I felt great. I was fresh, strong, and running. In the West Highland Way race. I had finally made it to the start line, and I’m sure Flip had said something about that being part of the challenge.
Raring to go
Running through the main precinct of Milngavie and I was glad of the surrounding runners, as the streets were filled with cheering (or jeering?) drunkards, and I felt nervous. Not sure what I thought they may do, but still.
Over and back along the bridge, through the car park, and out of the obvious urban part. And relax.
I was running well, keeping up with those around me, despite starting much further up than usual, and I quickly felt comfortable with my pace.
I wasn’t altogether comfortable with running in the dark, but I remembered I’d felt apprehensive at first during the Ridgeway, and that once I’d become accustomed to it, I loved it.
Along through the woods, and the turn right, to go up the hill. I was relieved that everyone, without exception, walked up this.
The field had already begun to spread out, and I’d slowed and moved over to let people past. The darkness was still making me uneasy, as although the night may not have got completely dark, in the woods, there was no light getting through, and it was quite spooky.
The people behind me had fallen back quite a lot, so whenever I turned around there was blackness apart from where I shone my torch. I kept expecting someone to tap me on my shoulder and shout ‘Boo’.
Out and over the road, saw a few people diverting off for pit stops, and onto the first bit of the WHW that I really like, down to and along,the small loch.
I’d lost sight of most people by now, both in front of and behind me, and I had the peace and quiet of the darkness to keep me company.
Past the cottages at Easter Carbeth, and then the first of many pit stops, this time I’d carefully chosen a spot between a stone wall and a tree, despite the fact that there was no-one around, and that the darkness would offer me all the privacy I needed.
Down and around the little hill, and I was hit with my first disappointment. On my first run here, Mags had said to me that during the race this part is where you could see a line of head torches, snaking their way along, but with no-one around me, even in the distance, I saw nothing. There was a supporter to cheer me on though.
Up and down, then the turn onto the disused railway track. I usually dislike this for the boredom factor, but this time it seemed really pretty, as the Glengoyne Distellery was lit up and looked beautiful.
Then onto the Beech Tree Inn, and some supporters said ‘well done’ to me. I thanked them and someone shouted ‘Jen’. I was confused. How did they know my name? Oh, it was my support crew.
I must admit to being quite alarmed at seeing them, not so much because I hadn’t expected to see them – that was a lovely surprise – but because they were all wearing midgie nets, and by torchlight looked like a bunch of freaks. So I ran on fairly promptly.
Next few miles were uneventful. Didn’t hate them, didn’t love them, they just were. I was looking forward to reaching the road. Can’t remember why now, but at the time it seemed to be very important that I reach the road asap.
Soon enough I did, and could see enough to be able to switch the head torch off, and as I made my way into Drymen, the daylight had finally arrived.
Managed to avoid sinking into the bog in the dip, and then I was safely up the hill, over the road and through the layby that some had used as a crew point. Ran on, and then it was the left turn into one of my favourite bits, and the first 7 miles of this race that I truly enjoyed.
I had struggled here a bit on the Fling, despite it being a favourite, but this time it was great. Apart from the midgies of course, from which I had no protection as it had been dark when I set out and midgies were far from my prime concern. But now it was early daylight, and the midgies wanted breakfast, Which apparently was me. I still have numerous red dots on my arms as a souvenir of my blood donation.
But they weren’t enough to bring me down. I was on a favourite bit, I was feeling great, and I was determined to enjoy it. I loved Conic Hill. It seems to get easier each time I’m there, and for the first time ever, I ran almost the whole way down.
This is where I saw the gentlemen that Hendo mentioned a lot, who had a metal hook for his lower right leg. I have no idea how he managed to cross the terrain of the route, and the only place I overtook him was on the Conic Hill descent. He joked to someone who had overtaken him and given him a wide berth, ‘don’t worry, I haven’t fallen for ten minutes now’ I immediately butted in and said he must be about due for a fall now then. He laughed.
I love the small foresty track at the bottom of Conic Hill, and this time I was bolstered by the knowledge that my crew would be in the car park waiting for me, and that they could spray me with midge repellent and give me some anti-histamines. The relief was much anticipated.
I arrived in the car park and found my crew, barked orders at them for what was needed, and then was taken slightly aback, as I was immediately covered in midgies. When I had midgie issues while running, I had maybe a couple of dozen on me at any time, but within seconds of stopping here I was covered in them. I was breathing them in. they were everywhere. I waited until my crew had sprayed me and refilled my water, and legged it out of there. Not sure I even said goodbye, I just panicked and had to get away from the midgies.
The obligatory spray down with midgie repellent, otherwise known as Avon Skin So Soft.
Ran past Karen having a brief stop in the car park, but she overtook me almost immediately on the climb up Craigie Fort, and that was the last I saw of her until the finish – what a fabulous performance she put in.
Had the ups and downs of the Balmaha – Rowardennan, both geographical and metaphorical. Sometimes I felt fine, more times I felt like I hated it.
The man with the hooked leg overtook me on this section, and although he said to me we’d be overtaking each other the whole way, I said I doubted I’d see him again. I didn’t.
I had to keep reminding myself that I struggled here on the Fling, and that this was my only bad section that time, and that it was ok to feel bad – I’d pick up soon enough. I really believed that too.
As I was nearing Rowardennan, I looked up to the top of a hill, and saw a fetch shirt. It took me a moment to work out who it was, but then realised it was Santa – come to take my orders for the checkpoint.
I then saw Hendo with a camera on the approach the checkpoint and stuck my finger up at him, before realising that Dario (the race director) was standing some way behind him. Oops.
This stop was very different to Balmaha. The midgies were still out on force, but not overwhelmingly so, and the repellent that had been sprayed on me had done a good job. Of killing them, rather than repelling them, meaning that I was covered in dead midgies. At least the dead ones didn’t bite.
Crewstop at Rowardennan Checkpoint
Had some food, a refill of water and a chat and it was time to get moving again. I had done 27 miles, I knew I loved the next section, and I had eaten. Bring it on.
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