A race of two halfs

Doing another race so soon after the Fling isn't necessarily the smartest move, and would go against all standard training and recovery guidelines.  I'd heard such good things about the course, from others who had recce'd the route last year, and with this being the first year of this new addition to the BAM stable (www.runyabam.com), organisers of Glen Ogle, Great Glen and Glenmore, it was too hard to resist as I knew it would be a well-organised and friendly affair.
And it certainly didn't disappoint!

Photo by Chen/Running in Scotland

A few people opted to wild camp the night before, and while this was tempting, with a civilised 9:30am start time, I decided to drive across in the morning (even with Google Maps telling me it was a 2 hour drive, given the single track winding road all the way from Killin!)

The course is 2 laps.  I'd half believed the first lap, which was a highly runnable loop around Loch Lyon was longer (c17/18 miles) but on the day, Garmin clocked it at about 15.5m.


With Sharon and Jeni (race winner!)

Thus, the second, and infinitely more challenging loop, which headed off into the glen, was actually slightly longer.  In traditional BAM style, the route was billed as 30 miles, and I clocked in at 31.7m at the finish line!  (and thus my pre-race forecast of 6hours was slightly out....only by about 4/5 minutes!)

The first climb!

Once you leave Killin, heading to Bridge of Balgie and beyond, all thoughts of civilisation are gone!  There's a clear reason the race control need a satellite phone!!  I didn't get signal again until I was back on the road home.  A true day of escapism!

Once I got through the scary drive across the Ben Lawers road, parking was fine (off road, and as conditions had been dry (and I have a 4x4 so shouldn't worry) no issues with getting a space or sinking.

My nerves were quite high compared to how I had felt for last week's fling. I think the 'fear' of the unknown a key contributor, as I really had no idea what the terrain or course were like.  Thankfully there were sufficient porta-loos and wilderness!

Another bonus for this race is that there is no big restriction on your drop bags, as you run back (across the dam) and through base camp between loops, so there was the option to change kit (the first lap has several interesting river crossings (at least one of which was thigh deep yesterday!)).  Can't wait to see the photos and will edit one in!  Inevitably, I didn't change any kit, nor eat half the stuff I had packed when I actually got there!

So, after a brief briefing....during which Bill asked if we could all swim, given the risk assessment had to include danger of drowning.....we were off.  A short tarmac descent and then onto a steady climb up along landrover track and this separated us out pretty quickly.  My plan was to just bimble along and see how I felt.

This doesn't do the views justice

The trail around Loch Lyon is highly runnable and I was making decent progress.  As it transpired, we also had a beneficial tail wind most of the way out!  Thus the return back towards the dam was somewhat more challenging, into the wind!

The weather was fairly settled and warm, and within a couple of miles, I'd rolled the sleeves down, and several people were peeling off layers!  I'd pretty much worn the same as last week, aside from swapping shorts for skort.

I was conscious of not trying to push on too much and risk burn out or injury.  There were quite a few of us there who had run the Fling the week before, so not alone in being one to take a risk.  My body felt ok, not too niggly and not overly tired.  I hadn't done any real training in the week (just an easy hungover couple of miles on Thursday morning in London).

'I can see the fkn steep
path from here'
(Photo by Lois)

What seemed too quickly we were back crossing the dam....the tarmac/coating felt decidedly sticky after the nice track around the loch!  A fanny around in transition, aided by Mairi Fox and then off onto the next loop.  This started with the same short downhill, but followed by what seemed like 1.5 miles of climb!  I admit, I wasn't loving the tarmac at this point but kept my ultra-march going and had some chat with Mark about CCC along the way.  Also had the pleasure of seeing James Stewart powering up the hill towards his epic finish (I'd only run about 19 miles at this point and he only had 2/3 to go!!).

Arriving at the next water station, where Lois was in charge of the troops and pointed me in the right direction...while re-assuring me that the REALLY steep path I could see on the other side of the glen wasn't where I was headed!  And she was telling the truth!

This loop was definitely more challenging and this 'out' section felt like a long gradual climb (with fantastic mountain views again).  There was then a gravelly descent (which my knees didn't like too much) and the return through the glen was relatively flat and, had it not been for the head wind, and tiredness, runnable.  A few people passed me on this loop, and I passed a few others.

I caught up with Sharon and Brigette on this return stretch, and after chatting for a while, moved away slightly, and made a wee bit better progress on THE HILL.   OOOOOFT!  That is some climb back up out of the glen, and seemed to go on forever!

I tried to get some more fuel in at this point, downing the remains of my coke, and having another mini mars bar (I suspect once again I probably hadn't eaten enough early on).  I was grateful to see Lois and the aid station half-way up, and get a top up of my water. 

Marching up the climb
Photo by Lois

Finally, after more marching, I was over the top, and knowing there was about 2 miles of descent to the finish.  Hard to get the shuffle back on, and my ankles were protesting a little, but finally got the momentum (downhill roll) and a view of the finish line!

A cheeky wee final climb...can't.stop.now....and then a resounding whooping and clapping from the marshals and finishers/supporters and it was done!  6hrs 4mins and some seconds and 31.8miles.  Job done!

As with all BAM events, there is a great haul of goodies for finishers - medal, functional t-shirt, buff, snacks (with tasty Nairns goodies, Tunnocks wafers and Irn Bru!), Thistly Cross race cider.  I was a little too slow to get soup - the hungry early finishers had scoffed it all, but had a couple of mugs of strong black coffee!

Was pleased to hear Jeni had won the ladies race - what an epic year she is having, and the training never seems to stop!  And on the back of running the fling last week too!

Overall a fabulous race - good course, well organised, good support, cheery marshals, great 'rewards' and the conditions were pretty perfect yesterday.  I think this would be a great step up for those looking for their first ultra, as well as a good challenge for those with more experience.  I have no doubt this race will go from strength to strength and would anticipate a sell-out next year!

Great work BAM!

Garmin results here
6hrs 4m 11s
Ave pace 11:29min/mile

Because We Got High

It was bitter-sweet returning to Chamonix a couple of weekends ago.  This weekend, which has now become our annual girls weekend with a difference, was ideally part of the build up to my second attempt at the CCC (part of the UTMB race week) in August.  Regular readers however will know that I was unlucky in the ballot this year, and the race is out of my grasp until (hopefully!) 2017, with the double chance in the ballot.

Not to be put off by that, or various health matters that Helen was going through, or the fact that the forecast wasn’t looking too clever, we knew we were definitely going back, whatever the weekend finally allowed us to achieve.

And it was great to be back!

This year we opted to fly out on Saturday morning, returning the following Tuesday afternoon.  Easyjet from Edinburgh provide a simple flight option, and we found a nice apartment through Airbnb, upgrading ourselves this year with wifi and a balcony with views of Mont Blanc!

Breakfast of prosecco and eggs benedict at Wetherspoons….well, why not?! And then off we flew to Geneva.  Aside from a squad of rugby touring schoolkids on the flight, it was relatively uneventful, and we had the bonus of a spare seat in our row, so some extra space!

On arrival, a short wait until all the people for our mini-bus/taxi arrived, and already I was feeling the comfort factor of having been before – familiar surroundings definitely ease the travel stress.  Before long we were dropped off at our apartment, not far from the town centre, close to the river in Chamonix.  And without much ado, decided to head into the centre….well, it was beer o’clock…..and our eating schedule was a little off kilter and we needed food!

The weather was a bit Scottish – driech and a bit cold.  Stark contrast to last year’s weekend when we had baked under blue skies and 25 degree heat!

We quickly familiarised ourselves with the locality, and headed towards the iconic church – home of the finish line to the UTMB races, and still capable of making my heart skip a beat!  Also handily close to a couple of pubs, where we found ourselves a nice beer and local delicacies platter to scoff, while checking out the local fashions at a wedding!

No running on Saturday, but some planning and prep for where we might go on Sunday –factoring in that the cloud cover was low, and the mountains still snowy.  I’m a firm believer in not taking any risks, and we were already feeling the effects of altitude even being in the town (c1,000m above sea level)…it’s these things you really forget how much impact they have on you!  We also went out for dinner…revisiting La Tablee, for one of their delicious set-menus….and the obligatory fondue!

After a relatively good sleep (in our bunk beds!), the plan was to hit the Petit Balcon Sud and head towards Argentiere.  Ideally, then returning via the Petit Balcon Nord.  It was a great benefit this year for me of having a much better sense of direction, removing the fear factor of ‘what if’, and knowing where the trains ran and about the local travel cards etc.

We wrapped up for the weather and headed through the town and up towards our access point (at the cable car…also where the VK route starts, but it was too snowy/cloudy for that today!).  This in itself was a steep climb and our breathing was labouring with the altitude.

Hitting the trail, and the first of the many incredibly useful route signposts…although this caused me some debate as the ‘Petit Balcon Sud’ arrow was not pointing the way my brain told me to go (nor the map!).  However, we opted to believe the signpost and headed up the trail.  At this point we agreed to split up, with the likelihood my pace and current fitness meant I would be a bit faster than Helen on the climbs.  We were both comfortable with where we were heading, so no dramas.

The trail was beautiful – in some ways very similar to some of the hillier passes in Scotland, yet in other ways quite different.  I was quickly reminded of how knarly the trails are, how steep the drop offs, how high you get (quite quickly) and to be mindful of the altitude.  It was also really quiet, and I quickly found myself relaxing into my running, at peace with the world (corny…), and easily following the sign-posts, which did take me the direction I wanted!

Coming to a sign for La Floria, I took a detour, adding some climb, but cheekily in the hope the café would be open (it wasn’t).  And then dropped altitude and carried along towards Argentiere, through light snow flurries…and decreasing temperature (they were still skiing down to town level at Argentiere).  Keeping in touch with Helen by text, we’d both decided that catching the train back might be an idea.  I was mindful of the Highland Fling the following weekend…and the mileage was starting to look like out and back might be a bit further than planned.  Best laid plans and all that…..there wasn’t a train for an hour and a half when I arrived….so I decided to head back the way I had come (without the Floria detour) and try to catch Helen on route at Les Tines, rather than wait and get any colder.

As it turned out, Helen made progress to Les Praz, and caught a bus back to Chamonix….I found my way to Les Praz, and after waiting for a bus (assured by a wee local man it was coming), then realised it was Sunday timetable, so ran the final stretch (which turned out at 1.6miles to be far shorter than I remembered!), and caught up with Helen in time to meet her at the cake shop to buy some lovely quiche and afternoon cake delight!  We made it back to the apartment to hear of John (Helen’s husband) finishing the London Marathon in a very decent time!  (For the record it was he who suggested we go away the same weekend he was doing the marathon!!)

Wow, were we knackered after that!  I’d done about 13 miles (and 2,500ft of ascent), and it felt (not in the legs) like more.  Eat, shower…and off to bed for a couple of hours!!

Wandering around town that night we found a new venue for food – Moo.  Full of cool looking ski dudes and more importantly with a menu populated mostly with tasty burgers and tasty cocktails it definitely ticked the boxes for us and hit the spot!

For Monday’s route, we planned to hit the other side of the valley, with a route we were both slightly familiar with (well, I knew where it ended it transpired but ended up a slightly different path up).  Heading upwards from the Montenvers train station and up into the hills behind the ‘luge’  this was a challenging climb, but so worth it for the views!  The sky was clearer today and we were rewarded with some cracking vistas, and the fun of being higher than a helicopter as it flew up the valley.  Again we agreed to split up, with a rough time plan.

 

I climbed up and up, ending up at Caillet chalet/café where I hadn’t been before.  I’d hoped to do a loop down from here, but the snow was calf deep at this point, and the alternative descent path looked untrodden….so I opted to go back the way I came for safety!  Was a smashing run, and about 2,000ft of ascent over 5.5miles.  I was happy with how my legs felt on the hills, and my heart with the scary drop offs and altitude!

We then did some tourism, and took the wee local train up to Vallorcine and back, and then stumbled upon happy hour in the bar next to the station….well, it would be rude not to….. 

We then ended up back at La Tablee as the place next door where we were heading was unexpectedly closed for the day.

And then it was departure day!  Wow, how time had flown.  An early rise to get a run in, and a return to the Petit Balcon Sud, with a wee blast along to Les Praz for me, and back along the river (including the full run from the leisure centre round the town for the ‘race finish’ at the church).  6 miles and another 1,000ft of ascent.  A happy runner, my first black squirrel siting, and followed by a well-earned traditional French dejuner before Mountain Drop-offs came back to collect us for the homeward trip.

Stinky men on the bus made for a slightly nauseous journey, but we didn’t have too long to wait at the airport before the flight took us back in time, and finally arriving in Edinburgh where Clark kindly picked us up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fab trip, even if the weather we had hoped would be better.  I can’t wait to get planning for our 2017 trip!!  Also looking forward to heading back in August for UTMB week, even though I won’t be racing, I’ll still be planning some decent running.  This short visit was a great reminder that I need to keep raising my fitness levels and work on my adaptation to altitude and my stability on the technical and narrow trails!

Ding, Ding....round 4

I couldn't believe how quickly we got to Fling day again this year, but Saturday was the day.  I'd had a busy lead up to race day, and maybe partly due to feeling a bit more 'experienced' this year, was less frenetic about my preparations, aside from some concern about the every changing weather and what to wear (generally I always over-dress!) given we'd had significant snow over-night on Thursday.

That was a worry I needn't have had as Johnny Fling clearly had a word with the weather Gods and we couldn't have really asked for better conditions, with only a couple of light rain showers during the day, a nice cool start and some beautiful blue skies and sunshine.  If anything, maybe a little too hot at parts, but I think I got the kit choice right!

What did I wear.....x-bionic boxers and shorts, compressport calf guards, drymax socks, Hoka speedgoat, x-bionic vest, ronhill t-shirt (last year's WHW one), salomon cap (recently purchased in Chamonix, to give me strength for the hills!) and a wee headband (instead of my usual buff), x-bionic arm sleeves (perfect to roll down when too hot, and to dip in the streams to help cool off) and some wee skinny gloves (which I did actually take off eventually!).  Had my UD pack...I think its the AK from last year (still hankering after a new ladies one...).



Photo by Chen / Running in Scotland

After a quick whizz through registration on Friday night - super slick and surprisingly quiet compared to last year (although it was after 9pm), Clark dropped me off at the Premier Inn, and after the compulsory kit layout, a wee cuppa tea, an antihistamine and a dram, I soon drifted off to sleep....and slept surprisingly well until the 0410 alarm call!  Followed the usual routine then of 2 porridge pots, a coffee, and a guzzle of orange squash while getting organised.  5:15 depart and the short(ish) walk up the road to the start line. 



Photo by Monument Photos

The crowds were gathering and there was a positive buzz.  The weather I think was helping, and the drop bags, toilet queues and chat were all going well.  Before long it was time for Johnny Fling's briefing from the top of the fling van! Eeek I hope that washes off Sheona!!  And then it was time to go!  I started in the second wave, times estimated 10-12 hours and was hoping for between 11:30 and 12, all being well.  I wasn't too sure how my training had panned out this year and you can never be too certain heading out to run 53 miles as to how it will go!


About 6 miles in.
Photo by Ross Lawrie



Photo by Monument Photos

I felt comfortable throughout the first stretch to Drymen although was conscious that I was running a bit faster than I possible would have expected.  My heart rate was fine and I did ease off a couple of times just to ensure I wasn't over-cooking this 'easy' section.  It was nice to cruise along, and have some chats along the way (sorry to Pauline for thinking you were Fiona though!  Having caught the kit out the corner of my eye, it was an easy mistake!)



I made sure to keep drinking every mile or so (Tailwind) and ate a packet of mini Cheddars before Drymen.  Think I was about 2hr 10.

Off over Conic (fuelled by a mini bag of Haribo) and still feeling strong.  Nothing hurt, breathing was steady and all was good with the world.  Where else would you rather be at 8am on a sunny Saturday?!

Was great to see Ruth Howie for a hug at the top of Conic, and the look on her face was priceless (if a little worrying) about why I was there in such good time!  Also bumped into Jeni R-J at this point (which was a bit of a worry as she's waaaay faster than me!) and Sharon Hassan.  Oh, and a double-dunt of photographers too....



A view from Conic

Steady descent to Balmaha with the plan to get the drop bag done asap.  The marshals were super efficient and the only downside was the sun had melted my mini Mars bar (boak...), which I ate anyway....and some other stuff (some mini 'party'/scotch eggs I think....(I'll stop wittering on about what I ate now....)...and that I heard Davie Mooney say 'well done' just as I was leaving, which was sad as that meant he had pulled out (right decision though to save longer term injury!)

Normally I struggle a bit with the next section to Rowardennan, but all felt pretty good.  I passed Carol Martin at Millarochy...another sign I was possible moving a bit faster than I should, but again, my breathing and heart rate felt ok, so I opted to keep moving.  I faffed a bit longer at this next checkpoint, stuffing excess drop-bag contents into my pack...naively thinking I might get round to eating them all (this was a stupid decision, which I repeated at every subsequent checkpoint and resulted in my pack weighing about 3 times more at the finish than at the start!)

I ran with Lucy for a good stretch after the checkpoint which was really good as her chat kept me going up the long climb.  She dropped me on the descent though, never to be seen again....

I didn't find the lochside as congested this year which was good, and I opted to not try and push too hard here.  I had a couple of stumbles, and while remained upright, were enough to give me pause for thought.

Through Inversnaid, with some additional cheers from Chris Anderson from work who was walking with some friends (or drinking beer perhaps...), and onwards for the final scrambling section (where I caught Alan Doig (who promptly fell over....)) and then up to the Angels Playground to share my Macallan with Dario, and soak up the view (cue my first tears of the day)....


A perfect spot to share a dram

And.....I was still feeling ok.....
I think at this point I was recalling the last 2 years of Fling's being a build up for the WHW race...a pleasure I won't be enjoying this June (aside from as crew), and maybe that puts the head in a different place...who knows.  I was sure enjoying myself though!

Not entirely sure that a wee dram is the optimal running fuel mid race in the heat though...

Photo by Chen / Running in Scotland

I was expecting to see Clark at some point on this stretch too, and got the joy of a wee kiss, and cuddle from Cori dog just before the Beinglas checkpoint.

Photo y Clark Hamilton

Another brilliant reception into Beinglas, and a lovely marshal helping me with all my stuff (thank you whoever you were!).  I topped up with Tailwind and potato scone, and some cheese...but maybe didn't eat enough?  Who knows.   My time was a little down at this point on where I would have liked to be, knowing that these last 12 miles are tough, and usually take the best part of 3 hours, so my quest for a PB was potentially off the cards here.  I was also feeling a bit nauseous at this point, but there was nothing else for it but to march on, and get the headphones in for the first time.  There's a lot of long walkable (walk necessary) content in this section, and even my little chant of 'marginal gains, marginal gains' which had got me shuffling into a run during the first 41 miles, was struggling to gain traction here.  I passed Alan Robertson here...very unusual!

Photo by Clark Hamilton

The cows at Derrydarroch were fine (I walked past them just to be sure), and Sheona skipped past me making it look easy!  Through the low tunnel (thanks Helen and John for all the warning signs this year!) and up the short steep climb.  My legs I think still felt strong, I just felt pukey.  Decided at this point to crack open my (Sainsburys version of) Red Bull and see if glugging some of that down would help...was it fluid/caffeine or sugar I needed??

Carol passed me just before the Bogle Glen gate (I knew she would catch me at somepoint!), gave me some words of encouragement and did a little dance as she skipped on up the hill.  I think I scoffed another bit of Mrs Tilly's at this point...again, head and stomach the stalling factors in getting a better pace on.   March up, shuffle down, march up, shuffle down....and the roller coaster was over.....3 miles....that's all there was to go.....

A wee weeble wobble at the road crossing trying to stand still to let the marshals tell me when the traffic was clear, and a check of the watch I knew that a PB was touch and go, but more likely gone, unless I suddenly had a burst of life.  I tried to not let it mess with my head and just keep going.  The head wind into Auchtertyre never helps with that!

With half a mile to go I had a monumental toe stub and almost ended up in the heather (thanks kind spectator who caught me...oh no, wait, he didn't even try!) but I knew the pipers were just through the gate and round the corner...there was no stopping now!

The finish always makes me cry - a fabulous red carpet finish and hundreds (it seemed) of people cheering and ding, dinging their cowbells just for you.  And a lovely big hug from Julie Clarke at the end!  The photographer missed me (as did Clark since I was late!) and asked me to go back and run in again....I'm in dread of how ridiculous that photo is going to look!

So, my second fastest time, and I think my most enjoyable Fling of the 4 I've done.  I love the WHW, and would run on it every week if I could.

11hrs 47m 39s (ave 13.22min/mile).  About 9 mins slower than last year.
349th out of 673 finishers (I think 700 starters)
58th out of 185 females

Great finish area - from huggers, t-shirts and goody bag givers, beer providers (and a choice of beers!), soup chefs (the tomato was delicious again, thanks Mum and Dad Fling!), ice cream, baked potatoes.....the list is endless!  It was great to see many smiling faces, and friends with trophies, and to hear the course records had been smashed! This was highly expected given the conditions and that the race was the British/Scottish Ultra Trail running championship and there were some incredible elite competitors running!  The organisation is second to none, and with a crew of 180+ volunteers, I think every wish is catered for!

So, two days later...I'm tired, and a bit achy....the sorest part bizarrely is my left forearm.....no idea why (feels a bit like tendonitis and is now taped up), but my right is also a bit sore....  no blisters, no scars, no skint knees....result!

A recovery week now, before Glen Lyon on Saturday (not great timing but I'm not planning to go eyeballs out!), and another day on the sofa today reading race stories, checking photographs and reliving a great day out!

Will I be there next year??  You better believe it!!  I think I thought I might marshal.....but I just bloody love this race so it would be a tough call but either way I'll be there!