Ultra Sensitive Dod

Running ten miles in the VFF KSOs last night hurt.

So what's going on I ran a ten-mile loop 1-mile road 1 mile rough track with gravel then 6 miles trail then back down the gravel and road. Last time I did this route was before UTMB and was in the VFF classics and everything felt good. Last night I felt every little rock and stone.

I found the following statement on a Barefoot running site


Quote

Our feet need to feel the ground so we can walk and run naturally. When we block this sensation by wearing shoes, our feet try even more to feel the ground. We develop an ultra sensitivity in our soles. After years of being blocked, we remove the shoes, and our feet are over stimulated. And we think, how did we possibly run around and play barefoot when we were kids?

So Perhaps my feet are going through a sensitive period before they toughen up a bit.

I have been living barefoot as much as possible and wearing minimal footwear so I think they are going through a period of adjustment.

Here is the list of what I am trying to achieve while running.

· Weight on ball of foot, or flat footed (on rougher surfaces or at slowspeeds)
· Let heel down gently· Bent ankles
· Lean forward from ankles (not waist)
· Bent knees· Hips under body
· Torso vertical
· Lift foot
· Swing left arm with right leg
· Allow torso to twist
· Swing right arm with left leg
· Elbows approximately right angles

And you though running was just a case of putting one foot in front of another.

Do the pelvic thrust

18.2 miles today the longest run so far in the F-lites if felt good with an average pace of 9:13 on an undulating off road trail so 2 hours 47min. I ran without the support blanket of a full back pack and just had 2 slices of Soreen cake with me, I ate them more because I wanted than needed them, I was a bit thristy by the time I got back but your hardly going to die from dehydration in Scotland in September.

To try and run with better form especially during intervals I am trying to engage my core and tilt my pelvis forward to make sure that my centre of gravity is over my ball of foot, to do this I have to place my hand on my back and tilt pelvis forward its not easy at 6:15 min mile pace but when it works I find my self at 5:15 min mile pace its not for long and it looks a bit Gay but its working.

When not running I spend most of my time walking around in old running shoes.
I realised this week that it was kind of stupid to be running barefoot or minimal shoes and to be barefoot around the house but to be wearing supportive shoes at all other times, which lets face it is longer than the times I spend running.

So I splashed out this week and bought 2 pairs of new shoes now if you google minimal shoes you get canvass shoes at £40 a pair but if you google canvas shoes you can find them for £6 a pair sorted.

I am wearing them without socks at least until it gets really cold this will help enhance the proprioceptive feedback loop.

Because I have spent most of my life wearing shoes my Achilles tendons and calfs have shortened and so feel tight when barefoot, wearing minimal shoes should speed up the adaption process. But just like you need a rest day in an exercise program I think I still need to spend time in support shoes on some days during the transition process.

Seems like I am not only learning to run barefoot but now I also have to learn how to walk barefoot or minimal.

I have not as yet been brave enough to throw out all the old running shoes and I have not figured out what to wear on my feet in the depths of winter when at work.

Barefoot Dod, The experiment continues

Picture of the new Vibram Five Finger KSO Trek, the next shoe on my wish list

I am trying to run more efficiently and believe that by running barefoot or close to barefoot that I will be able to listen to my body more and be able to do this while also injury proofing my body,

There are more nerve endings in our feet than any other place, so it seems to make sense to listen to the information we get from these than ignore them by covering them with an inch of rubber and gel etc.

I ran the UTMB in Roclites not exactly a minimal shoe weighing in at 315 grams but much lighter and with much less support than what a lot of folk choose to use.

The balls of my feet took a fair bashing and I discussed this with my coach as I was concerned that perhaps some times you can be to minimal. Here is his reply.

I suspect that the number of people who finished, no matter WHAT they had on their feet, who didn't have bruised Balls Of Feet will have been zero!That said there is a balance to be had. You want to avoid too much 'point' bruising from sharp stones that you fully 'weight' (you know what I mean, I'm sure!!) but also, the more distance and cushioning that you have between your foot and the ground, the harder you will hit it (because of the dulling of the proprioceptive feedback loop from your feet to your brain).Personally, I think the more you do, the more your feet will accustom themselves to that kind of usage.I think that the more that you do in the VFF's or barefoot, the hardier your feet will get, and the tender BOF thing will lessen!.


My main training shoe of choice at the moment is the F-Lite 230 grams I would class these as a transition shoe.

This Saturday I did 13.5 miles in the f-lites and then on Sunday did 6.5 miles in the Vibram Five Fingers KSO, on Monday I did 4 miles in the Vibram Five Finger classics.

So a small step forward in my plan to run the Devil close to barefoot

Great ten min video of UTMB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImKWqf1TKgw

Theme tune of UTMB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYeDsa4Tw0c

UTMB 2009 race report

Well where do I start UTMB, I first heard about this race a few years back it sounded impossible and fantastic and a world away from where I was at.

Then I ran it and it is all of that and more.

I have come to believe that we can train our bodies and our minds to do incredible things and I further believe that we are all capable of a lot more than most of us think we are.

People look at me and say your nuts your crazy you cant run for that distance for that time with those climbs but 2300 people cant be wrong.

Ok so 1000 folks did not finish for whatever reason and I finished middle of the pack so what do I know?

Well I know where I came from and I know what I did to finish middle of the pack, now I just have to sort out the issues I had and I will finish in a much better position next attempt.

Don’t get me wrong the first attempt was always about a finish and that’s what I got.

Training for me never stops completely it just changes focus, this years WHW training started in October 2008 and was always going to be the foundation my UTMB attempt would be based on,

Base mileage and stamina are very important when it comes to Ultra running but something else that a lot of folks over look is core strength and upper body strength, I can say for sure that I would not have been so comfortable in any of my training and racing this year if not for the amount of gym work I have packed in, an average of three times a week around 48 weeks of the year.

So roll forward to WHW race and job done with only 8 weeks to go till UTMB it should have been all so easy but with the loss of my friend Dario and personal issues and injury those 8 weeks were anything but easy, I was very glad to get the Devil run done and felt after that I still had the strength and ability to take part in UTMB.

Arrival in Chamonix was wet and overcast with no view of the mountains so Wednesday morning when I left the apartment where I was staying with Drew and Brian I had no idea the sights that were awaiting me, the views were fantastic and for the first time I came to understand the task ahead.

Thursday we took the chair lift to 3800 meters and spent the day at Altitude hoping that this would help during the race, I cant say if it helped but it certainly did no harm and forced us to have an easy day sitting just chatting and eating.

Friday morning tried to sleep as long as possible but was up by 8:30 and ready to go, with the race not starting till 6:30 in the evening it was to be a long day.

I packed and unpacked my drop bag and packed and unpacked my back pack 2 or 3 times during that day.

By 5:30 the excitement had got too much for us and even though we were only a five min walk from the start we had to go out and join the crowds.

This was it 2300 runners and goodness knows how much support the centre of the town was buzzing, our group gathered at somewhere towards the back and slowly grew to where we had a small consignment of British runners all ready to do their best.

The horn went and we shuffled forward and slowly crossed the line and headed down the main street, it was great to see the guys in the TDS and supporters up on our balcony shouting support, within a mile of the start we were off and running without hindrance the start of a mega journey around the Mont Blanc massif.

The first major checkpoint was Saint Gervais 21K into the race and we ran in their like heroes the crowds were out in force with music playing we were lead through the town and into the food station, Now I had decided to try and run to my normal eating plan and had been eating a piece of soreen cake every fifteen minutes so was very pleased when I saw, cake, flap jacks and biscuits that I could take with me and eat as I ran, I filled my bum bag and headed out.

The next 5 food stations were all through the night, a black black night with climbs up and down and up and down The first big climb to Col du Bonhomme felt like I was going up Ben Nevis in the dark I was at home and this was easy I passed lots of runners here, but the downhill’s were to be my Achilles heal and this is where they started to be a problem, wearing glasses in the dark in the mist with a head torch on I seemed to loose my down hill confidence which was never to return for the duration of the race.

I was very happy when the first signs of light came and I could switch off my head torch and start to fully appreciate the country I was running through.

I had been on my own much of the night surrounded by strangers with head torches, but at times I had seen Drew and Brian as we had passed each other at the checkpoints and on the inclines and declines, so as we approached Courmayeur I was very happy to spot them both less than 100 meters away from me, It was the start of a massive down hill and they ran off and I did not see them at the check point.

77.5K into race this is where our drop bags were it was mid morning and the sun was up and hot.
I changed into clean shorts and a vest and changed my socks and shoes had some pasta and headed out ready for the mid day sun,

The climb up to Bertone was brutal at just over 2000 meters but with the heat of the day it was hard to breath at the top, many runners were lying around trying to recover I decided the best thing to do was push on The run to Refuge Bonatti was one of the less undulating parts and had some good running here I passed a number of runners who were sleeping on the side of the trail in the sun, at some point along here Brain and Drew caught me up, I had passed them at the checkpoint without knowing it we were to run together for around the next 20K.

The countryside the views the panorama that we ran on for the next few hours takes away all the pain and tiredness you might normally feel in a race, it was fantastic.

We soon approached 98K and Grand Col Ferret, this was a good climb, which I enjoyed but was also where I became separated from Drew and Brain.

The top of the climb was very cold 2537 meters I was still just dressed in a vest and it was now after four thirty and the day was starting to cool, I got over the top as quickly as possible and headed down hill.

La Fouly at 108K another chance to stock up on food and sort out the head torch it was going to be a long and lonely night, the field was well spread out now and where the first night the climbs and descents were done it groups I could see that I would be on my own for a lot of the night.

I ran into Champex Lax 122.8 K feeling good and had some hot pasta and got ready for the next climb as I left the check point I met Sharon and Emma what a lift that was for me, they walked out of the town about a mile with me it was great to chat with someone and tell them how I was feeling, I also found out where all my other pals were in the race which was a real boost.

The climb to Bovine what a dog, I had passed a group of runners on an easy incline and could see no head torches in front, if fact I could see nothing in front the mountain loomed up black and cold, when I started to climb I had to scramble over some rocks then more rocks then it was climbing over rocks then it was pulling up and slipping over rocks with no end in sight it just went up and up, I waited at one point as I could see the torches from the group behind but when I stopped they stopped when I climbed they climbed but they were not for passing.

I finally saw some head torches in front of me and caught up what turned out to be three Americans who were none to pleased with the climb and were arguing about taking a break or pushing on, one was sat down and refused to move so the others headed on without him we chatted for a bit but once again I found my self in front of them and slowly pulled away. I have never been so grateful to get to the top of a climb, but worse was to follow.

Somewhere along this next section I came across a runner lying on the track with his ankle at a very un natural angle, it was obviously broken I offered assistance but his limited English and my limited French did not make it easy, in the end I legged it to the next check point and sent back help, It was one of 2 broken ankles and 1 broken arm I was to witness.

Trient at 138 K was the next major food and rest stop, I could see it and feel it and hear it but could I reach it, my down hills by this time were terrible and it seemed to take me forever to get their with streams of runners passing me by.

Although by now I was moving slower I new I had it in the bag 28K was all that was left I could do that standing on my head.

Then we had another 700 meter climb up and up it went but part of the way up the day started to brighten and finally off came the head torch again, during the 2500 miles training in the twelve months previous to this event I had some great runs, runs with friends runs on my own, but I also had some horrible runs but this is what they were for this is when you put it together, without the good runs the bad runs the wet and cold runs your not ready to do battle when the day arrives, and battle I did.

The 700 meter descent to Vallorcine was the longest of any of the race in terms of time it seemed to take for ever and I just could not get up a good pace but I pushed and pushed to reach the field hospital that the check point resembled, their was bodies everywhere, people sleeping in their seats heads on the table, people sleeping in corners folks with shoes and socks off with badly swollen and blistered feet this is where I saw my second broken ankle,

This is where I knew I was in great shape, no upper body pain no pain in my quads or hamstrings just a little tightness in my calf muscles. I had run 147K less than 18 K to go it was time to sort this shit out, I stripped back down to my vest, grabbed some supplies and galloped out the door, The climb out of Vallorcine was almost 1000 meters I did not stop or rest on it pushing on every time someone came in site I pushed to pass them by the time I got to the top I was flying.

The run to La Flegere was a pleasure I knew I was home free I knew I had beaten the UTMB and was loving it passing folks on the trail who were half dead, I was taking no prisoners and charged on.

Then I hit the downhill.

I was stopped in my tracks I just could not get going down hill the last 7k seemed to drag on forever, you could see Chamonix you could smell it then you could hear it and I still was not any closer, more and more folks passed me folks I had left for dead on the higher ground bounded past knowing the finish was in sight.

Finally I reached the road and the crowds and I picked up my speed taking my poles into one hand for the last time I headed for the town, I saw Sharon and she gave me my Scottish flag, I was flying along again, I passed Drew and Emma screaming from the sidelines ran past Ritchie who was shouting like a banshee, then I was in the centre of the town and doing the lap of honour Maya appeared at my side and shouted me on the crowds were screaming my name French and English voices combined, I rounded the final corner the finish was in site a clear run with the announcer saying my name as I finished to hugs from the supporters on the line.

And then the moment I had waited for I received my Gillet Noir I had done it and it had only taken 41 hours 39 mins. I was over the moon.

Much beer was drunk that day as we watched the rest of the field come home all with their own stories to tell heroes every one of them, what a race what an experience.

The next day I was up early and heading home the race a memory to fade away as all races do,

I think not, this was the most brutal and beautiful race I have ever done and I can’t wait to do it again.

Ultra -Trail Du Mont- Blanc

2 weeks today at 18:30 I will head off on the UTMB The race I have trained for all this year.

A number of folks have asked how to follow me see link belowLink (roll over me to see where I go)This is for text message updates but it costs 5 euros to register and 5 euros per athlete you want to follow so a bit of a rip off for 20 texts.

if you really want to its George Reid and number 3418

I have set up a twitter page inspired by our lord and fetchmasterLoonDod or George Reid should find me.

Now I dont expect my battery will last up to the 45 hours I could be on the trail and I do want to use phone to take photos also so will switch on during daylight hours for photos and will also update twitter every time I take a break.Or a least I will try.

All I need to do is keep moving for approx 172,465 steps and go from sea level to the top of Everest (and a bit) and back down again,

how hard can it be.

X marks the spot

The OS Grid Reference is NO 24450 85850or

if thats too many numbers for people its NO 245859,

On the main path 200m NNW of Cac Carn Mor on way to Lochnagar view point at Cac Carn Beag at 1155m

As was said in jest by one of our party.

I am not lugging a fucking bench up their.

RIP Tarn of the noisy wind

I am sure some of you know that the name Lochnagar properly belongs to the small loch at the foot of the NE corrie. But is used to describe the range of hills we were on on sunday , the name means Tarn of the noisy wind.

Well no wind on Sunday but Dario more than made up for that being his normal self all the way to the plateau, We were passed Cac Carn Mor (1150 meters so box ticked their) by about 200 meters or so when he took ill.

Cac Carn Mor means Big Shit Cairn, our next stop was Cac Carn Beag which means Little Shit Cairn.

Seems all very fitting we called him a lot worse names on sunday.

All who were their worked to save his life and never gave up hope, for 2 hours we did all we could , in truth he did not suffer for more than a few minuites, he died with some of his WHW family around him.

I will miss my friend Dario very much.

West Highland Way race 2009

Thank you to my Crew
Team Captain Steve. Lamadance, A Slowie and The Iron Man

The best crew I could have wished for.

21 hours 51 mins 55 secs

28th overall and 120th on the all time best WHW race times.

I Trained hard and ran like fuck

HAPPY DAYS

West Highland Way race plan 2009

Step 1
Take no less than 12 hours to get to Tyndrum

Step 2
Run like fuck till the end.

Step 3
Drink Guinness

2008 Review

I ran some miles up and down hills

Happy Days

L&CX8

Triple Crown and the Devil o the Highlands 2008

Well the Highland fling went to plan even though I was not 100%

The West highland Way did not go to plan as I was injured for the best part of five weeks before hand although I still loved every bit of it.

i knew i could do better , so that just left the Devil to get a good run in on the way.Now a lot of folks started off the year wanting to compete all three but not many managed it I don’t know the stats but I am sure someone will work it out, so I was very happy to make it to the start line of the third race in the underground series that is know as the Triple Crown.

Headed up to Fort William on Friday and got to hotel met up with Karen and UltraCat, chilled for a bit then we went out to dinner, If you run these events there is only one pub to go to and that’s the Grog and Gruel nice evening their stopped at 2 pints of Guinness very sensible.

Early start and hours drive saw us in Tyndrum apologies to UC for driving her car faster than she thought it could go.Checked in and met loads of folks really hyped up now and ready for the off, Final hugs on the start line and the whistle went before I knew it and we were away.

I had decided on gore trail shorts gore short sleeve half zip and Inov8 Roclites never changed all day perfect combination for the weather we had.Ran comfortable into Bridge of Orchy was happy to see that my support crew had arrived and had collected my boxes from UC I had made up Hammer nutrition Perpetuem into a paste with a gel each bottle gave me 300Kals 65 Gram Carbs 16 grams protein per hour I changed bottle at each check point also had a slice of soreen cake.First check point 15 seconds max.

Up the hill out of Bridge of Orchy really had to hold my self in check but managed to resist the urge to run and did a fast walk to the top, ran well down the other side to meet crew at Inverannon 30 second stop and off again.Ran up towards Rannoch moor with pals Keith and Jimmy nice chat about their plans for MDS we ran well together walked all the ups ran the flats and the down, A lot of runners had gone off to fast and hear on the moor also some runners started to come by us on the hills and we would catch then on the downs, I knew that we would start to reel some of those runners back in.

Got to the top of Rannoch moor felt great still had not run any up hills and decided that when I came over the top would just let the down hill take me, I have run this section perhaps 5 times this year and knew I could go down fast, Garmin shows I hit 6:30 pace at one point here with an average of 7:30 passed a couple of runners who looked like they were standing still, ran fast into check point knowing I would have some recovery time. Muller rice and bladder top up and off longer stop perhaps 90 seconds.

I never saw any of the group behind again, none was in when I left checkpoint.Nice run to the bottom of the staircase grabbed a bottle of lift off and a banana and headed up never stopped and kept a good pace.Over the top and just let fly past I think 5 runners on this section again hitting 7:30 pace on the steeper descents very sure footed my training paying off.

Ran strongly into Kinlochleven I felt 100% and was still holding back on the hills.Quick stop this one in and out and started up the hill passed my pal Alex three quarters of the way up I had him down for first super vet so was surprised when I saw him brief chat and he told me to crack on, got to the top and thought ok half marathon to go time to take the brakes off, I still walked the bigger hills but ran all the smaller ones and started to work the pace, it took a while to catch each runner but think I got 4 in this section passed pal James who did not hear or see me coming and was surprised he said no one had passed him all day.

Ran well into Lundarva and surprised crew, quick stop and away again, tried to push on running everything I could and only walking when I just could not run up the steeper hills. Passed I think 2 runners or perhaps only 1 cant remember, Their was a diversion which I did not like it was the first time all day I did not know exactly where I was but it was over soon and I was out of the woods and onto the forest trail around three miles to go these were done at around 8min miles just hammered them went through brave heart car park unable to do more than raise an arm at my crew and hit the road at a flat out run.

I think I started my sprint just a tad early by the time I saw the 30mph sign I was almost done slowed for perhaps 10 seconds then went again crossed the line a very happy chap in 7 hours 34 mins 52 seconds.Big hugs from crew I was chuffed to bits all had gone to plan, no wall no stomach problems full of running all the way.

Headed up to Nevis centre and got showered and had some food went back and watched more runners come in and checked up on Karen and other friends still running, back to leisure centre to receive trophy for first super vet then back to Brave Heart car park to see Karen and UltraCat run through looking strong, Dario on her tail and gaining, with UltraCats encouragement Karen picked it up again and kept him behind her to finish strongly in her first Ultra we were all bouncing.

Needs must and so a visit back to the Grog and Gruel for food and this time more than just 2 pints were drunk meet loads of runners a great night.Next morning active recovery was had in the leisure facilities at 7am for sauna, steam room, which was the best ever and swim, really eased the muscles, then on to a full fry up.It was the best of weekends with the best of friend’s happy days.

This morning I got an email prequalification invitation to enter the 2009 west highland way paid my cash job done bring on next years triple crown.

West Highland Way race 2008 part 6

Lundavra To Fort William

As I said earlier I have not looked at the splits but I can tell you I did very little running. It took a long long time head down and follow the man in front they all took turns running ahead and opening gates etc and took turns with talking with me hear Simon stayed behind me a long time and kept me moving forward its just what I needed again I was very aware that I was the only one who knew the way and was worried we would miss the turn but Ewan did a great job in the heavy wooded section and we never took a step wrong.

Here I got a stabbing pain in my left foot big toe I tried to ignore it but I could not a pine needle or similar was in their it had to come out.Ewan stepped up I had been running for 25/26 hours it was not a pleasant task thanks mate I owe you for that one, but after wards what ever it was gone and on we went and on we went and on went finally we saw signs for brave heart car park we were close Steve phoned and I told him where we were although it took ages to get their but then their was the Van with Simon and Lizzy I ran straight past and here Andrinne got into van also I am a bit hazy if Ewan got in van here or ran a bit then ran off but eventually it was just me and Simon who had been with me through some really hard patches and it was great to know we would soon be at the finish around here Fiona came storming past, I decided to let her go what difference would it make I reasoned I would rather get to the end and keep standing than get to the end and fall over.

And then their was Steve my main man who has supported me on a number of ultras in more ways than I can remember but has never run a step, he was in the road outside the leisure centre and he was warming up Simon and I broke into a trot we reached Steve and we ran together to the leisure centre I was so happy that Steve ran this section with me.

Into the leisure centre and the job was done 95 miles 15000 feet of climbing in 27 hours 15 mins.

After The RaceNow a lot happened in the next 24 hours and the next few days some is a bit of a blurAfter a great massage I tried to sleep but only dozed in the end it would be eleven at night before I got to sleep a total of 62 hours with 2 hours of a nap in between.I woke to find the pink lady was their and enjoyed a few moments then Gus and jean arrived and then it was time for breakfast we met Ultracat and had a feed at Morrison’s then on to the prize giving.

Now most prize giving its first second third first vet etc, but not here every runner who finished gets a small speech from Dario and is presented with their crystal goblet it is very special and emotional.To meet special friends on the way Karen, Ultracat, Gus, Jean and all the friends I ran with to get the text messages and support is fantastic.

My A team with Steve, Simon, Lizzy, Andrinne and Ewan what can I say you are the best friends a man could have I will never forget what you did for me and yes you can all join me next year when I will run Sub 24. Since 1991 only 427 individuals have completed this event, although some have done it a number of times on the all time list my time puts me at 267 on the list, must try harder.

Thank You All.

West Highland Way race 2008 part 5

Staircase to Kinlochleven

Within 100 metres of the start their was the 2 runners one was the chap who was part of the English couple I had run along the loch with he was in a bad way I tried to encourage him by saying that once you got to the next check point that it was only a half marathon to the end but I don’t think it helped 20 mins later we saw the ambulance pick him up his race over.

We went up the staircase in good time only 2 x 20 second breaks and on we went it felt good then we turned down the other side the downhill’s were getting hard, At some point here we figured that we had 18 miles to go and 4 hours to break the 24 hours how hard could it be in the end the final 18 miles took 7 hours a hard slog for both me and the A team, the downhill to Kinlochleven is brutal at the best of times I think Simon and Ewan were both surprised how steep this was although I know Simon would have charged down it on his own but he stuck with me every step of the way it seemed a long run into Kinlochleven.

Now for some reason I can never remember where the path goes in Kinlochleven perhaps because the first time I ever ran the route I missed the path so I got a bit of a panic on when we reached town and their was no sign of the girls or Steve or the path I sent Ewan on to find the path and Simon tried to stop me from freaking out finally we could hear and then see Lizzy and Andrinne jumping and waving it was a good scene.We trotted into the weight station and their was the man himself Dario race director and all round good guy we had a quick chat and it took me a second to realise that it was Ultracat who was their also talking to me more Hugs loved it.Ultracat said I had to come back in to check out but I said I was keeping going so checked out had a quick drink of Lift Off now I am not sure when I started drinking this stuff but by this time in the race I was addicted and also to power bars they were working so that’s what I wanted I threw then down and ran on with Lizzy not even waiting for Andrinne but she quickly caught us up.

Kinlochleven To Lundavra

I wanted to get up onto the moor before it got dark and we only had one 20 second break on the climb and made good time and passed I think Fiona at the top and ran on after a few miles we needed the head torches and we slowed and we slowed and we slowed game over good night thank you,I new that I would finish once I reached Kinlochleven their was never a dough in my mind and that resolve never wavered I knew that every step was a step closer I also knew that now the time did not matter a finish I would have if I had to crawl I knew it would be inside the cut-off and that’s all that mattered, I decided that I would just keep me head down and go.Now here is a tip if you ever run in the pitch black and are very very tired make sure your support crew were fluorescent leggings and shoes what a boost this is it was amazing how much light they gave off when hit with head torch.You hear a lot about people losing it hallucinating and speaking rubbish so when I started to see white spots in front of my eyes I was very concerned and also scared to say anything but eventually I thought I had to say of course the answer came back its raining George what a dum ass.

Andrinne and Lizzy pulled me through that section one step at a time I knew Lizzy was terrified it was pitch black the wind was howling the rain got heavier and heavier and I also knew I was the only one who had any idea where we were.We plodded on rocks turned into sheep and sheep turned into rocks but apart from that all was ok until I started to see lights but they were in the wrong place way over to the left we were on the wrong road. I told the girls we have missed split in the road we are going the wrong way they ran back a ways to have a look but they told me latter they had no idea what to do and they came back and we plodded on.Eventually we could see lights in front and Andrinne sprinted off to see if we were in the right place she had ran about 30 miles and went off like she was in a 10K, Lizzy took my arm to help me she was holding on tight what courage she showed running along with her worst fears I will not every forget how brave she was.

We reached the bonfire and the rest of the A team.The marshal said a you’re the guy in shorts your giving up here Not me mate I said no chance and headed for the van, I could not feel my legs and needed my leggings and water proofs on at this point, I am not sure who put them on but we got sorted had another Lift off and a viper bar thanked Steve and Lizzy and off Simon Ewan Andrinne and I plodded onto the last section.

West Highland Way race 2008 part 4

Auchtertyre to Tyndrum.

It took a while to settle down I had run 51 miles the A team was fresh but as we approached Tyndrum things started to sort them selves out the main thing was I was running again. It’s a great boost when you meet friends on a race like this and there was Ultracat big hugs are great she proved to be a star all weekend.

Tyndrum to Bridge Of Orchy.

The motorway section of the route we ran this well at a good pace everyone started to know what a hill was and we got into a rhythm, as we got close their was Ultracat and Karen and hugs and trot on into check point now here is where I did one of the best things in the race and one of the biggest mistakes, I got behind the van stripped naked and had Steve pour water over me had a rub down reapplied the Vaseline and completely changed my clothes but I left my feet alone the right foot had a hot spot early on but it had passed so I decided not to mess but I should have changed my socks and shoes and applied more Vaseline here I will next time.

Bridge of Orchy to Victoria Bridge

I got up the climb really well and over the other side but the down hill was slow could not get up a good down hill pace at all but felt ok as we got close to the start of Rannoch moor.

Rannoch Moor to Black rock cottages

I ran this section with Andrinne and LizzyIt was for me where it all went wrong I had no energy left and could not get a pace going the Girls were awesome but no matter what they did they could not get me running it was the start of the decline the 5 weeks of injury were about to extract their pound of flesh, I have not and don’t plan to study my split times for a while anyway but this section took a long time and by the end of it the girls who had never met before knew each others life stories I had always known that this for me would be the hardest section because of the slight increase all the way but no real hills and the choice of support crew here was the right one.As we crested the corner and could see the cottages Tigger was a welcome site bouncing into view with boundless energy (bastard) it was a good feeling to get to the van.

Black Rock Cottage to Kings house

Here Andrinne limitless skills came to the fore and I had a massage that could not be beat while I ate made a big difference, it took both Simon and Ewan to lift me back up, as my knees did not bend.Off we trotted and ran into Kings house and their were the Bowman’s I had been looking forward to seeing Gus and Jeannie for hours and they did not disappoint I was very happy to see them, at this point I told Gus I was 1 hour 40 mins behind schedule but when we checked as we ran out I realised I was only 40 mins behind schedule this really lifted my spirits.

Kings house to Bottom of the staircase

Their were runners in front of us and the mission was on to catch them which we did it was a nice run and reached the staircase in good time had a quick stop and the too runners we had passed went on by.

West Highland Way Race 2008 part 3

Rowardennen to InversnaidI had at first counted this section Rowardennan to Beinglass but once I broke it into sections I found that I quite liked the section to Inversnaid its very like my home training routes I ran well hear meeting up with an English couple running together we would swap places all the way to the Devils stair case.

I ran into Inversnaid within 10 seconds of my schedule but I knew I was working hard and that my least favourite section was in front of me.I ate my Pizza and had an extra gel loaded up my water and headed out met up with Andy here and again we would swap places for quite a few miles.

Inversnaid to BeinglasInto Beinglas is hard work a lot of rock climbing and scrambling loads of bits you just cant run, the midges were really bad and I was covered from head to foot many folks were in tights and long tops but I was in shorts and short sleeve and every area of my skin was black they were in my eyes my mouth under my watch in my hair it was not good and I was very happy when Debbie and I finally pulled clear of the water Debbie gave a little cheer.I ran into Beinglass very happy to see part of the A team Simon and Lizzy for the first time since the start quick Muller rice and a drink and I was off, they were concerned for me I could tell and my spirits were low I was a bit grumpy here sorry guys.

Beinglas to Craigmile cottage.

This is a short but hilly section and I found my self walking a lot my race was over I was finished I was letting everyone down I had failed I was a loser and these were the positive thoughts, Blew a kiss to the pink lady at Derrydaroch and plodded on. When I reached the cottage I felt low and tried to eat had a little lie down had a bottle of Gatorade and a chocolate meal replacement drink too much on reflection and on I went.

Cottage to Auchtertyre

There are parts of this section which are really nice other parts which are horrible I managed to run parts of this section and it was hear I started to get texts from various folks Santa Baby, Tigger, Karen D, Ultracat my brother and some others sorry cant remember all who sent, I read them when slogging up hill and for the most part sent one word answers I was later to get a telling off from the A team for sending and receiving texts but at this point I was on a low and they really helped be assured I lost no time reading or sending themAll I could think about was getting to Auchtertyre farm and having my backed tattie and meeting the A team from here on I had support runners.

As I ran in I could see Steve the A team leader he walked me through the check points weight in picked up the backed tattie and on to support van.I found out here that Alex had to pull out I was devastated for him he is such a good runner and generous to a fault, it hit me how tough this race was.And then their was the A team Steve my main man with the plan, Simon ever dependable and a superb runner Ewan the Tigger who bounced his way through the next god knows how many miles.And the girls Andrinne who is a much better runner than she realises and Lizzy my English Brave heart who were always going to be the sensible heads that I would need to see me through.

The Backed tattie was a huge disappointment I am sure they were lovely but I could not eat it. Had another Muller rice and a drink.

West Highland Way race 2008 part 2

Beach tree to Drymen.

As I ran out through beach tree I could feel my quads tight this was not a good sign, I fell into step with Ellen and Stuart and Maya and we cruised all the way to Drymen but I was having to work to hard to keep the easy pace I new hear that it was not going to be my day it should have been easy and it was not.Ran into Drymen changed bottle and another slice of cake and headed straight on

Drymen to Balmaha

The run up through the woods was good I could go uphill with ease and caught my self a couple of times running when I should not, but for some reason the flats were hard.Up Conic hill I felt the first sign that I had not escaped the cold that everyone in the office had I was breathing much harder that I should have to, Debbie and I started swapping places here which would continue till Tyndrum.

Conic hill what can I say I have been training with the best and my teacher Gus would have been proud of me I went down Conic hill like a mountain goat on speed started well out wide to the right in the long grass 20 or 30 feet away from the path and just flew down the first section I could see folks looking across wondering where I was going, then as the hill turns to the left I cut straight across hill and way out to the left and ran straight down to the steps I passed quite a few runners here and it felt great into check point changed food bottle topped up water and had a Muller Rice and headed out.

Drymen to Rowardennan

I found this section hard on the fling because I had miscalculated how long it was so had changed my schedule to suit.My legs by this time were aching like I had done no training everything was heavy and I started to think It was not my day and that I was going to crash and burn it was just such hard work, after a couple of miles I found my self at the front of a small group I don’t think the others knew the way this gave me a boost and a ran strongly for 3 miles or so, I got to the the pink lady marshal check point and enjoyed a 5sec break before carrying on into the woods.The next section had a lot of campers and tents with the remains of late night drinking strewn everywhere at one point in the middle of the track I had to jump over a guitar it seemed a bit surreal.Passed second pink lady that with a friendly smile sent us up the hill I was still leading small group and got up in good time but legs were like lead.As we came into Rowardennan I was not at all happy I was soaked with sweat from the effort I had put in which for what was only 27 miles was not good I then heard Ian Beattie had pulled out and I thought if Ian can quit then so can I.

I found Steve and told him I was in a bad way he suggested a change of shirt which I did and to just carry on so changed out food supplies I think I ate something but cant remember what and headed out.

West Highland Way 2008 race part 1

Pre RaceThe week before the race was very up and down, my biggest fear was that I would catch the illness that everyone at work seemed to have, I sent lads home as soon as they looked sick but was sure I would get caught out.

I kept worrying about my lack of training 5 weeks since my last long run and my injury seemed to still be niggling away.The Wednesday before the race I got what is best described as washing machine tummy and I went a bit loopy luckily for me a calming influence was on hand and after around 20 text messages back and forth I got things back under control, Thank you.From then till the start line I was green for go no more panic attacks I had resigned my self to running the best I could and knew it was going to be hard under the circumstances and that I would not get the race I had trained for but at this point I knew that a finish was all I wanted.

Day before the raceI woke at 4am then at 6am finally got up at 9am tried to do as little as possible.Drove to Glasgow airport and picked up Lizzy and Simon and headed for the camp site got sorted and headed out for dinner met up with Karen and then Steve and tried to stay relaxed but I just wanted to start running.

Checked in at around 9:30 and headed back to camp site with the idea of having a nap but it was not to be, started to get ready at 11am and was back down to race start for midnight. It took a long time for 1 am to arrive but it was great met loads of friends and chatted about what was to come, Les arrived and I was chuffed he had come to see me off.

Race start Milngavie to Beach tree inn.

We gathered at the start like rabbits in the headlights the tension was high and we all hung back from start line.150 applied to race with 50 on the reserve list out of these 200 folks 127 made it to the start line I found this a sobering thought over 36% out before the start.25% of the starters were to drop out during the race.

Suddenly we were running and we streamed through Milngavie I saw my A team and high five as I ran past with my heart in my mouth.I ran a while with the crowd Scream passed me hear and we had a quick chat and he was off, Shirley and I ran together for a while caught up on stuff as I had not talked to her since the Fling, not sure how she manages to look so Glam in the middle of a race but she does.

The run into beach tree went smoothly enough it got a bit misty and my glasses fogged up but it soon cleared and I met Steve on schedule and changed out my food supply I had made up bottles of Hammer Perpetuem with a gel in each bottle which was good for 2 hours but I took a new one at every check point.My plan was to keep my Hydration and nutrition separate and this worked well for the most part, I also had a slice of cake at Beach tree.Quick hug from pink lady and I was through the checkpoint.