Ring o Fire 2018

 A few weeks ago we completed the Ring O Fire Race in Anglesey for the 4th time .
I did  a reasonable amount of training chiefly comprising of 35 mile runs once every week to 10 days. I had also spent a week in Essex during  some very hot weather during which I ran about a hundred miles. However my fitness was still very lacking.
We stayed near Beaumaris which is a picture postcard like coastal town with lots of interesting shops and  cafes. We arrived a day before the race which gave us the chance to buy last minute supplies and recover from the long drive south.
The race starts at the Breakwater Park at Holyhead which is on a separate smaller island off Angelsey. It was great to meet up with old friends including John Kynaston who we know from the West Highland Way Race and also the Hardmoors110.
The race started at 1pm. I had expected cold and wet weather but it turned out to be hot and sunny. In fact many of the runners suffered from the heat.The initial part of the race is not that inspiring - through the streets of Holyhead and parkland  beyond. However this soon gives way to the beautiful coastline. It is quite flat until the second  checkpoint at Church Bay when the cliffs and bays start. From then on the scenery was gorgeous . Time after time we would turn a corner to find another idyllic deserted sandy bay wreathed with cliffs and set off against a turquoise sea and cloudless blue sky. We saw quite a few choughs- rare birds looking  like crows but with an orange beak and a distinctive call.
Before Wylfa power station checkpoint there is a shingle spit that one has to run along , I always find this hard .The shingle is particularly strength sapping . Consequently I was very glad to to get to the checkpoint. Despite eating and drinking I struggled to get going afterwards and the group of runner I was with got ahead. Gradually though I recovered and reeled some of them in.Some of the biggest hills occur between Cemaes and Bull Bay, but again the scenery is fantastic.
I was pleased to finally arrive in Almwch in daylight after a really enjoyable days' running.

Day 2 was cooler and overcast.I started off quite well and enjoyed a good second breakfast and mug of tea at Ligny Bay. The owner of the cafe there had very kindly provided free food for all the runners. Soon the tiredness started to kick in and my pace slowed.Unusually I ran on my own for most of the day. I didn't see a single runner from Beaumaris until Newborough forest. My parents met me at Beaumaris and I had phoned ahead to ask them to buy me a cup of tea and a J20. Although still overcast it was quite warm and the ice cold J20 was very welcome.
It is a long way ( 66 miles) on day 2 but gradually the miles passed despite my snail like pace. On Newborough Beach I could see no one until I was almost at the honesty book flag. Then I spotted a rapidly approaching runner. I was only a few hundred yards beyond the honesty book when the runner overtook me.What a rate he was going! I later learnt that he had had a bad patch at Penmon Point but had recovered after a rest and a pie and chips in Beaumaris.
It was dark when I left the last checkpoint for the last 10km to Aberfraw boosted my some lovely spicy lentil soup. I managed the route OK despite the intense blackness of the moonless night. At Aberfraw the marshals were very attentive as usual and I was able to enjoy multiple mugs of tea and two bowls of pasta.

On Day 3 I was very stiff and my left hip was sore- I could barely run at the start. Fortunately my hip eased off and I was able to get going - otherwise it would have been a very long walk. Helen my wife always does well on Day 3 so I was pleased when I managed to catch up with her. We ran together through Rhosneigr  where a we all got  a second breakfast courtesy of Sandy's Bistro. Helen got ahead of me just before Four mile Bridge  as I started to flag. The weather had been forecast to be good but in the event  we had fine drizzle on and off  all day.
Before the beautiful Silver Bay I missed a turning and had to back track. Fortunately I didn't loose too much time. Also I didn't miss the  honesty book unlike two poor runners who we met a few miles later on who must have added at least an hour to their time returning to pick up a page from the honesty book.
At Trearddur Bay bought myself a mug of tea from a cafe .
I always struggle on the third day and  this year was no exception . I felt that my breathing was quite compromised and I as restricted to a survival shuffle. I kept passing and  being passed by a tall runner who was striding  along but who I never saw running . I was sure I would be able to get ahead but he left me for dust climbing the last hill of the race. Holy mountain was as beautiful as ever.
Finally I was running across the field to the sounds of Johnny Cash singing 'Ring O Fire' . It was all over for another year except for cheering, drinking beer and chatting with friends.
John Bottomley was first runner home in an amazing time of 23 hours and 23 minutes. Patrizia Sini was first lady in 29 hours and 9 minutes.Helen was 3rd lady.

A view from  Henlleys in Beaumaris (where we stayed before and after the race) looking across the Menai Strait.

After a day relaxing day in Beaumaris we sadly started the long drive home.It had been a very enjoyable holiday, and  the Ring O Fire was as always a fantastic race.We will be back!

West Highland Way Race 2015

So it is all over for another year; the West Highland Way race done and dusted. For us it is the best,  most important and most enjoyable race in the calendar.
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!

A recent picture of Loch Sunart