Lakes in a Day 2018 - making the call.
6 years ago
Friday, 17 July 2009
Friday, 10 July 2009
Highland Fling , Lochaber, Ben Nevis 2008
Highland Fling, Lochaber, Ben Nevis
Well what a weekend, travelled across to Tyndrum on Friday night meet Steve their we left his car and went on down to Milngavie camp site, the light weight Bowman’s were just going to bed so we went into town to Carbo load on the Guinness went to bed at 11:15.
Up at 4:30 first mistake this did not give me enough time to get ready and felt a bit rushed so started to get the van in a bit of a mess.Arrived at Start at Milngavie train station and registered and meet with loads of folks this was the only time I saw Sarah hope you are recovering well.
Started race with Gus and although we ran faster than I had planned all felt ok, I recalled what Jim Drummond said about running fast when you can and so just went with the flow. Gus thanks again for showing me some tricks of the trade.When we got to the bottom of Conic hill I felt strong and could have run further up it but sense prevailed and I walked with everyone else, I pulled slightly ahead of Gus knowing that he would catch me on the down, catch me he almost blew me over as he passed on a line no one else was taking I quickly followed, the line that is, I saw Gus leave Balmaha 19 mile mark and never again till after finish great run and 3rd Sup Vet.
Running and watching others with more experience of the route makes a huge difference in a race of this sort. I felt a little tired coming into Rowardenan 25 mile mark but only because the stage seemed further than I thought, I was drinking only water in my pack a total of 2 litres for the race and had Hammer Perpeteum with a gel mix in a bottle for fuel approx 180Cals per hour I ate a slice of cake 100cals at each check point and also had a Muller rice at Rowardenan,
Rowardenan to Inversnaid 33 mile mark I ran well and inside time and had a flap jack at inversnaid then my Achilles heal Inversnaid to Beinglass farm 40 mile mark I ran it well and feel much happier about that part of the route now, it was great that Karen came to meet me here instead of just Steve’s ugly mug although he did have to chase me out of the check point as I could have chatted to long.
Beinglass farm to Carmyle cottage 44 mile mark was a hard section and was happy to see Karen and Steve at the checkpoint and had another slice of cake and a Herbal life lift off.Ran most of this next section with Shirley and got a text from Conor to say he did sub 60 in the Balmoral 10K time was actually 56:08 really happy about that gave me a good lift.I ran into Auchertyre 50 mile mark and felt strong I know that presentations were at 5:45 and set out to get their in time which I did.Total time 11:45:42 and 5th Sup Vet. Felt good at end and could have run further which was the plan.
Lochaber MarathonSensible head was on and decided not to do the marathon as did not think the pounding on the road and the camber of the road would do my Sciatic injury any good.Had a great day supporting friends on the marathon some great Pbs and some very gutsy running, I learned a lot by watching the runners and seeing them at 4 different places during the race and then talking about eating and drinking afterwards will be having a chat with some folks in the near future.
John King ran both races looked great at the end of the marathon.Sunday night was great fun must have been about 20 of us out for dinner and drinks then met up with some metro runners and also john from my club a great evening loads of beer was drunk.
Ben NevisMonday morning was a bit overcast but that did not deter me after a McDonald’s breakfast headed up the Ben I ran every short cut in the book and had a good run all the way up, needed the crampons at the top the snow was quite deep in places and visibility was nil at the top this section was very slow, I took it easy and came back down the tourist route was good fun running past folks who were dressed in full artic gear when wearing shorts. Well inside 4 hours
Went to the Grog and Gruel on Tuesday afternoon for lunch and a beer and stayed till 9 at night what can I say great company from Jonathan, Rick and others.Travelled home Tuesday to sort out only low point of the weekend maestro card had been frozen since Friday night someone spent £ 2500 on computer equipment from Dabs on Friday night so my account was shut down, I will get it all back but it was a hassle. Highs of the weekend loads.Especially seeing everyone I knew who ran the fling so well and all the guys at Lochaber irrespective of a good or bad day 15th marathon or first marathon, PB or not you was all stars.Scared I forget somebody so no names well done all of you.And of course Sandra on Sunday great company my ears have just stopped bleeding
Well what a weekend, travelled across to Tyndrum on Friday night meet Steve their we left his car and went on down to Milngavie camp site, the light weight Bowman’s were just going to bed so we went into town to Carbo load on the Guinness went to bed at 11:15.
Up at 4:30 first mistake this did not give me enough time to get ready and felt a bit rushed so started to get the van in a bit of a mess.Arrived at Start at Milngavie train station and registered and meet with loads of folks this was the only time I saw Sarah hope you are recovering well.
Started race with Gus and although we ran faster than I had planned all felt ok, I recalled what Jim Drummond said about running fast when you can and so just went with the flow. Gus thanks again for showing me some tricks of the trade.When we got to the bottom of Conic hill I felt strong and could have run further up it but sense prevailed and I walked with everyone else, I pulled slightly ahead of Gus knowing that he would catch me on the down, catch me he almost blew me over as he passed on a line no one else was taking I quickly followed, the line that is, I saw Gus leave Balmaha 19 mile mark and never again till after finish great run and 3rd Sup Vet.
Running and watching others with more experience of the route makes a huge difference in a race of this sort. I felt a little tired coming into Rowardenan 25 mile mark but only because the stage seemed further than I thought, I was drinking only water in my pack a total of 2 litres for the race and had Hammer Perpeteum with a gel mix in a bottle for fuel approx 180Cals per hour I ate a slice of cake 100cals at each check point and also had a Muller rice at Rowardenan,
Rowardenan to Inversnaid 33 mile mark I ran well and inside time and had a flap jack at inversnaid then my Achilles heal Inversnaid to Beinglass farm 40 mile mark I ran it well and feel much happier about that part of the route now, it was great that Karen came to meet me here instead of just Steve’s ugly mug although he did have to chase me out of the check point as I could have chatted to long.
Beinglass farm to Carmyle cottage 44 mile mark was a hard section and was happy to see Karen and Steve at the checkpoint and had another slice of cake and a Herbal life lift off.Ran most of this next section with Shirley and got a text from Conor to say he did sub 60 in the Balmoral 10K time was actually 56:08 really happy about that gave me a good lift.I ran into Auchertyre 50 mile mark and felt strong I know that presentations were at 5:45 and set out to get their in time which I did.Total time 11:45:42 and 5th Sup Vet. Felt good at end and could have run further which was the plan.
Lochaber MarathonSensible head was on and decided not to do the marathon as did not think the pounding on the road and the camber of the road would do my Sciatic injury any good.Had a great day supporting friends on the marathon some great Pbs and some very gutsy running, I learned a lot by watching the runners and seeing them at 4 different places during the race and then talking about eating and drinking afterwards will be having a chat with some folks in the near future.
John King ran both races looked great at the end of the marathon.Sunday night was great fun must have been about 20 of us out for dinner and drinks then met up with some metro runners and also john from my club a great evening loads of beer was drunk.
Ben NevisMonday morning was a bit overcast but that did not deter me after a McDonald’s breakfast headed up the Ben I ran every short cut in the book and had a good run all the way up, needed the crampons at the top the snow was quite deep in places and visibility was nil at the top this section was very slow, I took it easy and came back down the tourist route was good fun running past folks who were dressed in full artic gear when wearing shorts. Well inside 4 hours
Went to the Grog and Gruel on Tuesday afternoon for lunch and a beer and stayed till 9 at night what can I say great company from Jonathan, Rick and others.Travelled home Tuesday to sort out only low point of the weekend maestro card had been frozen since Friday night someone spent £ 2500 on computer equipment from Dabs on Friday night so my account was shut down, I will get it all back but it was a hassle. Highs of the weekend loads.Especially seeing everyone I knew who ran the fling so well and all the guys at Lochaber irrespective of a good or bad day 15th marathon or first marathon, PB or not you was all stars.Scared I forget somebody so no names well done all of you.And of course Sandra on Sunday great company my ears have just stopped bleeding
Cape Wrath 2008
Cape Wrath Challenge 1:14pm, 19th May
One of Scotland’s best-kept secrets is the village of Durness and Cape Wrath.Its an amazing place, last year was great this year the weather was perfect which made the time even more special.
We arrived Sunday night to a cheese and wine reception and got a chance to meet friends old and new and had a briefing for the coming week.
Monday Half marathon.
A perfect day, I wanted to take it easy as was still carrying an Injury my friend Sarah wanted to do 2 hours so ran with her we did 1:59 a lovely race around loch Eriboll some stunning scenery. Monday night was quiz night lots of teams and lots of beers.
Tuesday the Sangomore hill race.
I went off too fast and made my injury worse great run really enjoyed it.As soon as finished took off number and ran it again with friends in training for West Highland Way race. The second time was a lot easier.
Wednesday round durness run.
This is a beautiful race over mixed terrain showing off the best that Durness has to offer, again we did this race twice it is really something with views to die for probably the best 8.5 mile race you could ever do.
Thursday the beach run.
Great fun target Zero race predict time then run without watch and see how close you can get to time, I was loads out way too fast, this run all the kids from local school join in and its fancy dress, after race we went for a swim, then on to a cheese and wine party which lasted from about 1pm till 6pm then we went to a beach barbecue then the pub it was an amazing day I think.
Friday the rest day.
Drove out to Ben Hope with folks from Perth Road Runners club and hiked up the long way took five and a half hours a great day in the hills it’s a really nice Munroe with great views for miles around.
Saturday the marathon
This marathon starts on Cape Wrath you get given a start time based on your expected time for race, there is also a 2 man 3 man and 5 man relay races.My injury was really playing up by this time so along with some friends decided to take it easy and run it in four and a half hours. We were given an 8:30 Ferry time.When we got on the ferry we were joined by BBC Scotland Adventure show presenter camera man and producer and when we got onto the Cape I was interviewed, The day was perfect and the views out on the cape are out of this world, you run up to the lighthouse and back that’s 22 miles then they stop the clock and you get the ferry back to mainland then start the clock again and run the final 4.2 back to village hall again the camera crew came back on my ferry and we had another chat. Finished the race in 4 hours 22 mins I found it very hard to run protecting my injury it took a lot of effort not to do more damage.
Sat night Ceilidh night prize giving and a feast that you could not believe.I was not up to much dancing as calf hurt too much but it was still a fun evening.My friend and fellow fetchie A Slowie (not) had won everything all week and went home with some lovely trophies she has won lots but said that these were some of the best.All the food was local produce we had Salmon, Crab, Lobster, Venison, Lamb, Pork etc and more desserts than you can imagine.Sunday was a little cloudy both in the sky and in my head I was sad to leave Durness and friends it had been a magic week.
One of Scotland’s best-kept secrets is the village of Durness and Cape Wrath.Its an amazing place, last year was great this year the weather was perfect which made the time even more special.
We arrived Sunday night to a cheese and wine reception and got a chance to meet friends old and new and had a briefing for the coming week.
Monday Half marathon.
A perfect day, I wanted to take it easy as was still carrying an Injury my friend Sarah wanted to do 2 hours so ran with her we did 1:59 a lovely race around loch Eriboll some stunning scenery. Monday night was quiz night lots of teams and lots of beers.
Tuesday the Sangomore hill race.
I went off too fast and made my injury worse great run really enjoyed it.As soon as finished took off number and ran it again with friends in training for West Highland Way race. The second time was a lot easier.
Wednesday round durness run.
This is a beautiful race over mixed terrain showing off the best that Durness has to offer, again we did this race twice it is really something with views to die for probably the best 8.5 mile race you could ever do.
Thursday the beach run.
Great fun target Zero race predict time then run without watch and see how close you can get to time, I was loads out way too fast, this run all the kids from local school join in and its fancy dress, after race we went for a swim, then on to a cheese and wine party which lasted from about 1pm till 6pm then we went to a beach barbecue then the pub it was an amazing day I think.
Friday the rest day.
Drove out to Ben Hope with folks from Perth Road Runners club and hiked up the long way took five and a half hours a great day in the hills it’s a really nice Munroe with great views for miles around.
Saturday the marathon
This marathon starts on Cape Wrath you get given a start time based on your expected time for race, there is also a 2 man 3 man and 5 man relay races.My injury was really playing up by this time so along with some friends decided to take it easy and run it in four and a half hours. We were given an 8:30 Ferry time.When we got on the ferry we were joined by BBC Scotland Adventure show presenter camera man and producer and when we got onto the Cape I was interviewed, The day was perfect and the views out on the cape are out of this world, you run up to the lighthouse and back that’s 22 miles then they stop the clock and you get the ferry back to mainland then start the clock again and run the final 4.2 back to village hall again the camera crew came back on my ferry and we had another chat. Finished the race in 4 hours 22 mins I found it very hard to run protecting my injury it took a lot of effort not to do more damage.
Sat night Ceilidh night prize giving and a feast that you could not believe.I was not up to much dancing as calf hurt too much but it was still a fun evening.My friend and fellow fetchie A Slowie (not) had won everything all week and went home with some lovely trophies she has won lots but said that these were some of the best.All the food was local produce we had Salmon, Crab, Lobster, Venison, Lamb, Pork etc and more desserts than you can imagine.Sunday was a little cloudy both in the sky and in my head I was sad to leave Durness and friends it had been a magic week.
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