An Update

So a long time between posts , not been running much, been working and stuff and as a result just now have to let loose a few words.. Currently listening to a bit of Neil Young with a glass of a fine Crianza at the side ..

Had my first run in 13 days tonight with my friend Lucy and despite carrying a Whingery of epic proportion could actually run.. Reckon I have not had 13 days off running in a few years..

Funny that, when you decide to actually get out the door and trot, the pain you thought you had, is a distant memory and the rise the call, the breath and the footfall is all that you need to feel back in one piece ..

The Whingery is there, but no worse than when I went out ..

Had my post race barby the other week .. Some great friends came around.. They are the reason I can do what I do ..

The other week I was up in Glencoe... Went out with Hugh and Ollie, who was over from Aus on a trip.. Bagged my first Munro ..

Here is Ollie


And me



and Hugh and Ollie




The next day, after a cracking night of music and Uigedal at the Clachaig Inn, we ran across Rannoch Moor and back.. Here are a couple of pics Ollie took.. You gotta love Scotland in the Autumn



And finally Rannoch Moor in all its glory



Get amongst it !

Bloody gotta get this done

Apologies, this is a long one, and have not really edited it that well.. Have a glass of wine...

The start as always, mental.. So many great friends, the air of expectation, the testosterone bottled up and ready to go.. This is FAMILY night, it happens once a year and it is GOOD !
Mike had picked me up from the hotel about 11, it was so great to see him.. I was knackered, but feeling good.. It was still warm, but started to feel the chill.. Drive the white beast into the carpark and found a slot. Went into register and it was great to see so many family and family to be. Had met an irish chap in the hotel, it was hist first race and he was up for it..
Saw Debs and Marco and Deano and DQ and Stan and big Davie and Adrian and Dave and who knows lots of other people.. Felt great to be at home and glad that I would be sharing the next few hours with these great people. Went back to the carpark and sat down and started to sort my shit out. I had called Mike earlier and my lovely friend Sandy had made a cracking pasta for me, a nice bit of spice, just the trick. Mike heated it up, Dave, Lee, Hannah and the Lahndan MASSIVE were next door. Norm came past and we started chatting,. He was looking like a man ready to get a goblet.. Carrie came down with a head torch  , she had had to DNS only 2 days ago ..
Ate, got ready, said hi to people. Saw Marco and told him that with the cracking form he had run in and his sensational pacing I knew he was in for a good one.. Oh that and his personalised Marco WHW10 Nike shoes .. Caught up with Richie, the air of expectation following him like a shrouded mist , but a man who knew he had done everything possible to arrive at the start in the best possible shape.. We were all rooting for him and knew he was going to do us proud.. Told him to look out the door of the Doune Bothy..
And the time ticks closer, milling around, but everyone slowly, inexorably moving closer to the underpass newly painted, closer to the start, and closer to Fort William..






Race briefing from the lovely Shaun, then a few words from Adrian and 1 minutes respectful clapping for our dearly beloved and departed friends

Said my cheerios to Milke, once again he had got me to the start line.. Would see him again at Rowardennan.. Caught George, grinning from ear to ear, and the lovely Karen ready to go.. Then set us on our way....

Started out at the back of the pack as we knew we would.. Ran with Jim R for a few miles, always a pleasure and honour to run with the old bloke.. Ran with Ray for a short time, but knew we wanted to be a bit in front of him :-)

Crikey, 8 weeks on and I have still not finished off the trip back up the road.. Just never got around to it, been busy at work and blah blah but here goes, have an hour to kill, so here goes, will make a start and get up the road.


Got to Drymen, realised that I did not have any food.. Not sure what the &*&)( happened when I left Milngavie, but there I was, 3 AM in the morning with mo gels, no snack.. WTF ?? Lucky George had some spare and we cracked on up the hill, through the forest... Breaking through the trees, we came to Conic Hill, the only one we had missed out the day before.. Topping out we looked down the Loch from the top of the hill, I love that view.. Caught up with Uncle Dunc who was really toiling .. Did not really catch what he said had happened but was gutted when he said he was pulling out .. He was looking pretty busted - later found out he had fallen and busted a few ribs .. For a bloke of considerably advancing years, he had done very well to get that far, maybe the distance is beyond him now ?? (If this bit of needle doesn't get the bloke in next year I will be very disappointed !)





Its really funny but at no stage of the way up did I have any doubt about making it.. It was bloody hard, espectially as we were trying to keep the pace up to make the times.... Knew we needed to make Rowardennan in 7 hrs.. We were on pace at Balmaha, but only just .. Mike had left me food in the usual place, so I had a bit of scoff and walked on.. Saw Old Jim who was supporting Mad Jim and Ray the legend.. His face was a picture..

We cracked on, coming across Mad Jim... We knew we were really on it for time at this point, calculating that we had about an hour to close down the remaining 4 miles.. With now closing on the full 95 miles, we had to push on.. Said to Jim and then ensued a robust discussison about race pace and cutoff times.. Jim is just quality .. One of my best ever WHW;s was sweeping one year when we crossed Rannoch Moor.. Advice to any race virgins who are struggling.. If you want to finish, stick with Jim..

So we had to crack on, and with a couple of other blokes who were toiling, went the up and down and up and down and is there another bloody hill, oh yes there is that big fallen tree and that is the last one, oh no its not, its just there, oh thats where Lucy waiting in 2008 with Kipper geeing on people and getting eaten by midges, shit it must be around the corner, oh finally there are the brown huts and the campsite and the hotel, and tears and good memories expecting to see my roly poly mate with his midgie net on, and then relief, stop, Mike and midges and Kristin and massage and bloody midges and porridge and coffee.. 27 miles down, total now at 95

Mike had to almost kick me to get going again, George was set and so away we went.. Came across a couple of blokes Gary and Lee on their first race, just leaving Rowardennan, one was toiling the other was keeping him company.. We chatted for a few moments and just told them they were good for pace and to keep at it, but he was really struggling.. I really like this section.. I always remember running it with my dog Sam, and also Ian Beattie telling me that it is about 90 mins to the end of the landrover track and then 90 mins to Inversnaid.. The terrain is varying and unlike yesterday when we were coming down in the scorching heat we were just ticking the miles off.. Before too long we were at the concrete block and then Inversnaid was upon us.. Pretty much on time .. Always love seeing the S&R people there, they are tops.. 101 Miles down.. 35 hrs elapsed..

Not really much to say about the next bit.. It was just hard as usual, the temperature was rising but not to the same extent as the previous day.. Had a moment at the top of the Loch sitting on the tree stump - I always do - and looking down where we had just come from... Stopped this time to sign the Dario book and then took down our sign from the Doune Bothie door .. Gary and Lee past us here, going really well.. I asked Lee if when we had seen then 8 miles previous if he was just being a soft girly blouse who wanted to have a cry and with a huge smile he said "Yes that just about sums it up.. " they really looked like different runners.. (As it turns out they did not finish, pulling out at Glencoe, but I bet they will be back)

As always it was dragging between the Loch and Beinglas, it is always longer than it should be .. The temperature was rising and once again we were conscious of the time pressure.. We were running about 15-16 min miles, but we knew we needed to keep this pace to get to Auchtertyre by 16:30..

Just out of Beinglas we came across 2 of my favorite most top ladies, Mags and Fiona.. They were travelling really well and looked really comfortable.. Great to see Mags enjoying her running .. We past them going through the last trees, but they would both pass us on the way out and we would not see them till the prize giving ceremony.. Kristin was there at Beinglas, cold coke, food and the warmest of smiles that just gave me a real boost..

Did not stop that long.. The heat was now really getting up again and we needed to keep on the pace.. Coming through Derrydarroch again, where only 26 hours and 112 miles before I had had my swim was a great boost.. Then it was up and over the hills.. So so dry, even in the cow shit path that is usually muddy and crappy. The hills behind Crianlarich were crap as usual.. Really really hot but plugging away.. My feet were really getting sore at this point, just busted. At St Fillans, less than a mile from Auchtertyre and with the cutoff time no longer an issues I stopped under the bridge for another swim.. Ahhh bliss, just lying in the water with my feet soaking for 5 mins ..

Hit Auchtertyre after 14:15 running time (3:15 PM ) where a lovely lady looked at my blisters, popped a few and bandaged my feet.. Then I went around and my finishing crew of Gaz, Merv and Kristin.. Gaz and Merv have now run 4 or 5 times with me, with them at my side, and with Kristin with me for the next 10 miles, I was on the homeward stretch.. Sure I had 40 miles to go, but with friends you can do anything..

Kristin gave me a bit of a leg massage, Gaz and merv got me food and stuff ready.. Despite my swim I was feeling pretty knackered and I know for the next 10 miles or so I was having a bit of a sook.. George was ready much before me and running from Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy I know I was holding him back.. Not that I was going to stop, its just at this bit George was stronger.. I had Kristin running with me, and it was just tops.. She is great company and we talked about her trip to Africa and climb up Killy of only a few weeks previous..

It really was a cracking arvo, its just we were knackered..





Got to BOO (129 miles total) after 17:29 elapsed (total 43:30 hrs) and I was really toiling... Once again, I was slow to get going.. By this stage we were trying to find out who had won the race. We knew that our hero Richie was in the lead, but that there was a well credentialled American hot on his trail.. We had been crossing our fingers all the way and sending good thoughts to the North.. We asked Sean and both screamed with joy and jumped up and down when we found out that Richie had done it.. Without diminishing from any previous winner, we knew just how much he had wanted this, and just how hard he had worked to get it .. Bloody sensational.. You can read his report here..

It gave us such a boost so after trying to sort my back out we cracked on up the hill... Krusty would be leaving me at Victoria Bridge, so away we went.. I love BOO, having stayed there with my mates from Aus in 2007, and climbing the hill one morning with my mate Rup. As we approached the top this time, there was a familiar looking Saltire flying high and proud.. there is of course only one man who flies such a flag at Ultra events in Scotland, my good mate - Murdo the Magnificent.. A jelly baby and and a kick in the arse and away we went


At Vic Bridge I was still toiling and the midges were getting up, so we did not tarry that long. From here until Kinlochleven I would have the company of my mate Merv. He has joined me 3 times previously at Kingshouse, and did that and also part of the Great Glen with me last year. In 2007, when I was on my best pace, I actually had to leave him at the botrom of the Devils as he had been recovering from a flu and still had come up to run with me .. Having run 4 times, he said this time would be his last, so wanted to come across Rannoch Moor with me ..

And Scotland turned it on.. Rannoch Moor is just sooo sensational at all times, whatever the weather, you have open open miles, and hills around and clear coutry and nothing but everything.. And we had the closing of a clear blue day, high lenticular clouds and the open vista that is beauty defined.. And we started running.. There are lots of ups and downs and we found a down, and found our feet, all 6 of us (George had his crew) and we got a pace on.. Not super fast but a run it was... And on the ups we walked and talked, and Merv (who amongst other things has a Geography degree) told me about the landscape and how the little bumps are remains of what the glacier had dumped, and we ran along in the closing of the day and 140 miles in the glorious sunshine, just a few folks out for a run in the wonder that is Scotland. To experience an afternoon like that, in the company of such great people is the reason I do these things..

coming off the moor as the sun dipped and the white oasis that is Kingshouse beckoned the temperature started to drop. I knoew this was on its way and combined with fatigue it made us want to get to Glencoe and into our warms.. Gaz was waiting for us there and immediately the machine clioked into place.. Clothes, drink and food appeared and as I sat in my seat I was warming up.. Had a lovely meal of heated up tomato soup and Waitrose risotto.. So easy to eat and full of goodness.

We rug up and I get George a pair of tracksters, it is cooling down and with the tiredness we are liable to get cold.. Make it through Kingshouse at a walk.. Was taking me a while to get going.. We have done 140 miles, only 23 to go.. Piece of piss.. The the really shitty bit to Altnafaed which I hate.. Plodding ok.. Merv in good form, George travelling well. Then we hit teh bottom of the devils and explode.. We caned it, absolutely kicked the shit out of it .. It was bloody sensational.. I had Merv on my tail, and U was thinking I would lose him, but puffing a bit we topped out in less than 15 mins.. Motoring.. If that is the last time I go up the Devils with Mervyn Jones, then I am so glad we had a belter..

Got to the top, where we met Ian King.. He was sitting down and I was really worried for him.. He should have been hours in front of us.. But then when I spoke to him and he said "Leg is knackered, but I am going to finish it ." I knew he was ok.. there was absolutely no way that he was nor going to finish it.

But it was with real relief that we hit the forestry track and eventually made it to Kinlochlevem... There awaiting us was my mate Gaz and the lovely Neil and Caroline manning the KLL Checkpoint. Took us a moment to find the new place, but what a great spot... Gaz had everything ready, hot drink, food etc .. George had a pint of guiness whilst I laid on the floor scoffing fruit from a cup, muller rice and a coffee....

Back was giving me a bit of gyp, and was getting a bit knackered but we laughed about the trip up the Devils... It was great to see Neil and Caroline both family .. Neil is in the Navy now so spends his time underwater, not sure if he can run there, but it would not surprise me ..

Said goodbye to Merv, what a cracking run.. Then off we went. Had the chat about the run in, we were now in getting home mode. We would just get it done.. No need to beast the KLL hill, just crack on ..No sprint finish.. Left Kll at 2:23 - 50 hours from start time.. 150 miles done

Great trip in, really can't remember a lot, know that me and Gaz chatted a lot, the sun came up, we put one foot in front of the other.. We ate, we chatted, George with his crew, me with Gaz, just bringing it home.. Middle or Lairig Mor, in the morning light as the 3rd day dawned on us.. Just walking, thinking, stretching my back on the grass, seeing white Unicorns up against rocks, or are they rocks, not thats a sheep in a tutu, Gaz, can you see it, whats that .. One foot in front of eachother, Lundavra arrives, hidden and then there, the smoke from the fire waiting for us and keeping the midges at bay.. A wee break, saw Lorna, Ians lovely wife and she said he was cracking on... Then one foot in front of the other, up the hill, along, through to the Dear Gate, a 400 foot wooden style encrusted with broken glass and gun emplacements (well thats what the *&(&*()er feels like !) and along, one foot in front of the other, the closing in of all sound as the body shuts down all processing that it does not need. The dawn becomes an echo at the bottom of a fishbowl, fatigue..

And one foot in front of the other, through the forest.. And the dark again until the light and the expectation of the finish that is just down this little hill, oh you can see the lights, but no its 3 miles.. at least, and quads are aching, we remember the pace of the ascent 53 hours previous.. I hate it so start running out of the forest, this is my sprint finish.. As come down the forrestry track (with the extra special big stones.. ) I shout back up to George telling him I need to get off this hill.. And we run, jog, walk, putting one foot in front of the other, each step another one closer. Braveheart finally appears, as does Merv... Gaz just talking, keeping me going, just being there like the great mate he is .. I stretch again (what a &*()&(ing show pony), and tben we are off, on the tarmac..

The road, as ever, drags.... But following the mantra we plod on.. And then we are at the 30 mile sign, the B&B, the roundabout... As we approach the Nevis Bank, where my bed awaits, I say to George "Lets finish it " ... And so we run in.. Just 2 blokes doing about 3 miles an hour, strolling in.

Emotions overwhelming, pain a forgotten friend
Mates, friends, family, got us there
and would not let us stop
and so we did not
a succcess delayed
but a success, nevertheless
2 blokes
went a run
had fun







163 miles, 56hrs 05 mins..

Thanks to all who ran, walked, kicked, fed, checked us in, laid out the course, was there, we ran beside, or behind.. To those who sponsored and supported in time or deed.. If you want to sponsor me, you still can click on the link..

Thanks to our families and friends ..

To a friend
Old or not yet known
Never forgotten
we share a time
that we never replace
nor want to

I've got a Whinjury

I've got a whinjury
Or a whinging injury
It comes from the mind
and the body saying no more
here is the excuse
this is the reason
to stop
put the feet up
drink beer
don't run, it hurts
its in my ankle
oh it is sore
I can run no more
just run in 2 days
or maybe 4
or bugger it
take the month off

but then I go out
Whinjury be dammed
funny it doesn't hurt as much
when the miles pile on
and my mind says thats better
Sure it is sore a bit
but the running feels great

Still got a whinjury
it is lurking in the background..
and ready to strike
if I let it..


(Still got to do my race report !)

A brief Interlude

So how did I find myself in a hotel in Milngavie, next to a snoring 50 something y.o bloke, trying to get a kip after running 68 miles before starting a 95 mile ultra marathon..

So take us back a little less than a year, when I went to the Post WHW barby at Ian Beatties house.. I walk in and there is this mad bloke who does a semi arms aloft praise you sort of thing and tells me what a great effort my little run to Inverness was and how I was a legend or some such words.. And then he says "So whats next, is it the double"..

Now having just run 168 miles the week before, I guess thinking about doing a 190 mile run was not on the top of my priority list (beer was !) but I had thought about it .. I think about a lot of things .. I tend to think about things then work it out in my head, then talk to a few people and go and do it.. I said to George that I needed a year off after the WHW / Great Glen, but it would be an interesting challenge..

Roll forward a few months. My personal situation has changed significantly, I am living by myself, it is the new year, our very beloved friend has passed away and so I am thinking of not taking a year off, but having a crack at a PB for the WHW. I have had a great winter so far in the snow, am feeling strong after June and reckon I could do ok to get inside 23:12.

George puts a post on the WHW Forum to the effect "I have solved the problem of transport back from Ft William after the race.. Leave your car there, run to the start and then do the return journey " ..

I replied "Interesting"

George goes and does the Way Highland West, me and a few of the gang are out for a wee jolly from Kingshouse to Lairig Mor, meet him in Kinlochlevem and see him on his way south in the dark and the cold and the snow for a cracking 27 hr run..

A few weeks later I was in Aus for my nieces wedding and I sent George an email laying my cards on the table and asking him if he was up for it.. He replied that he was keen to do it but had a few things he needed to sort out first..

And it built from there. March / April we decided to go for it, we both had the same idea about going South then North, agreed on the timescales for the Southern leg.. I said that I would like to keep it a secret as I don't really like all the expectation of these things.. So we sort of agreed that we would just keep it quiet and go and do it..

Then Jez comes up to me at the Fling and says "So I hear that you are planning a little bit of an extra run..." Apparently he was sitting next to some bloke in a restaurant in Milngavie the night before the fling who was drinking Zambucca shots who said he was going to do the double with some Australian bloke..

So what followed was one of the worst kept secrets.. Oh well.. We actually had never ran together before, George is a bit quicker than me and we had never really hooked up on a training run.. Until the Cateran Trail when I spent a cracking 14 hrs in the company of George (and 14 *&(^&&*^*(ing frustrating hours in the company of some other bloke !!) .. we got on, we talked, we thought about things.. We agreed on the goal..

George and I are very different runners, he runs lots of miles, I am minimalist in my training.. But the desire is the same. As we waited in the Travelodge in Milngavie I was on the spare couch, he was snoring on the bed. I was a little bit envious that he could sleep and my head was spinning... I had just spent 18 hrs doing the hardest continuous running of my life.. I was relaxing.. We had taken a hit on the big goal.. We were not going to do the double. As I lay there, I kept thinking that maybe we should have cracked on, had a go.. But I knew we had made the right decision..

We had one goal remaining.. A goblet. We had a cracking support team and I knew that me and George were running well together.. He would not stop until the door of the Lochaber Leisure Centre and neither would I..

So what started at a barby 11 months before had changed a little bit, but thats what its about.. Re-assess, focus and crack on..

At the barby I saw Dario for the last time.. He gave me my goblet, as he has done for so many people. I post this picture again in his memory, a year on from his passing.. There are 2 blokes in this picture. One ran a bit, the other made the run and the dreams possible.. Look how happy he is, his joy at the achievements of others was infectious and that is why we will always remember him..

The end of the Start...

So leaving Beinglas we knew we were behind time and needed to make a real push for Milngavie.. I have always found the section to Inversnaid tough, all those boulders and tree roots and tangled path. We pushed on.. Tried to make good pace coming down the top of the Loch.. Now feeling it really warm, it is about 1PM and we have been going for well over 12 hrs. Everything seems to feel fine, we have been keeping the food and the liquids up and topping up with Nuun and really striving to get through the miles...
But try as we might, the pace still slipped.. Ran past the bothy’s and put a message up for Richie on the bothy door “Beetroot Rules “ ... When we finally got to Inversnaid it was looking well behind schedule. Came in and really needed to stop... Had a lime and soda, a pint of cold milk, a 500 ml of nuun and a visit to the gents.. Inversnaid at its best.. People sitting out in the sunshine enjoying the cracking day . We must have looked pretty full on. Got myself under the hose and had a good shower to comments like “Are you a bit hot then mate ?” from the people on the tables. “Aye”
Kept having a crack and was able to run lots of the next section.. Really nice running, 60 odd miles in, up and down the forestry track picking the points to run to.. Oh just get to that tree, that bit of shade, that next little rise. Me and George running separate but in sight at this time. Just running at different paces so both needing to do our own thing.. Still trying to get to Rowardennan still pushing the pace.
We had arranged to meet John Kennedy and the Lovely Karen at Rowardennan.. Due there by 16:30 to give us 8 hrs to make it to the start.. Finally made it in at 17:15 and the questions and reality became apparent. Sat down with John and had a discussion.. Working out that we needed to do a sub 7 27miles to Milngavie to make the start. Then we would need to turn around really quickly and do the same again for the return leg to make the cutoffs.. 4 miles an hour is the pace .. So we needed to work out what was the priority. Was it to do the double regardless , because if so then that would be done. If it was to do the double but keep within all the time limits then that would be challenging.. The early cutoffs mean you need to push on and we just did not want to do it and constantly be worrying about getting cut out.. John and Karen really supportive and offering perspective and support.
I looked at George and we both knew what we wanted. The race was always the priority .. the plan should have changed the previous night, but at that point, sitting in the sunshine and getting eaten by midges, eating a tuna sandwich and drinking soup on the bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomond, we needed to change the plan.. Once the decision was made, it was a weight off both our minds. We would get to Milngavie, to the hotel, regroup and get ready ..
68 miles done, 95 to go.. Body’s strong, mind ready, people to support us, game on ..

Down and Ups - Part 1

So here goes... A week ago this time I was just finishing crossing Rannoch Moor with George, Merv and a few other top folks..

9 days ago me and George and Steve were having a spot of dinner in the little Italian under the Bank St Hostel in Fort William .. I had travelled up from Edinburgh on the 8 AM train, heading to Glasgow and taking the West Highland Way line to Fort William.. Absolutely cracking day, sunshine and warm me sitting by myself trying to collect my thoughts and to be honest bricking myself at the thought of the run ahead.. Great views over Loch Lomond and then leaving Crianlarich, I could see the heat on the ground.. Have never been across Rannoch Moor to the East, what a blast..

Camped out in the Bank Street and managed some sleep.. George in a red g string arrived about 14:00 and we spent the next few hours trying to relax.. Slim chance, but got a few catnaps.. Had a walk and an OJ and a pokey hat, bit more sleep, just passing time.. Thinking and yeah bricking it ..

Still warm

Then we are at the Locaver Leisure Centre, nake a few calls to Aus.. It is 12:01, Shorts and T-Shirt, we start...
Early pace good to Braveheart Carpark (passing a bloke looking for the start of Ben Nevis ) then a good walk up the hill in about 40 mins or so .. Coming out of the forest I had my first fall, landing nicely on my knees and hitting my shoulder (nice bruise now ) Ok to Lundavra, lots of frogs. all soaking up the heat.. Lairig Moor was hard as usual, even on fresh legs it is a tough slog with all the rocks... Made good time to KLL where Steve net us, along with about a quadrillion billion of the locals.. My word they were thick.. Getting a juice from the car I thought I was going to be eaten alive so glad to get back on the road again.. The climb up to the Devils saw the sky becoming claer and the mounains all coming into view.. A pink tinge to the sky that cleared rapidly.. Topped out at the Devils, Rannoch and the south waiting expectently at our feet..

Making some good pace in the early light, just plodding along until the turn of the corner and the Kingshouse comes into view.. Ran through and then met Steve at Blackrock Cottage where we fueled up, dropped kit and went on our way.. Up the hill to the new checkpoint, then up and over. Shorts and t shirts, must have been about 16c and 6 ish in the morn ??

Rannoch flew past, walking the hills, finding the path, the gaps, running the downs, Ba Bridge, chatting some more .. Is this where we stop, nope its the next set of trees... Coming down past the last woodland, my left foot dug in and over I went .. Was not travelling particularlu fast, but was running and I went in quite hard.. Scuffed hands, blood..

Steve met us in Vic Bridge where we dumped kit for the short trip over the hill to BOO.. Really starting to warm up but we had been drinking plenty and both of us topping up with Nuun.. More food at BOO, check of the time and we were down so knew we had to make a push for Tyndrum.. Really started noticing the heat at the farm, but good running being had, light packs, doing ok. Still keeping better than 4s but knowing what was ahead, pace becoming a little niggle.. Made Brodies about 10 mins down on 24 hr pace so not too bad... Pot noodles, milk, juice and muller rice for ne ..

Leaving Tyndrum, along the river I heard the train and turning my head to it, walking along I twisted my ankle, the same one that I had twisted at the Fling.. And it hurt.. Bad.. George was hehind me and he went "Ow ".. So what followed was 8 miles of real pain.. Trying to run, not able to, knowing we had to make time, knowing that my pace now back to less that 4 miles / hr .. Really worrying that I would not be able to make it .. Through Auchtertyre tried to make some running but no joy.. George put some of his red g string stuff on my ankle which sorted it out a bit, still a bit flat..

Hills of Crianlarich were challending, with the heat really starting to get up, the sun beating down on my floppy hat, George just putting one foot in front of the other.. Up and down, like my mood and doubts starting to creep in.. Steve met us at Carmyle, had a drink then we were on our way.. I told George I would need to have a swim at Derrydarroch..

Oh the soothing waters of Derrydarroch
Your cooling embrace
returned my state of grace
eased my limbs and my mind
gave me focus
and release..

Climbed over the fence a bloke having a bit of a sook.. George had gone on.. When I came out of the waters, I started walking and shouting .. Loud.. Rude words, questions, what did you want to do this for, DID YOU NOT THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE HARD ?? YOU *&^&*&(%^ GET THE 6$^&$^&*(&^$%£ AND TTFU..

Caught up with George, running.. Hard hot yards ahead, Beinglas could not come soon enough.. An ice cold coke and Steve the man..

More later ..

Recovery and thinking

Back to reality with a thump this week, work on Tuesday which has been interesting and pretty full on but never a dull moment.. Been hobbling a bit with some cracking blisters - photos later :-).. Also noticed my bruised left shoulder from where I fell between Nevis Forest and Lundavra on the first night .. Starting to sink in what happened last weekend .. All good.. Been sitting at work with my feet in a tub of water.. very professional...

Thanks to all who have donated, it will be open for a month or so yet.. Hopefully over the next couple of days I can start on a proper update on last weekend, but being hampered by lack of internet at my flat - this being done at the girls house.. Might have to write a pamphlet :-)

George - strong as a goat, what a machine :-)

Run on Friday .. You know you are having to work when you can drink a sports drink, a pint of milk and a can of coke in under 2 mins.. Coming down from Beiglas to Inversnaid we were pushing as hard as we could but making no headway.. Cracking stuff

Status update

Did not get a chance to update over the last couple of days.. here is a quick summary - full run report to follow - and you know how long they take to write (and read !!)

Me and George left Fort William as per plan on Friday 18th at 00:01 AM. Very warm - shorts and t-shirts.. Ran 68 mile taper run to Rowardennan in 17:15, in the hottest conditions I have ever run distance in. Have never had to work so hard for miles in all my time running so when we got there we made the decision to cut short the run as we would be close to missing the start time for the WHW and hence making the cutoffs on the return journey that little bit too tricky..

Crashed at hotel for 3 hrs, change, then start again. Did the 95 miles back up the way in about 29 or 30 hours .. 163 miles total in about 53 hours ..

Sensational running with George, just so strong and awesome .. We had the best support from our crews who made this all possible and all the rest of the WHW family really spurred us on ...

Full report to follow, but right now I think a little sleep is needed !!

Leave it out

Leave it out there
on the track
no turning around
or looking back to the place
where you should have put in
instead of giving in

Leave it out there
Go that little bit further
when all is dark and thoughts are black
start again from the beginnning
just start
don't finish
until the end

Leave it out THERE
Don't bring it back with you
to ask you questions and plague the mind
in times to come.
Adjust, change your goals as time or circumstances dictate
But go forward..
always forward
then
Rest and drink beer !

2 weeks and counting !

A niggle in my left ankle since the fling and a hammy strain that won't go away.. Not running much, just saving myself but at the same time feeling guilty for not running.. Still mad at work which is a real distraction.. and feel really nervous.. thinking ALL the time !

Just the usual run down in the final 2 weeks.. I should be used to it by now.. Have done more training this year and am probably in the best shape I have ever been, so why do I feel like I do ... I reckon the mind tells the body that it is stupid to be trying this sort of stuff again and sends little signals to convince it that it should not .... Just as well I am bi-polar or schizo or something coz the other bit of my mind is lifted up whenever I think about getting up to Derrydarroch, or passing Brodies store or coming down into Kingshouse or that long awaited beer in Fort William..

So roll on 18th June .. Let me have that arvo nervous nap to get some last sleep.. Let me start the run and leave the work and the niggles and the dodgy hammy behind me.. Let me enjoy the company of some old friends and make some new ones.. Help me keep it together as I come into Rowardennan where I will have my porridge but will be missing that bloke in the midgie net and the garish fluro jacket ..

Bring it on !!

Lots of Reflection

I have been reading a lot of other peoples blogs and facebook notes etc and there seems to be quite a bit of nerves, angst, questioning, niggles, pain, motivational mojo missing and general malaise..

Only natural I reckon, we spend so much of our year shaping ourselves to spend a few heartbeats on a 10 m wide, 95 mile corridor in the west of Scotland that the reality of the focus becomes a little intense and the questions come out .. Physical and mental, emotional ..

It is a long road to the start..

So a slight interlude..

How the fuck can 2 blokes who are supposed to be sweeping a 55 mile run in perfect conditions lose the last runner in the race ? Waiting on a stile 350m and a short downhill to the next checkpoint I said to George "Should we wait " "Nahh, it's just downhill, he is just there, we'll go and get a bit of a blether " .. Downhill, past the THREE BIG RED ARROWS POINTING TO THE CHECKPOINT and what we thought would be 10 mins break .. Skip forward 45 mins, phonecalls, Sean out in his car.. Luckily some random folks came past in their car and asked if we had seen a lady walking a dog .. We countered with "Have you seen a short moustachioed bloke wearing shorts and joggers ".. "No.." ... They brought Ray back 10 mins later.. From 3 mile away.. WTF ???? .. 10 miles later..Kirkmichael "Ray, end of the road (20m away) turn RIGHT, then take next LEFT .. Ray goes to the T juntion and turns LEFT "YOUR OTHER RIGHT RAY ! " Bloody funny bloke.. What a great day - 55 miles of cracking weather, views and company ..

Anyway that's it .. Just been watching a Neil Young Doco - he is the Man !!

"Don't let it bring you down, Its only castles burning, find someone who is turning and you will come around "

I've been thinking

In 42 days and 90 mins me and a few other folks will leave Milngavie on a little 95 mile adventure... This will be my 6th time, and I reckon I feel as good at this stage as I ever have. Have a little niggly ankle from the Fling the other week, and my hammy is sore as ever but reckon I will be ok...

So I find myself now thinking .. A lot .. A run up a hill makes me think of the one at 61 miles at Bridge of Orchy, a slight incline the gentle but definite rise up off Rannoch Moor, stairs at work I take, they are the Devils, cobbles and rocks underneath my feet I seek , they are Lairig Moor..

And I keep thinking, isolating the bits of the Way, the tree roots, Darios book, the bothies, the ups and downs, how did I feel this time last year there, what am I going to eat, ahh that where I was running with Eric, or Alyson.. Shit I felt crap there, ahh Carmyle where Mike was waiting for me .. Still thinking and visualising .. I need to get rid of this niggle sure, but I am thinking, the long 13 miles from Kinlochleven, Lundavra and the fire, the forest, the ache of the hill down and the last 2 miles, and the door and the end and goblet number 6..

I am just thinking at the moment, and running, but every run now wherever it is, is another step on the way .. Every day walking into work, each step is another step closer.. It sure is tiring this thinking, can't wait to start the running bit.. But thinking is important, it helps in the doing when your mind is telling you that the Devils is just the stairs at work, the rocks that don't budge are the cobbles on the way to your front door and the door at the end is yours to open as long as you think you can ..

A bloody impressive run

So along with a lot of WHW Family and some new friends I ran the Highland Fling at the weekend. That is the subject of a different post. I feel privileged to know Rachel who ran the London Marathon at the weekend. She is my mate Mikes sister in law and this is a post for her..

Rachel had run a marathon a few years back and did a good honest time, no world beater sure, but an achievement like all marathons are. In 2007 Rachel and her husband David were pregnant with twins. However, Rachel went into labour at 23 weeks. They lost the little boy, Finlay, but Eilidh (who was 1lb when she was born!) was a wee fighter and is now a happy and healthy 2 and a half year old. However, because she was so early, her eyesight was damaged and, despite numerous operations when she was only months old, she's completely blind in one eye and only sees partially out of the other.

So like so many people Rachel ran in London at the weekend for her chosen charity LOOK which helps and supports visually impaired children and their families. Only for Rachel it was a little bit more than just another marathon. Less than a year ago Rachel had open heart surgery. She crossed the line yesterday in a little over 6 hours - "a little bit disappointed because she had to walk a bit "

A bloody impressive run...

Some of us can wonder why
and moan and cry
about the path our life has taken
then there are those that just crack on
do what they do
lest a moment be forsaken..

http://www.justgiving.com/racheljohnstone1

33 x 3 + 33

It was all about the numbers... At the start of March I went back on my pre WHW race sabatical and gave up beer, wine and all things alcoholic.. I also thought I would get a bit of running in and put myself in some sort of shape for the efforts of the next few months.. And there was the little matter of unfinished business from the attempted Marcothon of December.. You know, the running every day (at least 3 miles ) for a month .. I gor to 22 in December when a combination of a couple of slight tumbles and some sort of attack of the frilly blouse stopped me in my tracks..

It is a lot easier in March, but even so, getting in 31 x 3 mile runs requires a little bit of focus .. But in the last 6 weeks I watched "Running the Sahara" about 3 blokes running 8000 miles across the Sahara (117 days, non stop), Eddy Izzard (a tubby British transvestite comedian ) doing 43 marathons the length of Britain in 7 weeks, or William Sichel running 1609 times around a 1k track in Athens in 13 days to come 2nd in the World 1000 mile race (not bad for a 53 y.o bloke ), so it was not really that much of an effort..

So anyway, 31 x 3 mile runs (minimum ) is what I did .. With a couple of decent ones in there as well. A nice 18 miler up in the Pentlands in the last of the snow (so we thought) with Norman and a cracking 36 miler from Balmaha to Beinglas and back again on a glorious March spring day which topped off a 75 mile week.. Then back to the grind of getting up at 6:15 to get in a run before work...

So some things that I learnt from running every day even for a month.. It is a good mental challenge but it does become a bit of a grind just to tick off a run for the sake of putting a 1 in a diary.. And even with just a short run, you need to give yourself a day off to let niggles go away and the body and mind to relax.. Well at least for me.. But the routine is great and it definitely has given me a good base for the next couple of months.

So I got to 28 , clocks have gone forward, ya beauty !! Easy street now, until winter had its last (???) stab ... Sleet, rain, torrential downpours, floods on the Water of Leith.. Went out on Tuesday with Adrian and made our way up the Water of Leith, except the W.O.L was coming down on us - knee deep and hoarsing it down the path.. And another nice dunping of snow on the Pentlands .. But made it to 31 so job done.. Until I worked out that another 2 would bring me up to 33, and I had a little matter of ther D33 on the day after.. So I did them too..

The D33side way (http://deesidewayultra.webnode.com/) is a cracker.. A tenner to enter, cake, beer, jam sandwiches and a choccy medal at the finish.. Great company and very very flat which is not really to my liking (I need hills to walk on and stretch my legs ) but a great day out.. I ran ok for me, 2:34 for the half way, finished in 5:18 so pretty happy with that .. Grant Jeans won it in a sensational 3:34... When he passed me (it is an out and back course ) he was going like someone doing a 5k.. Really impressive..

Today I had a day off, even though I worked out that another 19 runs would bring me to 53 runs in a row.. Which is a nice number before doing a little 53 miler in 20 days time.. Tomorrow some stretches, and I might not run as well...

All change

So went to Aus, came back.. Had an absolutly cracking time but of course it seems so long ago, even though it was only 3 weeks ago today that I was on the beach having my last run, swim with the girls, a chat to my mate, put my best boy to rest on the sands he and we loved so much and then a bomber of EB to finish the trip and the long but fun travel back home.

It seemed to have been such a short time but so much done. Caught up with mates, spent time with Mum and Dad and my big Sis, had a run or 2, and best of all had time with just me and the girls, what a hoot, sleeping in the same room, chatting away, go to sleep, yeah but Dad, What ? go to sleep, looking at stars on the beach and just chilling being we 3

Back to home, to the cold but brilliant sunshine and the hills gleaming, back to my empty flat and the reality and the quiet too much, back to my work of 6 years but only for a week till the end of that without a card or even much of a goodbye but lots of good memories and a few beers and some friends, the last weekend of February and some cracking runs, a wine or 2 then goodbye to that too..

2 days looking, till the Yes that I was waiting for, then 3 days off, some runs, a brekky and driving a big digger at my mates, new job awaits, new challenge and a kick in the arse of comfort and complacency and some more runs and stretches a canal and some sunshine running and bright and starting again as is my world at the moment so lets see how it goes, all change and thats 4 weeks..

It IS all about the beach - A Very Special Day in Aus..

So this morning I was due to leave my sister Karens house and go further south for 2 nights.. But then my middle niece (and most closest in age to my darlings ) had another day off.. So we went down to the beach with the girls winging all the way about how cold it was (+28C) and how they didn't want a swim..

After a little 5 k trot on the totally empty beach, including a k or so with my nephew Hayden, we decided that we would stay another night... And then we went for a swim... Not really much else to say except what followed was about an hour of pure bliss and a day that I will never forget..

Some days like time
can pass with a frequency and familiarity
that only leaves the ticking of the clock
in your soul

Some days will shine in the now
and the future
and will always be the perfect day
and yes they may only be 1 or 3
but when they are at the end
it is not with sadness that we sleep
or for their brevity that we weep
but we rejoice for all they were
and we remember for time
and be happy
until the next we meet...

For my big sis Karen, her great husband Glenn, Hayden, Rosie... Thanks for a great few days - Uncle Keith, Kirsty and Caroline.

It's not just about beaches

Yesterday had a top day with Sis, the girls and my niece and nephew... Went down to see the dolphins but they did not come in... We then went for a little drive in the country.. Ended up in the very picturesque Fergusson Valley, just past Dardanup... Bit of a twilight zone moment, ended up in Gnome Town.. Not sure of the population - but at least in the 100's.. Enjoy

Beach Runs 2 and 3

So a week on from my last run out to Cramond I am having another little trot to the beach.. Instead of the glorious panorama of East Scotland and the Firth of Forth, I have Point Peron, near Rockingham Perth.. Cracking run with my mate Kingy. From 2C to 24c ...


Wedding was sensational ... Bit of dancing, a few beers, some tears and everyone having a great time.. The bride of course looked absolutely gorgeous..

And then down to my Sister Karens house.. She lives about 150 k south of Perth, just outside of Bunbury .. We are staying here for a couple of days... Barby last night, a few beers, a bottle of 2001 Amberley Estate Cab Merlot.. Then up this morning, just me and 10 k of open beach... I am still buzzing from the swim afterwards, needed the run to get rid of the beers...

Cheers all

1st for the year, No Answers here...

So I have not written this year, but have been busy getting back into the way of Zen and work and all of that.. A lot of excess in the festive period for me, combined with some running and playing with my girls and stuff, but still a lot of drinking and running amok... So as per usual, with the beginning of the new year, I put all of that behind me and give it all up until I get to the Lochaber Leisure Centre in Fort William.. Only this year it is slightly different as I am going to Aus for my nieces wedding in 12 days time.. So I reckon there might be a few Emu Bitters and a Cab Sav or 2 awaiting me .. Will just have to work a little bit harder when I come back..

The weather has been a belter, great snow which made running great on the most part.. Really enjoyed running along on the crisp white stuff.. It's all gone now of course, but I did manage 4 or 5 middle to longish runs in the deep snow which were belters. Tuesday this week I went out with Ian, Adrian and Norm for our regular run... coming down the road off Arthurs seat with nothing to skid on was absolutely cracking, the benefits of the last few weeks were evident..

I had the great privilege to give a bit of a chat at the WHW Inspiration and Training night on Wed night.. I really enjoyed the speakers, esp the Q&A session at the end and Dave Wallace at the start.. What a guy, 5 times winner in the 80's and a man with a single minded commitment to not only competing but winning.. Even now at the age of 59 you could see the fire that burned, and I reckon there were only 2 or 3 people in the room that would have been able to take him on.. Amazing stuff and so far removed from my mindset that I found it so interesting.. I enjoyed giving my talk, even if afterwards I thought of all the things I couldve shouldve wouldve said but I guess having an Aussie accent and putting in a few expletives is guaranteed to get a laugh or 2...

But I have often thought that there is maybe too much information out there which can confuse and conflict so it is always wise to take everything with a grain or bucket of salt.. None of the early runners or even the best of the latter runners had a book on what to do, they just worked it out for themselves, made mistakes, ran like buggery and tried again.. I recently spoke to Jez and he said something about a "competitor" in the Western States who used very liberal interpretations of the rules to gain every possible advantage... So each year they change the rules... I guess the point is that no matter what food, training, gel, shoe, legging, hydration pack or whatever you use, you still have to run a fuck of a long way, so ultimately you have to work out what is best for you and there is no-one who can give you the answer...

Just back from my Tuesday run .. Tops.. But that followed on from a great weekend of running ... Bloody hell it was tops....Saturday me, Norman and Carrie left Edinburgh at 6AM, picking up Ian King on the way and getting to the Green Wellie not much after 8:00.. A little bit early for the 9:30 start, but we had allowed extra time in case of bad roads.. Ian B met us there and off we went, meeting up with Jamie at Kingshouse.. What followed was 8 and 1/2 hours of pute brilliance.. A little icy to start going up to the Devils and I had the first fall (but landed well I must say !) ... The path up the Devils was cracking, and the views from the top... Well see for yourself



Slippy down the other side, but we made it down to Kinlochleven to meet George, Karen, Mark, Flip and Dino on their way south. - George the bloody legend in shorts on his way to doing the full 95 miles. We did just a little marathon, and finished coming down the Devils in a great hurry, skipping down through the now softened snow which SOOOO good.. Then a run on the Sunday with Dave Waterman and Lee - only the 2nd or 3rd time we have shared running time together.. Gotta love it when a Fireman comes to your house and you get an impromptu fire inspection..

Bugger me, started this 2 weeks ago and still have not finished it.. Final run in Scotland for the next 3 weeks - leave on Wed.. Reckon I can cope with the 30C temperature diferential ?

This morning went out with Carrie - Norman having called off because the drunken bum spent a night on the piss.. So he missed out on a run along the Water of Leith to Roseburn, along to Costorphine Hill as the morning sun started breaking through the low sky.. As we went along the ridge, the sun pierced the trees and it was just magical. Down and across Queensferry Rd, onto the path behind Royal High to Barnton and then onto the River Almond down to Cramond.. The river was flowing quite strong, a Heron having a great early morning fish.. The running top, nice chat just trundling along at 8 and 1/2 min miles.. We got to Cramond and the tide was all the way out so I asked Carrie if she wanted to go out to the island.. Which we did, running along the Causeway to the hill on the island. Standing there at 9:15AM on a Sunday morning with piercing blue sky we had a full 360 Panarama of Eastern Scotland. All the way down the Forth to Bass Rock in Nth Berwick, around to Arthurs Seat, the Castle and then the Pentlands. Panning North to the Forth Bridges, the snow covered tops of the Ochils and the view over to Fife... It doesn't get much better than that for a start to the day, or a finish to a month at the start of the year ..

Go well .. Am off to drink beer and catch up with family and mates, and be Uncle Keith, and maybe have a run or 2.. And a swim ... and maybe a glass of red wine.. and a swim.. and a beer .. ooohh better have a barby ! Cheers - KH