Get amongst it !

Got out at last... Feet started feeling a bit better on Friday, following dress down day at work when I could wear my trainers.. Then after the top Post Race Barby at Ian and Allybeas house where I got to chat to a few folk and picked up my Big Daddy goblet and got ANOTHER cuddle from the Race Goddesses (Lee and Dino) and a snog with DQ, I got home and my big girl told me we needed to take the neighbours 2 greyhonds out for a walk.... Can't really refuse can I, so me and my Pop take the 2 4 legged grogan machines out for an hour or so through the park... And a nice chat is was too..

So onto this week - work shoes are gining ne grief, but my workmates are not now being treated to my feet up on the desk and gunk ooozing through my socks.. No sympathy left, just a boredom so time to get back to normal.. Walked back from work and yesterday Norman and I exchange emails .. He is doing Corryarrack this weekend - time for a little 3 miler ???

And so tonight that is what we do... A slow pace, but good chat and we got through it.. Feet ok, but legs a bit wonky from having to cope with blisters.. Ended up probably closer to 4.5 miles, but it was a top run.. He then announces he is putting an entry in for next year... Sensational - gives me a reason to keep training and getting some runs in next year, but alos one not to do the big race if I chose not to... I mean the fella is going to need support isn't he !

6 days before my holidays.. Mum and Dad arrive in 4 ... Girls on hols from school in 3.. End of project phase 1 party on Thursday night - reckon that I might be saying cheerio to Mr Zen for a little while !


Cheers

Keith

PS - Thanks so much to everyone who has donated to the Malawi School fund.. Your generosity is really appreciated.. Justgiving has now assured everyone the link is now all fixed, so if you tried and got bombed out give it another crack if you wish..

Over The Top - Pt 2

So I leave Fort William about 2 or something. Am walking with the lovely Kristin who has today decided to get her hair peroxided and is looking absolutely up for a little stroll. When I first met Krusty she had dreads so a hair change is not a biggy for this girl.. As we walk to the shopping precinct (is there any better place to start a run ?) I realise that I dod not even have a photo of me crossing the line, must mean I am not finished.. So we take the stairs down (as opposed to the wee path up) and then go through the tunnel under the main road (there seems to be a pattern developing here ) We start having a bit of a chat then we are past mcgrogans the cooked crap outlet and we are into the little path .. We can smell the sea and I am feeling at home.. We make a little stuffup at the turn after the houses, and ened up flagging down a cab to get directions back to the Great Glenn.. The girl in the cab has had a decent evening or maybe the sight of 2 mad runners with head torches coming out of the night is a bit freaky ? Anyway we get back on track, over the railway, and then we are through the houses and we start to have a little run.. Just doing lamposts then walking, but by the time we hit the sea past the swings and the mad toadstoool garden (I kid you not !) we are along the waterfront and doing 2 lamps .. The grass is soft beneath my feet, which are feeling it a bit from the last few miles..

At the end of the playing fields we take a right straight up to the canal, probably skipping about 1/2 a mile, but I reckon this is like the last bit of the way where we go straight - ir just does not make sense.. Then we are approaching on Banavie, first checkpoint down.. So we had a little bit of a parking prob, but soon I have a hot bowl of Stewie cooked heavy soup in my hands and I am in Mikey's jacket... This is as close to 100 as I am going to get so mentally I am glad to be there. I am about 2 hrs behind schedule, but that is old news... And then we are off again, Kristin has the tracker on - I hav.e been saving the battery. It's a lovely early morning, no major lights except our head torches. and we are making good time... We are run trotting and as the path is by the canal it is dead flat and so easy.. It reminds me of course of the Glasgow to Edi, but not by much. Then we come across some cows.. A bull... And a mummy cow.... and some little baby cows... The big guys aren't that happy to see them so I do my best Paul Hogan and .. nahh, we just turn off our torches and go past with the minimum of fuss, the daddy gives a bit of a snort and starts pawing the ground, so we proceed steadily... (maybe Krusty has a different view :-)

It is time to drop the torches anyway so we crack on with it.. Am still having the occasional gel and my nuun, and the miles are clicking off.. Def below 65 to go now and am feeling ok.. And then we are at Gairlochy, we have had a great run... Stewie has setup a storm... As have the midges... Ohh they were friendly, the guys are getting eaten...I take a seat and the machine clicks in.. I get my porrige, which I put a stinger into (sensational !) and I get my first coffee for 5 months.. This is what I have been waiting for....Stewie puts the burner on to kills a few of the locals ... I have had Coke for the first time yesterday as well but there is nothing like coffee... Matt is looking ready to go so with a full tum we crack off up the hill...

I have know Matt for a few years now from working with him in RBS, we have a bit of banter about the cricket and he is a solid bloke.. We have run a few times toether at lunch time .... And so we are going up the hill, and getting into our stride.. We come through the pretty but unfortunately we miss out on the fairy grotto (once I again, I kid you not !) because of fallen trees.. By the way, if I am mising out bits here I hope you will forgive me.. As we are going along the road, Loch Lochy (what a great name hey !) on our right, glistening in the morning sun, the birds starting their easy early morning call we see 2 stags on the hill, looking at us with all the disinterest we desserve.. Then a wee doe clambers down to the right of us.. Just having a chat with Matt and clicking through the miles....Before long we are in the camping area of clunes, don't stop here too long, but long nough for the machine to click in again.. Stewie is doing a sensational job... Mikey is strolling about and I think Kristin might be having a little kippo..

Off we go and I am still looking at my phone which Matt threatens to take from me -pushy bloke that he is :-) and then I am really needing to STOP for a short time. A few moments, some desecrated thistle bushes, and several kilo's lighter we are on our way again.. Having good chat with Matt, it really is a cracking morning, my 2nd on the hoof of the last 2 days and I am really enjoying this. Relatively flat, but with e few undulations to make it interesting.... Taking it easy, but probably breaking 4's at a push.. And then suddenly we have done a lazy 12 early on a Sunday morning and we are going around the Loch into Laggen Locks. Just a couple of blokes having a bit of a trot... How hard is that.. That is the last I will see of Matt today, he is back off to Edi on the 9:15 bus, and I am stoked with our trot..

Mikey is joing me in Laggan Locks, were we take the opportunity to look at my feet... Not very pretty, and very sore.. We put some gause pads on the balls of both feet (or was that in Clunes ?) but it is pretty nippy.. I get some more food from Chef Stewie, and something to drink I think. I also get weighed, and I am still within 3 kg of start weight in Milngavie so am ok,, Norman is up and about as well, Kristin is there and then Mikey and I head off..

Mikey is also from RBS, and a part of our hursday running gang.. He is about 6'3 or 4 and although he is not as big as his wee brother is a pretty big lad ...He used to run 200m's very quickly so is used to a bit of a trot.. For a big bloke he moves quite gently on his feet .. The path here is a belter, soft forrestry track.. Laggan Locks marked approx 53 (or a Fling / Double Marathon) to go so another milestone down.. We have passed the canal boat where the Glee Club stopped in pi55ing rain last year and after a coolish welcome (what is it about wet, smelly runners that put people off >>) had a great soup and coffee and a chat with the bloke.. He has a great knot in there - check it out...

So Mikey and I will be running to Fort Augustus, the last Fort and the start of the last Loch..We have about 10 miles or so.. Once again, really good underfoot. Mike is trotting along, we are at the south side of Loch Oich, away from the cars.. Running along an old rail route, it is very peaceful... Chatting away and talking about life and stuff ... Just getting through the miles.. We eventually come to the iron rail bridge and double back on ourselves and then head into Aberchalder, where I see Krisitin with her flaming white hair in the distance and then we are amongst the machine..

A check of the things that are at the end of my legs confirms they are a bit ugly but no point changing.. We get some food, and off we trot... Fort Augustus awaits. By now the sun is getting up, it is a glorious day, the path is dead flat and the pace is good.. Just running and walking, walking and running, one foot in front of the other, oh lets make it to that fence line and then break, oh there is a yellow flower 100m from here, lets run to that, take a stroll, one foot in front of the other.. Can feel the sun on my Aussie cricket hat... Map is only telling half the story, but the end of the range of hills can only point to one place.

Mikey has been running well and once again has been great company, and we are there.. .Fort Augustus, bost trips, shinty teams, Customs boat (I think ?) canal side chippy and the full machine.. Gaz, Merv and Mike, who have been kipping back in Fort William have joined back in for the rest of the day... Matt has taken the bus home, Norman, Stewie and Kristin are all there, it is a lovely sunny day, and at the end of this Loch where the monster sleeps and will not be disturbed by me is the goal..

Loads of food, scoffed down much to the disgust of the team.. I am putting suncream on... The guys are telling me how good I look... MY feet are knacked, so I change back into my black ones for some stupid reason (I will change them again in 10 miles).. Am faffing a bit, but getting rechargeely and sitting on my seat, lovely fresh strawbs as well... Can't be unhappy.. About to start a little 22 miler with my mate Norman after which we will be in Drumnadrochit.. The machine eventually kicks me out, I say thanks to Mikey and off we go...

Up the hill past Morags Lodge where saintly people who make Macaroni Cheese for tired wet and very hungry runners late at night abide. Myself and Norman are chatting away.. We have run so many miles togther this year as we prepared for the Fling, Normans first ultra. We first met a few year back and kids swimming, I spied his Loch Lomond marathon t-shirt and we started chatting after that .. Took a few years for our first run and beer but have made up for that since ! So we are plodding along, run walk etc. A bit more up and down, and the path harder underfoot.. A good chat, well actually now I am just getting into the stride of completion....I don't really remember much of this bit.. I know that I am running with my mate and I just go with the flow. I am thinking of the last time I did this section when myself and the Glee Club ran through the rain to Incermoriston so we would not have as much to do the next day.. Getting there we went to the pub, only to be almost foreceably ejected by the rudest &*(&*() t&*()&()& wa&*&*%% etc in the whole world. I hope he has left there, would not sell us a pint coz we were wet, would not even give us a cup of tea. Very rude ! But not today.. Temperature is getting up there and a bit uncomfortable but can't do much about that ..

After another short but relieving stop, we cut down the forrestry track and run along the road to Invermoriston.. Mike come out on his bike to meet us then we run down the road, around the bend and we are another checkpoint down.. I am pretty broken here, not mentally, but sore.... Everything takes over... My friends look after me... I get a massage to ease my back which is really struggling with the compression of the decents.. Legs are feeling strong... I lie on the grass whilst an Asian family sit nearby having their picnic and looking in bemusement.. I eat, I drink, I have filter coffee.. Big Gaz grabs me a Magnum, you gotta be happy.... I put my gold shoes back on for the rest of the day, best leave well enough alone...

Past the friendliest corner store in the world (they make up for the plank in the hotel ) where we went last year.. They have a river running under their shop you know..

Now we get a little bit interesting, the next 2 hills really do it for me.. 136 miles in and the climb out of IM requires focus.. Not as much as the one out Altsigh... That is the worst of the 2 days as we climb up to nearly 1000ft above the Loch for some sensational views but you have to earn them... It is warm, and I am having to do quite a bit of work.. Norman is just strong beside me, chatting away as we go.. We have been here before, training on the 7 hills in early Feb, up our local Corstorphine Hill, down to Crammond.... One foot in front of the other.. What a view, switchback , what a view, switchback, what a view, switchback ok I am getting the message, but give me a break, too much of a good thing and all that .. Finally after a good 40 or 50 mins we get to the top.. It really was a grind and I am hot, my feet are nipping and although not going to stop, I need a moment to collect...

Have you read this in a one-er ?? I have been typing now for about 2 1/2 hrs.. It is tiring me out.. But then we are nearly at the end.. Thats the thing, if you keep going you do get to the end.. It must get closer...

Luckily Gaz and Mike have found a way up the hill near Altsigh and I get some food and a drink.. I think I make a bow as we get close to the car... It is great to see them.. We have to keep going, so it's through Balbeg and then we are on roads, but not before the downhill of course which is really doing things for my back.. It is hear I say to Norman that I am finally stopping running.. I will finish this but I am done so now must just walk it in.. I am not unhappy about this, you change and re-assess and crack on.. I have less than a marathon to go...

We are through the little farms and countryside, the hills are behind us.. Walking ok, I rememeber this from last year with Aly, and we were making great time... I do NOT remember that last bastard of a hill though... Maybe it is not that bad.. We come down off into Drumnadrochit and continue on the road (the Cycle route) as opposed to the path to the left... Probably saves me a mile or so, but with the cost of the steeper decent.... My back is really nipping now, but I am not done.. My mate is by my side, and I am closer..

Drumnadrochit ... 18 to go... Apparently now I have the "scarey starey eyes" according to Norman.. The full machine is in play.. Stewie and Mikey have the barby out.. Kristin, Gaz and Merv are there. Mike is sorting things out .. I think to myself at what a lucky person I am .. Everyone has come up here for one reason only, to drag a body to Inverness.. I can't pay them, I can't thank them enough.. If I fail they will no doubt say the right words, but everyone will be gutted... I can only do the one thing we set out to do, otherwise it will have been a wasted day..I am sore, and tired, but I know if not today then I will have to wait a year to come back here... and I will be sore, and tired, but a year older, and with a yeear of coulda shoulda woulda behind me.. And I am not that bad.. I still have a choice, I can stop.. It is not like I am doing something really hard.. I am not trekking 20 miles through African bush with a bucket on my head to grab food and water for my kids.. I am not fighting a disease or doing anything really serious.. I have my friends, I have my legs, and so we go on.. I get another great massage to ease things off.. I say cheerio to Norman, what a great run we have had..Say Cheerio to Mikey as he will travel home with Norman.. I phone Shirl and it is great to hear her voice..

I am walking with Gaz and Merv... I am high, walking hard for the first 2 miles out of town, then we go up the hill onto the moor behind.. Gaz and Merv are arguing about the height of the hill which amuses me for a while.. I am not talking much, but I am moving.. Upwards, we even take in the lookout .. Finally we are up on the moor, and going through the ex forest track where we get to the top of the moor. I lie down and have a stretch.. It is quite hard underfoot and I am getting a bit cold, so I borrow Mervs waterproof trousers.. I am just going now.. It is a nice evening, but towards the end of this section we get some light drizzle.. We go past the bush cafe's (must stop there one day ! ) and then we are on the road and Mike and Stewie are waiting for us.. I say cheerio to Stew as he holds a brolly above my chair in the rain, he has done such a job today Gaz goes back with him to get his car from DD, Mike and Merv and I plod on... We finally get to Blackfold. I am asking Mike how far, and he reminds me it does not matter.. `

Massage, coffee with Stinger, somethign to eat, 9 miles to go, stretch, new trousers, lying on a blow up mat of some sort.. I ask out loud how a bloke can be so lucky to have such good friends who have given up so much of their time for this. I am just so grateful for all they have done for me today.. One foot in front of the other..

I am with Mike and Kristin .. Midges, 9 miles to go, one foot in front of the other, Headlight on, run into the circle, soft forest path, glimpses of lights, soft path, exploding backside, one foot in front of the other, trees, chat about cricket. Mike is in front, looking out the path, he does tri's, and this year we went for our first run together... He is an artisan in every respect, 100 % quality.. He put me at the start line 160 miles ago and we are going to finish this.. The circle of light is hypnotic, the forest muffles footfall, the chat is incidental, I am isolated but not alone in my own world.. I am chatting with Krusty, no cows here.. One foot in front of the other. repeat, repeat repeat.. The circle of light is hypnotic... The trees and the clatter of a bird taking off..

We get out of the forest.. The lights are below us.. I have a stretch and a quick massage.. We take ages to come down the hill.. Another crick.. One foot in front of the other, keep on.. Through the hospital, past the houses, under the underpass, pass the golf club, one foor after the other, down the river, over the bridge, one foot in front of the other. The circle of light is bigger as the street lights are on, but the zone of my vision is fixed.. 8 ft in front, one foot in front of the other.... Into the town, lost a bit so ask some park inspectors where to go.. Onward behind the sports ground as we pass where I finished my last marathon.... Over the bridge, Gaz and Merv join us.. Through past the tree, over the raging river, it's noise wakes me ... but I can't go on.. I don't want to feel like this when I finish and we are 300m from the end and I am on the ground getting a twist in.. I am NOT feeling like this.. onward, along the river, photos out...

Shirl, Kirsty, Caroline, Mike, Gaz, Merv, Kristin, Stewie, Mikey, Norman, Matt,John, are all there with me.. Past Lucy the VW, past the backpackers.. Up the hill, to the sign... It's done..

Over the Top - Interlude

So I thought I would take a moments interlude to try and put into words why the feck I was going about this mad thing.. How does a 42 y.o Thornlie Boy from Perth Western Australia end up at 01:30AM in Fort William Scotland about to embark on stage 2 of a 168 mile adventure..

I just don't know.. I am not a naturally sporty sort of bloke, I am one of those people who turns up to have a go, knowing full well that the pointy end of the race is somewhere I will never be.. I am not from a family of runners, though both my Mum and Dad have always been active in things.. I adopt a very minimalist approach to training, with peak mileage weeks rarely if ever getting into the 30's - outside my once a month long run.. Sure I give up beer when I am training for this gig, and caffeine, and I try to eat less crap (but don't succeed)... I have a relatively busy life, a very supportive family and 2 lovely girls who I don't want to spend all the time running away from, so I do what I can..

I do think a bit though.. And I try to visualise when I am half way round the 7 hills of Edinburgh on a cold and dark February morning, what it would be like to be in that place 20 hours later...

I was originally planning to do this mad thing in 2007 - the year of my 40th.. Someone once mentioned it on the Forum and when you look at the map, with the Way and the Great Glen only separated by 300m of road, it really does make sense..

I had the support crew all lined up, food packed but with one little problem... I always said it would depend how I was feeling at such and such a point, and maybe when I get to that place I will crack on.. So when I fell into a little mental dip before Bridge of Orchy, even though I was bang on my sub 24 hr pace, I decided to pull the pin on the bigger challenge.. Still cracked 24 in style so was pretty chuffed, but this has been niggling ever since ..

You can't achieve anything on a "maybe I'll do that", you are either in or out, you either set yourself a goal at the outset or you don't.. There is no half way house..

Not this time... Some people wondered why I wanted to just do the whole of the 2008 WHW as the Sweeper.. I am so grateful that Dario helped me do this, and that David Ruxton and his wonderful wife Trish were there to "sweep the sweeper".. It was absolutely sensational to run at the back of the pack and see people in various states of discomfort but still keep going .. And to spend time with Big Jim Robertson and think "oh geez I am doing it hard" only to look over at this bloke 26 years older than me and give myself a little cup of 'toughen the f**k up".. That run was the 33hr 43 min training for time on my legs, which you just can't get.. Then in Oct 2008 we did Great Glen over 2 days with DQ, Stan, Ellem, Mags, Jim, Stan, Ally, Neil and Eryk which gave me time on the route.

Also in 2008 I went camping with my girls to Loch Morlich, when I got a call from Shirl saying that Dario had been on the phone, telling me that the entries were open.. I asked her if I should do it and she said "If you want".. So I texted Mike, Gaz, Merv and Parky and said we were going "Over the Top".. I got a load of expletives back but also the only thing I needed - 4 texts saying "We'll be there"..

This year I have done more prep than ever before, running a lot with my mate Norman (more on him later) as we trained for the Fling.. Did the Glasgow to Edinburgh Double (boring as hell, but nice and flat and 53 miles in March is pretty good). Had some great runs with the folk of the Glee Club who always make the miles pass by with good humour - Gus, Jean, Michelle, Mags, DQ, Jim, Jon, Ian, Flip, Stan and I know I have missed so many..

And then a few other folk who I work with also agree to come along for the ride.. Matt, who was scheduled to do it in 2007 is in, Big Mikey who I run with at work says he'll do a stretch, Norman is in and Kristin who is this lovely Kiwi girl I work with (and a masseuse, and a pretty decent all round sports person) says she is in as well. I also get an offer from Stewie, who likes his cars, his bikes, his ciggies, has knackered knees from his army days, but would like to come along and drive if he could ..

So this is where I find myself just after leaving the Leisure Centre.. I am tired, but fit. I have friends by my side, family in Edinburgh, in Rockingham, the Thornlie Boys rooting me on.. I have Kristin with me to start the first 10 miles to Gairlochy.. It is a nice night, perfect for running... I think of all my friends and WHW family still out on the path.. I just feel ready, there is no reason that I can't do this.. So if there is no reason not to, you better just had...

(If you are following this blog, and you have a spare fiver, please consider clicking on the Just Giving Link at the top of the page.. After 5 days of turmoil following a poorly tested, badly implemented upgrade of the website, apparently it can now take donations again.. The money will go to a good cause, and a fiver is only a few gels and a can of coke..! Thanks for your support)

Over the Top (Part 1)

Am trying to capture my thoughts on the weekends events in the same way that Ian Beattie has said - before they all fade and get glossed over. The main problem is that having been focussed on doing this for over 3 years, I am struggling to contain this in something suitable and pithy enough for a blog.. But lets have a crack anyway ..

So finally the Friday arrives, all the planning, talking, thinking, training, worrying etc is over and done with.. Did not have a good day, despite all the best efforts of the girls, just did not feel good at all. Had a little sleep in and then pottered about the house in the AM. Managed a couple of hours in the arvo which was good, then got up and had my Milngavie Butchers Steak Pie (sensational !) and Mashed Potato for dinner.. My big girl was off to guide camp, so the house was a bit of a flurry with all sorts of kit (running and guide camp) but it was all good.. Had dinner with my wee girl and then managed to get back to bed for 2 hrs of dozing.. Picked up Lucy the yellow VW combi from my mate Andy's house at 9:00PM, loaded up my kit and headed out to Ratho to pick up Mike for the drive to Milngavie… Still not feeling good, but at least on the road. Got a hug and wishes from Mikes wife Sandy and the 2 boys Zak and Ben and we were off.. Ride across listening a combination of Wolfmother, AC/DC and The Datsuns.

The scene at 11:30 PM at Milngavie Train Station is always a belter… Old friends you haven't seen for a year, new ones you have never met before. Davie gave me my Wallaby bar as promised, had a cuddle with Dario and got my tracker, got my pretty bracelets from Sean (WTF was the point of the fluro bangle ?), then gave blood and wee.. Said my cheerios to Mike with the promise that we were going to do this and then it was time to go.. Caught up with Ian King, Jeannie Beattie, Dave Waterman, Martin Hooper, DQ and lots of other folks and then it was time to start.. Still not feeling good but hey ho not feeling bad.. Was at the start line of the WHW race, with 150 other determined folk, all of us about to embark on our own mission together..

Kept it cool for the first little while, managed to run with Jim Robertson for a 1/2 mile which was sensational for me as I spent about 50 miles in his company sweeping last year and he is a true gent, was really sad for him on Monday when I did not see him on the list. All good for the first 5 miles or so, going at a fair clip, banged on the windows of the Pirate Support vehicle and made em jump.. Having a good banter and getting into stride, probably going a bit quick for this early but feeling good with it. First inspiration part of the day was coming down into the Beach Tree, running with Chris Moon.. Had only heard of Chris and to see him running along with his blade foot and apologising that he could not keep the gates open because of his missing arm was a truly memorable thing for me.. As I have said in a previous post - It's Not that Hard !

Nothing really to report to Drymen - I never stop here or Balmaha so I just went through the checkpoint and waved at the few faces I could see in the gloom.. Going through the forrest I caught up with my good mate the Pirate and Martin Hooper the Paratrooper and had a bit of banter with them and Jon .. They were going ok, but they looked like they wanted to be alone together and have a cuddle so I moved ahead just as we were coming to the foot of Conic Hill :-).. Once again, followed their progress throughout the day and knew they were getting their moneys worth and so stoked to find out they had both secured goblets ..

Coming down off Conic met DQ who was taking it easy on the decent (very unlike him !) - we would spend the next 70 miles leap frogging eachother… Mike had left me a bag at Balmaha which I scoffed and then it was off to Rowardennon.. Am sure I saw Aly MacPherson here in this stage.. Feeling ok, and knew at this stage that I would not be having any problems with the date muscle / left hammy that had annoyed me for the previous 9 months.. All that physio worked ! R'dennon was good - am about 20 mins ahead of target pace and am really trying to keep my checkpoint times down in the early stages. Did have my customary porridge and a can of coke.. Also got rid of my leggings, what a welcome relief !! So first milestone - 1 marathon down, 5 and 1/2 to go..

Had a great next section - ran and had some great chat with a few newbies who were going well. Paid homage to the concrete plynth of love and felt good and strong going in and out of Inversnaid.. Thanks to the Rescue folk who were manning the checkpoint

Next stage was ok - was worried about it because I hate it, and because of the extra distance but in the end it was not too bad.. Gave the folks from the BBC Adventure Show one of my best put on Aussie accents (I was wearing an Aussie Hat - no corks - at this stage to complete the cliché !) as I went past.. They must have had a great day for filming ! Great to get the water at Balmaha, ran some more with DQ, and past Neil MacRitchie too I think… Still feeling pretty good, but was looking forward to meeting Mike at Carmyle..

And finally we get there ! Phew .. First person I see if Murdo McEwan who has been a great friend and provided such great support and advice over the past year.. He was really rooting for me to meet my goal of sub 23 and it was great to see him.. Then I see Lucy the Yellow Combi and I have my first little emotional bit.. I always have these, where the mental pressure of maintaining discipline for mile after mile takes its tole.. So I have a sit down and Mike is asking me what I want and I can feel the tears welling up and I just ask for a minute to compose and then everything is ok again…. He is just seemlessly doing stuff around me, getting me food, drink, being my mate and just chatting and talking about other things .. Am not there for long it seems and it is off over the hill … Am on pace at this time for my sub 23

More chat with DQ, more up and down, and then seeing Aly again .. Aly, Neil, Stan Bland, DQ, Ellen, Eryk and I all did the Great Glen last year and we are all so close in time at this stage … Aly is just demolishing the hills behind Crianlarich and making it look so easy .. I am feeling ok and not having my St Fillans dip that usually hits me .. Get to Auchtertyre and see John Kennedy, who after waiting for the cutoff time, will join me later in the race… He is the reason that I started and finished my first race in 2002, and seeing him is a great boost… Also see the lovely Lee who gives me news of the Pirate.. Mike gives me more food (not sure what ?? ) and I kick on … Am thinking at this stage of the finish to the Fling, how I was doing this very section with my mate Norman (who I will be running with in about 24 hrs time) and how we were cracking on for a sub 11:30 time… A bit slower than that now, but not too bad and still around 12:20 at Tyndrum so well on pace for sub 24 (though sub 23 is starting to slip..). A quick drink in Tyndrum and then up the hill… John catches me about 2 miles later and it is off to Bridge of Orchy… We are running ok, coming into B.O.O we see Mark Collins coming the other way looking for Aileen …

Mike has to do a job (work and pleasure ??!!!) so misses us at B.O.O but I see Tom Collins which is great - I ran some with Tom in 2003 and he with me in 2004 so it is great to see him.. I get over the hill at B.O.O and mark off another milestone - I am now 1/3 of the way on my journey .. Feeling pretty good all things considered. Mike meets us at the bottom of the hill next to the hotel and we get a quick bit to eat and then Rannoch Moor ...

I love Rannoch Moor ... It is Scotland at its finest, and raw.. I always get to think about things, about my friends, old and new... The arvo is clear, the skies blue, it is not too hot, not too cool. John and I are making good time, DQ is behind me, Aly is continuing to destroy the hills in front and it is just sensational... What a place to be, 65 miles or so of running behind you and scenery that just blows you away with every step... John is bigging me up about the next bit and telling me how I am going to do it and what a great achievement it will be.. Running with someone who has done the Devil in 6:10 is a real boost, and hearing his words really spurs me on.. We crest the final rise and the Buchaille is below us, and the white oasis of Kingshouse. I pass Ali who is getting some food.. We walk off the last bit of the track, then John gets me to run it in to Kingshouse, "look strong" he says, "Go in strong for your team", so I do and there are my mates Gary and Mervyn who have supported me in all but one of my 5 races and I know that the goblet is mine.. 23 miles separate me from the end of the WHW and it is only a question of time.

In 07 Merv and I started out from KH and unbeknownst to me he had only just recovered from a major flu .. So he was unable to run that quick and I ended up leaving him at the foot of the Devils.. This year he had a monkey to get off his back, which he did in style.. We had some hot food and got some clothes sorted and then were off... Knew for certain at this stage that we could not make sub 23 without some sort of super effort and so decided to ensure the sub 24 .. I guess in hindsight, the Great Glen always was looming on the horizon, but I don't think I would have done it regardless. Things just did not seem as fluid as in 07.. We made really good time to Altnafaid where Mike was waiting and then up and over the hill we went.. Last year I did this with Jim Robertson at 01:30 AM in a 50 mph gale with sleet and rain and so to go up in such a lovely night was glorious.. The views from the top were sublime and once again I was just so glad to be alive...

Was pretty good coming off the hill, making ok progress and not too bad on the quads.. Merv was just powering along, and we had a great chat about all things important, mostly cricket ! Mike came up on his bike out of Kinlochleven to see what we needed... Had a pit stop and then made it down the hill.. Saw Murdo in front of the Leisure Centre, I think he knew I had missed a sub 23, but I could not tell him why I was not that disappointed... Went and had my weight done and a hug from the wonderful Geraldine, some food and then again we go.. I have 4 hrs 15 to go 13 miles to break 24..

Climb up and out was not too bad, then about 4 miles across Lairig Mor I am half way.. This is another great boost... It is downhill from here.. I am running with my mate big Gaz, who always strides much better than me but is great company. We have known eachother for close on 18 years having worked together in BP Kwinana and we also share a love of cricket.. So we are cutting through the miles, he has a GPS tracker doofa that does a good job of telling us where we are.. About 1/2 way to Lundavra we come across Eryk Grant.. He is toiling big time - a sub 21 man he is not having a good day.. He tells me his quads are knackered but he looks great to me so I tell him so.. We to and fro for the next little while - him passing me on the flats, me him on the downs.. DQ passes us as well with words like "Time to get this over and done with".. He is looking strong.. I am feeling ok, but going along at my pace.. Did not stop in Lundavra for more than a time check - and to meet Eryk's wife (?) and then we are on our way again.

the last 6 are a blur .. What am I thinking ? I have done it ... I am 89 miles out and I have a forrest and a hill to go before my 5th goblet.. I am feeling strong, feet are quite sore, but am going along at 3.5 to 4 miles / hr.. A couple of people pass us going through the forrest and I am happy to let them go.. Coming out of the trees I get a bit of a kick on ... I see some lights behind me and I say to Gaz "They can pass, but they will need to work for it " He is up for it and wo we start running down the hill and make it almost to Braveheart till Eryk catches me .. He has clearly sorted out his quads.. I am so happy to see him and wish him well, and he tells me that he is coming in with me.. So we continue on and get onto the road where I get passed by 2 others - including a storming but silent Marco :-) ! Eryk has kicked on, but I am with my mate Gaz, Merv and Mike who trot the last bit with me.. Eryk is slowed down just by the roundabout and we jog to the finish together.. Just before the Leisure Centre I see my next support crew waiting and I am determined to show them I am feeling good..

We get to the doors, which Eryk holds open and insists I go through.. What a gent and great running partner.. So we finish in 23:37 and share a wee dram of Glengoyne from the quaich handed to us by the lovely Lee... It is quite surreal now... I see Ian Beattie, Marco, DQ.. I get my blood taken.. My friends come in (they are ready for the next bit ) to shake my hand and ask me if I need anything... I go and grab a shower and chat to a few guys ... The shower is sensational and I could stay there all night ... My feet are a little bit rubbish but other than that I am fine.. I am not done.. I get a new shirt, and shorts and bidding farewell to the shower ( I am getting really comfortable !) head out into the foyer.. DQ is still there, and is the only one in the whole race who knows what I am going to do, he waves and me and wishes me luck.. Lee also comes over and tells me I am a madman..

I see Aly is now in - she has cracked 24 and is over the moon.. I ran with her quite a while on the Great Glen so know how much this means to her.

My lovely friend Kristin is with me, and she is a qualified sports masseuse.. I know it is a bit of brass neck, but I ask the lovely girls if we can use one of their tables... I am so grateful when they say yes.. Kristin works on my legs and tells me they are feeling great and better than any time in the last 3 months that she has been working on me.. I put on my leggings, some dry shoes, look for something to eat and say hi to the folk in the kitchen,,then realise I am faffing about .. Needed the break, but also need to start again..

So I walk out the door.. Mike, Merv, Gaz, Kristin, Stuart, Matt, Mike S and Norman are all there. I am still dithering, getting this thing and that... But I don't need anything.. I am approx 2hrs behind my schedule, but it is a clear night. I am feeling good, and I have 8 people with me who are only there for one thing.. I go down the stairs, leaving the Leisure Centre behind me, turn left and start walking.. 95 down, 72 to go.. I am going to do this..

Over the Top (Preface)

Just a short note to say thankyou ..

This morning at 02:02 AM I reached the Castle at Inverness, having started out 49 hrs earlier at the start of the West Highland Way.. After completing the WHW in 23:36, I followed the Great Glen to Inverness. A total distance of approx 168 miles.

This was a great team effort. I have been supported in this madness by Shirley and my girls Kirsty and Caroline. On the day I had the most incredible support team of Mike Johnson, John Kennedy, Merv Jones,Gary Haywood,Kristin Mitchell, Stuart McCormack (also guest blog editor!),Matt Stoner,Mike Smith and Norman Duncan.

I am struggling to put into words at this moment my feelings towards all these grear people. It truly was a team effort, they gave up all of their time and together we did it.. I will always have the utmost love, admiration and respect for all that they have done for me and how this achievement was theirs as well..


Now I am off for a little kippo !

Cheers

KH

Finally I wish to thank all the people who gave up their hard earned cash to sponsor me for this challenge. With this support, real good can come from this and it will make a difference to many lives. Thankyou, and also for your good luck wishes and texts !!!

For the last 3 years I have been collecting money for a group of schools in Malawi. If you have a spare 5 or 10 quid, please consider your support. The charity is an Edinburgh based church, who ensure all the money gets to the kids who need it most.

www.justgiving.com/overthetop2009

The last Fort down

Arrived hungry (that's good), ate and drank well and hastely.

80% done, and half of the Great Glen to go - next stop Invermoriston around 2:30pm.

Kristin's met a 'delicious' guy in a kilt, and says she's not coming back!

...sorry ran out of batteries.

Mentally still strong and surprisingly positive; probably because he only has two marathons left to run today!!

- next major milestone Fort Augustus, and 128 miles.

On to Aberchalder

Keith is still chugging along; a wee bit behind schedule, but still going strong. Body is holding up well, apart from expected foot blisters.

Had a quick coffee at last stop, and headed off straight away...

One down - second on the way

Keith is doing great - completed the West Highland Way around midnight last night, and continued on up the Great Glen - obviously needs more tablets!

Currently (as at 7:15am Sunday) between Clunes and Laggan Locks - 113 miles done, and 55 miles to go :-)

He's looking pretty good physically, and mentally strong at last check-point, where he had his morning porridge.

Onwards ...

It's not that hard

My good friend and race legend Murdo put this up on the WHW Forum today in the thread of "Single Best Piece of Advice"..

""Yesterday I went along to the talk in Edinburgh by inspiratioanl yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur that I flagged up in an earlier thread.
It was very interesting, and there were certainly quite a few parallels between her experiences and ultradistance running experiences.
In the question & answer session at the end someone asked her if she had ever considered giving up. "Never" was the response.
If you are feeling a bit downhearted and self-sorry and blistered at some point in the next few days, it may help to think about this, and to adopt the same mindset.............
She was going solo unsupported non-stop around the world for about 70 days with a maximum of 3 hours sleep in a 24 hours period. "Giving up" might not have been a very practical option in the circumstances.
But if you are feeling wretched, and your support vehicle is right there, ready and willing to whisk you off to a hot bath and a beer or two, you may have to dig pretty deep to resist the temptation and continue on to the end to win your hard-earned finishers crystal goblet.

Think about it........ You may have to dig pretty deep, or give up........"

So this is something I have thought about a lot.. The way I see it, because you always have that option, the race is not that hard. The really hard things in life you can't give up on, you don't have that choice. We runners can get a little ahead of ourselves (guilty as charged), but we are doing something of our own volition, with all the relative comforts that our wealth, health and privilege give us.. At any point if it gets too much, we can give up, we can hop in the car.. No-one is going to die, the world will not fall off it's axis, life will go on.. It IS a significant challenge, but compared to real life in other parts of the world, compared to real life and death and illness and poverty and all that, it is nothing to worry about in the grand scheme of things..

This is not meant to be a negative post, or a comment on anyone that has not completed the race having started .. It is meant as a reflection on what this race is. It's an adventure and a challenge but at the end of the day it is not life and death, so put it in perspective and enjoy it ..

Enjoy the scenery, the people, the comradeship and the hills.. Relish the great outdoors, the midges, the tree roots, the mud, the rain, the pain, the miles that you gain, the rocks under foot, the stubbed toes, the sore back and the pain in the inside of your left armpit that just won't go away. Breath the silence of Rannoch Moor, the beauty of Buchaille Etive Mor, the lights of the oasis that is Kingshouse and the switchbacks of the Devils Staircase, the dips and the highs, the "Ahh fuck I'm gonna die", your friends being there with the perfect cup of soup, the text you get from someone dear. Live it, breathe it, soak it all up, you'll never do this again (for at least another year), and what might that bring so best do it here, and NOW ! And remember all you've done, you deserve to be here, and on cresting the hill down that bloody ugly forest track, watch the lights of the finish below that move further away, bottle that feeling till the end of your days.. Say never again, but then get through the doors, the cheers and the quaich, the dram, and the goblet that is yours..

Have a crack

Cheers KH

Here I come ready or not

So I reckon I am just about done.. Last trot with my mate Norman last night, 1k and a bit in the pool this eve, massage booked for tomorrow night, food nearly together, transport (a great VW Combi !) sorted, support crew all in place and ready to kick my ar5e if required, charity organised (nearly !), Pirate Buff looked out, new shoes, blah blah blah - bloody lot of effort just to get to the start line ! Still got a little bit of a niggle on my left date cheek, but that's something that has been with me for a while now so I am not worried about it ..
So following on from what John Kynaston raised - how do I feel, what are my goals and aspirations. I have definitely run more than ever before and the combined running over the last 3 years has definitely put me in pretty good shape.. I am a lot stronger than in 2007, but I am also 7 kg heavier.. (Am convinced that it is all muscle !)
So I reckon all things being equal I should be ok.. Was thinking the other day about the distance again, even after 4 times it is still a bit of a hoot to be running this far.. I was thinking about a few comments on the Forum about how the race being 95 miles. I joked that we should run to Corpach to make it a round 100 miles .. But then I was thinking about something my good mate Tom Collins (WHW 2005) said about there being a X distance in running, whatever the distance you run - it is always the last X k that hurts the most.. Go out for a 10 miler and you are busted at 9.5 miles, go for 40 and it is the last 1 .. So the distance is just a number that separates you from the finish.. It is a big or small number, but just a number .. If it was 98 miles would the race be any harder, if it was 89 would it be less of a challenge ? So I am not thinking about the number, just abouut the finish and the cold beer and Crystal Goblet that awaits me there.. Bit of a ramble - sorry..

So how do I feel ..BRING IT ON !

Ohh - the other good thing is that the fabulous Dario has sorted me out one of these tracking doofa's.. Should be a hoot for my Mum and Dad and friends to check out and see where I am and see when I am slacking off.. Link on the page above.

Now some music. The Mighty Mighty Datsuns - if you aren't moving after cranking this up to 11 you are officially dead !

In memory of the fallen

22 survived, 2 fell on the long long road .. May they rest in pieces..

Fears, Tears and Beers

Thanks to all who have commented and read the start of these ramblings.. Can see how this can become addictive as I was lying in bed last thinking what could I write.. Oh dear...

So the week started ok - even managed a couple of runs - was out on Sunday for a little 5 miler up my local hill (Corstorphine in Edinburgh.. Monday about 8 or 9 at a very easy pace with my mate Norman and one of my support crew Merv.. Went up Blackford Hill in Edi. Yesterday I went to the FASIC physio for the last session on my dodgy backside.. Am sure it will be ok - just need to get the first 30 miles under my belt.. Aside from that been getting together my kit, my food and etc.. And doing more thinking...

Today was all about the top of the Loch... Always a particular low for me as I really struggle to get going from Inversnaid - I hate it hate it hate.. Worse than Brussel Sprouts. I just want to get it over with and Derrydarroch and my support crew.. Except this year, this is closed for support... Just as well in the Fling I tried to make it mentally a much better section.. I reckon I did in some ways, so the extra mile or so to Carmyle won't be a bother.. and once you are there, there is only a little bit of mud, a little hill or 2 and then auchtertyre... which is only a short stroll to Tyndrum....

So all ok - until today ... Some some sad sad news... It seems I am cursed and I am not sure if I can go on.. The worst of it is I do not even know the extent of my grief.. As some may know, I give up all alcohol when I am training for this race.. Since Jan 7 I have had 1 small bottle Brahma beer and 1 pint (all in 1 night !!) and a small sip of fiz on Saturday last to celebrate the graduation from the OU of my good friend at home and my main support man Mike. At the end of the race I look forward to a bottle of the finest beer in the whole world - Emu Bitter... Now you cannot get this in the UK - so my Dad mails me a carton from Perth (it works out at about 80 quid to send it, but I REALLY like this beer... So imagine my anguish and tears when I get the Non-Delivery note from the postie "Package not delivered - it's too damp - broken bottles ??". So I have a nervous couple of days till I get out there and see what the damage is.. A carton has 24 x 375ml bottles of the amber nectar - I am hoping for a low hit rate..

At least I still have 4 left over from last year - here is one of the little fellas with another wonderful glass object...

Time goes by - so slowly

But on the other hand you can't just wish your life away.. This week I am really on the taper. 2 runs - about 9 miles total.. Date muscle still giving me gyp but am doing the stretches. Now there is too much time to think, think and ponder. You know when you are in a meeting at work and you drift off in the middle of somebody waffling and are thinking of the muddy bit after the crossing of the A82 before the hill behind Crianlarich.. Or you remember the joy of hitting that bit of concrete that is about 500m before Inversnaid Hotel.. (I want a shrine built there - just something exceedingly ostentatious like big a F.O Gold Buddha or a mini Angel of the North or maybe even a giant garden gnome bedecked in a Liberace Crush Velour Pant Suit - you wouldn't be expecting that would you !). Anyway I digress, but I am constantly running the route, remembering little bits.. How do you become so obsessed ? Only 14 days 2 hrs and 3 mins , tick tock..


Sad day today - I sold my Neil Young tickets - concert is in Aberdeen on 24-June - only 3 days after the race ... I am gutted as the man is a &*(()ing LEGEND - saw him last year and f. me if he did not make some EFFING noise.. But 3 days after the race I don't reckon I will be up to standing up for 2 hrs in a concert... or travelling to Aberdeen... So here is one for the Vampire Slayer in Romania - crank it up Mike !! Rock on Neil !

Counting down the days

So it is now 15 days to go. Today I met up with some of my support crew to have a bit of a chat and work out logistics for the weekend of the 20th... I am always blown away by my friends and family who give up their time to support me when I am doing this little adventure.. Not only on the day, but all the weekends that I have gone running and therefore my good friend at home has to do all the family things and keep everything else going whilst I am running across the coutryside... I love my running, but I am really privileged to be able to do it and it is only through the support of others that I can..

So it was great to catch up with the gang today, a few old faces but some people from my work who have never been out on the Way before but nevertheless think that being cramped up in a car sheltering from the pi55ing rain, eaten by midges for the privilege of seeing a tired and (hopefully) only mildly cranky bloke for a few minutes is a good way to spend a day... Love em and I will hopefully make their efforts worthwhile...

And I am still trying to work out which charity I am running for...

First Post

This is my first post to see what it comes out like.. I am starting this blog as I approach the final days of training for the 2009 West Highland Way Race.. This is a 95 mile cross country adventure from Milngavie just outside Glasgow to Fort William. This is the 5th time I have done the race so I am looking forward to the challenge !