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| Photo by Fiona Rennie |
The Devil came down to Tyndrum, he was looking for a soul to steal...
The Devil O' The Highlands was my first ultra...way back in 2012, when, for years it had been on a wee bucket list I had, and I managed to complete it, having over-come being more over-weight, and with a dodgy knee (physio told me I'd never be able to run long distances (at the time suggesting half-marathons were a long distance)).
I ran it in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (the latter as part of the triple crown) and at that point said I'd no intention of running it again. That was until Johnny Fling took over as Race Director, and changed some of the fundamentals - the need for support crew and the fabulous new finish. Last year I worked as part of the race crew, doing post-event massage. And then a wee spark ignited in my soul and I knew I wanted to have another go!
I was lucky enough to get through the manic online entry (I can't remember how quickly the race sold out, but it was quick!) and after making many loose promises that I'd be lighter, fitter and better trained, found race day cam around all too quickly.
The short version of the report is that I had a lovely day, running on what is without doubt, some of the most spectacular trail we have in this country.
Position 155 / 256 (9th F40+ not counting older F)
Time 9hr 13m 13s
Winner of a fabulous spot prize!
Clark and I drove up on the Friday night, just in time to cosy up for a good nights sleep. Interestingly someone nearby was having some sort of 'soft rock' garden party so that was our bedtime lullaby...
Before long it was alarm time, porridge, coffee, kit....faff...."oh shit, registration shuts in 15 mins".... Hey ho... Made it!
The rain started just before the race briefing....pretty proper vertical rods... Change of clothes...waterproof on...
Round to the race start...rain off....jacket off.... thank god I did that! Didn't put it back on all day, despite various showers etc. It stayed pretty warm and humid, and the combination of x-bionic kit including arm sleeves which I rolled up/down as needed, was just spot on!
The plan was to start slow. The reality was almost that, although some chatting with Lorna Maclean and Andy O Grady was good to distract me and just get things going.
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| Photo by Monument Photos |
Into Bridge of Orchy 1hr 8m and 205th position.
Feeling pretty good. Some cheery "Hello"'s and a top up of water and tailwind and off...up jelly baby hill (with no Murdo and no jelly babies, since it wasn't WHW race day!)
The climb felt pretty fine, but I lost some ground on the descent...perhaps a little cautious (I've seen many people stumble on that bit!), and then I really didn't have any love on the tarmac to Forest Lodge.
Across Rannoch Moor I made a concerted effort to try harder to run more than I usually do...and it felt good!
Into Glencoe 3hrs 24m (2hr 16m for the section) and into 193rd (186th for section).
Super efficient drop bag set up at Glencoe (I managed to pour tailwind all over Sharon Law (oops)), and a bonus surprise of seeing Clark and Cori (they'd run up and down the Devil's Staircase already). I scoffed some of a fruit pot and some rice pudding I think and then off I went again, trying to tuck in with Lorna and John Maclean (who I had just found out were planning to run back to Tyndrum when they finished the race!)
This next wee section is daft - no need for the path to wind up the slope the way it does, and the trail could do with some repair. Also it's playing on your mind that the staircase is almost upon you. I passed a guy running in what are essentially flip flops here...and later found out it was Mike from Tailwind (doh!). I was trying hard to think of a conversation starter that didn't relate to 'WTF have you got on your feet' as I trotted behind him for a while in my super sized Hoka Speedgoats!
I'd hoped to feel a bit stronger on the climb, but it didn't really happen that way. I kept my head focused and just kept pushing on as much as I could, without catching or being caught.
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| Photo by Monument Photos |
Monument Photos and Fiona/Pauline Rennie were all at the top taking pics - and ooft, were the views stunning! The clag had lifted thankfully and I was blessed to be up there with this all around me!
I love the next section round the back of the staircase, until the steep descent into Kinlochleven and the isolation is spectacular. Played leapfrog back and forth with a few people and then it was down down down into KLL.
Into KLL 5hr 51m (173rd), 2hr 27 (section, 160th)
More super efficient drop bag support from the team of volunteers...and a swap of some custard for a Snickers and some Haribo...ha ha!
Managed to pretty much miss Clark here. He was parked up along the road a wee bit and by that point I was back in focused race head, so gave him a guilty wave, a thumbs up, and got stuck into the climb.
Again, the climb not my best moment, with a bit of a sweat-fest, a strop of finding somewhere to put my wedding ring to keep it safe after wrestling to get my headphones and phone connected and busting the plastic bag everything was safe in from the start.
I found the first stretch across Lairig a struggle too, although I think I passed a handful of people with a hike / shuffle strategy. Ate the Snickers and some chocolate coffee beans and that eventually saw a wee burst back into life, and, after passing Dave H just before the 'corner', I got my focus on the awesome hug I was going to get from Angela who was marshalling at Lundavra. And it didn't disappoint!
Into Lundavra 7hr 41m (159th), 1hr 50m (section, 118th)
My position for that section suggests perhaps I was right to find the struggle across Lairig as I must've been pushing on quite well.
Quaffed some luscious cola, said hello to "that famous Norma Bone" and then head screwed on for the final stretch....and the unknown of the 'new' finish!
I felt pretty decent along to the top of the fire road and passed some more bodies. Really struggled on the fire road descent though as my quads were burning and my feet and ankles really hurting. Couldn't catch the guy in front, and got passed by a guy flying down the rack (like I normally feel I can!).
Into Braveheart and onto the new final section and I got a wee extra wind for the climb and passed them both!
I loved this new addition to the route. A great improvement on the tarmac section. I could hear the sound of the finish area and got my stride on for the final descent. Pushing into the finish (behind my rough '9 hour' goal) there was a great crowd and plenty of cheering!
Fort William 9hr 13m (155th), 1hr 32m (132nd)
Huge smiles and all done! Big hug from Johnny Fling and lots of confusion from me as he was asking my sock size and thrust a bag full of gels/race fuel and 6, yes 6! pairs of Injinji socks! Woohooo!! I never win anything!! And then a race goody bag with medal, t-shirt, sticker for the van!
More hugs from Helen (and some support with holding stuff, directing me to go get food/sit/text the boy (missed me as I was late....)). Ruth Howie brought me a lovely cup of tomato soup and some bread!
The post race marquee is exceptional - a choice of beverages (no soft drinks?), range of soups, hot dishes...for a girl who loves food but has no brain cells left it's a lot of decisions to make!
Getting showered seemed to take me an eternity. Getting clothes on and off is like an unfathomable challenge at that stage! Finally I got organised, dumped my bag in the van, and shuffled back to say some hello's and well dones in the marquee, before heading back down the road (via the Real Food Café for fish, chips and curry sauce of course!) to a sofa coma (missing the post-race party again!), and a restless sleep trying to work off the copious sugar and caffeine I been pumping into my body all day!
Sunday and Monday I was more sore than I remember being after a race for a LONG time! and my ankles are still a bit tender today!
Pretty happy with how I did though, and hopefully another notch in my brain of 'get your ass back into regular training and looking after yourself or next year ain't going to get any easier!)
Great event and one I highly recommend! Well done Team Devil - once again you were exceptional!
