2012 in Review

Well as 2012 closes and and New Year arrives, looking back it was a tale of two halves, January arrived and i was carrying an injury that i picked up after the River Ayr Way Race (RAW), i made the mistake of running the Glen Ogle (GO33) in the November which made it it worse.

Six months in and i was just getting back to where i was in September 2011, my races went as follows:

Clyde Stride

I entered the Stride as my first race of the year thinking that i was ready to race, how wrong i was there i am in the top six places and get to the 32 mile mark and have to pull out through pains in my calf's, i could not believe what was happening.

Devil O'the Highlands

It was seven weeks later and i was determined to complete the event, the only one of the triple crown that had eluded me, the race set off and i found myself sitting in third place behind Thomas and Casey until i was caught at, yes 32 miles by Craig Cunningham, i was now in forth place but found myself slowly pulling the gap back the closer we approached Fort ,we agreed to run in together but after crossing the finish line the race director gave third spot to Craig awarding me fourth and first Veteran, i was not pleased and believed they could have awarded the time jointly however i was over ruled and place a second behind him.

John Lucas Memorial

Two weeks later i was on the start line of the John Lucas, also known as the RS 50, sounds like my initials but the RS actually stands for Round Strathaven, anyway Grant Jeans had sent out a tweet trying to bolster the numbers due to them spiralling downwards in previous years, although the field was small i knew that Grant would be the guy to beat as he holds the record for the course and that he was not turning up for fun, we set off and before we knew it Grant and me where on our own, i slowly edged past Grant at the 15 mile mark and it stayed that way until the end, only after closing the line did i find out that he pulled out at 30 miles. i could not believe that i had won my first ultra, a big factor on finishing was through my support, David Mooney kept me going the whole way especially when i was struggling with hip pain and still had 20 miles to go.

River Ayr Way Race

Another one of my favourites after finishing third the previous year i though if i can run a reasonable race i could be in the top part of the field, i was leading until 24 miles when i was caught by Craig Reid, we both worked away until Andy Johns past both of us, we were both struggling but me worse than Craig my hip was in severe pain from the 50 miles pounding on the road a few weeks earlier. i decided again at the 32 mile mark that i could not go on, the number was really starting to haunt me, any way i returned my second DNF for the year.


Glen Ogle (GO33)

after some serious rest, i was offered a late entry by Mike and Bill, so i though i would take up their offer, it was a cold crisp morning and Craig Reid had picked me up on the road to the event we arrived and i said to Craig that he should fancy his chances of a top spot finish after looking at all the faces on the start line after all he was second at the stride and he had years on a few of us, the race set off from its new start and soon Craig was away i settled in with a group before moving in to the 3rd place until mile 26 where i was passed, i couldn't complain as there was not much left in the tank, but hung on for fourth spot which was pleasing as i really wasn't 100% fit.

West Highland Way Opens

I wanted to have another r go at this event after finishing inside the 20 hour window (16th posn) in 2011, it was going to be a waiting game until the entries had closed at the end on November.

Marcothon

I had committed myself to doing the Marcothon, for those not familiar, you have to run every day in December for a minimum of 5k or 25 min,this includes the 25th, i had decided that whilst i wait for the WHW ballot process, i would set a second challenge, which was to run the equivalent distance of the WHW times Four (380 miles), this was going to be a bold challenge as you just don't know what to expect from December.

The first week passed and along with it came the news of acceptance to the 2013 WHW event and before long i had a spring in my step churning out the miles, by Christmas day i had met my first challenge all that remained was to finish the Marcothon, as the last week came in and the friends i had made on Facebook were posting i believed that i could go a step further than planned so i pushed for the 500 mile mark which i duly got on the last day.

As 2013 approaches i will look back on a a six moth period where i won a race and finished fourth twice, completed the Marcothon and ran 500 Miles, all in all not a bad half season. as i write this i have just entered the D33 and plan to do the GEDM followed by the WHW, all that remains is to try and remain injury free like all of us hope for.

Best wishes to all for the year ahead :-)

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John Lucas Memorial 50

For those not familiar with the John Lucas Memorial Ultra, it also goes by the name of the Round Strathaven 50, the race has been running since 2006 however due to low numbers in 2011 it was cancelled, this year Grant Jeans who holds the course record from 2010 in a time of 5:53:24 sent out a FB message in an attempt to recruit some of the SUMS stalwarts along, i don't know whether its too close to other events with the Devil O' the Highlands 2 weeks earlier and the Speyside Way a week later. the RS 50 also shares the calendar with the charity cycle event which attracts over 150+ with the option of either a 15 or the full 50 miles which starts a couple of hours after the ultra.

The weather forecast was looking good in the lead up to the event and proved no different on the day, it felt strange doing an ultra on a Sunday as most opt for the day before, anyway the race started at 8am from Strathaven Park and we immediately headed uphill and out of the village at this point Grant Jeans was leading, the usual for Grant closely followed by myself, i had no idea the positioning behind me as i wanted to keep Grant in my sights for as long as possible,we continued along the undulating country roads passing through the checkpoints of whitelaw, Drunclog,Exotic Birds where at 15 miles i took up the lead as Grant stopped for water, i knew Grant wouldn't be far behind but i continued to hold the lead,as we came through Sandford and then at the  halfway point (Stonehouse) my support crew of  Mr David Mooney who kindly gave up his day was following closely behind me (in his car) supplying the necessary food and replenishing the bottles for my waist belt commented that i had opened up a gap.

 On leaving Stonehouse you come down a hill just at Mile 26 followed by a steep uphill climb at which point it was a run/walk situation, once at the top it was back to normal service, the weather just seemed to get warmer as the miles came in. prior to checkpoint 6 (Glassford ) again you have another brutal climb, which they tell me is where a lot of the runners pull out. David was doing well with the encouragement but by 32 it was starting to take its toll on me, my Glut was sore and my calf's were starting to cramp up, i tried to strap an ice pack to my thigh but i could not move with it so it was a case of just keep moving, it seemed like an eternity that this was going on, as i came through checkpoints 7 and 8, Chapleton and then Auldhouse (mile 40) the cramp started to ease off, Possible due to taking some electrolyte tablets in my water, i managed to get a decent spell of running, it was a case of just trying to break down the miles in segments, Mr Mooney at this point was willing me on before i knew it the miles where starting to pass by in my head.

I was eventually back at checkpoint 1(Whitelaw) knowing that i only had the first 5 miles in reverse to the finish, the conditions were still very warm and the driver of the race car said to me its all down hill from here, i continued along still feeling slight niggles in my calf's but my only though was to get to the finish line, the miles seemed to pass by very quickly and then the driver held his hand out to indicate a mile to go at this point David came up beside me and said you've led for the last 34 miles don't throw it away, after my previous race a fortnight earlier i could not believe the position i was so i raced downhill for the last mile, throwing in a 6:55 mile to cross the line in 6:43:19 only to find Grant standing at the finish having pulled out at 31 miles.

I would like to say a big thank you to Strathaven Strider's for their post race hospitality, and race organisation and to the following people,

David Mooney - Phenomenal Support throughout the day
Lee and all the Marshall's for giving up their time
The Cyclists who all gave encouragement throughout the route
The Sponsors with some unbelievable prize giving
and the people who all took part without  which there would be no event

Post Race Thoughts - a very tough undulating 50 miles all on road with some nice climbs thrown in running through some lovely villages definitely something to pencil in to your diary for 2013 if you want to think outside the SUMS series.

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Back to Blogging (Devil o'the Highlands 2012)

As you will see from my last blog, its been a  long time, in fact nearly a year, how the time has flown. anyway fast forward to July 2012 and here we are, i raced the Stride nearly 3 weeks ago and got to 32 before pulling out with a calf injury and that point i felt deflated, i had done the recces and was up for it but on the day it all went wrong so i decided to contact the organiser of the Devils which was my next race, a fortnight later and tell them that i was not coming because i thought i would be out for some time. a few days later i was recovering quite well and sent away another email saying if the space was still available can they keep my name in, back came the reply to say that they had just returned from a weekend away and that they had done nothing so my place was safe.

My Back up crew of Sam Green and Paul  Brown arrived at 3:30am to pick me up and we headed of for Tyndrum. on arrival i met some Colin Knox, Ada and John Kynaston to mention a few, John was supporting Katrina and we had a brief chat about his Lakeland 100. i then head round for the brief prior to the start..

Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy
The start all seemed to happen pretty quickly and before i knew we were off, Thomas and Casey quickly set off at a pace, so i tucked in behind them, my plan was simple, hang on for as long as i possibly could and see what i had at the end, i had agreed with my support crew to get me at Victoria Bridge for a refuel, the first checkpoint, Bridge of Orchy seemed to arrive very quickly we were well under the Hour mark.

Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe

Casey continued up the hill followed by Thomas heading through the gate, i started to think at this point that this may be too fast, i knew my support was only a further 2 miles away at Victoria bridge as i came down the hill i got some welcome words from Marco and Lucy, i refuelled and head up on to the Rannoch Moor, i could see in the distance that Casey had opened a Gap on Thomas and i seemed further afield, hoeever feeling in reasonable shape i continued on, i was about a mile from the next checkpoint when David Mooney, gave me a cheer, he was out doing support for two other runners. i came of the moor and through the checkpoint still in third and feeling good.

Glencoe to Kinlochleven

I had agreed again to meet my support at the foot of the devils, where i would refuel, for me it was a walk up and eat while i was moving, something i learnt from Sharon Law in last years WHW race. as i got to the top before descending into Kinloclochleven i could feel my calf starting to pop, this was all i needed, i continued down to the next checkpoint where my crew were waiting, again all the cheers from everyone was amazing,

Kinlochleven to Fort William

I started to walk up the Larig Mhor eating a rice pot whilst my crew filled my bottles, Paul caught up with me and gave me the bottles we agreed to meet next at Lundavra, as i started running one of my bottles was not tightened properly and i lost the contents, it was so warm by this time that my other bottle was done. i approached the wilderness team at around 32 miles where i was offered water, as i stopped my calf cramped up and i was on the ground in pain, the wilderness team member,Jeff Smith kindly massaged my leg at this point the fourth runner came by, Craig Cunningham, Craig said why don't we work together, so we did for a few miles but again i had to stop as my leg cramped and gave it a massage.approaching Lundavra i got another refuel and could see Craig not too far in the distance, i thought at this point that i would try and hang on in there for fourth spot but before i knew it as we came through the clearance heading towards the road Craig was not that far in front, he must have went through a bad patch also i was thinking. as i came down the road its hard to gather pace but somehow i caught up with Craig and we agreed to work together towards the finish. my support team where waiting at the bottom of the road  saying not far to go , before i knew it we could see the finish line so myself and Craig agreed to cross together as we had helped each other over the last 11 miles.


Fort William

After crossing the line and collecting our goody bags,i got changed and had a quick chat with Thomas and Marco where i found out that Thomas took first spot ahead of Casey,i passed my congratulations to both, unfortunately i could not stay for the prize giving as my driver Paul's wife was in hospital and although he had agreed to support me had to get straight back home. i had went to advise the timekeeper that i could not stay, i was advised at this point that i would not be sharing the thirs spot time as it was ruled that Craig's toe crossed the line first, this was disappointing, we had worked together, finished together but separated in time by a toe, i was not happy at this point as it was not a third trophy or even a vets trophy it was the recognition of a joint third time. anyway i have now calmed down in the cold day of light and accepted the decision by the race director, as Thomas said a lesson learnt :-)

I would just like to say congratulations to everyone who took part, the people who cheered everyone on and special thank you to my support team and especially to Paul for giving up his time whilst his wife was in hospital.

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River Ayr Way

It has been nearly 16 weeks since i last blogged the reason is simple, my motivation had completely gone after the whw race. i cannot start to explain what caused it but everything i had done pre whw was not there, with the stride only two weeks later i sent Lee my apologies, which was great for someone else on the reserve list, there was still no sign of any improvement in my running through the whole of July which led me to withdraw from the Devils the night before the race, by now i wondered if i could get back to anything decent, i managed to get in a couple of longish runs the first few weeks in Septrember and decided to send in my form for the Raw just 2 weeks prior to the race. i turned up that morning at the car park not knowing what to expect. i met Gavin Harvie at the start line and we both settled in to a steady pace working together sitting in 5th spot, i was not sure how long i would last or if i would finish as the conditions where not the greatest and i did not know how my mind would react to not doing much over the time period.

Around the 14 mile mark things started to stretch out and i never saw Gavin after that, i had settled into 4th place and this continued for some time when eventually i had moved to 3rd spot after leaving Sorn village. At around 20 miles when at a water station i was told that i was now in 2nd place, i had wondered what had happened to Paul Giblin, the marshalls said that he had pulled out and i was now 2nd,but i didn't see him at any point to indicate otherwise, this gave me a bit of motivaton as i felt if i could continue to the end i might be able to secure enough points to move me from 35th spot in the SUMS Series in to a vets placing.

It was around the 28 mile mark i took a wrong turn at a fork in the road and by the time i got back on track Paul appeared again, i think he had done the same, going off course, he quickly moved past me putting me back into 3rd place, before i knew it i was starting to struggle badly as the most i had done in recent weeks was 28 miles, i was not sure if i could hold on but before i knew it i got a 2nd wind after a brief stop for water i was over the bridge and heading towards the track as i came round the track i got a cheer from Gavin, only to find out that he pulled out at 25 with an injury so i knew i had secured 3rd place.

I later found out from Ada Stewart who was staying for the prize giving that that i had moved 29 places in to 6th overall and taking the 3rd vets spot, this was just the motivation to get my entry off for the GO33.

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My First West Highland Way Race

Pre Race

I had arranged with my support crew to pick me up at 11pm, so when the text came in at 10:50 say that they were on time.the nerves were starting to kick in, i had all my kit in one box and supplies in another so when the guys arrived we fitted everything in to the car and headed for Milngavie. as we entered the railway station car park the place was jumping, i was surprised when we even managed to get a parking space, myself and Sam then went over to the registration, picked up my number and i got weighed in before heading back to the car park i met Thomas and Silke for the first time. After saying hello to JK, it was time for the race brief, then before i knew it we were counting down to the start of the race.


Milngavie to Drymen

As we left Milngavie, the fast group had dissapeared and i was sitting in a group consisting of Sharon Law,Ross Moreland,John Kynaston And Richard Galbraith, as we continued along Jamie Aarons joined and immediately went to the front with Sharon, John joked that the girls were holding the gates open for the men. as we moved along the group started to thin out on the road section approaching drymen. i managed to see my crew in amongst the many people standing there.

Drymen to Balmaha 

After leaving Drymen the group remained spread out again until i was with Mark Caldwell as we came over Conic Hill into the carpark at Balmaha. As i came down the hill i started to slide causing me to fall over lucky for me it was only my arm that took the knock. i decided that once i had stopped for a quick bite i would dry my feet and get a fresh pair of socks on. my five minues flew in and i was soon on my way.


Balmaha to Rowardennan

As i started to climb out of Balmaha i could see Sharon climbing up the path ahead little did i know then that we would be running together until Glencoe.this section went passed very quickly as we came into Rowardennan the first faces i saw there where John McLaughlin and John Bell (part of Marcos support) who gave us a welcome cheer, i saw my crew and headed over to change my footwear for the lochside, when i asked for my other shoes the guys said they could not find them, it then came back to me that they were lying outside the house at the door, so it was a case of drying the feet and more fresh socks.

Rowerdennan to Inversnaid

I spent most of this section just behind Sharon running with Craig Stewart, one of my friends, Paul was going to drive up in the morning and run down with my drop bag, as i arrived at Inversnaid, Paul was waiting with my refuel for the next section, i felt this was an important section to get a bit of moral support, then me and Craig were off as paul went to Tyndrum.

Inversnaid to Bienglass

Craig started to drop back on this section as we went over the goat path and again i wasn't far behind Sharon as we came into Beinglas the crew were sitting in the seated area as you cross the footbridge again taking another five minutes to get a rice and to refuel my race belt.

Bienglass to Auchentyre

This section seemed much easier than it did at the Fling,as i came through the big gate at Boggle Glen i got the news that Marco had withdrawn from the race. i stopped and borrowed a change of shoes as i remebered the last time i ran this section i felt every bloody stone under my feet just then Sharon came through the gate with another runner Adam Versteeg, we all ran together to the checkpoint as we arrived we saw Marco walking towards us, he was changed, he gave Sharon a quick hug as we continued in to the checkpoint. This was the first weigh in point, i had a lost some weight, then took the usual five minutes to grab a bite.

Auchertyre to Bridge of Orchy

Myself and Adam left around the same time as we came through lower Tyndrum Neil Gibson gave us cheer, then appraoching high Tyndrum Paul was waiting for me, at this point i walked up the small climb with another runner called Mark  Leggett then got myself started again. I could see Sharon in the distance, it wasn't long before Mark caught me, at this point Adam had fallen back. Mark and i both eventually caught up with Sharon as we all came through the checkpoint. i took a few minutes as Shaun wanted to see my mandatory kit.

Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe Ski Centre

Leaving BoO i had a kit change, myself Mark and Sharon all came through Victoria Bridge, again i stopped for a quick refuel, just then Adam caught up, heading over Rannoch Moor, the rain was coming down and by now i could feel myself starting to struggle, Another Runner whom i ran with over  Conic earlier, Mark Caldwell had caught up with us and passed looking quite strong. Adam dropped back as the three of us tried to see this section out, with a mile to go to the Ski Centre Sharon was away on her own followed by Mark Then Me.

Glencoe Ski Centre to Devils Staicase

I got out of the wet clothes, had another snack and headed down to the Kingshouse with Adam at this point Mark was behind us. my crew had agreed to meet at the bottom ot the Devils Staircase. again i did not enjoy this small section, as i arrived i changed in to my Skins but by now Adam was well on his way to the top, part of the way up i met Mark again but he looked like he was in a worse place than me at this point, just then i was caught up by another runner who seemed to appear from nowhere called Graham Strachan who was being supported by George Cairns, he had been running with Debs who he said was just behind us, once at the top i seemed to get a second wind and ran with Graham into the Kinlochleven checkpoint.

Kinlochleven to Lundavra

I went inside the centre to weigh in when saw John Mclauglin, John Bell and Marco in the seated area, i weighed in and told Marco that Debs was close behind. i had went to get another change of top from Sam before heading over the Larig Moor,as i did so Debs was off like a shot heading up the Larig climb. i could see her and Adam drifting further and further away from me. As i headed towards Lundavra another runner came pat, Marc Casey , after that the only people were the wilderness response team offering Juice and by now it was getting harder to keep the momentum up, eventually as i approached Lundavra just before the checkpoint Tam came down try and lift my spirits by saying that the last group were not far in front.

Lundavra to Fort William

As i left the checkpoint i was really starting to struggle i found it difficult to pick myself up, i could still see Debs and Adam at stages then they dissapeared. just then my watch went dead, this was the final straw, i had no idea what distance i was covering and i had no sense of time and the forrest trail just seemed to go on and on for ever. As i came up the final part of the trail, i had felt a sense of being lost, the footpath had a large tree covering it and there was a road to the left, i stood for a few minutes as my directoin was gone and i did not want to take a wrong turn, just then three cyclists came up towards me, i shouted to them for directions, wich they pointed to the path with the tree over it so i climbed through it only to find the other end coming out onto the road. i headed down the road where the cyclists came tearing past me, as i came  around a bend someone was taking photos and shouted well done, was i glad to see someone. as i continued down the road for a bit Sam appeared and said it was only three miles to go, i was struggling badly and found even going dowhill difficult. i happened to look back and i could see two runners behind me, one passed me and that made me try and find something to get to the main road, as i looked back i could  not see anyone else, on the main road my support shouted out of the car that it was about 500 yards to go to the roundabout, this felt like an eternity as the road just seemed to go on and on ,still struggling i walked and ran until i could see the roundabout then i could see my crew at the entrance of the Centre. I had just crossed the line when i found out the runner behind me was mark who i had spent most of the race with.

Position 16th  - Time 19 Hours 47 Minutes 17 seconds

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Early Bird

As I was working today and don't finish to 3pm and knowing that Angela and Abby were due home from the Brownie camp around 4ish, there was no way that i was going to get a reasonable run in so it was up early this morning and out the door bang on 4:30 as this would get me a 2 hour run before starting work, because i had taken Saturday off i decided to do a similar distance to what i ran on Friday evening. It was a fantastic morning, the sun was out in full and it was just perfect for a run, as i was running i was thinking about the conditions for next week, checkpoints, food and so on. now i know from reading Silke's blog what Thomas means about PRT.so now it is all by, all that remains in a small run on Tuesday and Thursday to keep the legs ticking over.

Total Distance 15:17   Time 1h 57 min 18 sec

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can't get you out of my Head

It's friday, i have one week to go and like the rest of the runners taking part in the WHW it should be time to wind down. now i don't usually run on a Friday as this is one of my rest days but this is no normal weekend , my wife Angela and Abby are away to a Brownie camp all weekend so i couldn't sit on my arse and not do something so i decided to head out for a run, takes your mind of things or so i had hoped but as Kylie says, cant get you out of my head and thats exactly what is happening in relation to next week.for someone attempting to run their first 95 Miles in a weeks time its hard to think of anything else. so back to the run, the night turned out well the sun was out and it was pretty warm so i decided to run a loop at the house which took in 13 miles, i was trying out a new pair of shoes for their second run, what a spring in your step they give any way after checking the garmin at the end i found that i had run 2 sub 7.30, 8 sub 7.15 and 2 sub 7 and 1 sub 6.50, i hope next Friday is as Good.

Total distance 13.08 time 1h 33m

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Tomtain and Garrel Hills

Today was going to be my last long run before the WHW, I set of this morning at 05:10 am and headed out 10 miles along the Forth & Clyde Canal until i reached Kilsyth, once there i decided to head up what i believe to be one of the steepest road sections in central Scotland, Tak Ma Doon Road, once at the car park at the top where you can take in fantastic views which include Grangemouth, I then cut off through the green barrier to the left and head up to Tomtain Hill (trig Point 6518) and on to Garrel Hill. At one point i thought the cloud cover was going to spoil my view but it quickly moved making my final long run all worth while. after a few minutes i started to head back down from my climb back in to Kilsyth and back on to the canal heading for home.

Distance 30 Miles - Total Time 4:05 - Elavation Gain 2118 ft

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