Rowardenen to Inverarnan 17 June 2014

Always gonna be a hard day, and not only in the physical sense. A year to the day since Lanky passed away. I can hear him laughing at me wakng up in what felt like the top bunk of a Gautanamo Bay prison cell!

Fantastic full Scottish breakfast with as much coffee as a coffee drinker could handle provided the sustenance required for the first part of the days walk.

The Bastardos numbers were swelled today by Josie and Sean Buchan, and Pauline Baker. Once Kaya had led the troops through their stretches we were off. Thankfully we had a decent bit of cloud cover and got a steady pace going. One of the great things about this week is having the opportunity to spent little bits of time with different people, but also getting time by yourself, and all in the most magnificent scenery you could ever hope for.

First part of the walk today was the 7 miles Rowardenen to Inversnaid where we stopped for lunch and replenished the water bottles. The sun was getting its game on around now and the heat was intense.

The second section was Inversnaid to Inverarnon, also 7 miles. The terrain in this section was very technical underfoot. Mair tree stumps and rocks than ye could shake a stick at! A long (and I mean long) walk down the glen brings you eventually to the Drovers Inn (Est. 1705) which is the quirkiest place I've ever stayed in. Stuffed animals everywhere. There's even a dancing bear to greet you at reception!

Wonderful meal (fish and chips for me) accompanied by a good few pints and it's time for rest in a decent bed in The Gun Room!

I'd been anxious about this date for a while, not knowing how I'd be feeling. It's turned out to be perfect. Walking the route that Lanky had walked years ago, I can feel his presence, and also being with great people, where else would you rather be?

Shona has a couple of Just Giving pages on the go, if your able to, please spare a couple o' quid the big fellas memory.

British Heart Foundation
https://www.justgiving.com/stephenlankyalexander1

Perth Autism Support
https://www.justgiving.com/stephenlankyalexander

Drymen to Rowardenen 16 June 2014

Susan and I arrived in Drymen around 9am. Met up with The Bastardos at The Drymen Inn, dropped off our bags and we were off just before 10am. Gentle wee walk on pavement for a mile before we got into the real deal, beautiful countryside and wonderful weather.
We made our way up the top of Conic Hill. Very special moment as Johnny B explained to us that when he and Lanky did the WHW before they never made it up Conic Hill (Bobby Purves will explain) ...but he made it today. Some of his ashes were scattered at the top and a wee nip of Talisker was raised to his memory.
From Conic Hill we made our way down to Balhama. Short rest break here and we were back on our Way.

Hard shift in the afternoon. A very warm day and I met midges for the first time ever!
Arrived at Rowardenen around 6:30pm and our accommodation was an experience. Bunkhouses...but really it was a portacabin with two bunks made out of very rough 4 by 2s!
Great night in the bar, good music and fierce craic. Day 1 has been a belter.

Day 1 - 16 June 2014

Monday morning alarm goes off at 5:15, quite apt as we're meeting up with friends to walk the West Highland Way in memory of Stephen Alexander who sadly passed away a year ago this week. Gonna be an emotional journey but really looking forward to getting away and spending a week in God's country.

Up an at 'em! Taxi. Train. Taxi. Then we'll meet up with Shona, Kaya, James, Ross, Johnny B and Enzo

InAbootIt

10 May 2014 - Kintyre Way Ultra

My longest distance and challenge so far, The Kintyre Way Ultra begins at Tayinloan and ends in Campbeltown, which is up and over 4500ft of ascent and 35.5 miles long.

On Friday night Susan and I stayed over in Tarbert, the weather was fantastic for the 3.5 hour drive  from Perth.

Tarbert Harbour

The morning of the race, came down around 7:45 and had a bowl of porridge and then a full fry up, which I knew was far too much before I started, but greed kicked in!

Got to Tayinloan around 9am, the race was due to start at 9:30
The weather was holding out for us, rain had been predicted but it was a lovely sunny morning.

Race Start

After some race instructions we were off, heading firstly down to the coastline and then a 400 metre run along the beach, we then ran back inland and very soon the big ascents began! Really tough from the off, had to start thinking about tactics and how best use/conserve energy. First checkpoint was Carradale, I had hoped to be there in around 2:45, but it was 3:05 when I actually checked in.

I was still feeling strong, and had plenty energy, so it was a quick stop here, get some liquids down and a wee bit to eat and I was off again, heading for Ifferdale, first thing to do though was nivigate my way along a rocky bit of the coastline!

Beach at Carradale

After the beach the route went into an estate and again the ascent was quite rapid. This was definitely the hardest part of the race for me. It was also a wonderful experience though. Took a couple of wrong turns in this section, need to 'up' my navigation!
That mental challenge of your body feeling every single step and battling with your brain to keep going. Some of the 'ultra camaraderie' was in full flow here as runners helped each other along the way.

Descent into Ifferdale

My split from Carradale to Ifferdale was 1hr 51 minutes, I thought I'd be around 2 hours for this so was quite chuffed. Still 14 miles to go and after a quick refuel, set off for the final leg to Campbeltown.

Up and over some wonderful tracks through lovely forest, the route had quite an ascent in this section too. Not as tough as the first two sections, but with tired legs it's tough going. Was very happy to see Lussa Loch as the course flattened out for around 4 miles and could get a bit of momentum going again. After the Loch it's about 7 miles of 'undulating' tarmac. Undulating...there's a word!

I could see runners a couple of miles ahead of me and this encouraged me to keep moving, trying to catch up with them if at all possible. Was delighted to see the main road into Campbeltown, there's only 1.5 miles to go and I was just about spent.

Made the finish after 8 hours and 18 minutes on the move, my final split being 3:21, far slower that I'd hoped for but hey, you gotta learn too!

The finish

Delighted I've completed the Kintyre Way Ultra, I'd recommend it to others who fancy this type of challenge. The isolation and time in your own company is a great thing, and seeing the countryside in all it's glory really is inspirational.

What have I learned/had reaffirmed:

1. A bowl of porridge and a full fry up is not best preparation for a 35.5 mile run
2. If I tuck the waist strap of my back pack under my belly, the shoulder straps don't move
3. Life is great!

Ran so far this year 415.49
To run 584.51

Do epic shit!

First ultra of the year completed on Saturday there.

The D33 Ultra is a run from Aberdeen to Banchory...and back! A very well organised event from start to finish.

I headed up to stay overnight in Aberdeen on Friday night, woke about 4ish! Different bed, excited and couldn't stop thinking about the race. Don't know how I overcome that one?

Was at Duthie Park around 7:00 just as the organisers were getting set up. Interesting to see what's involved at that stage, a lot of this stuff goes unnoticed, so it's good get an appreciation of how hard people have to work to allow us to put one foot in front of another.

The race was due to start at 9am and about 08:45 that old 'rumbly in the tumbly' feeling started so I found myself in the queue (8 folks in front of me) for the portaloo while the race briefing started!

Finally got in and out of the loo in time for the start and purposely hung around the back of the pack, wanting to take in the experience and enjoy it.

The first 6-7 miles flew by, having some fantastic chat with other runners, many first timers running and their excitement was evident!

Miles 7-16.5 I was feeling great and therefore 'hammered' it, the trail felt like it was level, I now appreciate there was a slight decline...which obviously became an incline later!

Got to halfway still feeling good with plenty in the tank and took some time out to refuel. And guess who popped up, my brother Peter who lives in Banchory.

Had a quick chat with Peter before setting off on the return journey. This was going well until around mile 20, I dipped big time here and struggled to get myself going again. I'd eaten and had the right amount to drink, it was simply I'd used to much between miles 7 and 16.5

So...had a chat with myself and gradually got back in the groove, rewarding myself with short walks every two miles.

Got to the finish line in 5 hours 54 minutes, happy to be under 6 hours and have also learned valuable lessons that I'll take with me into future events. The main ones being using energy effectively and not to 'hammer it' just because you feel good at that time!

Guess who was waiting at the finish...Pedro!

Ran so far 277.92
To run 722.08

26 February 2014

Been a few weeks since I updated this and I've had a few memorable runs in the meantime.

Was planning to do a long Saturday run up Dunkeld way a couple of weeks ago, but due to the heavy snowfall on the Friday night, we decided instead to do the three trigs route around Perth. This is a route I'd wanted to do for some time, and it never let me down! Set off with Tom Sutherland up and down Kinnoull Hill, Saint Magdalens and finally Moncrieffe Hill

Second run to mention is the 'alleged' Devilla 15k organised by Carnegie Harriers. I say alleged because of the race sabotage! Long story short, there's been a falling out at the organisers and someone shortened the course!

Final run to update you about is the Circuit of Perth on Monday past, came across some flooding around the North Inch that I wasn't expecting! Good run though on tired legs from the previous day.

Two weeks on Saturday until the D33, need to get at least one long run in this weekend before the wee taper begins!

Ran so far 198.46
To run 801.54

February 1st

Been a busy few weeks, and that includes runs!

Had my first head-torch run, guided by Tom Sutherland and I totally loved it! We headed off along the railway bridge in Perth, through Norie Miller walk, up Lochty Brae and headed for Scone via Milk Boys walk in complete darkness! Once we arrived in Scone we head back through Quarrymill and along Isla Road. A thoroughly enjoyable experience I look forward to repeating soon.

Then last Saturday I was off for the first official race of the year, Buchlyvie10k. Iain Beedie drove down and eventually had to put faith in the sat-nav rather than me who assured I knew where to go!
Was a good run out, slower time than last year, but a good one to get under our belts. Big shout out to Iain who ran after a week of feeling crap due to the lurgy.

Tried to up the mileage today, be feeling a bit sore but went for a wee trek out and about, ran up Kinnoull Hill (well the road) to make the challenge a bit harder. Managed just under 10 miles. Need to have a good February with the D33 only about 6 weeks away.

Ran so far 106.95
To run 893.05