Highland Fling

Running alongside Loch Lomond ( watercolour painting form a photo)

We are just back from the Highland Fling Race.
It is ten years since Murdo MacDonald  started the event to help runners prepare for the West Highland Way Race. Back then there were less than twenty runners, now it has developed into the biggest ultra event in Scotland with an amazing 647  people finishing the tough 53 mile course from Milngavie to Tyndrum.
 As always the organisation of race director Johnny 'Fling' was top notch .
Everything had been thought of . There was an official race hotel ( available at a very cheap rate for runners),and free bus to the start. There were lots of  portaloos (reducing that pre race stress of queueing for ages as the minutes tick away to the start).There was tea and coffee for sale as well.
 The race operates on a drop bag system. At the start you hand in bags containing your choice of food and drink which are then given back to you at checkpoints during the race. There's no  frustrating search for your bag, as you run into the checkpoint your number is shouted out by the marshalls so other volunteers can pick out your bag and have it ready and open ! Large bins were provided further down the trail so you could jettison wrappers and bottles after you had consumed their contents,as I said everything had been thought of.
I have had some good runs on the Fling normally finishing at around the 9h.35 mark . Last year was a disaster as I had a bad cold and had to walk the last 12 miles. This year I feared a similar result. - my back problems have prevented me from doing my normal level of training and my fitness is really poor.
We all wore chips on our ankles to record our exact time at the start and at various points in the race. I started off in the 10 -12 hour group at a comfortable pace but before long the excitement of it all got to me and I went a bit too fast. Scenically the first 12 miles are not exceptional but beyond Drymen the magic starts. From the top of Conic Hill Loch Lomond is arrayed in front of you with its many inlets and islands. I used to dread the 6 miles from Balmaha to Rowardennan but I have grown to love them . It always seems a very long 6 miles, but what a  great trail!.Across beaches around  bays through woodland and up and down hills, it is a delight.
The weather had started cold and wet but by Loch Lomond it was dry and the sun was shining. After Rowardennan there is a section on forestry tracks which I often struggle with before the way narrows to a rocky path and the views of Loch open up. For a road runner wanting to get from A to B as quickly as possible such a path would be very frustrating, but it is the sort of running I really enjoy. Every step is different; up and down, twisting and turning, rocks to clamber over, tree roots to jump, bridges to cross (some with ladders).There are waterfalls, caves ,wild flowers, feral goats.Fourteen miles of gorgeous trail.
Several times I was almost overwhelmed by emotion. I felt so happy to be able to run an ultra in such a beautiful place, especially after the issues I have had with my back. There is a small rise near Cnap Mor with a wonderful view back along the length of Loch Lomond.Friends erected a West Highland Way marker post dedicated to Dario who was director of the West Highland Way Race for many years. I always pause here for a few seconds to enjoy the view and contemplate life.
After Beinglas there is for me another difficult section of seemingly never ending track but by this stage the end is a reachable. I found myself flagging by Crianlarich, the lack of training really starting to show.I had put my heart into the Loch Lomond section and by the infamous 'cow poo corner' had very little left in the tank. But by and by the miles were covered.
Close to the end there are pipers playing each runner in. That for me is the signal to attempt a finishing sprint, I always find myself grinning from ear to ear as the elation hits me. The finishing straight was lined with flags and actually red carpeted. Once over the line a team of volunteers removed timing chips and distributed goody bags containing sparkling wine,T-shirt and buff ,  we were ushered into a large marquee and offered free beer, soup, baked potatoes tea, coffee and ice cream. As before everything had been thought of with lots of special touches - real ales, filter coffee,Mackies ice cream. Even the toilets were posh with pictures on the walls and moisturiser as well as soap .
My time was half an hour slower than my best but I had a fantastic day. The winner Mathew Laye was over 3 hours faster than me finishing in 7 hours and 4 minutes ! The first lady Rachael Campbell finished in 8 hours 42minutes.
 It was for us an amazing race experience, the organisation, the route, the perfect running weather. Well done and thank you to Johnny and his team!

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Sketches of people on the train- I had no time to sketch during the race!