Amazing, inspirational, outstanding….epic!

Crying...

“2 minutes left” shouts George Reid as 30 or so assorted runners in all shapes, sizes and stages of disrepair make their way round the ‘small lap’ in the final stages of the Glenmore 24 hour trail race. 

I don’t know where I’m finding the strength, energy or will to run, but I’m spurred on by the cheering crowd and the knowledge that this really, truly was nearly the end, and with my tent peg end marker in hand, I ‘power’ up the final climb, and push the descent before the horn signals it’s all over.  

Thump…I collapse, sobbing uncontrollably on the grass, as Clark runs over to give me a big hug, and when we part, several others come over to hug, cry and celebrate with us.  

Epic, that’s really the best word to describe it I think!

'Team' photo

 There are so many good things to say about this race, and so many things I’m not going to remember.  And there’ll be many stories told by the other competitors, sharing their trials and achievements in the 12 hour and the 24 hour events, both taking place on a glorious September weekend at Glenmore Forest in Aviemore, a place close to my heart, with many a great holiday or weekend spent running, biking and swimming in the area.

The build-up to the event had been scary and exciting – a frenzy of activity on all the Facebook sites, with those who had taken part before reassuring those of us who hadn’t that the atmosphere and support made this an event like no other – “you won’t even feel like you’re racing”.

Clark and I didn’t travel up until Saturday morning – needing Friday night to pack (arghhh!! How much stuff?!?) and go out for dinner!  Luckily, the lovely Munro’s were lending us a tent and set up our base camp for us on Friday night at Hayfield between their tent and Sarah Self’s, so we’d be  all good to go after our 2 hour drive through the pouring rain (this was not the start I needed to my day!).  Thankfully, as we drove the final couple of miles, the rain stopped and the sun broke through, setting the scene for the rest of the weekend – clear skies, sunshine - Scotland at its best!

So, this was it..about to embark on the longest run I’d ever done – both in time and distance.  I’d set myself some goals – my main aim was to try and keep going for the 24 hours, with mileage targets of Bronze (<80 miles), Silver (80 miles) and Gold (80+ (even just a fraction)).  Silver was the goal I told everyone and that was where I was realistically aiming – I had NO intention of trying for the 100 miles the majority of the field seemed to be targeting – 80 miles was already 26 more than the furthest I had ever run, and staying awake would be a big challenge as I’m not good with sleep deprivation at the best of times!

And it was such a strange feeling getting ready to start…knowing we’d pass through base every 4 miles, this was an ultra with a difference – no need to carry a backpack stuffed with goodies, spare kit, phone etc.  All I carried was my Salomon soft flask, and on occasional laps a gel, handful of jelly tots or 9Bar.

Race briefing at 11:30am with a few solemn reminders of what we were undertaking from RD Bill Heirs and race medic Dr Andrew Murray (don’t take Ibuprofen for fear of death, don’t mess with Ada and don’t break the rules!), with a reminder of the great support we had at base, not just from our personal crews..…and the unveiling of the Guinness World Record Attempt (longest 3 legged race!)

The New World Record Holders!

12 noon, and we’re off….a mixed bunch of 12 and 24 hour competitors, from all corners of the country, in all shapes, sizes and levels of experience and fitness.  The concept was ‘simples’…..complete the 4 mile ‘big’ lap as many times as possible until 1 hour before the end of the race, when you would move onto the ‘small’ lap (about 0.2 mile) until the time runs out!

The big lap wasn’t as mind-numbing as people might expect – it breaks down into 4 different sections, making it easy to focus on getting from point to point, and the time really seemed to go by much quicker than expected.  The first ‘forest’ trail section is knarly and windy along the edge of the loch.  Section 2 is a wide forest ‘road’ higher up, with great views across the loch.  At the corner, the up-hill section begins (with the wonderful half-way aid station on this section, which was manned throughout by a number of cheery, supportive folk who always had a variety of beverages to offer – “free midge with every cup”).  And the final section was mostly downhill, and seemed to offer the best view of the stars at night!

Karen and I 'caught' walking

I’m not going to review every lap!  I don’t remember them all, and it’d probably make for pretty dull reading!  Moments that stuck out for me:

 - Karen Robertson’s great advice about setting markers for run/walk sections on the uphills

- Gavin from Yorkshire who I blethered with on several laps, and then always had a cheery word to say when I passed him later on, despite him also saying every time I did that he was really suffering

- The feeling of relief at the sun going down allowing the temperature to drop – laps 4 and 5 I was starting to struggle in the heat

- Rolly, who ‘sacrificed’ his pace for half a lap to run me back to camp in the darkness because he had a great head torch on…and at that point I had none!  I was to later find out he came 2^nd in the men’s race (thankfully it wasn’t so close a finish that his generosity to me cost him the win!!)

- At midnight, seeing the 12 hour competitors bomb round their short laps, and thinking/saying “there’s no bloody way I’ll be running when I get to the end” (and this clearly being a lie!)

- The bizarre feeling on several laps that so much time could pass without seeing anyone

- Clark coming out to run 2 laps with me (16 & 17) in the wee small hours to try and help keep me awake, despite the fact he was clearly in need of sleep, and his overall unfaltering support (it can’t be easy being on call every 45-60 minutes for 24 hours and being expected to be psychic!)

-      - David Meldrum chumming me round my 3^rd from last big lap…and not nagging me when I couldn't run as much as we both wanted, but kept me entertained with stories

Ok, I will do 1 more f-ing lap...
but that won't stop me crying!

-    - And Sarah Self, for stepping in to do my last big lap with me (the one there was no f*cking way I was doing) when it was clear I had too long to sit around waiting on the small lap opening!

I didn’t survive the whole 24 hours without a wee lie down – I attempted ‘sleep’ after 72 miles..the darkness and yawning got the better of me.  I spent the lap prior weighing up the idea of pushing on to get to 80 miles before a lie down, and then decided better to lie down and still have some miles to do to get to target as an 'incentive' to get back up again!  I had about 1.5 hours disrupted, cold lie down in the tent – should’ve got changed before trying to squeeze into the sleeping bag that Cori was hogging the bottom of!  Clark remembered later in the week that I was muttering away to myself most of that time too…but as yet, can’t remember what I was saying (pheeeew!!)!

Some point on Saturday, still managing to lift
my arms! 

Viki W 

So, I cried as I finished my last (f-ing bastarding, wasn’t going to do that one) lap…and then cried quite a lot during my 35 minutes or so of short laps.  

Support crews made me cry, the race team made me cry, Clark taking photos made me cry…..…and the sheer determination and inspiration of myself and my friends around me made me cry – Viki Williams bare footed, zombie-like state, still shuffling round; Noanie storming through her last big lap and announced as new course record (126+ miles in the end) and new ladies champion (2^nd place overall);  Jo Rae, feet clearly hurting, but still pushing through…..and everyone, determined to get to the end. 

Jo Rae - think her feet were sore!

There are lessons I’ve learned from the event to take me through to next year’s goals but never before have I completed such an epic event, one where everyone gives such warmth, support and encouragement right to the dying seconds…one where you get to run with the elite field several times over the duration of the event, and they share words of support with you and the effort you are making…and one where everyone finishes at the same time!

I cried again at the prize giving…..for friends, for myself, and for the special award for Fiona Rennie (when times get tough mid-race I think of her guts and determination!) and (assuming I can beat the entry rush (this year sold out the first batch of places in under 2 hours I think)) I’ll be back next year to aim for the 100 mile goal! 

Crying...with Bill Heirs

Fiona Rennie - an inspiration to us all!

It still doesn’t seem quite real: I sat in the pub Tuesday lunchtime and quite casually said “yeah, I ran the Glenmore 24 hour trail race at the weekend; I did 95 miles”……

Epic!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/375432325

6 sleeps!

6 sleeps the race director reminds us on Facebook today...and have you read your pre-race briefing pack.....have you got everything on the kit list (yes, including the anti-bear spray), have you seen the forecast of overnight lows of minus 3 degrees.....(and aside from that, can you get all the work you need to do this week done before stuffing the car to the roof on Friday night ready to whoosh up to Aviemore first thing Saturday in time for the pre-race briefing.....).   EEEEEK! My head is pickled with the hundreds of thoughts spiraling round and round! Pass me another paracetamol!  And as for the chances of actually getting 6 sleeps......

As I read the race report blogs from last year, I'm excited to be part of this crazy adventure....and then I pause for a minute and think "what? me? 24 hours? of laps around Glenmore forest?"...what am I thinking??!!

Well girl, reality check time....it's all part of the master plan....*insert wicked laugh*......and this year, so far, the plan has gone pretty well!  Furthest run ever at the Fling, Marathon PB at Strathearn, massive PB at the Devil.  Job done!  I said from the outset I wanted to be targeted on specific events, and I've tried not to deviate too far from that.

Photo from glenmore24.com

I'm not sure I've given a massive amount of thought into training specifically for the 24 hour race...more hoping that the consistency I've had this year and my guts and determination, combined with what sounds like an awesome level of support will get me round!

What I'm most worried about is sleep!  Or lack of!  I never feel I get as good a sleep as I should, and am a nightmare when sleep deprived - take this week for example...a late night/early morning mid-week and a late-ish night last night with a long-ish lie and I'm like a burst ball today (blaming it on taperitis and THE FEAR!).  I think I've tapered to extremes this week though and will remedy that with a 6:20am "blast" on Killer Hill with Bob and the dogs!

from sleepzine.com

Best I have a word with the wonder that is Support Husband before next weekend.....sleep deprivation = irritability, impaired moral judgement (?!) and obesity!  Interestingly, for the vertically challenged among us "Growth Suppression".....'nuff said!

So...back to the kit list writing and mental packing....!  This time next week I hope to be enjoying the start of my holiday week in the company and story-telling of fellow 12 and 24 hour runners, with our awesome support crews and friends in one of Aviemore's finest hostelry's...maybe with a wee beer or two....

R & R (Hamilton-Style)

There was probably only ever minor thought that this holiday would be "restful"......giving myself a week's grace to "recover" from the DoTH, and us buying 2 wetsuits that week, were probably clear enough signal that our time in Aviemore would be as action packed and full of fun as always!

We'd originally planned on staying home, but booked a last minute wee house fairly central in Aviemore to ensure I escaped all temptation of work and emails and with the car packed to the gunnels with 3 bikes, 2 humans, the dog, half the kitchen and enough kit to stock a small shop we headed for the hills....via the Mountain Cafe (always our first and last stop!)

A wee sample of MC delights

Clark had kindly volunteered his services as a marshal for the Durty Triathlon on the Sunday, so an early start was in the offing....Cori and I opted to run around Rothimurchus, Loch an Eilean and Loch Morlich before doing some clapping and whoop whooping as the hardy souls battled their way around the course (my favourite quote of the day "someone said the bike course wasn't technical....it's like f***ing base jumping while carrying a bike!")

From then on, the week unfolded into a pattern of run, eat, sleep, swim, sleep, bike, eat and sleep and eat...in any variety of combinations!  Oh and PT Boy decided he had 1,000 press ups to do......most of which Cori decided he needed to join in....

 

So....watching the triathlon didn't put me off the desire to swim...the wetsuit purchases had been a lingering thought for a while...somewhere in the long term I think/hope there's a triathlon in me somewhere......AND thankfully, it wasn't half as scary as I thought (Loch Morlich was nice to me), and despite the majority of my efforts being breast stroke, I got much further than expected!  My day 1 objective had been to swim around the green buoy by the end of the week, and I did that on day 2!!  We swam most days, and it was a welcome recovery from some of the hill running!  The water wasn't too cold and the only disappointment was that the Garmin didn't seem to pick up the signal very well in the water (not sure if it was due to my wrist being under water too much!)

Me tearing up the loch

Ascending from Ryvoan side with
the green lochan in view

So, good times......running Cairngorm kicked ass (weirdo of the day...tourist walking to the summit under cover of an umbrella to protect her from the light drizzle as we powered on past huffing and puffing!), and the steps of Meall a Bhuachaille 2 days later were quad burners from hell! But nothing can beat the solitude, views and euphoria gained from days like these!  Someone once said to me...you never remember a day in the office.....but this is the stuff memories are made of!

Descending towards Morlich

 

Near Loch an Eilean

Probably didn't do quite as much biking as I would have liked...but there are only so many hours in a day...and there had to be some rest in between!

Managed to fit in a wee practice lap of the Glenmore 24 route too....hmmm...hillier than anticipated...but at least now I know!  3 weeks today...and tomorrow....round, and round, and round for 24 hours.....but looks like a great course and sounds like a fun event, with many friends and supporters....oh, and it signals the start of another week's holiday in Aviemore!!  Happy days!  That one is much more likely to be proper rest though (and the house for that week has a hot tub!!)

Home now, for a couple of days "rest"...a massage tomorrow and Monday off work to look forward to, so maybe a wee swim in Loch Lomond in plan..... I'm not broken, just tired...so it's all still up for grabs before the tapering begins again.....

Loch Morlich Sunset : Photo copyright Clark Hamilton

The Keys to the Executive Lounge

It's an awfy long time since I blogged, and maybe I felt there was little to say....but actually, I think I'm more inclined to blog in times of "challenge", and things have been going pretty darned well this year...and I've been kinda busy!  But no excuse, and that won't help me recall my 'memories' in my old age!

Anyhow...the stories of this week...much phenomenal-ness has been shared already on Facebook, and other blogs, but time for the mini-adventure that was my week, and my 'race' (yes, I'm going to call it a race now it's over, instead of continually correcting myself to say "no, it's not a race, it's an event, I'M NOT racing...")

Two motivations this week...the second of my BIG events of the year, in my second run of the Devil O The Highlands...but interestingly the fear and build up tempered by the realization that "if" I ran 20 miles in the 5 days leading up to the race, the final mile of the Devil, would break me through the 1,000 mile marker of running this year (and Running Gannet would unlock the door to the fictitious "Executive Lounge")....as a stats junkie, there was no way I was going to let this one lie....

 So the more usual tapering, was replaced by a new plan....one consumed with where to fit those precise, vital miles into a jam-packed week!  That's not to say that I thus avoided any of the usual taperitis...grumpy, tired, everything hurts, danger of catching the lurgy (so Bob was banished!), not eating enough/correctly, dehydrated....blah blah blah...

So, with a final 3 miler on Friday morning, and the day off work, it was TIME!  Eeeeeek!  The whole day to get packed and organised....hours of fannying about, moving piles of clothes, food (enough to feed a small army of hungry anything), trying to get a wee nap, trying to fill, and re-fill beds in the cabin as people's plans had to change, checking and re-checking lists and bags...oh, and looking several times on Facebook to see if everyone else was doing the same (errr....yeah, they sure were!)

The condemned! (photo by John Munro)

So, Bob picked me up and we headed off to Tyndrum for the night, driving through the ominous "biblical" rain, before spending the evening having a good last supper scoff and catching up with pals at By The Way, and in the pub, before heading for a restless sleep and a 4am alarm call!

Up and at 'em, with a hearty breakfast, and a good laugh at/with Sarah and Bob (the latter opting for a long lie, some cheese on toast burning, and generally getting abuse for faffing around!).  There was a general nervousness in the air, which heightened as we rocked up to registration, meeting friends old and new, and all paced around anxious to get started, despite the somewhat hideous conditions!

I had 2 vague objectives for the day: (1) To be nicer to my support crew! Apparently I was a wee bit narky last year...and (2) Ideally to hit just sub-9 hours...both could prove a challenge!

6am...the count down...and we're off....5 paces of gentle jog...and then 5 minutes walking (well, it is uphill.....!!) before getting the "easy" first section (c7 miles) to Bridge of Orchy out of the way!  Objective 1 still in check, as I literally skipped and bounced through the checkpoint! 

Just to prove it (photo by David Mooney)

Arriving at Inveroran (photo John Munro)

Climb from BoO (photo by Fiona Rennie)

Straight through the checkpoint and up and over Murdo's Mount, greeted by the inspiration that is Fiona Rennie at the first gate, and managed not to trip over a guy that did an amazing 'comedy' fall on the descent. (he seemed ok...said only his pride was hurting!)

Heading out over Rannoch was wet and wild, but at least that drowned any potential midgies!  The shoes were struggling a bit on the slippy cobbles, but the highlights were the minute patch of blue sky (and the guys ahead all stopping to point at it!), the rainbow and the massive stag running across the moor.  I seemed to lose time on this stage, and by the time I got to the checkpoint I was 10-20 minutes behind my 'gold' plan.  I decided at this stage "stuff it, the weather's awful, stop looking at the watch and just run".  So after a few minutes being nice to my lovely crew, and assorted Ultra Dafties supporters, I trotted off down the road, with a handful of pretzels, a  caffeine gel and a bottle of coke, with the motivation to "just run".

Met Julie (in supergirl pants?) and Katy just past Kingshouse (after a moment to abuse Tim for sitting cosy in his campervan), and said a quick hello before motoring on (well, I think I was).  My fingers were really sore at this point with both rings digging into my swollen sausage fingers, and I spent a good 10 minutes trying to work out how to get the rings off, before giving up on the idea!  Passed Dave Hetherington just before the Aultnafeadh who sadly told me he was having to DNF due to injury :-(.

So, onwards and upwards, with the Devils Staircase ahead...and food the plan of attack!  Tried to get a good stride on and eat a 9Bar on the way up...both fairly successfully.  

And then...time for the secret weapon for the descent.....one headphone, and my new tunes!!

I had the most AWESOME time on the descent, stomping through the rivers that used to be paths, singing along, and passing a handful of people on the way.  Felt pretty strong, and I'm sure the beat of the music kept the rhythm going in my feet!  So much so it seemed, that I arrived in KLL to no support crew!!!

Thankfully, David Meldrum and some friends from Wee County Harriers were on hand to deal with my expletives and mini-strop, before my crew appeared at the far end of the village, with the necessary Irn Bru and Mrs Tillys!

I felt MUCH better climbing out of KLL than last year, kept fueling up, and kept ahead of a couple of guys who opted to stay in my slip-stream!  Onto Lairig and it was...yep...you guessed it....wet and windy!!

Not sure who the other chap in the photo is, but I tried to reel him in to keep running as much as I could, looking forward all the time to my Irn Bru from Jeff at the Wilderness Rescue van!  I can't help singing "follow the yellow brick road" every time I run across here!

I'm not saluting, my cap was about to blow off!
(photo by Jeff from Wilderness Rescue)

Enjoyed the next wet section too, down into Lundavra, where I expected to see my support crew.......Nope, they'd been replaced by David Meldrum again!!  This time, it turned out it was all John Munro's fault for 'parking' his car in the ditch and blocking the road!!  David supplied me with the eagerly anticipated can of Red Bull, and I was off....FINAL SECTION! Woohoo!!

I spent a good deal of the next 3-4 miles tailing/cat and mousing with a couple of folk, and mulling over in my head the memories of Clark who 'ran' with me this section last year and spent much of it saying 'but WHY can't you run it'...and actually laughing with how I felt so much better and stronger this year (oh, the power of caffeine, gels and tablet!!)

Final hill, and on to the fire road...final gel...and ready to run!  A support runner heading the other way told me "Well done, I think you're in the top 10 women".....Holy Crap! I've never been top 10 anything, EVER!  And as if I wasn't motivated enough by that, I'd promised myself a wee glance at the Garmin...and it said 8hrs 9 minutes!  Holy Crap! How did I do that!?!?

So, off I motor, passing the guy I'd been tailing and then a couple of girls on the way down the hill....could I really be in the top 10 women?!  Can I sustain this pace?!?  I'm GOING TO BEAT MY 9 HOUR ASPIRATIONAL TARGET!!

Keep drinking....have some tablet.....keep running.....and finally through Braveheart and onto the tarmac....less than a mile to go...and I can run it!!!.....Through the 30mph sign and the finish is in sight.....the crowd go WILD (well, maybe I'm making that bit up....but there was definitely clapping and some "Woohoo")...

Sleep running... (photo by Clark Hamilton)

And it's done!  A MASSIVE PB at 8hrs 41m!  A bit of blubbering and hugging!  And a nice cup or two of prosecco from Lorna!

So that's my story!  A quick wash, change and clapping at the prize ceremony - much respect to Noanie (3rd lady) and Jo (4th lady, 1st Vet), and all the other winners!  Then back to the finish to cheer Helen, Bob and the other finishers through their final steps, each overcoming their own personal devils and demons to cross the line!  Overall I was 63rd of 134 finishers.....and I was 10th lady!  (Good job I overtook a couple of girls on the fire road eh?!)

Job done, good times!

Fears, Cheers & Tears

The well earned finishers medal!

Race Day!  Well, I did actually try to stop referring to the Fling as a "race" and more "event" in the weeks leading up to it - I always think "race" means I should be in contention for a podium finish, when clearly that's not going to happen!  However, as one of my 'motivational notes' in my drop bags said 'the only competition is with the voice in your head', so there is a bit of 'race' in there, even if only with myself!

The last few weeks leading up to the race hadn't really gone according to plan and had given me a few reasons to worry - I hurt my wrist (resulting in a visit to A&E), ripped my feet to shreds wearing new shoes on a 25 miler with Jo Rae, and then got a head cold....I was starting to think someone was conspiring against me, having been quite pleased to have done some pretty decent mileages for the year so far!  But, as the cold abated, I was determined to make it to the start line, and not let all that effort go to waste!

Drop bag trauma finalised on the Friday afternoon, and it was off to Milngavie to register and get an early night (not that much sleep was expected!).  Met up with the Wee Grumpies from Skye in the pub, so stayed for some extra dinner :-), and then Fiona and I went back to the hotel to meet up with Victoria who had arrived a bit later due to some family hospital trauma!

I decided to bail early and was tucked up in bed by 10pm, ready for my 4:30 alarm call, which came all too early!  Leapt out of bed and kicked into action, with my porridge pots and coffee!  Met up with Fiona, Vic, Darren and Dave to await the O'Gradys arriving, as they had kindly agreed to taxi all our bags to the start!  We walked along to the station and arrived just in time for the race briefing.

I'd been a bit worried about the mass start, wondering how we were all going to fit on the trail, but needn't have had any fears - everyone set off based on their expected finish times, and there didn't seem to be any real congestion for the whole day.  I'd done some groundwork looking at last year's results and some of my training times, and had a rough plan based on a 13 hrs 25 min finish.  I wanted to start slow and steady, not getting carried away by this 'easier' section, and had a thought to try and stick with Fiona/Victoria (who shot off too fast for me) or Noanie (who I lost shortly after saying "Hello" in the station car park), but ultimately knew I had to do my own thing, as nothing is more stressful (for me) than worrying you're holding someone back, or feeling all skippy when they're having a bad section....

Motivational signs left on the gate by
Alan Lindsay ! 

So off we trotted in the early morning sunshine, cool and clear, and I ran for a while with Darren Barnes, who I hadn't seen since DOTH.  We separated just after the Carbeth Huts, when I came across the great signs Alan Lindsay had diligently tied to the gate to motivate the 'Ultra Dafties' training group and had a wee chuckle to myself!

Drymen check point arrived slightly ahead of schedule (2 hrs 13 m), but I felt strong, and had eased off whenever I felt the pace was getting ahead of itself.  A quick text to Clark & Bob, and straight through the town and up the detour hill (didn't like that as much as the real path, but needs must!)

Conic came around pretty quickly, aided by another encounter with Fiona/Victoria as they shot past again, with tunes playing, singing and chatting!

Heading to the Balmaha drop bags
(by Helen Munro)

The new path over Conic was dry and good progress was made, whilst munching on a 9Bar.  I was also buoyed by a chat with a guy telling me he'd run the first 5 miles with someone whose longest training run had been 11 miles (WTF??!!), and got a wee (evil) chuckle when I found out he didn't know what to expect on the path after Inversnaid!

Daftie support was in force from the descent and into Balmaha, with David, Helen, John and Bob all on hand.

It was great to get some fresh supplies, some chat, and the first of my 'surprise' drop bag messages I'd asked Clark to put in each bag!  I didn't hang about long and trotted off into the sunshine!  I'm not sure I remember much of the next section, other than the hills in the part from Sallochy to Rowardennan (one of 2 small sections I'd not done in training!), and once again, it was good to see friends, a big crowd and supplies at the checkpoint (even if I did need Alan to help me get into the drop bag!)

Rowardennan - trying to untie
the drop bag! (by Fiona Rennie)

Noanie came into the check point just as I was about to head out, and it was great to see her looking fresh and bubbly as ever...and that didn't seem to fade (especially at Inversnaid where she shot through like Tigger on speed!).  There still didn't seem to be too many drop bags left to be collected, but I think I was further up the field than expected, and was definitely still ahead of schedule at this point and feeling strong :-).  I knew there was a lot of climbing out of Rowardennan and there wasn't really anyone around to chat to, so I plugged into my headphones to give me some tunes to sing along to.  

Inversnaid (by David Ross)

Passed quite a few walkers who all offered words of encouragement and Inversnaid came along in no time at all where David Ross was on hand with drop bag, camera and most importantly, big man hug!  Even though I was expecting the next section to be the slowest, I was really looking forward to it with all the twisty, climby rocks and roots, so probably didn't eat enough in my eagerness to not lose time.  I was also finding the heat getting to me a bit by now, so stuffed a handfully of jelly tots into my glove and trotted off again.

Leaving Beinglas..chomping on
something! (by Helen Munro)

I passed quite  few folk on this section up to Beinglas - I guess that's the benefit of having practiced this path a few times, and still feeling pretty strong, even on the walking bits.  Quite surprised how many people were walking down the slopes before Beinglas, but all these little overtakes seemed to give me a boost (and I don't mean any disrespect to those I passed!).  I got into the checkpoint at 9 hours 7 mins.

Bob was doing his final support stint at Beinglas, and I got a big hug and words of encouragement, diet coke and snacks...and I remembered to collect my final message from Clark...and this one made me cry (in a good way), with encouragement and memories of Dario.

I took my diet coke with me for the trudge up the next wee hills and knew that, whilst the end was in sight, and there was no chance of not making it, it might take me 3+ hours to get there....and I'd not run the section from Criainlarich - Auchtertyre before (and having done it yesterday in the race, kinda wish I had...straight up / straight down!).  I felt this was my slowest section, but I still moved faster than plan, power marching when the hills got the better of me!  And there's quite a lot of uphill in those final 12 miles, including the killer climb from under the railway line, and the encounter with the killer cows and cowpat field!

I shed a couple more tears about 2 miles from the end (and picked up some pace when I realised I might be in for a sub-12 hour finish), and some in the finish straight, and some after the finish..... The piper was a welcome site as we entered the By The Way site, and then the chap (on my shoulder in the photo) appeared from nowhere and moaned about the uphill finish...and I thought f^ck, I'm going to get whipped in the last 100 yards......NO!!!  And he didn't get me in the end!  The cheers, the fantastic finish line with all the flags, and seeing Clark and Cori spurred me on and I got away from him (check determined look in second photo!!)

The finish straight

Making sure I beat that bloke
who caught me with 50 meters to go!

Noanie and I (photo by David Ross)

 After collecting my medal and the fab goody bag (bottle of fizz and t-shirt) I didn't hang around for long after the finish - my usual post-race routine of turn blue and shiver uncontrollably kicked in so I headed for home.....smug grin intact!  Job done and forecast time blasted!! 

Big thanks to all the supporters, runners, training buddies, facebook groups, husband...without whom this wouldn't have been nearly as fun or achievable!  And a big cheer to all the Fling organisation team and volunteers, who did a fantastic job, and hopefully had as good a day as I did!  (oh, the prosecco is very nice too....thanks!)

You can't do it without support...together we are stronger!

I know it's been said by many a runner/ultra-runner before, but you really cannot do this without support - friends, family, colleagues...they all have a role to play in getting you to the start line in one piece (even though many of them may not be aware of it!)......and in the best piece you can be (within reason, since the burden of responsibility has to lie within yourself)!  

And it's not always easy...the stresses and strains, the long weekend days away to get those 6 hour+ training runs in to recce the race route when you've been dashing around all week, followed by rest days when you feel frustrated, hungry, grumpy and needy....and neglectful of all the 'duties' you should be doing....but that's why you surround yourself with the best support you can get!

#1 Support Crew!

A massive chunk of that support comes direct from home, and I know and feel more than lucky to have such good support, understanding...and patience (whilst often putting his own priorities to one side).....or maybe I'm just being sentimental since it's my wedding anniversary....  

But friends play a big role too - those close enough to motivate you to get out of bed at 6am on a dark wet windy morning, and those in wider networks, some discovered through Facebook groups, some friends of friends, and some at races, sharing a passion for this crazy ultra-running, and sharing the doubts, the highs and lows, the injuries...but all the time giving you a reality check and sometimes the boost you need to get out there and train!  I've found these sources all really beneficial in training for the Fling (T-13...) and had fun getting out exploring new routes and making new buddies for life!  And that's without even mentioning all the non-running friends and support!

Ultra Bob...possibly the only ultra runner
armed with a water pistol?

Some of the D33 'Facebook' Training Gang at Dario's
memorial post

So, as my injuries heal and tapering begins in earnest, we gotta stay strong, stick together and toe the line, in person or in spirit at 6 am on 27th April (and beyond)!

The Final Countdown

So, 1st April and the turn of the calendar reveals 'Highland Fling' day for all to see!  Eeek!  Suddenly that feeling of running out of time engulfs you.....

But, no time for that, gotta think positive and flip those energies on their head and focus on being a better me for the next 27 days!  So, as of today, I'm on the wagon, and back on the healthy eating (a la Slimming World, but starting to read up about reducing the amount of carbs I'm chomping), and ready to get those final quality training miles logged to get the body and mind in the right place for 'race day'!  And a focus on the rest and recovery too (I will bring the foam roller into the house and use it!!).

It's easy to say, sitting here at the end of a great week off in Aviemore - fresh air, relaxation, and without any work stress, but here's hoping to hang onto that feeling of freedom and fresh legs running through the Ryvoan pass, with awesome views and no dramas, as the month ticks past!  

I think the support on Facebook really helps keep the motivation going (as long as you can avoid the stress of folk getting some great runs done while you're at work!), and it will be good to 'toe the line' with so many friends on 27th....hopefully full of good banter to help the miles pass!

So, here's to a month of good training everyone, culminating in a great day out at the end of the month!