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
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