Some like it wet..

Some
Like it wet..
A race to never forget or
Look back down the track with a
Single regret of what could or might
Have been

For me anyway.. Always room for improvement, but I reckon the 2011 WHW Race was for me anyway, run in the most ideal conditions for running long distances over a few hills..
Coming in I reckon my preparation was as good as at any other time if not a little better. Had not done the bigger mileages of the previous years but they had all added to a cumulative leg strength that I had never had before. Last big run was sweeping the Cateran in about 14hrs.. When me and SaTAN were coming up the last hill in the pishing rain after 53 miles of strolling I knew that I was ok for the big run..
Even managed a really good sleep on the Thursday night of the race...
Matt picked me up from the house about 9:30 and we headed West... As we reached Grangemouth the rain started tipping it down and I put my head below the dashboard and said to Matt “Tell me when it has gone away”. The whole western sky was obscured by dark black clouds the likes of which have not been seen since the closing days of Mordor... As we headed through Kilsyth, Lennoxtown and Blanefield things eased a bit and with some Iggy Pop and the Stooges http://youtu.be/BJIqnXTqg8I “Now I wanna be your dog’ on the tunes it was all systems go..

The start was the usual buzz as 3 or 400 people all descend on a little train station in the west of Scotland just to start a little adventure for a day or 2.. It really is a special place to be, so many friends, old and new, and some unknown as yet to you or still to be.. Reckon I spoke to a few people and had a bit of banter.. Norm was in good form, The Twins were as sensational as ever, Jamie toeing the line with some trepidation but up for it, and my Pirate Mate his usual understated self...The Rayster looked as solid as always.. Seemed to be a lot of video cameras ..

Carrie and Jamie - getting ready for 2012





Martin Hooper the Paratrooper(just back from a sandy place and great to see him it is too), Dave, Some Aussie bloke and the sensational Matt..


And then we were off... Started off slowly as usual, spoke to Ellen, Allyson, Pauline and Fiona , all doing their 7th or more race.. Great speaking to the virgins.. Spoke to the sensational Pete and listened to him evangelicise his mantra for a sub 20.. He was a man on a mission... Was dressed in shorts as the night was mild and the weather not too wet..
Got into a bit of a steady groove and was running to schedule. Ground underfoot was wet, but not as bad as it can be especially leading up to the Beech Tree at about 7 miles.. Clocked through there bang on time, was running with a good gang.. As always in the pitch dark you really don’t get to see who you are running with until about 2 or so hours in .. Perfect conditions though, no rain, cool skies.. Got to Drymen after about 2:20 or something.. I had a look at my timings and said to the guys
“Oh thats good, am bang on schedule”
“What time are you going for “
“16hrs ..
“Gasps...
“Nahh just kidding 22 or so 
Didn’t stop, great to see all the support teams clapping and saying gday.. Had a good run up the hill, to the Gardabhan forest.. The last time I had run this bit was about 3 weeks previous when Ian, Sandra, John K, Marco, Richie, Caroline, Katrina , Neil and a couple of others came out here leaving Milngavie at 11:00.. That time there were fallen trees (LOTS !!) over the track which made a 1k section an obstacle course of epic proportions.. I did not make my way up Conic that night, finding myself a little lost in the forest (ok I have only run down this bit at least 15 or so times...) at about 2:30 in the morn .. What a great night !
Anyway had a good run up to the open plain before Conic and then up it we went.. Quite a bit of water coming down, and muddy and the cloud obscuring the usual view up the Loch to the north .. Bloody sensationa.. Was a bit worried about the descent but did not try and emulate Jez and Andrew and Stuart who I saw clattering down this hill at breakneck speed back in the Fling..

I don’t usually stop in Balmaha, but as it was a mandatory checkpoint, Matt was there in position A with my bag and questions as to what I needed. Matt had run with me for a while a couple of years ago as I was running from Gairlochy to Clunes along the Great Glen. Bag and stuff ready discarded top and walked through. Great to see BDTP, the lovely Carrie, Ian Beattie and all the rest of the Marshalls and folks there. Was told Norm was 20 mins ahead of me, thought they were joking.. I
was a few minutes adrift of my pace, but felt relatively ok.



Did not have the best of the next section.. I felt like I needed to stop for a longer duration comfort break and thought the toilets just north of Balmaha would be good, but when I got there it was all busy .. So I decided to crack on.. Was running ok, but not feeling 100% and starting to worry about pace.. Like you really need to do that at mile 20 out of 95..

Was really looking forward to my porridge at Rowardenan, and there it was.. Once again, Matt doing a champion job .. Everything ready, OJ, water, milk .. I had put on my notes that I wanted a honey stinger in my porridge, Matt could did not see the gel packs so had squashed up the jelly baby ones .. Love his work.. The food did the job and I felt a bit better .. 27 miles down ..
Had a good section up the Loch, running with this person and that . Friends old and new.. Feeling pretty strong, the cool weather was just perfect and feeling so much better than in the Fling only 6 weeks previous.. By the time we hit the concrete plinth of joy, I had got back on time.. Was very quick through Inversnaid, but walked through and caught up on texts etc.. Always a great boost to read people telling you to TTFU..

Tummy was still feeling a bit sore, really felt like I should stop but could not for reasons I do not know.. Historically I have always hated this section, the tree roots, the up and down, the logs, the rocks the never running. But I am getting to hate it less and even begin to enjoy it for what it is.. I think it was Thomas the mad Scottish German that first got me to change my mind about it. He had said on some post that he really loved it , it slows everybody down so just soak it up and enjoy it for what it is.. Being so wet, it was a little slippy but the rocks give a little more which makes the going that much easier..
Hit the top of the Loch but did not stop to sign the book.. I know our mate would understand..
To the 3 great friends that put the Dario WHW post up, thank you.. I did stop here for a few moments..
The long 2 miles to Beinglas did drag a bit.. Very weird running along knowing my crew would not be here. I did speak to the owner 2 weeks before and asked him why he did not want runners and approximately 250 customers coming through his door. He was very polite, and we had a good chat but his opinion is that the WHW takes away from his regular customers and it is not worth the hassle.. As I went arrived in the drizzle at 10AM to see a car park with NO CARS I did wonder at this but to each there own.. Not sure how it could be worked out in future..
It was so great to see the very most wonderful Maggs Turnbull here and also Ian B and other friends.. Also I finally caught up with Norm... He had been travelling really well early on but I think was feeling the pace.. 40 miles down.. 53 to go..

We spent some time together for the next few miles, but I lost him just before the lead up to the cow poo promenade.. Was really gutted to find out later he had put his blouse on a few miles later and pulled out.. I cracked on because my need to stop was finally getting to urgent to ignore.. Found a lovely soft place in the hills behind Crianlarich and finally was able to have the stop I needed. Some minutes and 5 kg lighter  I was like a new man..
About this time Michelle came past.. It was great to see her, she was running her 2nd way, the first since the birth of her baby boy last year.. We upped and downed through the hills, passing the time chatting away .. She was looking really strong, and was really hanging out to see her crew and the wee (he’s a bruiser !!) man in Auchtertyre.. I came of the hill feeling really good and was also looking fw to seeing my crew for the first time in 23 miles and about 6 or so hours.. Saw a bloke with a stick here, told him he would need to put it down or he would get binned... the response “It really hurts when I go down hill.” No shit .. He did not finish..
Got to Auchtertyre where Kristin and Gaz were waiting.. The strain of the past few hours had taken its toll and I had a bit of a moment here collecting my emotions for the next stanza..

Gaz is an eternal, supporting me for all 7 of my races.. Kristin has done the last 3 years. Once again, new support crew but the quality the same. Everything ready, food, drink, shirt .. The last time I had seen Gaz was on Hay Street in Perth after Australia s only win in the 2010/11 Ashes series.. I was just a little bit behind time, he told me that he had checked and he was able to run with me to BoO .. Had a bit of a stromash, could not find my weight card.. Had to get Krusty to plead ignorance as we left to go up the road, only to find it in my jacket pocket 200m down the road..

There was a light drizzle so I had put my jacket on.. One of my goals this year was not to have my usual dip in this next section.. I usually hit Tyndrum and struggle to get going for the next bit.. Krusty had met us here to check on supplies.. She had parked right next to the Dave and Lee memorial hall .. Gaz and I barrelled up the hill at a good stroll and then got amongst it.. I started what would prove to be my pace for the next 42 miles. Run, run run, walk .. Always running more than walking, when running was possible.. It was cool to run, and the chat with Gaz was as quality as always.. Usually he kicks my arse from KLL to Fort William but he had to go out to dinner than night so had wanted to do an arvo shift.. If I see him another 2 times this year I would be surprised, but for 10 or so miles and a few hours we chat and catch up and put some of the worlds troubles to right and all is good..

By the time we had hit BoO the rain was getting quite damp, and it was time to put leggings on.. Kristin had everything ready, and i had a bit more food and got ready.. I had not taken off my shoes for 60 miles.. Decided not to change my socks – whats the point I thought ..
Kristin helped me on with my tracksters, telling me that she would have to get use to this with her baby due in a few months.. so I started kicking my feet about and made to pull her hair to make it the full experience  .. We hit the checkpoint with Lord of the Bridge, the wonderful Carrie and the man whose fault it is John Kennedy.. Gaz had done such a great job of kicking my arse that we would need to wait till Vic Bridge till John could run with me..
Going up the hill I had to do a double take as I passed John Kynaston.. I really did not expect to see him, he was not having a good day and was grinding it out to the end.. I was feeling really strong on the hills and just ticked this one off and then had the pleasure of see Murdo the Magnificent and his Saltire at the top .. A kick in the arse and some wise words and I was heading down.. For the first time ever I even managed to run some of the road section to Vic Bridge
John joined me here and after a quick top up with supplies I said cheerio and thanks to Gaz and Kristin and away we went.. John told me that Michellle was just behind me.. There was about 3 or 4 of us within a mile of each other. I managed to pick a few people off, but had to stop for another comfort break so lost one place.. Once again, run run run run, walk.. Really maximising the running and not walking when I could run..
I love Rannoch Moor, the isolation and the memories of some good times and runs here. Each time a bit different.. I was feeling pretty good, running along, chatting with John, him telling me when to crack on, keeping my pace steady, bringing us up to people.. He left me with just as we cleared the last hill with Kingshouse in sight and headed off to get things ready at Glencoe..
Where big Mikey was waiting.. With heated up Risotto, soup, coffee, milk, gels and questions as to what I needed. With a brolly over a full put up table... With a seat, a big smile Once again change of crew, quality the same.. this can only spur you on... People giving up their whole day just so you can do what you enjoy and all you need to do is PUT IN !!
We had a good 15 mins at Glencoe.. As I was leaving Michelle came in, looking pretty beat, but still strong.. By this stage I was about 15 or 30 mins adrift of where I wanted to be for my sub 22 time.. This did not faze me, I knew I was travelling as good as I ever had, and thought I might be able to pick things up in the closing stages... Got to Kingshouse where Johns wife Ann was waiting, great to see her.. We cracked on a bit.. Mikey had come back up the track with the car to see if I needed anything..

Made good time to Altnafaed feeling pretty good then barrelled up the Devils passing about 4 people on the way, including Canadian Neil. We had had lunch on Tuesday, was great to see him travelling so well.


The descent to Kinlochleven was ok, so much easier when you are doing it in the light.. Now this is a bit I do not think I will ever like ..  .. John cracked on again as we hit the bottom of the forestry track which left me to run into KLL .. Which I managed to do, once again for the first time at this stage of the race..
And the quality continued.. Mikey parked straight out the front of the community centre.. Chair in a massive puddle.. “your feet are wet anyway, thought you would appreciate less distance to walk “ – CORRECT ! Saw the lovely Julie who used to be my neighbour in Edinburgh and was marshalling here..
Was not feeling that flash again and had to spend about 15 mins in the toilet. Felt a lot better and ready to go after a bit more food, coffee and a red bull .. After Glencoe this was only my 2nd caffeine in 5 months and it hit me.. In a good way  .. Went up the hill with John talking away and making sure my head was straight for the last stretch. I had only called him up on the Monday before the race as one of my mates had pulled out due to illness at the last minute. I mailed him and within 2 minutes got a reply that he had nothing on that could not be changed and he would come up and run with me as long as needed.. So him and Ann and the dog had driven up.. Pure quality.. We had discussed it going across Rannoch Moor and with the end in sight he was going to head home.. He had 40 miles on the Kintyre way to do the next day and wanted to get a break...
As we climbed up the hill, me burping Red Bull we passed Neil again.. He had got in and out of KLL very quickly and was on a mission.. We finally made it to the top – what a bastard hill it is... John had set me on the way and got my pace just right.. I would need to run a 2:30 half marathon to get under 22 hrs so knew that target was out so the pressure was on to get as far under my previous PB of 23:12 as possible (oh and beat Johns PB at the same time ! )
Going across the Lairig Mor I reeled in 2 people, feeding off them as they slowed on the hills. There was one bloke who I could not close in though .. every time I got to within ½ a mile he would move away .. I did not want to beat him, but I was using his pace to keep me going.. If he slowed on the ups, I would make sure I tried extra hard when I got there.. Great to see the top blokes of the outdoor rescue out there..
Finally got to Lundavra and was feeling good... I had a quick gday and man hug with the legend who is Uncle Duncan Watson and walked through .. Finally caught the bloke who I was chasing , he was sitting down having a bite to eat.. Said gday and told him how strong he was looking and telling him I had a great time chasing him across the moor.. I knew I would see him again shortly..
So 6 miles to go, 21 and a bit hours down .. On pace...No rain, cool, all my faculties.. My goal for this year after the longer runs of the past 2 years was to have a 95 mile speed session.. I knew at this time that I had done what I wanted....
Within 5 mins of me leaving Lundavra I got caught up by the runner I had chased across the last bit .. Donnie Campbell was on his way to Skye, immediately following on from the WHW.. A total of 184 miles that he completed in 48 hours.. I had heard of his challenge so when he told me that he was just taking it easy I said “I have done something like that” .. “Are you Keith” “Yes, its a real pleasure to meet you .. “ We talked a little about fatigue and how to cope with tiredness. A really top bloke, running to raise money for a Skye Cancer Care. I told him I was going for a PB and he said lets run it in together.. I knew within a few minutes that this was not going to be a good thing so told him to crack on as he did not need to be out there a minute longer than he needed to be..
The lack of the forest really threw me, I could not believe I was less than 4 miles from the end of the WHW way and I still did not need my head torch.. I really liked the lack of trees for running in, you can see where you are going and the pain in front of you .. I finally cracked through to the track with a whoop of joy and then I was heading down the hill.. I tried to keep up with Donnie but he was away..
Running running running running, walking , and NOT walking when I could run.. Down the hill.. Determined to take another minute off ..
Still no head torch even though it was dark.. And able to run for minutes at a time.. Just before Braveheart I saw this big outline on the side of the path.. As I got closer I see Mikey with his midgie net, just coming out to meet me .
“Is your car at Braveheart ?” “ Yes...” “How Far” “Oh about 2 miles” “WHAT !! “ What time is it .. “About 20 past.. “ Luckily Mikey had got it a bit wrong, it was less than a mile but it did give me a kick in the arse.. I was NOT going to miss out on my time now.. Hit Braveheart and the tarmac.. Passed another runner on the road..
Then the lights, the 30 mile speed sign.. The B&B’s.. Mikey was back in the car, driving to the end.. I ran with Neils brother who had come out to meet him for a little bit of the road.. The roundabout.. The road .. The bend.. and the finish.. And the cheers of those there. Ian, Adrian, the sensational Lucy and so many others.. and Mikey with my cold beer that tasted so good when shared with a mate..
Neil finished not long after me with Michelle finishing just after 23 hours in a cracking PB..

22 hours 40 mins and 21 seconds after leaving Milngavie I had run the 95 miles of the West Highland Way. This was my best race of the 7 I had done. .. I finished with not a single blister and feeling strong, so job done .. Could I have broken 22 hours.. Maybe, but not today, maybe another time..

Gotta thank my sensational friends Matt, Krusty / Kristin , Gaz, John and Mikey for getting me up the track... The quality was endless and you are all the reason I was able to get up the road in the way I did.. Thanks also to Shirl and the girls,all my friends and family and everyone who tweeted or texted me durng the day.. Also thanks to all the other runners, marshalls, committee and everyone else who makes this great race possible..

So speed work done.. Time to think about getting a bit of distance on the legs. Till next year...






Not sure why I am doing a ballet stance !



The beer is here.

Been a while

Not had much to say
Just been doing things
Along the Way..
Like so many family
Old and new
Each with a history
Written anew
A goblet a tear
await a new year
But for now
Rejoice, Reflect and Recover.

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 ..