2009 Race - the short version

20th June 2009

95 miles

33 hours 59 minutes I know some people are itching to read WHW blogs, and the crews are reluctant to blog until the runners have, so this is a summary of my run, with a flowery waffly version to follow over the next few days (or weeks?). Friday - felt tired and sick, couldn't sleep in the car, not well rested Start - felt great, raring to go, excited, ready, looking forward to the hours ahead. Milngavie to Drymen, 12 miles - my least favourite section of the WHW, and no exception today. But I felt good, and arrived at Drymen ahead of schedule, feeling very comfortable and happy. Drymen to Balmaha, 7 miles - I loved this section. I usually do, but found it tough on the Fling. This time it was fantastic, except the midgies had started to feast. Arrived in Balmaha almost 30 minutes ahead, and had a quick stop to be sprayed with midgie poison and refilled with water and I was off. Balmaha to Rowardennan, 8 miles - I really struggled here on the Fling, and the same happened this time. Arrived in Rowardennan about on schedule, losing all the time in hand. Had a longer stop, and had some food and more midgie spray. Rowardennan to Inversnaid, 7 miles - My favourite section of this run. I usually love it, but found the beginning difficult on the Fling. This time, it was just fabulous. I walked the ups reasonably strongly, and ran all the downs. I felt great. Inversanid to Ardlui Ferry, 4 miles - my previous nemesis, that I learnt to love. This time, though I didn't hate it that much, I found it tough, and it seemd to go on forever. The rock scrambling was relentless and energy sapping, and I was so relieved to see the back of the shoreline. Ardlui Ferry to Bein Glas Farm, 3 miles - Another section that I usually enjoy, and I love it today. I flew along. Bein Glas Farm to Carmyle Cottage, 4 miles - a mixed section, that I've sometimes found tough. Today it was awful. I kept falling asleep on the move and almost falling over before I jolted awake. Managed to get to Carmyle Cottage, where my crew had dashed to meet me, and lay down for 10 minutes and had some food. Carmyle Cottage to Auchentyre Farm, 5 miles - the unplanned crew stop had worked wonders, and I comfortably ran/walked to the checkpoint, probably only 20 minutes behind schedule. Auchentyre Farm to Tyndrum, 3 miles - the first run with Santa. Except she was always way ahead and I couldn't keep up. But I got to Tyndrum quickly, and after a quick drink carried on alone. Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy, 6 miles - discovered just after leaving Tyndrum that I had no water. Think with the extra stop there had been a mix up, but I had no reception so couldn't contact anyone. Managed to plod on, walking with a bit of running, and arrived in Bridge of Orchy to be welcomed by Santa carrying a bottle of water for me. About 2 hours behind plan. Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran, 3 miles - Steve accompanied me for this, which although short, is one of my favourite sections. Basically a mile and a half climb up through forest and moor, followed by a mile and a half descent over moorland. We flew it. Inveroran to Kingshouse, 11 miles - started out feeling strong, and was half way along Rannoch Moor when the overwhelming tiredness started again. Pushed on to meet the crew at Blackrock Cottage so I could shut my eyes and lie down for a bit, and so went a lot faster than I should and arrived 30 minutes before I was expected. By now I was only about 90 minutes behind the original plan. Kingshouse to Kinlochleven, 8 miles - Steve had walked with me the short distance from Blackrock Cottage to Kingshouse. I was barely aware of anything by this stage. What took everyone else about 10 minutes took me 30 minutes. I was shivering badly and my crew were concerned. It was decided that both Santa and Steve would run with me for the last 22 miles as I think everyone feared that at some point one of them would need to run off and get help. More on this section in proper blogs. Neverending Story. Kinlochleven to Lundavra, 8 miles - Having had a half hour nap, I woke up very dazed and confused. But we managed to run out of Kinlochleven, much to the crew's relief. Were accompanied by sweepers, as we were the last to leave the checkpoint when it closed. Lost them after a mile when we started overtaking people that had set out earlier. I was pretty much unable to run now as my feet were so sore, but the terrain was tricky, and Steve and Santa were also tired. A slow and quiet procession to the final checkpoint at Lundavra. Lundavra to Lochaber Leisure Centre, 7 miles - it's a fact that the last mile of a race is the longest. In this longer race, the last 7 miles were the longest. Possibly longer than the 7 miles into Kinlochleven. Saw the sign for the Leisure Centre, realised there were three minutes until 34 hours, and forgetting all the pain I ran to the finish. Fantastic support the whole way around, from everyone involved.  My support crew metaphorically carried me from Kingshouse, both the buddy runners and Hendo and Siouxsie, who worked miracles at the checkpoints. It's a great race. It broke me, but I finished. I'll be back next year to do it properly.