Glen Lyon Ultramarathon - 6 May 2017

Plan A: Finish under 6 hours
Plan B: Finish under 6.5 hours
Plan C: Finish

The first ultramarathon of this year for me, Glen Lyon is a 31 mile ultra race organised by BAM Racing, and I've just realised there's only one of their races I haven't entered yet...'Glenmore 24' (on my list for 2018)

A beautiful day to be inabootit

It was an early start, up at 5:15 and in the car at 6:10 to head up to the start. Driving up the A9, it was evident it was going to be a very warm day (more on that later!) The drive from Fortingall to Glen Lyon is about 19 miles, but slow, single track miles. Beautiful scenery and wildlife, it was awesome watching the day waking up and it has to be the best 'drive-in' to a race I've ever experienced.

On arrival at Glen Lyon I spotted fellow JogPKC jog leader Diane Cassidy and her husband Mark, and popped over for a quick catch up, this was Diane's first ultra and I can remember how I felt before my first...going into the unknown can be a wee bit nervy!

A trio of Cassidy's

Also bumped into Katie Hall, the positive vibes Katie gives out are awesome, and it's always great to spend some time in her company.

Me and The VibeMaster!

Race briefing at 9:15 and we're off at 09:30, field of around 150 runners, I could feel the nervous energy at the start, but maybe that was all mine!

The race starts with about a mile going uphill, then levels out and the views along the lochside are absolutely amazing.

Photo taken by Andrew Paterson

After a couple of miles I was alongside Diane, and we ran together around the loch to the first water station. We had been warned we would get our feet wet at some point, however the water was very low and it was possible to skip over stones if you wanted to avoid wet feet, and I did! Diane chose to take the 'right through the water' option just before the checkpoint and said she found it quite refreshing.

Out of the checkpoint and I was on my own for a few miles and remembering to look up, take in the scenery and confirming why I love running on the trails.

Ran a couple of miles with a new pal Morven Walsh from Dunoon (the people you meet are what it's all about), Morven was running her 10th ultra! We shared some good craic, and it turned out Morven had been looking up enjoying the scenery and taken a tumble, then tripped and cut her leg (she assured me she was OK)

Before I knew it I was running over the dam and back at the start, which is the halfway point, quick wee slug of flat fat coke and back out to take on the second half.

The start of the second half is a long climb, see the elevation below at about 15.5 miles...

Glen Lyon Ultra Profile

At the top of the climb I happened across the race leader who was on his way to a course record I think, I checked my watch as we passed 3hrs 33minutes, I would be back at this point at 5hrs 51minutes! Phenomenal running from yer man.

It's undulating (hate that word!) for a while and then it's a downhill to the next water stop, we would be back here after the run through the glen. A very tough technical section for me, legs getting tired and the heat was incredible, once again hydration was becoming an issue.

I was using Tailwind and it was working with regard to replenishing carbs and salts, but the heat made me require more liquid to quench my thirst. There wasn't too many streams as the water was quite low, so I was eeking out the Tailwind mix and this resulted in feeling a wee bit light headed at times going along the bottom of the glen. There were a couple of guys (and a dog) out walking and having a cup of tea and a bite to eat in the shade, man, that looked appealing!

At the end of the glen, it's through a farmyard, take a sharp left and yep...uphill for 2 miles! Getting ever more thirsty, a slight panic overcame me as I'd convinced myself that the water station would have packed up after the last runners went through the first time. What a relief to turn a corner on one of the switchbacks and see the gazebo where the station was located. A literal oasis in the desert for me!
After some water, I insisted on some hugs for the marshals before setting off on the continuing climb. I was getting to the top and when it levelled out for a wee bit, it felt great to get going at a decent rhythm again.

I knew at this time Plan A was gone, Plan B was a wee bit under threat, but I could make it if I kept on running. The last 2 miles is downhill (back down that big hill I mentioned just after halfway!) and I simply let the road take me down, legs aching but just keep going forward.

At 30 miles the finish comes into view, but it looks so far away! With around half a mile to go I had 7 minutes to secure my Plan B finish, mon then, head down and batter it out.

I crossed the line in 6hrs 28minutes (Plan B Baby), to surprisingly rapturous applause! I let out a roar (can't control it) and got a reluctant hug from BAM Bill (but I think he liked it really)

Wonderful finish, and it was great to see loads of people at the finish cheering runners in. As I got back to my car for a change of clothes, I looked up and saw Diane approaching the finish, even across the field I could see the smile on her face, and I ended up with a wee lump in my throat thinking about how she would be feeling.

A massive thank you to the BAM organising team, the marshals, volunteers. You folks make it possible for me to make my dreams come true, and I love you all for everything that you do.

An awesome day, the star of the show? God's country, Bonnie Scotland.

What have I learned?

• Yep, sunscreen is a good thing
• Yep, running a marathon 2 weeks before an ultra is OK (good training actually)
• The water station crew will not leave you!
• Be thankful, always

Peace.