I challenged myself to complete a 50 mile event in my 50th year (birthday is in November), and it goes like this...
First of all, a massive thumbs up to the Fling Race Team, without these people events like this wouldn't take place, so I doff my cap to you all. Thank you.
Susan and I travelled down to Milngavie on Friday night, checked into our hotel and made our way along to registration at The Burnbrae Inn, as we enter the building, who's right in front of me, race director...Johnny Fling!
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| Me and Johnny Fling |
After registration, we had a couple of drinks before heading back to our hotel. Trying to get my head down knowing I have a 4:30am alarm set is quite a challenge, however I dropped off about 11pm and slept soundly until 4:17am.
Shot out of bed, had a quick shower, plate of porridge, a cup of coffee and I was good to go.
Headed down to the start at Milngavie train station to get my drop bags in the correct vehicles and there was already a crowd gathered.
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| Race start |
Met my friend Barry Campbell from Perth in the crowd which was great as we'd agreed to start the run together, but hadn't made any firm arrangements. Barry has been running really well and I was concerned that my planned slow pace might be frustrating for him.
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| Perth Flingers |
The race started on time at 6:00am and it felt great to finally be here and experiencing something I had only dreamt may be possible not so long ago. I'd set myself a pre-race target of sub 13.5 hours.
Drymen
I was feeling comfortable with the pace and we arrived at the Drymen checkpoint in 2 hours 11 minutes. That was actually a bit faster than I'd intended but I was feeling good. The whole of the West Highland Way is wonderful but there is something very special about the view over Loch Lomond from Conic Hill, it never fails to impress.
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| Loch Lomond from Conic Hill |
Balmaha
After the descent from Conic Hill we arrived at Balmaha, first drop bags were available here, a wee bit of heaven in the shape of a mini pork pie was devoured with pleasure. A short stop off and we were on our way to Rowardennen. It wasn't far before Barry set off at a faster pace and I settled into some time on my own. Gave me an opportunity to do some 'self checks', hydration, nutrition etc.
I'd taken a salt capsule and wasn't quite managing to quench my thirst, this would be a concern for me all day.
Along the lochside to Rowardennen is a beautiful run and the weather had thankfully ignored the forecast of heavy rain to instead provide some beautiful sunshine. We had Bonnie Scotland in all it's glory!
There is a set of steps before Rowardennen that would break many peoples resolve. However, Flingers are made of stern stuff, although I did mutter 'for f**ks sake!' a couple of times.
Rowardennen
The Rowardennen checkpoint was the first cut-off, if your not here by 1pm, your day is finished. I arrived at 11:48am my split time from Drymen was 03:33 so my pace had obviously slowed. I was still feeling good though, picked up my dropbag and found a shaded spot to enjoy a wee tin of beans and pork sausages.
Had a chat with a lady who was struggling a wee bit and waiting on a massage before continuing on her way. I dropped of what I wasn't eating at the dropbag table and spotted a Cadburys Fudge, so I did a quick swap with a member of the Fling Team and stuck the Fudge in my bag!
The next stage, Rowardennen to Inversnaid is relatively short and plenty up-hills, which provided me with a chance to simply enjoy the day, feel the sun on my skin and let the experience wash over me.
Must give a mention to the party of guided walkers, a group of eight people, 4 with visual impairment being guided by 4 with able vision. Took me aback and made me think about...'if we want to, we can find a way'
Inversnaid
I arrived at Inversnaid starting to feel a couple of hot spots on my toes, so I found a seat and started taking of shoes and socks to check for blisters. A medic from the Trossachs Search and Rescue team spotted me and kindly came across, provided me with some water and then applied some blister plasters for me. This made life so much easier as simply bending down was becoming a struggle! As I was leaving to start the next stage, a lady came in with what was obviously a broken nose. She has taken a tumble and I heard the medics urging her not to continue, I think she took their advice, and was to be extracted across the loch to be met by a car and go to A&E.
This next stage is the one I wasn't looking forward to. It's very technical, tree roots and rocks, you literally are scrambling at times and there is very little opportunity to get any momentum going. Within five minutes of starting I'd taken the decision not to attempt running and simply to take in the scenery, working my way along the lochside, refuel, rehydrate and check I was doing OK. Rehydration was proving to be an issue for me, I simply couldn't get enough water, this was becoming a major concern. I only carried 600ml of water in my flask, it was never going to last. I ended up filling up from what I hoped was a fresh stream. I didn't know (or care) if it was fresh water, but it tasted brilliant!
As I approached the end of the lochside I had my lowest point of the day, felt miserable and would have chucked it if I could have right there and then. However, there's nowhere to go, so a trudge forward was what I ended up with. It's upwards from here before the drop into Bein Glass Farm, would I make it, I was having serious doubts?
There is a point here with a wonderful view down the loch, a post has been erected to Dario Melaragni, previous race director of the West Highland Way Race, Dario passed away in 2009 and this post was erected in his memory. I decided to stop and have a chat with Dario.
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| Dario's post |
I spoke with a few people who passed by as I sat and sipped on a small bottle of flat Coke, enjoyed the view and got my emotions back in check. Get to Bein Glas, re-evaluate and take it from there.
Coming down into Bein Glas, you can see the farm from quite a distance away and you think your close, but it's still a few miles to get there, or it feels like it!
Bein Glas
I arrived at 16:37, a split time of 04:49.
As I turned the corner to go over a stile to the checkpoint I was met by Susan shouting encouragement! I never knew she was going to be there, and as I approached the dropbag area, there was Megan and Riana who had driven up to offer support too! Never take those you love for granted, and always expect the unexpected!
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| Susan running too! |
What a lift, and at just the right time, although as I left them and headed off on the last 13 mile stage to Tyndrum, I burst into tears, knowing your cared about is such a wonderful feeling.
13 miles, a half marathon left to go, I was into unknown territory, having never ran anything further than 38 miles previously. I knew I could walk from here and finish by the cut off at 9pm, however, bolstered by the support at Bein Glas, I set about aiming for a finish time of under 14 hours.
Had some great craic with some fellow Flingers and we helped each other along back and forward in the section which is very 'undulating', forcing myself to run every descent and flat to the gate at Bogle Glen.
6 miles to go I was informed by a chap at the gate, that's only 2 parkuns he said! The forest section has some massive climbs, my legs and feet were really sore by this time. The long descent to the road came and went without thinking about it, at the road crossing the marshall informed there was 3 miles to go, checked my watch, 19:16, it was gonna be tight!
A few of us had been in a small group and places changed to and fro for the next mile and a half.
The finish
When the trail passes a signpost for the West Highland Way and you can hear the traffic from the road I estimated that there was around a mile left to go. Started thinking about the day, the experience and now the finish. Coming closer to the finish line at the ByTheWay campsite the emotions started getting the better of me and I was overwhelmed by the cheers and shouts of encouragement from those lining the final 1/4 mile of the route. Into the car park and the finish line is there, I crossed the line at 19:57 (race time 13:53:26), totally spent physically, mentally and emotionally. Susan, Megan and Riana were there to meet me and again, they will never know (because I couldn't put into words) how that made me feel and how much it meant.
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| The finish |
A fantastic day, an amazingly well organised event, oozing with positivity from every single member of the Race Team. From the lady who registered me on Friday night to the lady who gave me a can of Stella at the finish and everyone in between, thank you!
What have I learned?
I've learned that 'I can'. My body and mind can travel 53 miles. There will be 'down' times, but the 'up' is exhilarating. Salt tablets aren't for me, couldn't quench my thirst even an hour or two after finishing.
Quote of the day:
Descending Conic Hill in beautiful sunshine, I passed two Glasgow gentlemen about the same age as myself (49), full backpacks on, obviously walking the West Highland Way. As they let me past I said "Cracking day for it eh?" The response..."Aye, for a walk, fuck that running malarkey!"
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| Says it all! |
