West highland way race 2016

I think I was about 18 years old when I first heard about the west highland way race. I'd just finished running a marathon when I heard that people ran the full West highland way. I don't think at the time I could process the thought of this. I swore to myself that I'd run it one day.

Fast forward 13 years...

June 18th 2016. 5 minutes to 1 am. Race briefing done and I'm standing on the start line at Milngavie train station. The start line which I'd imagined myself on for the previous 13 years. I go through my training in my mind. 1500 miles for the year. 100,000 feet elevation gain. I'm ready. I am surrounded by familiar faces, some I've never met, some I recognise from social media, all illuminated by the glow of the head torches on every runner. It's time to go. Another run through of my race plan goes through my head, this time interupted by the sound of the horn and the cheers from the waiting crowd. The race begins and I take the first step of many.

The first few mies pass quickly. I settle into an early rhythmn of just over 8 minutes per mile average. I'm joined by a few others and natter away to each other. I manage to get out on my own soon and enjoy the company of only my headtorch, continuingly chasing the bouncing glow along the easy flat miles. The miles pass uneventfully and before I know it I've reached drymen. I've ran the next section many times. I have fun remembering the miles in the harsh weather that I have put in on this sectionto prepare for today. My mind drifts and I find myself at the bottom of the conic. I run the hill at an easy pace, exactly on plan. I turn at the top to look around. Seeing the worm of headtorches dancing behind me on the trail up the hill is an amazing sight. When I look forward again I am greeted with the almost full moon illuminating the glass like water of Loch Lomond. I think at this point it is worth doing the race for these two views alone.

Its is starting brighten and I no longer need my head torch. Which is handy, on the decent from conic hill my battery runs out. It should have lasted hours longer. Hopefully not a sign of things giving up before they should be. I reach Balmaha car park within 3 seconds of my target time. Im met by my lone supporter Theresa who fills up my water bottles and sends me on my way quickly. She shouts to me that the battery on my go pro had already ran out, yet another sign that things weren't lasting as long as they should! I shout back that we forgot to pack beer for after the race. Priorities!

Balmaha - 2 hours 45 minutes

Within a mile of leaving Balmaha I force down an energy bar and immediately bring it back up. Not really ideal but I sometimes struggle with the solid food and I was managing enough tailwind for the early part of the race so I wasn't too bothered. The remaining miles to Rowerdennan passed uneventfully. I don't remember passin anyone or being passed at all, however I may be wrong. I ran into Rowerdennan to see Davie Gow just in front, and immediately thought I must be going too fast. I arrived just a few minutes in front of my target time. 

Rowerdennan - 4 hour 5 mins

Another attempt at an energy bar is met by the same result at the first. I don't hang about long as I am being attacked by a horde of midges. I grab a banana and force this down as I trundle along the lochside. I ease along and spot Davie Gow in front. I take the lead from him - he is far more experienced than me so I walk the sections he is walking and run again when he does. The race is following the low route this year which I love. The rugged section passes underfoot and Im having a great time, my legs feel fresh. Davie stopped for a comfort break and i stretched not far in front of him. I run through Inveruglas stopping briefly to drink an irn bru. The army of midge is stronger here than at the last stop. I soldier on, aware Im being followed closely but I'm not bohered by position, certainly not at this stage anyway. A few miles up the road the the lead lady tears past me. There is no way I could keep her pace she is setting scrambling over the rocks. Time passes and I know Im closing in on seeing Theresa and my dad which gives me an immense boost. The dreaded midge attacks continue until Im almost at Beinglas. I spot a familiar vest in front and catch up. I see its Hal Koerner! We exchange pleasantaries as I pass. He is struggling with a knee injury. I doubt he has understood anything I said. Before I know it I am climbing the style and Ive arrived at Beinglas. My dad and Theresa set about me, feeding me and filling my bottles. Id love to hang about but the midges are too harsh. I make a joke about overtaking famous Hal and run on.

Beinglas farm - 6 hours 59 mins

This next section is a bit of a baw breaker. I get my head down and trudge on. Truth be told I don't remember much of this section. Im met by a walker near Crainlarich who fills my water bottles. Im beginning to fade and Im doing garmin maths to see if I'll make the next check point in time. The sun is rising further, and it seems with each further rise, my legs respond with lost energy. Im now struggling to take on the tailwind and I know I need to eat. 

Auchtertyre - 8 hours 51 mins

A struggle. I sludge into the checkpoint. On the scales and run on towards the car. I see my dad behind and he soons catches up and tells me I've lost more than 4% of my body weight. I need to eat. I lean against my car and rest my almost weary legs. More bananas go down a treat for some reason. For those who don't know - I HATE bananas. But today they serve me well. My body knows it needs them. I refuse the offer of swapping into my vest. Im determined to cross the line in Dumbarton colours and keep my black t shirt on for the time being, in favour or ruining the vest for the end. Away I go, through Tyndrum and Im offered a choc ice. Id love one however my vegan stubbornness doesnt allow this. Had it been a calippo I would have faceplanted it right there.

 A mile further nd I hear a tooooot from the road. My Dumbarton team mates who are running the relay  shortly pass me on the main road. This gives me a massive lift. I manage to bounce along nicely. The day is warming up, the trail is busy and I enjoy seeing the walkers and cyclists on the route again. A drone flies overhead and I try and maintain good running form incase it records me. I begin the small descent in to Bridge of Orchy and Im starting to feel the days efforts. The sight of my dad perks me up again, and I run a short distance to the car park, happy I'll see Theresa soon and get more Bananas! 

Bridge of Orchy 10 hours 40 mins

Im well down on my target time now. At the aid station my mum and daughter are there. The lift I get from seeing my wee girl is well needed. A man recording for the adverture show asks me some questions, I have no idea then or now what was said, but I know I need to move. Stocked up again and Im off. I have a wee bet on with thhe Dumbarton crew that I will get to the finish before them Im under pressure and Ill need to run well to conme close. This urges me on. I push on and on and on. The miles now pass slowly. I check my garmin moreoften. It doesnt speed up. Im running upwards of 11 minute miles on the good bits. The descents begin to hurt. Energy comes and goes from my legs like the ebb and flow of the tide. The power drains from them gradually, each step getting harder and more sluggish as the garmin shows me slowing, only for the power and freedom they once had to come crashing back in, when I manage to force some food down. Garmin tells me Ive already lost my bet. Ill be doing well to reach Glencoe without being passed. I make this a micro goal. The heat is getting to me and I finally give in and take my t shirt off. TAPS AFF for a while.

Glencoe 12 hours 57 mins

A happy sight to see. I run a few hundred metres with my dad. This is always a proud moment for me. Into the aid station and Theresa and the rest of the team do a great job of perking me up. I feel sick and can't keep much down and feel a little dizzy. I get into my team colours and the other team mates ask how Im doing. Its good to see familiar faces.The relay team catch up and pass me in the aid station. A short lived bet, however Ill be back another year to avenge it!! Banana fuelled again and Im off. Im feeling it now. The devil comes and goes, with a few high 5s at the bottom which were well needed. The descent is hard. I walk a lot of it and im basically counting the steps to Kinlochloeven which can't come quick enough.

Kinlochleven 15 hours 36 mins

This aid station is a blur. I get weighed which shows Ive put weight back on, but this will be down to getting weighed with full water bottles. Im told I spoke to team mates

but looked right through them, unaware of who they were at this time. Im dizzy, I don't know who is talking to me, I dont know what Im eating, I know I must push on. I reluctantly leave Theresa and my daughter, my mum and the Dumbarton team mates, and Im led from the station by my dad. I run slow. There is now another runner and I try keep in front of him on this final climb. I focus only on the finish. There is no where else to go but forward. No point looking back, Im not going that way. I beat the other runner to the top of the climb, Im immediately left in his wake on the flat. I know now I will not feel the energy and power surge back to my legs, I have eaten too little. I death march on, milee by mile slowly passing underfoot. My mind wanders again, I know my wee girl is running the last 100 metres with me and this keeps me going. Lundavra approaches, Im greeted with a cheeky wee rest on a chair and somne irn bru - love it. I death march on, the down hills are agony and Im overwhelmed by the amount of relay runners passing me to shake my hand and offer a cuddle. The must know I need it.

Braveheart car park!!!! I know Im almost there, Richie passes me in the van, shouts I have half a mile to go. Im aware there is a runner close behind, unaware relay or not. This injects life into my sorry legs. I spot my dad, shake off my race vest ready to hand to him. Its just around the corner. I shake off my tired running form, my short stride, lift my head up and go. Running faster than I have the entire race, I see me wee girl, in team colours too. I take her hand and we run into the car park together. I look at her as I cross the line, a moment 13 years in the making. Its hard to describe how much I enjoy sharing this moment with her. 

Fort William 19 hours 26 mins and 6 seconds.

I couldn't have managed the day without those who helped me. Theresa, daddy cool, my mum, my daughter, and all the Dumbarton team mates. Particularly those who I had the bet against who urged me on when they knew how I was feeling, and perhaps more importantly, put my tent up for me. Thanks, I owe you. 

A lot slower than my target. Im happy enough. Never satisfied. Sometimes I set myself goals, and making them or not the feeling can be bitter sweet. Its strange, something Ive wanted to achieve for so long, and putting a goal in 2 months before of a time which Ive not achieved, Im not overjoyed. Happy yes, estatic no. So the goblet has remained in its box so far. I wouldnt enjoy drinking from it when I dont feel like Ive lived up to my potential on the day. Bitter sweet as I say. Until next time...

Continuing the build

Monday - AM 10 miles @ 7:19 min miles PM 10 miles @ 7:17 min miles

Tuesday - AM 9 miles @ 7:25 min miles PM Dunbartonshire track 5k 17:24

Wednesday - 16 miles off road 9:15 min miles 2,300 ft elevation

Thursday AM 6.6 miles @ 8:02 min miles PM club 5 mile tempo 5:49 min miles

Friday 10 miles 7:11 min miles

Saturday 14 miles @ 7:32 min miles

Sunday 8 miles @ 7:23 min miles

Weekly total 100 miles elevation 5,300 ft

13 hours total.

I don't remember what age I was but I was pretty wee. I remember on a Saturday morning I was playing in the garden when my dad came back from playing golf and he was putting his clubs away in the garage. He had a massive red and black Dunlop bag and I asked him when I got bigger if I could have his bag and his clubs, and he said I'd need better ones because I'd be better than he was. I thought he was the best golfer ever (he played off of 21)  I'd played with him and he hit it for miles, much further than a wee me could hit. He also taught me how to play and act on the golf course. Plus he had also had 2 holes in 1. Ive still never managed to get one and I play in single figures. This is the first memory I have of him being my sporting hero.

He also ran when I was wee. As I grew up I don't ever remember him running much, but he had ran a marathon and one time done a race which involved kicking an orange down a hill which we went to watch. One of the things I remember is when he told me he had once ran 100 miles in a week. I thought that was amazing and I didn't know how far it was but I was proud he had done it and I remember telling my friends about it.

When I took up running again a few years ago I still remembered this. About a year ago I decided to do it one week to see how I got on. I ran my last run on a Sunday on my way home from work, and met my dad for the last few miles or so. I finished my first 100 mile week with him, after all its all down to him that I run. I really enjoyed that moment.

Today when I was running I finished another 100 mile week. I think I'll always think of him and how he has inspired me when I reach the 100 mile mark. I hope so anyway. 

Now I'm hitting 100 miles a week fairly regular, and my legs feel great for it. I'm running better,  stronger and faster than before. A few months hard work coming up when I'll be pushing towards the 150 mile a week mark and I'm looking forward to seeing how I cope with that.

This week's training was fairly simple, no long runs and mostly double runs to get the miles in. A 5k track race on Tuesday night I was hoping for about 16 minutes, but on pushing off I knew it wasn't going to happen and finished in 17:24.

Thursdays tempo was on tired legs but I managed to average 5:49 min miles a faster time than I've managed on this course.

Happy with the progress I've made in recent weeks and I'll see how I feel on this week's long runs.

Deeside 33 ultra

This was the first ultra of 3 I am running this year. Being so early in the calendar year it's the first for many. I ran it last year for which I done a race report if you scroll through the old posts. Comparing myself to last year to the date, I had ran almost double to the previous year, was running faster, feeling better than ever, plus almost a stone lighter in weight.  So it was almost a guarantee to be a good race and a new PB for me. Except it wasn't. 

Up until a fortnight ago I had never failed to finish a race. No matter what happened. I've finished a triathlon in which my chain snapped and I ran half the bike loop, I've cycled on in races using 1 leg when my pedal broke and fell off, ran while vomitting,  and believe it or not, once ate a regurgitated meal to allow me the energy to finish when I really didn't feel like it.

I entered the glentress marathon which was on an amazing loop, off road over hills with great elevation all of which I love. I stopped after 1 lap. I used the excuse that the race started late, and if I had went out for the 2nd loop I'd have been struggling to make work on time. I could have ran faster or harder but I didn't. I just gave up. Quit. So a few days mulling about and I set my sights on d33.

Last year's time was 4:07 and this was easily beatable without much stress. Keeping an easy pace I should have bust 4 hours with ease. But I'm just not up for it. I am just not enjoying racing at all. Anyway I tried to talk myself into it and being up for it on race day, but as it drew closer I was looking for an excuse not to go. I briefly mentioned this at the running club and was told to man up/get a grip/go run well so off I went with the best intentions, helped by some kind words of how well I'm running at the minute.

Race day

4 bells and my alarm went off and I made the lonely trip up to Aberdeen.  Arriving in good time I met some familiar faces and had a good catch up with jonny pritchard about the races we were doing this year.

9 o clock came and I set of at 7 min miles which I find really easy now, especially for a flat course on tarmac like this. I've done this in training and know I can run this pace for 30 miles without too much trouble. I was more of less this for the first half apart from a few toilet stops and reached the 16.5 mile halfway about 1:58 hours. I had planned to pick it up here and return a bit quicker so safely go under the 4 hours.

Although when I ran round the half way point the same thing happened as a fortnight ago. I gave up. I did go on and finish the race but I gave up in my mind. I was upwards of 8 and a half min miles in some places, and 1 mile I even stretched to an 11 min mile. This was not due.to fatigue at all. My legs were fresh. At 1 point I didn't see anyone behind me, so I stopped and walked and was waiting for someone to catch up with me. This is purely a motivation issue. I finished in 4:15, 8 minutes slower than last year. But that's the problem. I don't care. I'm not interested that I'm not racing well.

It's not that I'm not enjoying running.  As soon as I got back in the door I wanted to go out running again. I'm loving training and I can't get enough of it. I hate a day when I'm not running and I don't feel right. So what's the problem? How do I get my mojo back and get that bit between my teeth that I used to have, even if it was racing someone up a set of stairs? I hate getting beaten. Except in recent months when it's not fussed me at all.

I've never been like this and I need to sort the issue quickly. I've a few ideas on how to sort it so only time will tell if they work. If not it will be a slow year for me.

Hopefully ill be back to it soon and get back to running well, and see what happens from there.

100 mile week

Monday 8.3 miles @ 7:28 min miles

Tuesday am 4.2 miles @7:27 min miles PM 7.5 miles @7:16 min miles

Wednesday AM 4 miles @7:43 min miles

Thursday 26 miles on West Highland way @ 9:21 min miles

Friday 20 miles @7:48 min miles

Saturday 15 miles @ 7:50 min miles

Sunday 14.5 miles @ 7:19 min miles

Weekly total 100 miles elevation 7000ft

I started this week solely with the aim of running 100 miles for the week. I did initially plan some speedwork aswell but the club sessions didn't suit me this week. Monday and Tuesday were non events really with no exciting runs. The morning runs when I am early shift I am starting to cope better with. Life at home meant I had to skip wednesday nights run which was a planned 10 miles, so I felt like I would be chasing my tail trying to get the weekly goal.

Thursday I headed to the west highland way and done an out and back from Balmaha. I had intended to go north from Rowerdennan but the road was shut! The lochside is my favorite section of the WHW, it is just so tough. Anyway I ended with 26 miles, my wee legs were tired which I blame on the lack of hills so far this year, but at the end I could have ran on. My average HR was 139 was happy with that.

Friday was the return of more mile loops around my housing estate. I love running loops and it's good to run past the house tired and not give up and go in. HR 131 and it took in elevation of 1,500 feet.

Saturday was a real struggle, every step was a hassle and my whole body was wanting me to stop, but I struggled on. Sunday was a different story. I felt great on Sunday, mayne because I knew I had met my weekly target,but my legs felt fresh and I could have ran on at tne same pace.

A recovery week for me now with the glentess marathon at the weekend. This is my first race of the year but along with the D33 I had planned both as training runs and wasn't planning on actually racing them but I'll see how I feel on the day.

I really enjoyed the 100 mile a week and I will soon be doing back to back 100s, with upwards of 130 a week during my peak months.  

Ticking over

Monday - rest day

Tuesday - AM 3 miles @ 7:31 min miles PM club session 6 x 800m @ 5:30 min miles

Wednesday - AM 3.8 miles @ 7:36 min miles PM 10 miles @ 7:08 min miles

Thursday - AM 2.6 miles @ 8:04 min miles PM - 5 miles tempo @ 5:53 min miles

Friday - recovery 5 @ 7:54 min miles

Saturday - 11 easy miles @ 8:30 min miles

Sunday - 11 miles @ 7:30

Weekly total 62 miles elevation 2,700

Not much to cheer about this week! 18 miles short of my target but a surprise weekend off with the good lady led to less running. Happy wife happy life. The 2 club sessions were good, the 800s were not at full pelt. HR average was 154 bpm and max 168 bpm, shows I was holding back a bit as I had planned this week.

The tempo was good aswell. This was on tired legs but again happy with my pacing, average HR 159 so I can defo push it much harder. Ontonthis week, 2 back to back ling runs and the first 100 mile week of the year. Happy days

The benefits beat the alarm clock

Here we go again...after last weeks recovery week of 50 miles my legs felt pretty good at the start of the week. Ill keep with the 3 hard, 1 recovery week for just now. Some yoga sessions thrown in too and im starting to notice a difference in my flexibility so ill keep at it with 3-4 sessions a week.

Heres this weeks training

Monday - 3 miles @ 7:58 min miles

Tuesday - club session 2 x 2ish miles @ 5:38 min miles

Wednesday - AM 4 miles @ 7:20 min miles PM 6.7 miles @ 7:47 min miles

Thursday - AM 4 miles @ 7:39 min miles PM 5 x 1K @ 5:14 min miles

Friday - 4 miles recovery @ 7:36 min miles

Saturday - 20 miles @ 7:15 min miles

Sunday - AM 13 @ 8:29 min miles

Weekly total 73 miles

Elevation 2800

Monday was a total non starter due to belly issues - enough said. The club session 2 x 2 is one of my favorites, and this time was much improved from the last time around. First rep comfortable at 10:55 HR 170 max, second rep 10:33 HR 176. I even managed to catch the fast guys in my second rep, but going by my HR Ill be able to go quicker again. It was pretty windy into the bargain aswell.

Recovery wednesday with a run before work, the same thursday and my legs were still tired from tuesday. This is how I feel about morning runs...

But the benefits beat the alarm clock everytime.

The club session was 5 x 1K, its round a loop so we had the wind in our faces and backs which I enjoyed. The firat rep was 3:20 which I thought was too quick, but then came 3:16,3:16,3:12 and a 3:07. Without doubt the fastest Ive been and a max HR of 179 made me burst at the end.

Saturday 20 miles in the legs at a comfy pace which we picked up near the end and the last 5 were under 7 min miles with a headwind. Was a thought after less than 5 hours sleep but read the above words below the picture and that soon sorts it!

My legs were tired sunday but that was due to kack of yoga and foam roller. The weather was minging. Sheets of wind and rain in the face wasnt fun, I did have 20 planned but bumped into people from the club and they helped me suffer through 13 miles. A low HR of average 126 showed I wasnt working hard, if I pushed it in this session I would have suffered the following week.

For those who play close attention will notice im short of this weeks target. The condidtions outside talked me out of it, but now Im home I cant face the thought of not making my goal for the week, despite some good speed sessions in there. So off I go for another 7...see you next week.

I love irn bru!!

Monday - easy 10 miles (7:49 min miles)

Tuesday - warm up, club tempo 3.7 miles (5:58 min miles), cool down

Wednesday - 4.4 miles (7:22 min miles)

Thursday - 17 miles (9:05 min miles) elevation 2,247 ft

Friday - 20 miles on the west highland way (9:41 min miles) elevation 3,232 ft

Saturday - club 8 mile race (7:16 min miles) https://www.strava.com/activities/476386562

Sunday - recovery 8 miles (8:10 min miles)

The goal of this week was just more miles in the bank. I had planned 2 long runs. I cut thursdays one short by 3 miles because I had the dreaded white finger, if youve never had that it is absolute agony and totally ruins my runs.

A yoga session in the morning loosened me up for my long run. This was easy paced with a souble dunter of the conic hill. The views were totally different than the same place a week before (last weeks photo on previous blog). 

Another yoga session at night and my legs felt good again.

Saturday was a club race. I knew this would be on tired legs but that was the idea, and I was totally burst on the last mile and couldn't hold my usual pace but that was what I expected. 

Anyway, I love irn bru. I would drink it all the time if it was any good for you. I just can't get enough of it. However seeing as it's full of sugar, rotten for your teeth and body, means it's not wise to drink it all the time. 

I recently seen a YouTube video from your world within called clarity. Your world within is a series of motivational videos. In the video it mentioned a quote that said "deciding what not to do, is just as important as deciding what to do" or words to that effect. 

So therein lies the irn bru. I've not had a drink of it in weeks. I'm trying to do more miles, and last Sunday when I was planning out this weeks miles, I set myself a wee reward of an irn bru on Sunday night if I met my target. 

A long run Thursday followed by a longer one Friday, and an 8 mile X country race with the club in Saturday, meant I was doing well but would have to get up and do 8 mile recovery on Sunday morning. 

I bought my irn bru on Saturday and left it sitting out. It was the only thing that got me out the door on Sunday morning. 

80 miles in the bank, and it was the best can of irn bru I've ever had!