I took a few days off last week to organise my kit - loads of food which I knew I probably would not be able to eat (you never know what you will fancy during a race), lots of spare clothes that I knew I would probably not wear( but you never know what the weather will do ). Also medical kit, gas stove midge nets and repellents - the list was endless.
On Friday afternoon we drove to Milngavie, stopping off for our traditional fish and chips at the Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum.
Race registration is a great time for meeting up with various friends from around the country (some of whom we only see at the whw race)
I was slightly nervous about the race because after my back problems and other health issues I hadn't done enough training and I wasn't very fit.
At 1 am precisely we set off from Milngavie a mere 95 miles and 14,760 feet of climbing between us and Fort William!
The first part of the route is for me the least appealing but in the dark it went by swiftly. It is a good time to chat because everyone is relaxed and running comfortably. I ran for a while with a guy from Cumbria who had done the Bob Graham round and the Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc(UTMB). I can remember his running shoes but my memory of his face and that of the other runners at this stage blur into one beneath the glare of their headtorches. After Drymen it started to get light but with the drizzle and fog it took some time before we could switch our torches off. The conditions were perfect for running though- the rain was never heavy enough to need waterproofs and quite refreshing.
At Balmaha I met my trusty support crew who really were on top form, mug of tea and food at the ready.
The Loch Lomond section is one of my favourites- I just love the verdant, luxuriant forest the twisted lichen draped trees , the wild garlic, the bluebells and may blossom. Round every corner there is a view that cries out photograph me , paint me.In my imagination this is what the woods Tolkien's Middle Earth would look like. All the while there is the ever present and seemingly endless Loch Lomond that separates this wonderland from the main A82 road and its noise, traffic and crowds of tourists.
For once Inversnaid wasn't completely midge infested- one of the intrepid checkpoint volunteers had even dared to lift the veil of his midge hat!I downed some cold coffee and some custard and carried on. I felt that I was going quite well and began to dream of doing a decent time.
About a mile before Beinglas I felt a stabbing pain in my right hamstring which worsened with every step, it felt as if I'd pulled or torn a muscle and I thought my race was over. However the slow climb out of Beinglas was a chance to walk and rest . The pain continued but slowly abated over the next 20 miles or so.
From here on my lack of fitness began to show and my pace started to drop. At Tyndrum I found myself thinking how fine it would be if I was just doing The Highland Fling Race and stopping there instead of carrying on for another 42 miles! I went through just as the relay race was starting and envied the fit young athletes sprinting past me.
Still I started to pick up after Bridge of Orchy being buoyed up by Murdo, Pete, Bob and others providing jelly babies and music on top of the hill. I ran a lot of the climb on to Rannoch Moor( probably a mistake) and overtook several people before the ski centre . By now I was enjoying myself again .There were several other runners around me running at similar speeds.It was nice to say hello and wish each other well. Throughout the race there was a great atmosphere amongst the runners , supporters, marshalls and walkers on the trail . Without exception everyone was cheerful and friendly.
I can honestly say my support crew were incredible . On the descent to Kinlochleven I was slightly nauseous but thirsty. I was fantasising about a cool beer, but then realised that what I desired more than anything else was a cold tango . Helen who by then was running with me texted her sister to buy some at the shop . Ten minutes later I had a yearning for some chicken but I thought it unfair to mention this and necessitate another visit to the supermarket. When we arrived at Kinlochleven there was a bottle of ice cold tango waiting for me and some chicken that my wonderful support crew had purchased just in case I fancied it! Both went down down a treat.
Ten years ago when I first ran the West highland Way Race I had a terrible time on the Lairig Mor . Warm humid weather and running shoes with a semi waterproof lining turned the soles of my feet to mush . The rocky terrain was agony to run over and I walked most of the way.Since then I have grown to love rather than fear The Lairig Mor. This time I was far more comfortable. The rain had stopped and sun shone through breaks in the cloud. I was overcome by a wave of emotion .Weary and sore I may have been but I was so so happy to be running the West Highland Way Race being supported by my lovely wife.Can life get better than that?
The last section from Lundavra to Fort William was tough, I was very slow and felt faint, the euphoria I experienced in the middle of Lairig Mor had evaporated .The miles seemed to crawl by .I was overtaken by several runners but had no regrets because I was physically unable to go any faster.
The forest track seemed long as always ( the disadvantage of living in the area is that you know exactly how far it is to the end ) as did the road. Then I saw the 30mph signs of Fort William and knew at last it was almost over. Round the corner and into the Leisure centre and it was .
It was by far my slowest WHWrace at 22.12.01 but faster than my prediction of 24 hours. As always it was a great adventure with its highs and lows and emotional moments.
The cut off for the end of the race is midday on Sunday when the presentation starts. Every finisher is individually presented with much a coveted engraved crystal goblet. The winner for the 3rd time in a row was Paul Giblin an outstanding athlete who deserves to be more famous. He broke his own course record taking only 14 hours 14 minutes and 44 seconds to finish. Compare this to the winning time 10 years ago of 18 hours 57 minutes. In how many other races is the winning time slashed by over 4 hours in the space of 10 years ! Jamie Aarons was the first lady finishng in 19.28.23.
After the presentation we had a rest then went to the pub for a celebration with all our West Highland Way pals. The beer flowed , the craic was good, and we stayed until closing time. All in all it was a fantastic weekend . Ian Beattie and his team have once again made this iconic race a great success .Roll on next year!
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| A recent picture of Loch Sunart |
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