballo Hill - Lundie Crags run the other day and took more time off my pb for the route - 65:55 - can I get under an hour ?

And also ran my usual 10 mile route from the house, again going faster than I have done before in 70:42, with mile 8.5 - 9.5 run in 6:40. It felt pretty relaxed so I may yet achieve my sub 70 min target.

On Wednesday I went for a longer run, doing the Cateran Trail from Briudge of Cally, to a bothy I know as the Lunch Hut, then running back again. It's about 29 miles with quite a lot of up and down. I set out to run it quite relaxed, went out in about 2hrs 28min and finished in a total time of 5hrs 13min, not a blistering pace but an enjoyable run none the less. I struggled a bit at the end of my run, but I had only eaten a packet of peanuts and a few jelly babies, so it was my own fault.

Map of the route

For anyone running the Cateran Trail race on Saturday Good Luck, I hope to see you at the start line, and remember to leave something in the tank for the end - there's a lot of climbing once you're past Enochdhu !

Fling Tomorrow

2010-04-23T10:37:00.003+01:00

It's my 3rd Montane Highland Fling tomorrow, which means I can stuff my face contiunually with food today and if anyone makes comment I can just mutter something about "carb loading".

I'm feeling pretty good about tomorrow at the moment. I had a deep tissue massage on Monday night, which was a similar experience to the dentists, but has definately eased my right hamstring. I'll not repeat the profanity Lee uttered when he started working on it, needless to say he was amazed at how tight and knotted it was. I went out for a gentle 10k on Tuesday, just to see how it felt, but I was still aware of it, hopefully the rest since then will have helped.

It's an early start tomorrow, will probably have to be up about 04.30am, and I'm working tonight, hopefully I will get away early. Incredibly this year there are 343 runners involved according to the latest update on the website. I have Gaynor, my sister, and Cody the hound supporting me, they're now old hands at it and are pretty good too otherwise they wouldn't be asked back !

My plan tomorrow is to try and run without the added pressure of a watch, so I'm not going to wear one, I'll just pace myself by how I'm feeling and I'll see how I get on. My previous times have been 09:55:44 in 2008 & 10:20:10 in last years disaster. I think this year I'm on good form so secretly am hoping for a pb - sub 8 hrs ? Aye , right !!!!!

Good luck to everyone running tomorrow, I'm off to get my stuff ready ....

Tapering ?

2010-04-18T22:17:00.002+01:00

Ran my usual 10 miler tonight from the house, planning to take it easy and looking to do it in about 75mins. It was a pretty chilly night with a stiff easterly breeze which made the last few miles a bit more difficult. I started off in daylight but ended up in the dark - it's not quite as summery as I thought yet.

As usual I got a wee bit carried away and ran it in 72 mins 24s, but felt quite relaxed, the only niggle I have is my cramp prone, right hamstring which is still really tight, but IO have a massage booked for tomorrow night and, whilst it's not much fun, it usually helps.

One more run on Tuesday with the club, then it's the Fling on Saturday. At the moment I'm feeling a lot fitter and much more positive mentally than I was at this time last year so am really looking forward to the big run, I just need to drink more in the opening stages 'cause I aint running the last 36 miles with cramp again this year !!

Glen Tilt

2010-04-12T21:15:00.006+01:00

I'm still on holiday so planned to fit in one more long run before the Fling a week on Saturday (yikes!). Graeme gave me a shout as he was keen to get another long day in too before the Maggies Challenge in May so after seeing Monday's forecast, we decided to head for Glen Tilt. I had planned a route that would take us up the Tilt, across to the originally titled Loch Loch, then back to Blair Atholl to the South of the Beinn A'Ghlo massif. A very rough working showed that to be about 30ish miles.

It was a cracking day and we figured that leaving the car at the Loch Moraig car park would mean we could run down the tarred road at the start instead of at the end of the run. The run up Glen Tilt was pleasant and we covered the first 14 miles in little over 2 hours - then we hit a snag.

We needed to cross the River Tilt, but the only bridge was a a wire bridge, which wouldn't be a problem but we had Cody with us. Now he can do cattle grids, but I think wire rope bridges are a bit beyond him, so it wasn't an option, if he'd tried to swim the river at that point he'dve been swept away. We tried to find a suitable place to cross but the river was just too high and fast with all the snow melt, so we opted to just run back down the glen, giving us a 28 mile run.

Cody hogging the limelight, but that's the uncrossable river in the background

As we went Graeme suggested climbing Carn A Chlamain, a munro to the west of the glen. We'd both done it a few times, but he argued it would take us over 30 miles and make the day abit tougher. He was to regret that suggestion later ...

Looking toward the Charn A Chlamain summit

I was struggling to run in the heat so the walk on the climb was welcome, Graeme however was struggling with the climb. We skooted down the land rover track back in to the glen and by Marble Lodge we decided that I should press on, get the car and meet Graeme at the track end. I found the last few miles tough, I was dehydrated, my hamstrings were tight and to top it all off I had to go UP the tarred road we had run down earlier ! Map of the route -

The dog launched himself into the loch at the car park and didn't want to come out, it looked very tempting. I was glad to get a long run in hot weather before the Fling as that was my first hot run last year and I really struggled. The pace wasn't great 32 miles in 7 hours, but it did include a munro, and I did manage to keep the cramp at bay this time.

My monthly mileage is progressing well, I'm already well over the total for last month (not hard, I know) and I now plan to do a few shorter runs and get a deep massage before the Fling.

Routine Hill Run

2010-04-11T19:37:00.000+01:00

On Saturday I did my normal Ballo Hill - Lundie Crags & back run. I had just finished a heavy week's running for me and felt it a bit as the run starts with a climb, and it was a very warm day (is winter over at last ?!) which my body's not yet used to, and complete contrast to the sleet I ran in last time.

The run didn't feel as good as the last one but this time I did the 8 miles in 68mins 45s, so yet more time shaved off again. At least it's going in the right direction.

Highland Training Camp !

2010-04-11T17:44:00.001+01:00

I had a few days up north in Aviemore last week, spent a day skiing (there's loads of snow!), did some mountain biking and managed to sneek in a wee run in the Rothiemurchus Forest. It's one of my favourite places on the planet, in amongst all the knarly old Scots Pine. I ran out the new foot / cycle path between Aviemore and Loch Morlich, which is called the "Old Logging Road" and is an excellent feature allowing you to avoid the road, which was extremely busy with ski traffic.

The snow laden Northen Corries of Cairngorm

I then meandered back through the forest, navigating from memory as I didn't have a map. This was a pity because if I could have stayed out longer and extended my run I definately would have. In the end I covered 11.5 miles in a relaxed and very enjoyable 1hr 36min. Here's my route -

The D33side Ultra

2010-04-10T12:51:00.007+01:00

Saturday 3 April saw the running of the inaugural 33 miles Deeside Ultra race. The race's website sums the event up thus - "The concept is simple, turn up at the Duthie park car park in Aberdeen and register and run the first section of the Deeside way to Banchory, check in with marshall, turn round and run back. You get water at checkpoint, anything else you need to carry yourself or get from your Mum." Map of the route -

According to the webpage 120 people had entered, and on the day 94 people trapped. Maybe the others were put off by the forecast which was dreadful, but as it turned out we had a cracking day. I wasn't too sure what to wear on the feet and on arriving I met Ian Beattie who assured me that road shoes would be the best choice so I went with that. Wise words as it turned out as there were long stretches on tarmac and my joints don't like that.

After A quick briefing from George (pic above) we were off. Thankfully the route follows the old railway line so was really flat. As usual I ran my own race and didn't bother worrying about the people passing me. Normally I would think I could catch them in the later stages but this race was a bit short for me so I was treating it as a training run, and besides I've never run a marathon and was sure a lot of the other runners would be marathon runners and this wasn't much over that distance so figured they'd be much more acomplished.

I reckoned from my training runs that if I ran at 6 miles an hour I should finish the race in 5hrs 30min so this is what I was aiming for. After a couple of miles Ian Beattie went past me and he though he could finish in 4hrs 30min. I thought that was a bit fast so let him go.

I plodded on keeping the pace easy and went through the 8 mile checkpoint in 64min dead. I fell in with a chap (who I think was Mike Raffan) and his gps told us that we went through 10 miles averaging 7m 25s/ml way faster than the 9min/ml's I had planned.

I reached the half-way checkpoint turning in a surprising 2hrs 9min, glad that I still felt good and hadn't really dropped the pace, but expected to feel it on the way back. This was the first out and back race I had run so it was good to see the other runners as we passed, but all too soon I went past the back markers and was on my own again.

My hamstrings had been tight all day and about 200m from the 25ml check point, bang, I was hit by cramp in the right one. I hobbled to the checkpoint and took on some water, put 2 packets of dioralyte in it and downed it in an effort to get me home. I had been thinking that a sub 4.30 might have been on but the cramp scuppered that.

The last stretch seemed endless, I was running at a pace just slow enough to keep the cramp at bay. Encouragingly the rest of my body and mind seemed that it would be happy to push the pace a bit more but if I wanted to finish I daren't.

With about a mile to go I was joined by local runner Scott Craighead, who'd never run an ultra before but was looking very comfortable. The chat between us took our minds off the never ending finish and we crossed the line together in 4hrs 35min 5s, joint 18th position.

The finish.

At the finish there was a massive table of very welcome cakes and every finisher recieved a bottle of race beer and a medal - made of chocolate !!

I was delighted with that run, way faster that I had imagined possible for me, and apart from the cramp felt very comfortable. The leason I learned though was that if running long distances unsupported then I need to drink more, the problem I have though is that I carry everything in a rucksack and my water bottle isn't easily accessable which discourages me from drinking. In future I think I need to wear it in conjunction with a water bottle belt and that may solve the issue, I'll try it out next long training run.

Full results can be found HERE.

Monthly mileage update

2010-03-29T22:05:00.005+01:00

My monthly mileage is going the right way, but not quite at the rate I would have hoped for. I was hoping for about 25 - 30 miles/week in March i.e > 100 miles, but work scuppered that.

I'm aiming for 35 miles/week in April. This should be acheivable as I'm doing the 33 mile Deeside Way this Saturday and the 53 mile Highland Fling at the end of the month.

There are 120 names down for the D33side Way race, not bad for its inaugral running. Well done to George Reid for organising it, it's just the right distance for me at this stage in the season. Hope the forecast for Saturday keeps improving. Good luck to everyone who's running it.

Return of the Shin Splints ?!

2010-03-29T21:37:00.006+01:00

I used to be troubled big style with shin splints until seeing a podiatrist a couple of years ago. She increased the correction on my orthotics and suggested a neutral, cushioned running shoe - bang, they disappeared overnight !

The last couple of days I've had that feeling in my shins again and I'm not sure why but think I have identified two possible causes. When I did the Griffin Forest run I forgot my orthotics and ran anyway, this wouldn't have been a problem in my old Salomon XA Comp's. I have owned and loved 3 pairs, marvelous shoe, light, grippy, cushioned and fit my feet perfectly requiring no breaking in. But they don't make the Comp any more so now I have XA Pro 3D Ultras, which don't seem as cushioned or as grippy, but they are still v comfortable.

The other reason, and I think the one that is to blame, is that at work on Saturday night I had to sprint about 300m as if someone's life depended on it (actually, it did) on a road in my work boots. They are not cushioned and I didn't feel it at the time, but it started a couple of hours after. Maybe the damage was done in the big run and aggravated by the clumpy, booted sprint.

So today I decided to do my normal 8 mile off road route from Ballo Hill to Lundie Crags and back, taking it easy and seeing how the shins got on. Here's the route -

I have to report that my shins didn't feel too bad on the whole, a wee bit pained on some of the faster downhills, but hopefully not too much damage has been done. Taking it easy and running through sleet for most of it, I ran the route in 69 mins 25s, the first time under 70 mins. The dog didn't seem too impressed and the wee idiot showed off running most of the way carrying a stick, or should that be a log ....

Griffin Forest run

2010-03-26T14:30:00.005Z

In order to bump up March's milage I went for a run in Griffin Forest, leaving from the Hermitage at Dunkeld. I know from experience that running in the forest is pretty boring, but this time I took the dog and Graeme, who plans to run the Maggie's Challenge in May so was looking to get some training in.

We started off in light rain which soon blew through, however the rest of the day remained pretty damp. After a couple of miles and a big climb we entered the forest and quickly discovered that the snow had not disappeared from here. As the track was shaded there was still a good foot of soft icy snow lying on it, which made the going hard. Thankfully after a about a mile of it (which took ages by the way) we came accross forestry operations and the daily passage of vehicles had churned up and removed the snow.

Graeme battling through the snow

I had planned to run out, do a lap of Loch Kinnard then run back, but at the junction of tracks it was apparent that the snow on the track round the loch was even worse than it was at the start so we ran on to the road, had a bite to eat then just ran back. To miss the snow on the return leg we dived off down the hill past a load of ruined farm buildings picking up the Rumbling Bridge road again, then back through the Hermitage to the end. Graeme had an good run and I struggled to keep up with him in the last mile, he should skoosh Maggies.

My left hamstring was a little tight particularly going uphill but the pace felt pretty easy going and we covered 23 miles in 3hrs 39mins averaging a speed of 6.4mph, which given the terrain, mud and snow I was delighted with.

Route showing proposed and actual

Club Run

2010-03-23T21:42:00.003Z

It was a run to Broughty Ferry tonight at the club, my shins had felt a bit tight over the weekend after my hill session, but once I got running I felt ok. I ended up running with Mary who's pretty fast, and we set a pretty good pace. I don't think either of us wanted to let on that we were finding it a bit fast !

Mary was pushed for time (Or so she claimed !!) and cut back early leaving me to cover the remaining 3 miles, which seemed to be all uphill. The route is about 7.3 miles and I finished in 52min 12s, about 3 mins slower than my fastest time round that route, but I was happy enough.

The clocks change this weekend so the club's summer routes get dusted off and rolled out again. They go out into the countryside and are much more pleasant.

Here's tonights route -

18 miles of Hill

2010-03-20T17:52:00.008Z

I planned to go for a longer run yesterday, but time was not on my side so I decided I would re-visit an old friend. I have a route in the Sidlaws (hills to the north of Dundee) which is almost exactly 10k but it takes in 1,500 ft of ascent. So I thought, I know I'll do 3 laps of it = 18 miles and 4,500ft of climbing, that should push me.

The route climbs from Balkillo car park, up Auchterhouse Hill, down the back, over Balluderon Hill, to the top of Craigowl then back down to the start. I've ran it many times and only managed to dip under the hour twice.

Friday was a beautiful day, but there was a howling gale blowing from the SW. The first two laps were ok, and I thought about calling it a day after the second, but pushed on and struggled round the third. By the time we reached the top of Craigowl for the third time even the dog was looking at me with eyes which said "can we go home now ? "

Pic : Looking back from Craigowl at Auchterhouse Hill with the trees and Balluderon Hill almost indistinguishable on the left. Route, where it can be seen, is marked in yellow.

One minute the wind was my friend the next my enemy. It pushed me nicely up Craigolw, the biggest climb, but running into it on the descent cancelled out the fact I was going downhill. My lap times show how much I struggled round the third circuit. They were

1 - 1.07.57
2 - 1.06.50
3 - 1.16.02

Many of the paths have now become overgrown, mainly with spikey gorse, so by the time I finished I was muddy and bleeding, but had that satisfied feeling you get when you've pushed yourself through a difficult run.

Thank you Thomas !

2010-03-16T13:37:00.003Z

Just a quick thank you to Thomas Loehndorf who highlighted my stupidity by pointing out the Highland Fling was only closed to relay teams and not individuals. As a result I now have a place in a 53 miles race which starts in about 5 weeks and I've not done nearly enough training. This has disaster written all over it !

The race has really grown since I entered it as my first ultra in 2008. So far there are 311 individual runners and 36 relay teams - thankfully it's a staggard start. This compares to 265 starters last year and only 120 in 2008.

Here is the race page - Highland Fling Race website

A Run in the Dark

2010-03-15T21:23:00.004Z

My training has suffered a bit recently. The first week in March we were hit by pretty bad snow up here ruling out any rural trail runs. Then the last week or so I've been working long hours on a massive job at work, meaning I just haven't got out at all. So tonight when I came home from work, despite the fact I couldn't really be bothered I forced myself out for a 10 mile run. Thankfully the roads are pretty quite round about me so I put the headtorch on and set off into the darkness.

I covered the 10 miles in 72 min 35s, which I was quite happy with. Never been under 71 mins for that run so I guess my goal should be to go 69 mins. Mile 8.5 - 9.5 was my measured mile which I covered in a pleasantly surprising 7min 8s.

This has now bumped my monthly mileage for March up to an appaling 22 miles, about a third of where I'd like to be at this stage. Eeeek !

Speed session in the dark

2010-03-05T20:38:00.005Z

Went out tonight on a road near my house where, according to my GPS, the distance between 2 road signs is conveniently 1 mile. No street lighting so still need a headtorch - roll on summer !

Anyway not a big speed work fan, more a slow plodder so planned to do 4 x 1 mile runs at a reasonable pace. I had done this about a month ago and took 1 1/2 - 2 mins rest between each run, my splits then were

1st mile - 6m 21s
2nd mile - 6m 41s
3rd mile - 7m 02s
4th mile - 6m 51s

Tonight I planned to only take a 1 minute rest between them, hoping to get them all under 7 mins. Splits were -

1st mile - 6m 33s
2nd mile - 6m 27s
3rd mile - 6m 41s
4th mile - 6m 35s

All pretty consistant, I was quite chuffed with myself, guess my long term goal should be all under 6.30 - groan. Not looking forward to the next time though, improving on tonight will hurt.

Good luck to anyone doing the first event i the SUMS calander, the Glasgow - Edinburgh Double Marathon tomorrow, I'm impressed, couldn't event think about that at this stage in the year.

1,000th Post

2010-03-04T22:20:00.003Z

Ok, so not mine, I've still got 957 to go, but John Kynaston's reached his landmark. Well done John your blog is amazingly comprehensive and reflects your dedication to running ultras. Oh, and I should add that he's pretty good at them too - not bad for an old bloke in his 50s !!

If you want to read his blog here's the link -

John's Blog

Spectacular Bike Crash - ish

2010-03-03T18:18:00.002Z

It was another cracking cold clear day and I'd arranged a bike ride with my friend, Alan. We met at his house and the route was basically fromWoodside, outside Coupar Angus, down to Scone and back, not far, about 23 miles.

The route

All went well until about 4 miles from home when I bonked - good style. Pushing the pedals even on the lowest cog was a real struggle and I would have killed for a Mars bar, but as it was a relatively short run I hadn't taken any supplies. I think it was a combination of lack of food, dehydration, the cold, yesterdays snow plod and a general lack of fitness combining to drain my legs. When I finished I was lighted headed and just needed a seat for about 10 mins whilst Alan fed me chocolate biscuits ! Alan's fiance Claire made us a hearty lunch and after that I felt much better.

Today has reinforced to me that I'm not quite as fit as I'd like to be and there's a long way still to go to get there. It's going to be hard work ...

Winter Plod & then the Club Run

2010-03-02T17:36:00.004Z

Had a day off and planned to go to the mountains, but as I'd be on my own and after looking at the avalanche forecast I decided against it. Instead I went up the Sidlaws, the hills to the north of Dundee, they looked quite appealing still covered in snow and promised a good view.

Only walked 4 miles but it was slow, energy sapping stuff, one step the snow would bear your weight, then next you were up to your knees - even Cody found the going tough. But the views were spectacular from the Perthsire & Angus hills over to Fife and the Bell Rock lighthouse.

It was very tempting to sit down once I got home but I forced myself along to the running club for a route round Dundee known as the 5 hills. It's a physically tough route with the added obstacle of taking in a lot of streets with shops that are busy with pedestrians and I had a few near misses, but covered the 8 miles in 59 mins, then home for a hot shower to warm up. Out on the bike tomorrow.

Cross Training Begins

2010-03-01T19:48:00.003Z

I forgot to mention in my race post-mortem that in 2008 I had been doing a lot of cycling on my road bike (100 miles / week ish). Getting down on the bottom of the drop bars really get the thighs working - good for the hills.

Not wanting to destroy my good bike in the bad weather and salty roads I've been building a winter bike, which I've only just finished after starting it in October ! Anyway came home from work today and it was a beautiful, if cold, day so thought I'd take the new bike for a shakedown.

The trusty steed

Did 18 miles, the first 4 in daylight, and it took about 1hr 15 mins, so quite happy with that. The bike feels good, but the gears need a bit fine tuning, the cables slack and they were autochanging - v annoying. Feet were frozen by the time I got home, but an enjoyable starlight ride no the less.

Club run - 23 Feb

2010-02-24T20:42:00.001Z

Went out with the club for an easy 7.5 mile run. I didn’t push it too hard, I just wanted to see what hurt from the long run the day before. I’m happy to report nothing felt too sore or tired and I went round the route in 1 hour 48 secs.

A 30 mile week – that means I don’t have to run until next week !!

22 miles round Loch Ordie

2010-02-24T20:35:00.003Z

On Monday 22nd Feb I went back and ran the route that nearly killed me last year when I sank into the peat bog. This year I reversed the route and took the dog and a marathon running colleague, Graeme, with me.

I’d done a 13 mile training run a couple of weeks before but this was my first longer run in this year’s preparation. The weather was perfect - a crisp, cold, clear day and as we gained height to the north of Loch Ordie we were running on hard packed snow, with a crispy layer on top, which gave excellent grip and made for really easy running. Thankfully the ground was frozen hard so there were no bog encounters this year. The views over to Lawers & Schiehallion were stunning.

The last few miles were a bit of a struggle for both of us and inclines were walked but we did the 22.6 miles in 4 hours 16 mins, which I was happy with for a first run.

Post Match Analysis

2010-02-24T20:21:00.004Z

So why was 2009 not as good as 2008 ? I’ve decided to look for reasons why in the hope that it will help with preparations in 2010.

2009 – Good Points

I started my training well and was doing good mileage early on in the year.

My knee problem was pretty much fixed by a physio and some surgical tape (it wasn’t tracking properly).

I became more familiar with the route through John Kynaston’s training runs, this helped in particular crossing Rannoch Moor.

2009 – Not so Good Points

Possibly my training peaked too soon ? In 2008 I built up steadily and kept going as the chart below shows. To my shame the chart also highlights how “relaxed” (or possibly undisciplined) my training schedule is.

The chart also shows that I hardly ran at all in May 2009. This is probably due to me having a horrific run at the end of April in the Highland Fling. I’d been running well but it was the first warm run of the year and cramp first hit me going up Conic Hill then hit my legs regularly over the next 36 miles. This run was a major de-motivating factor !

2009’s race was a solo run for the majority of the length.With the exception of someone coming out a few hundred metres to run in to a checkpoint with me I had no pace runner this year. Psychologically this makes a big difference as there's no one to take your mind off the bad bits and get you fired up, but as I was within 4 hours of the leader for most of the race it was against the rules, and when I was eligible for one I had run so far on my own that I wanted to finish having run all the way solo.

I didn’t even really have the company of other runners after Rowerdennan, in 2008 I ran a good chunk of the way with Craig Liddle, in 2009 the last 70 miles were really lonely.

2010 – The Year Ahead

Training this year has suffered a bit of a blow as I was too late applying for the Highland Fling and didn’t get in. For me this 53 mile race over the bottom half of the Way was ideal prep 2 months before the main event as it was a pretty good gauge of form. The theory being doubling your Fling time will give you a rough time for the big race – it’s not too bad a rule of thumb.

So this year’s training is resembling 2008’s and if I’m going to improve on my time, which I’d like to do, then, at the risk of stating the obvious, as the race draws nearer I need to up my miles. Training has started gently but I did a 23 mile run the other day and in 2008 I didn’t run more than 10 miles until the beginning of April when I did a 22 mile run. So lets see how we get on ……..

Formatting ?

2010-02-22T21:16:00.001Z

Does anyone know how to format these types of blogs ? They seem to have a life of their own, looking good on the preview then when you publish it looks nothing like it didbefore ! Drives me mental !!!

2009 Race – A Quick Report

2010-02-22T19:48:00.015Z

Compared to 2008, my run in 2009 was quite disappointing compared to 2008. If my finishing times had been reversed I would have been delighted with the progress between both years, all I wanted to do in 2008 was get near to 24 hours - strange how perceptions change !

Not really going to dwell too much on the 2009 race but suffice to say I felt quite good for most of the race, getting to the head of Loch Lomond feeling particularly fresh, but I just didn’t seem to be running that fast.

Stopping at Rowerdennan

I had a long stop at Tyndrum and found it a bit difficult to get going, but Rannoch Moor was a much more pleasant experience this year compared to last, and I felt good coming in to Kings House, but again stopped too long and struggled to get going from here again, but felt better going over the Staircase.

I made up a few places coming out of Kinlochleven and felt ok going through Lairigmor, but the last leg was really difficult, not like 2008. I could sniff a sub-21 hours time and tried to push it but it just wasn’t there. I basically crawled over the line in 21 hours 1 minute and was absolutely shattered !

Shuffling over the line

I must say a big thank you to my support crew, the A Team – Gav, Nat, Tom & Zoe and Team 1 – Gaynor, my Mum and Jamie. They did a great job taking shifts so that they were never far away and I definitely think I have the easy bit. I hope no-one ever asks me to be a support crew member, I think it would be too difficult !

The A-Team !

Team 1 !

Now down to the serious business of preparing for the 2010 race …..

I'm Back !

2010-02-22T19:18:00.001Z

I haven't updated my blog for a looong. It's something I've keep meaning to get round to but I think after a disappointing couple of races last year I kind of lost my enthusiasm a bit, but 2010 is a new year so here goes.

Firstly I must make mention of the passing of Dario Meleragni the driving force behind the WHW race, he seemed to live and breathe the race showing so much enthusiasm it was infectious. I was always amazed at how much he knew about EVERY runner at the prize giving, always able to make some unique comment I'm sure it made everyone feel special.

My first encounter with Dario wasn't how I would have liked - he refused my entry to the 2008 race ! With hindsight he was right, I had never run further than a half-marathon, and he made me qualify stating "if you finish the Highland Fling, you'll get in the race". True to form the day after I finished the race he was on the phone congratulating me and confirming my race number. I first met him the day after I finished the 2008 race. He was very complimentary and seemed to know a lot about me, yet I was grateful he refrained from going in to too much detail at the awards that year, he knew just the right thing to say.

Getting my 2009 goblet from Dario.

I only met him a few times yet I'm glad I was able to tell him just home much the race meant to me through my illness, I don't think people realise that finishing the race was such a powerful motivating factor to get well but I hope I conveyed that to him. He will be sorely missed by everyone involved in Scottish ultras and the 2010 race will be difficult for those who knew him, and particularly so for the organising committee, but I’m sure he will live on in the race.

23 miles of mud, ice & a near death experience !

2009-02-16T21:41:00.006Z

I was off on Monday 16 February so I decided to try and get a run in now that the snow was shifting. Loch Ordie near Dunkeld is the nearest place for me to get a decent off road run so I planned a route (see below) and headed off there.

The first 3.5 miles were all uphill and as I gained height the paths got icier. It wasn’t cold but there had been a lot of snow last week and it was melting quickly but the snow that had been compressed on the tracks and paths was very slippy, and those that didn’t have ice in them were running with streams of snow melt. My feat got very wet very quickly.

The optimistically entitled "Laird's House with Loch Benachally in the background - I don't think he lives there anymore !

After around 8 miles, following a huge leap over a burn in spate, I found myself on a very narrow path that was full of soft wet snow which went well up my calves. This went on for around 4 miles and my feet got soaked, becoming very cold.

Typical underfoot conditions

As I neared Loch Oisinneach the path became very muddy. I’ve walked in the Scottish hills for 20 years and am pretty adept at picking my way through bogs and assessing if a patch of ground will support me. At a particularly muddy stretch I launched for a tuft of grass thinking it would support me, the next thing I knew I was up to the top of my legs in an ice-cold peat bog. I couldn’t get my legs out as they were being sucked in by the soft peat my hands were just sinking in too.

I was getting cold quickly, couldn’t get my legs out and the nearest thing for me to grab, that wasn’t mud was over 6 feet away. This was the most distant part of my run, my mobile phone didn’t work there as I’d tried a couple of minutes before to make a call, and going by the lack of footprints in the snow there hadn’t been anyone along for a number of days. This was getting potentially serious, I was completely stuck and sinking.

I wriggled out of my new rucksack which was only on it’s second outing and managed to use it to bare my weight which let me kind of swim across the mud until I could grab some heather and pull myself out. The whole episode probably only took no more that 2 minutes but it felt like an eternity…

Lifesaver - My nice new rucksack after my "incident"

Thankfully my shoes stayed on and I got running as quickly as I could to generate some heat. After another couple of miles I came out the snow and the running became much easier, the 5 miles through the snow had slowed me up a lot.

The rest of the run was pretty uneventful, my knee seems to be holding up but the right hamstring gets tight after a while. I arrived back at the car in 4 hours 6 minutes.

Cruachin Hills

2009-02-10T19:43:00.003Z

I didn’t run during the week since Forfar (but I did get my 1^st deep tissue massage – wow) and this weekend I wasn’t going to get any running either as I was going hillwalking with Gav, who was one of my support runners in the Race, but a couple of decent days on the hill would be more than suitable replacements.

Saturday 7 Feb - An Caisteal & Beinn a’ Chroin

We started at a snowy Derrydarroch Farm and despite having been there a few times now I had no idea where to park on the road ! It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies but it was freezing, -6^oC. But once we crested the ridge onto the high ground and entered the 50mph wind the windchill dropped the temperature to below -20^oC.

Gav heading up Twistin Hill

The summit of An Caisteal

Coping with the windchill

A slippery descent

We were on the hill for 6 and half hours, covered 8.7 miles and 4,250ft of ascent with crampons and ice-axes most of the day. Walking in crampons really stretches the achilles and when you have tendons as short as mine they were pretty tight when we came off the hill.

Derrydarroch at the end of the day

Gav has a VW camper van so it was down to a quiet corner of the Drover’s car park then we went to the pub for many hours. It was a cracking night with live music and the pub was mobbed.

A very busy Drovers

Sunday 8 Feb - Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh

The next day wasn’t too bad considering the amount of (what I like to think of as) carb loading we had indulged in the previous evening.

We met my friend Doug in Tyndrum for a spot of breakfast then it was on to Bridge of Orchy where we were climbing Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh the 2 mountains that loom over the village.

Beinn Dorain from the road

It appeared that everyone else in Scotland had the same idea because the hill was very busy. It was another cracking day but this time there was hardly any wind.

Beinn Dorain summit photo

As we climbed the second hill of the day the peace was continually interrupted by a big yellow RAF Sea King which was doing helicopter training with the Oban MRT and dropping them off on the hillside.

We made it back down before the weather closed in from the south and had covered 7.6 miles and 4,200 ft of ascent in just under 5 and a half hours.

I’d had 2 good long days on the hill and my legs felt pretty tired after it.

Forfar multi-terrain half-marathon

2009-02-05T22:19:00.002Z

Sunday saw the running of the 4th Forfar multi-terrain half marathon. This is a cracking wee race that follows a route around the Forfar footpath network. I’ve run it the last 2 years and the route takes in some road running, big stretches of unavoidable flooded paths, ploughed fields and a big 1 mile climb up Balmashanner Hill at 9 miles. You also have to stop and have your number punched by marshals at 7 different checkpoints which interrupts the rhythm and can be frustrating if there’s a queue.

Because the conditions underfoot are so varied all along the length of the route, and from year to year, it’s good to run without the pressure trying to beat the clock – just run for the hell of it.

There were 143 runners and this year they called runners up in groups of 4 for a kit check, we required waterproof top, hat & gloves – just to run around the perimeter of Forfar ! There were plenty of runners getting their kit checked then passing it back to their buddies, but I didn’t see anyone get refused permission to start.

In 2007 it was my first half-marathon and I ran 1hr 36min. In 2008 it was my first decent run back from ill health and I managed a 1 hr 40min. This year I planned to try and run around 7.30min/mile for the race which I felt I could maybe hold for 13 miles, this would get me in close to the 2007 time and if I could get under it I’d be delighted.

In the first mile I felt I was moving quickly backwards through the pack but got to the 1 mile marker in 6.40min. I was running well within myself but it was faster that I felt comfortable with. I quickly fell in with a chap, who I think was Alan Smith from Deeside Runners, and the 2 of us would end up running pretty much the entire race together.

Mile 4 – 5 was a farm track which was pretty much 1 long puddle interrupted by the odd bit of dry land. We reached 5 miles in 34.30, one of the fastest 5 miles I think I’ve run, but I still felt comfortable and I was moving up the field now.

I got to the foot of the climb at 9 miles in 62.40 – amazingly still under 7 min/mile, but the next mile took 8.30mins. From the top it was pretty much all downhill and I was feeling really good now, until I hit the deep mud in the field at 12 miles.

A dash through an industrial estate to the finish where the clock stopped at 1hr 31min 27s. Crazily – a half-marathon pb and 24th place. I’ve never managed to get under the hour and a half, but if the course had been on road and flatter I probably would have managed it comfortably today. I kept myself relaxed throughout the race and didn’t get too carried away at the start, in fact no-one went past after 1.5 miles.

Ged, Me, Morag & Dave at the finish

The other Dundee Road Runners ran –

Paul Slater – 1.26.35

Ben Newton – 1.27.19

Dave Rodley – 1.33.34

Mo Taggart – 1.40.04

Ged Savage – 1.49.44

Full results HERE

WHW Training run - 25 Jan 09

2009-01-29T22:07:00.003Z

This was the 3^rd training run organised by John K and the 2^nd one I’d made. The original intention had been to run from Drymen to Beinglas, however sadly a couple of days before the run John’s dad passed away whilst on holiday in the US. Understandably John had other priorities so it was decided in order to ease the transport difficulties & in light of the weather forecast the route would be changed to Balmaha – Inversnaid and back, about 30 miles.

I met up with Ian and Phil but almost didn’t make it, the A9 was treacherous with snow between Perth & Stirling. Phil almost didn’t make it out his driveway.

The weather slowed our progress so we arrived a bit later than planned, quickly threw on our gear then headed off, 15 happy runners in total. Immediately on leaving the car park we were running through puddles and saturating the feet – a taste of things to come.

The group near the start.

Balmaha to Rowardenan is my favourite section of the route and even in the dreary conditions I still enjoyed the run through the trees. I quickly fell into step with John Malcolm, who recognised me from the Devil’s Burdens the previous day, he had been running the same leg as me. John got a last minute entry in 2008 and managed a 25 hour run, so with a bit of advance notice and better training he could be one to watch this year.

We were also joined by Jamie Aarons who is attempting the Fling this year. I got the impression she’s not too confident about finishing it, but from the way she ran she will not only finish it but put in a good time too.

Phil Tipping caught us near Rowardennan and we all ran together for a while. After Ptarmigan Cottage I had planned to run all the way up the hill using the opportunity to run a big hill with a decent amount of miles already in my legs. I normally walk most of this hill in the race and figured, especially for the Fling, if I could run some of it I could make up some time here.

It was a fair trackle but Phil and I pressed on and whilst he managed it easily I struggled slightly, but made it. Coming down the other side the heavens opened and it began pouring, it would not stop for another couple of hours.

Phil stopped to put a waterproof jacket on where the track changes to path, I waited for Phil, there’s not point in going out with others then running on your own, whilst we were stopped Jamie caught us up again.

We arrived at Inversnaid Hotel in around 2 hrs 39 mins, and stopped for a quick bite to eat. We had a few funny looks from the bus party which was waiting in the foyer.

Jamie & me at a rainy Inversnaid

Phil waiting for a bus ? (look at the woman in the middle window smiling for the photo!)

On the way back the rain chucked it down until well after Rowardennan, but the route was still surprisingly busy with walkers and there were even another couple of groups of runners, but I didn’t recognise anyone.

I decided that even if it killed me I was going to run again over the hill on the way back. Phil breezed up and dropped me as I struggled on, I made it but by the top Phil was a dot in the distance.

We went through Rowardennan in 4 hours but by this time I was cold, wet and hungry so quickly threw a jacket on and took onboard some food as I could feel my energy reserves were getting low.

Running back to Balmaha in a north – south direction is quite disorientating, I didn’t have a clue where I was a lot of the time, but it is still a pleasant route. As I ran through a large group of walkers near Arrochymore Point the ones at the back shouted a warning “runner coming through” which I thought quite flattering ‘cause I certainly didn’t feel like I was running by this stage !

I arrived back in the car park after 5hrs 36 min and felt quite fresh but my hamstrings were v v v tight. I’m going to get a massage …..

Devil’s Burdens Relay

2009-01-26T22:19:00.003Z

A very icy morning on Saturday 24 January saw Dundee Road Runners enter 2 teams into the Devil’s Burdens relay race around the Lomond Hills in Fife.

The residents of Falkland must really love this annual event as their picturesque village is reduced to gridlock as over 600 runners descend on the village hall. After registering we went through the yearly ritual of working out the highly complex travel arrangements required to get the runners to & from their start/end points. Because we were heading to the beginning of our leg we missed the start, but this photo shows just some of the runners cresting East Lomond.

Legs 1 & 3 require the runners to be paired up and I was running leg 3 with Andy. The start of the leg has 5 yards of level ground then it’s straight up Bishop Hill for about 20 minutes of quads feeling like they are on fire. The next 6 ½ miles have very little flat bits until the end.

Unflattering photo of me with Andy just behind

The weather was fine with good visibility, but that didn’t stop us missing a checkpoint coming off West Lomond which we had to go back for – doh ! Someone has also tarred the last mile of forestry track which because I was wearing fell shoes, my shins really loved. We finished in 1 hr 20 mi, 3 mins slower than the last time, but the lost checkpoint probably accounted for that.

My mixed team finished 66^th out of 111 teams, the men’s team which was full of strong runners finished 17 minutes infront in 41^st – just shows how many good runners there are out there.

A special well done to Gill Hanlon who ran leg 4 for us, whilst doing a recce run for the 2008 race she went over her ankle which required surgery & pins, she’s had an astonishing recovery.

Results HERE

Am running the WHW training run tomorrow (sunday), which should be around 30 miles, hopefully I won’t suffer any detrimental effects – quads could be sore though.

Glen Prosen

2009-01-19T20:14:00.006Z

On Saturday, mutt and I went for a run up Glen Prosen. Despite having been up the adjacent Glen Clova hundreds of times I’ve never actually been to the head of Prosen so I worked out a route on the map which was around about 20ish miles.

I parked at the entrance to Cramie Farm then ran down the road to Cormuir Farm (best get the road run out the way at the start). The climb over the Hill of Strone was fairly pleasant, a bit breezy but sunny, with great views down Glen Prosen.

Sunshine on Glen Prosen

The descent was wet and muddy through the trees down to a ruin named “Hole” on the map. (Note for next time – follow the track south to Glenhead Farm) Unfortunately I chose to run along a path over the Moss of Glanny which was marked on my 1987 map but isn’t there now. They’ve replaced it with a really wet bog so by the time I came through it my feet were soaking. Taking this route really slowed my progress.

There's a dog in there somewhere

I cut over the hill to the driveway for Glenmarkie Lodge and followed the well kept track down to Freuchies then headed north for 6 miles back through the forest. There is a lot of felling work going on and the logging vehicles have churned up the tracks so it was quite hard going. The track petered out for the last mile or so through the trees and the path wasn’t great, again slowing me down.

Mud, glorious mud

Once over the hill and down to the Kilbo ruin it was an easy jog back down the glen to the car, although due to all the sheep I did have to run with Cody on a lead, which is not ideal as he likes to bomb ahead and it can throw you off your stride a bit.

It had been a good day, the threatened rain never arrived, I only met 2 mountain bikers and a gamekeeper all day but had only been out for 4 hrs 33 mins. I would have liked to have done longer but with the terrain I had been covering I was still pretty weary.

Next weekend I have the Devil’s Burdens relay on Saturday followed by a 28 miler on The Way on Sunday – looking forward to it.

Devil’s Burdens Recce

2009-01-13T22:03:00.007Z

The “Devil’s Burdens” is an annual relay race organised by Fife around the Lomond Hills. 2 years ago it was my first ever running race and last year I was in no fit state to run it so acted as a support driver, a job I found incredibly frustrating ! Happily this year I’ll run it again.

Dundee Road Runners usually enter a couple of teams and this year is no different. Due to the altitude of the course and the strong possibility of bad weather reducing visibility we usually have a recce run to show new runners the route and refresh the memories of those who have already run it.

I woke up on Sunday to hear the wind and rain battering against the window – I was sorely tempted to turn over and go back to sleep, but I’d no way of contacting the other runners so I forced myself along and met with the 5 other hardy souls also turned up - and of course the dog had no choice.

The hardy fools - Me, Grant, Morag, Daniel, Alison & Ged (note the rain on the lens and trees being blown over in the background!)

We ran from the Craigmead car park to the foot of East Lomond, which the howling gale deterred us from climbing, then we followed Leg 1 to Holl Reservoir (with only a slight route deviation!). We then took in Leg 2 passing 3 other groups of equally mad runners who I presume were also recce’ing the route.

Approaching Holl Reservoir (slightly off course!)

From the top of White Craigs, where the wind was blowing the rain so hard it hurt your face, we decided against the descent to Scotlandwell because we would have had to come straight back up again, so we followed the treacherously slippy paths through the mist past Bishop Hill and down into Glen Vale.

The spectacular views as we pass Bishop Hill.

"And that's where we're not going" says Ged pointing at W Lomond

By this time (actually it was probably well before ) everyone was wet through and cold so we ran to Harperleas Reservoir then cut over the shoulder of West Lomond across Balharvie Moss and onto the path and back to the car. The last couple of miles were pretty miserable. We ran a total distance of 11.8 miles which we covered in a leisurely 2 hours 40 mins.

Despite the weather being absolutely miserable I think it had been a worthwhile day, especially for me as I’ll probably run the 3^rd leg and there were bits I couldn’t remember.

A Year's Training Enough?

2009-01-11T14:21:00.001Z

The following question was posted a while back on the WHW website forum

“Hi everyone, got interested in the race and I've now been keeping an eye on the site for a number of weeks. Started doing some running and I’m now contemplating next year’s event. Question would be – Is a year’s training enough?

I’m in the fortunate position where I can run to/from work so getting miles under the belt shouldn’t be a problem in terms of time (motivation and effort is another matter!!!!) and I’m already looking at half marathons/marathons as well as some other ultras such as Devil O'The Highlands to get used to longer runs (Would it be a good idea to do this if going ahead with entry for next years WHW?). Stay in the Falkirk area so fairly easy access to various off-road trails for training and noted that there is a good “social” side with organised night runs etc.

It’s all good and well looking at the various websites that publish training plans etc, but would really appreciate feeback from those that know best.

Cheers, Chris Buchanan”

A few replies suggested that Chris should build up to the race over a few years, but I thought differently and this is my reply -

”Having read the above comments and thought you might be interested in my experience / preparations for this years race, as you sound like you are in a similar position to the one I was in last year.

By posting this I may be criticised as irresponsible for encouraging you so I must stress the caveat that everyone’s different and what worked for me may not work for you. Oh … and I won’t be held responsible if your legs fall off !

I’m 36 years old, 6’3” & 85kg and took up running in late 2006 in an effort to halt the spread which was beginning to start thank to too many beers. I’ve never been a runner but swam competitively in my youth and generally kept myself fit. In February 2007 I did my first half-marathon (Forfar multi-terrain), then did 2 more halfs and a couple of hill races during the year. Training consisted of 15 miles / week max.

In August 2007 I stumbled across the website for the WHW race and thought it looked like a challenge so I entered. As I didn’t have any experience in ultra-marathons Dario (quite rightly) informed me that if I completed the Highland Fling I would get on the waiting list, if I didn’t finish there would be no race place. This was fair as I was an unknown quantity and I planned to do the Highland Fling anyway as part of my training.

Unfortunately due to illness I couldn’t run between October to mid-December and managed no more than 5 miles a week until February. By the end of March I was up to 25-30 mile / week and during April did weekend runs of 20 ml, 30ml & finished the ‘Fling in under 10 hours, which got me my race place. I was also doing around 100 ml/week commuting on my bike.

Mid-May to early-June I was doing 50ish ml/wk consisting of 2 x 10 milers with a longer hilly run at weekends and continuing the cycling. On my longer runs I concentrated on plodding along at race pace (around 5 mph) conditioning myself not to run too fast.

Don’t know if I was lucky but I managed to avoid picking up any significant injury and stopped running about 10 days before the big event so I felt fresh on the day. The race itself went well (tip - walking down Conic Hill makes a massive difference to the quads and only slows you up by about 3 mins !) and I finished in 10th place in 19hrs 54 mins, well under my 24 hour target.

So Chris, I in answer to your post it can be done by someone without a running background but it takes a lot of discipline, good luck staying injury free and a huge amount of mental determination during the event itself.

Having completed the race I would thoroughly recommend doing it (I’m still buzzing) when you are ready. Good luck with however you choose to tackle it.

Gav”

Cateran Trail – 28 miles

2009-01-04T18:38:00.006Z

In an effort to undo the excesses of Hogmany and also to try out my legs on a longer distance I negotiated with Fi a full day away running and decide to cover a route that I had done in early April last year. The plan was to run along the Cateran Trail from Bridge of Cally to the Lunch Hut a few miles short of the Spittal of Glenshee then back to BoC a distance of around 28 miles.

The weather was similar to how it has been the previous week, cold, still and crisp blue skies, perfect for running. I started much later than I had anticipated at 1130 hours but cracked on anyway confident that I had my new headtorch (Xmas pressie) in my sack. I also took along Cody to see if I could actually tire him out, which thus far has been impossible ..

After around an hour I met another runner heading in the opposite direction. We stopped to exchange pleasantries when she clocked my WHW top (not hard given the colour !). She informed me that she is running the WHW this year and introduced herself as Karen Donoghue who had run from BoC to Kirkmichael and was on her way back. After a blether I cracked on through frozen bogs and planned to turn back at Enochdu but the day was so good, I felt pretty good and the dog seemed fine that I decided to carry on to the Lunch Hut.

I used to take a lot of Duke of Edinburgh’s groups up here and stop at the hut so it was a walk down memory lane reading the graffiti on the wall. One in particular caught my eye, it’s faded but still there - Jenny Duff’s greeting to the groups figurehead Dave Stibbles. And spookily enough there was also a baseball cap with was embroidered with my old school unofficial motto !

On the way back the old knee began to give me bother on the hills but it was fine on the flats and the dog seemed to be going well too, even finding the energy to chase some roe deer after 25 miles.

I must confess my legs were very heavy over the last few miles and I was glad when I picked up the car in the torch beam. It had been a hard day and including stops had taken 5hrs 40 mins, much further that I have run for a while, but I was encouraged that I had managed it. This time last year I couldn’t even do run 10k without stopping.

And yes since he got home the dog has done nothing but sleep – he’s been tired out at last !

Post Xmas Fitness

2009-01-04T18:14:00.014Z

Following xmas I tried my best to undo some of the excesses so on 28 December I decided to see how Cody our dog would get on with a run now that he is 6 months old. He is a chocolate lab / springer spaniel cross and we cannot tire him out.

I took him on a 17 mile run in and around Loch Ordie near Dunkeld. He has boundless energy and even as we approached the car after more that 3 hours he was going strong. Once we got home however it was a different matter and he fell into a deep sleep…

I then drove up to meet friends Tom, his wife Zoe and his sister Kate in the Black Isle for a couple of days walking. It was absolutely Baltic outside day and night with temperatures between -7 to -10 so it was a real bonus that the central heating in the cottage was broken – not ! On the 29^th we tackled Meall a’ Chrasgaidh in the Fannichs. It was one of those crisp, clear, cold winter days where my camera battery went flat after the first photo.

On the 30^th Tom, Zoe & I walked Cairngorm and the Northern Corries. I have walked this route many, many times but I have never seen it so busy. Probably a combination of the brilliant weather and the holidays.

Tom & Zoe on summit of Cairngorm

On the way down Loch Morlich was completely frozen over and a popular spot with sightseers. This may have been due to the temperatures in Aviemore reaching -15 the previous couple of nights.

I had 3 good days of exercise and thankfully can report no ill effects.

Club Championships

2008-12-19T18:50:00.000Z

It was the Dundee Road Runners prize giving on Tuesday night. Unfortunately I was in Manchester with work so I couldn’t attend, which is a pity because it transpires that I am now the club’s ultra distance champion.

Claim to fame – here

I’m now included alongside Alan Kay who hold the joint record for finished on the WHW at an unbelievable 13 ! I can’t see my knees ever letting me do that.

Physio

2008-12-04T20:01:00.000Z

Since I had a fall in 2001 I’ve had a problem with my left knee and during the Fling and the Race I was swallowing ibuprofen like they were sweeties to help me get through. My knee had also been a bit painful after the training run last week.

After falling from my bike I had arranged through occupational health at work to attend a physio, but by the time I arrived at the appointment today my hip was back to normal so I took the opportunity to speak with the physio about my knee (which was also heavily bruised after a fall whilst walking the dog).

I thought she may be annoyed that I had changed the reason for attending but she was great and decided that there was nothing wrong with any ligaments, but my kneecap may not be tracking properly so showed me how to tape it up so it was back in place.

First thoughts are that it is making a difference and feels better supported but I’ll need to give it a try on a long run.

John Kynaston’s 1st Training Run

2008-12-03T19:29:00.001Z

My training has not been going well having suffered with a chest infection that I couldn’t shake for 5 weeks, then when it cleared up I was back running for a week when I hit black ice on my bike and landed heavily on my right hip leaving me suffering from trochanteric bursitis, which made walking painful, so that was another month out.

I was pretty unfit but decided to go in at the deep end and signed up to the first of John K’s monthly runs along the Way. The first outing was on the 30 November 2008 followed the route Beinglas Farm down to Inversnaid and back then Beinglas Farm up to Carmyle Cottage and back, a total distance of 22.42miles.

I had arranged via the forum to meet up with Ian Beattie and Phil Tipping in Comrie and share a lift through. It was a good chance to meet up as I had never met them before and we had a good blether on the way over to the start.

It was a crisp clear day and the temperature dropped to -9^oC on, but had risen to -7 at the starting point. Thankfully we were there early because John’s run had proved so popular parking was at a premium. I think around 35 people ultimately appeared –

9.30 am and we were off. It was very icy underfoot which slowed the pace down. I found myself running along with Davie Bell who I had run with in 08’s race. He is clearly much fitter than I at the moment and after a while I had to let him go, and found myself running alone. There was no point in doing that with 34 others around so I hung back until I was joined by Phil and we ran together for a while. The narrow path along Lomondside was treacherous and one chap behind me almost plunged into the loch at the bottom of the really steep set of wooden steps. If he’d gone in the bank was so high and steep I don’t know how we would have retrieved him.

I arrived at Inversnaid felling pretty good, the run had been easily paced. After a refuel we set off again and retraced our steps. This time I found myself running in a group which contained John so we had a good chat as we ran. I arrived back at Beinglas Farm with a couple of chaps who were calling it a day there so I hung back and waited for John to catch up. This is my least favourite stretch on the first half of the Way so it was good to have John’s company to help me pass the miles.

We turned back at the underpass and after a couple of miles I was tiring so I told John just to press on, which he did easily. With around half a mile to go both my hamstrings spasmed into excruciating cramp, which was so frustrating as I could see the cars but couldn’t get any nearer to them. Eventually it cleared and I hobbled in to the car park after 5 hours 5 mins of running.

It wasn’t a fast run, even by ultra pace, but I was pleased that I had completed the distance and been able to keep going for more that 5 hours. An encouraging start to my build up given my current level of fitness.

Lessons Learned

2008-12-02T13:05:00.004Z

I’ve listed a few points before I forget them on the things I learned during my first really big race -

1. Don’t start too fast, repeat the mantra this is a marathon, not a sprint. Do not worry if people are passing you, if you’ve done the training and pace yourself, you will catch them up, although it might take another 15 hours to do it. My splits show that I made up a lot of places in the last quarter of the race and I was the fastest person over the last leg - splits spreadsheet

2. ALWAYS WALK OFF CONIC HILL ! It’s a bit slower but you make up time in the long run as it saves your quads.

3. Run through the Rowardennan checkpoint. Both times I’ve raced on the WHW I’ve had lengthy stops here which has frustrated me, I will now quickly take onboard food and drink that I can walk with thus probably saving 10 minutes.

4. I have found Salomon XA Comp 2 in a size 10.5 to be the perfect shoe for me. Great fit, never given me blisters, well cushioned, lightweight, with grippy soles. Although as you can see the pair I used are now dead –

5. Wear lycra undershorts to avoid chaffing which can be crippling. Also rub copious amounts of Vaseline between the toes as rubbing between the toes gave me problems all the way after Kingshouse.

6. Invest in a good head torch. My Tesco value £8 torch was cheep and gave me a headache. I have now purchased and used in anger a Petzl Myo XP – so much better.

Sponsorship

2008-12-01T17:32:00.001Z

A Massive thank you to everyone who sponsored me.

I raised well over £2,000 for 2 charities –

Cancer Research UK & Tayside Children with Cancer & Leukaemia

You were all incredibly generous and your support gave me an added incentive to finish.