Sunday 29 June 2014



Here I was on the brink of a second WHW adventure, had it really been 12 months I’d undertaken this race? Preparations running wise had gone pretty well with some decent long runs including running round Arran 55.5 miles in March, as well as a really positive Fling bagging over an hour’s PB and a good strong training run around the GO33 course a few weeks earlier. Having been let down by my intended support runner with just over a week to go I was in a bit of a panic mode until a call to my long time mate Steve alleviated my concern, Steve was in. My support team was now going to be Ian, my sister Pam and Steve. 

I prepared my stuff on the Thurs and managed to get the stuff down to just 2 large containers instead of the 3 from last year. I had an early night on Thurs and was in bed for about 9pm. Friday morning, Tracy (my wife) took Ava to school leaving me to lie on. Lying in bed eyes shut but wide awake I realised trying to lie on was a pointless exercise so I got up and pottered around. Ian arrived about 11am with the intention of me helping him configure a pc project we were working on. Ian left around 12 and I drove up to collect Ava.

The rest of the day was mostly just waiting for the clock to hurry past so I could embark on the task in hand. Dinner was a steak pie supper (steak pie & chips) from our local chippy the same meal I had 12 months earlier. Soon enough the time arrived to leave so I bid farewell to Tracy and Ava and told them I would ‘hopefully’ see them in Fort William to see me collect my second goblet.

I picked up Ian then drove to West Calder and collected Pam and soon we were on the M8 west bound. After an initial confusion of directions with the sat nav we safely had Steve in the car having collected him from Kirkintilloch. 20 mins later we pulled into Milngavie rail station and initially struggled to find a parking space before parking at the top near to the starting tunnel of adventure.
Roy appeared and soon we met up with Tommy. The mood was very light and jovial with us all wondering what the next 30 hours or so would bring. The weather was being very kind with a temperature of about 16oc making it perfect running weather.


Before long Ian Beattie the Race Director had given his brief and we were all on the start line waiting for the air horn. Handshakes and hugs all round we told our team we would see them briefly in Drymen.

And we were off!!



The send off you get as you run up the high street is something to be savoured, cow bells, cheers, clapping you simply couldn’t ask for anything more. Before long we had moved into the park and we settling into the task in hand. Due to the dry weather both I and Tommy had decided to run with no jacket which turned out to be a very wise choice.  The miles ticked by and I felt fairly comfortable and tried not to reflect too much on what lay ahead. Before long we ran up the steep brae to Drymen and crossed the road and shouted hello to the guys as we passed. As I started the climb I met Dave Etchell and Greg Beattie. Dave was a guy I’d ran sections with in the Devils last year and had really bonded with, as such we’ve remained friends ever since. Greg I’d never met before. Here was a guy who had achieved a fantastic turn-around in his life style. I’m sure he won’t mind me saying this but he’d gone from an unfit couch potato to running and completing not only the Fling several months before but was now tackling one of the toughest ultras in the UK all in the space of a couple of years. Amazing stuff and an inspiration to anyone.

Further on Fiona Rennie caught us up and we ran with her for probably a good hour or so enjoying some good banter.  Anyone reading this doesn’t require any introduction to Fiona. Suffice to say she’s an incredible example of someone overcoming the odds not once but twice and is taking part in her 10th WHW race. An inspiration to everyone and a legend in ultra running.

As daylight dawned we hit Conic and started on the steep climb. I have to say since they’ve upgraded the path it’s certainly tough, though not as much as it was a few years back. The ascent and descent passed without problems and soon we were running the enjoyable downhill section out of the forest down towards our first supported checkpoint at Balmaha. We found the guys and I sat down and enjoyed a breakfast of beans and mini sausages. 




Tommy and I had decided this year to try and limit the checkpoint stop times to about 5 mins and make more use of the eating on the move strategy, something I’d done successfully in the Fling a few months earlier. As the great William Sichel says, it is a race and sitting down achieves nothing.

After yoghurt and a quick cup of tea we were back on the trail heading down the road towards the steep climb before descending down to loch side. Just as we reached the turn right to start the climb, Tommy’s phone rang. It was Roy, telling him I’d forgotten my timing chip!! I turned and started to run back towards Balmaha and fortunately Roy had started to run towards me so I never had far to go to retrieve the chip.  After a verbal pasting from Tommy we reached the trail along loch side towards Rowardennan. We kept up a decent pace and soon reached Rowardennan in what felt like not too long a time. This checkpoint was unsupported consisting of just a drop bag. I picked mine up and sat on a rock and was soon engulfed in midgies. They were everywhere. Tommy had wisely sat near the water’s edge where they seemed less prevalent. We made our stay short and headed back out to the trail towards Inversnaid. 

We settled into a comfortable pace and kept the chatting going which always helps time to pass. I remarked to Tommy that unless one of us got injured we would both be crossing the finish line together. Then almost as if someone up there had other ideas for my race I felt this sharp pain inside my right knee on the right side. It was agony. As I ran the pain got worse made even more so going downhill. Tommy asked if I was ok. I said no but would keep going. The pain kept up and seemed to be getting worse with every step. It was so bad it was physically preventing me from running so I tried to adopt a fast walk. This continued for about 20 mins and I told Tommy that unless this was to vanish my race was finished. This was the darkest moment in an ultra I’ve ever had. I was starting to accept I would be a DNF, something I’ve managed to avoid in every ultra I’ve taken part in. Any other race it wouldn’t have been so bad but not the WHW race. This one I had 3 people giving up their entire weekend just to allow me to indulge myself in this. I was letting everyone down, Ian, Pam, and Steve. My daughter Ava and Tracy were coming up to see me collect the goblet and I was letting them down too. I was a loser and a failure but I had no choice. Tommy gave me a couple of paracetamol to take which I thought wouldn’t help but why not give it a go. I kept going as best I could frequently yelling out in pain. Over the next ½ hour I noticed the pain was starting to ease. Was it really going to get better? Thoughts then turned that perhaps my race wasn’t over quite yet. This gave me a bit of a lift and before long we arrived at Inversnaid. 

One of the kind marshals gave me an ice pack which I applied to the knee for 10 mins or so. It certainly felt like it was helping so supplies replenished we hit the road once again. It was along this section that we met up with a few really good guys including Ian McCuaig and Ash Azhagarasan.

Ash is only 23 and was undertaking his 1st ever WHW race, amazing stuff for someone so young. We employed a bit of ‘follow the leader” taking turns to take the lead which is always a really good way to burn the miles up. As we reached the steep climb to ‘Dario’s Post’ we heard the unmistakeable tone’s of one Mr George Reid shouting “encouragement” to us "Get a move on ya couple of fannies”. As we passed Dario’s Post we said hello and Karen told us we had 1.8 miles to Bein Glas.

We shortly arrived at Bein Glas and this time the team had come out to meet us which was a bit help. 



We devoured our food, refilled the bottles and set back off towards Fort Bill. Tommy and I stuck together for the duration. We had talked about running our own race which we were going to do but in light of me being let down and effectively support runnerless we realised it would just make sense to stick together effectively acting as each other’s support runner.

This section passed fairly effortlessly until we hit the climb into Ewich Forest. At this point the sun had decided to come out and we were very grateful to have the shelter of the forest. There is a lot of walking in this section with some brutal uphill sections. Before long we were out of the forest and were winding our way towards Auchtertyre. When we reached the checkpoint I was weighed and one of the marshals remarked on how fresh I looked!!  

  Food down our throats and supplies put in order we bid farewell once more and said we would see the crew at Tyndrum for an ice lolly at Brodies shop. As this is only 3-4 miles we reached Tyndrum and the crew in a before. As we were crossing the road Steve greeted us to ask what kind of icelolly we wanted. I asked for a lemonade one and Tommy an Irn Bru. As we passed Brodie’s Ian came out with our ice-lolly’s. I have to say we both enjoyed them immensely as it really hit the spot! I had a little chat with Rhona before starting the long climb up towards Bridge of Orchy. Once we reached the top we made really good progress catching 3 or 4 runners. As we approached BOO I picked up the pace and kicked on soon arriving at the checkpoint. Clocking my time the same marshal said I was looking fresher the further into the race I got!! Hearing things like that does help to give you a boost it has to be said.

We had already agreed the crew would meet us at the other side of “Murdo’s Hill” as BOO can get very congested with traffic. After a fairly long climb we picked up the running and soon reached ‘Murdo’s Hill’ where I was given the choice of a cup of wine or a jelly baby. I plucked for the former and have to say it gave me a little kick!!

We pressed on as it got warmer and soon reached the bottom at Inveroran where we met up with the team. I changed my top and Steve applied a bit of first aid to a blister forming on my left heal and also to a sweat rash on my back. 




Fed and watered we bidded farewell and started out towards Rannoch Moor. We ran fairly hard until the gate which takes you onto the Drove Road. At this point we met up with Ian McCuaig again and enjoyed each other’s company on what seemed like a section that just went on and on and on.

When we eventually reached Glencoe ski centre we were starting to feel a bit tired, made worse as it had been overcast and dull all day and we were now going into our second night. At this point I should mention that the race was once again won by Paul Giblin in an astonishing time of 14 hours and 20 mins some 47 minutes off his time from last year. Taking part in this race it’s impossible to comprehend how someone can run so fast. Just amazing.

It was at this checkpoint that we would have the welcome company of Steve. Support runners probably don’t fully appreciate how welcome a sight they are or are indeed helping. They may not be able to help us physically move any quicker but just having them there to keep the mood up you just can’t put a price on how important they are. We had decided as it it was getting a bit breezy and the temperature was falling we donned our jackets and hats. Before long we once again told our crew we would “see them shortly” and set off down the road to join the main road.

Once you cross over the road at the bottom there is a lot of climbing so we enjoyed a bit of light hearted banter to keep the spirits up. 







Once we reached the path adjacent to the road we picked up the running again and ran to the entrance which starts the climb to the ‘Devil’s Staircase’. As we approached the entry point we passed someone leaning on a fence who Steve described as “The Grim Reaper” and he wasn’t wrong. They had one of these full on head bee keeper type hat things on and in the dusk it looked ominous. Rather appropriate considering the name of the hill we were about to ascend. Progress was slow and I pressed on. It was at this point that Tommy was beginning to feel drained so Steve stuck with Tommy and kept him moving. 





Running ultras you learn you will have highs and lows and when you’re in a high you have to take advantage of that phase as much as possible so I kept moving on until I eventually reached the summit and found myself a comfy rock to sit on while I waited on Steve and Tommy. Darkness had almost come in fully and it was time to switch on the head torch once more. Tommy and I were both feeling it by now and I personally was feeling quite sleepy and hoped it would pass. This section turned out to be the hardest section both physically and mentally. The rough terrain made worse in the dark requires every ounce of concentration and foot placement to ensure you don’t fall. It was at this point I told Tommy and Steve I was 100% finished with the WHW and would never want to put myself through this rigour ever again, and I meant it. Tommy agreed and said he was done with it too.

This section felt like an eternity with me going ahead to hopefully be able to give the guys good news that we were almost there, though that moment never seemed to arrive with every corner being met with another long section and corner. We eventually reached the road which winds its way into Kinlochleven and I have to say I honestly thought we’d taken a wrong turn as the road down just seemed to last forerever!! I don’t know whether it’s due to the darkness and you never know exactly where you are but this section was torturous. We eventually heard the water on the right hand side and knew it couldn’t be far. At long last we reached the bottom and we all picked up and kicked on to the leisure centre.  This was it; only one section left then the end. 

We all slumped into the comfy chairs after being weighed and it was at this point that Pam really shone. We were all feeling the effects of the past 24 hours and she was there like the proverbial Mother Hen serving us with food and drink. I could have given her a big hug if I had the energy!!I know all the other guys appreciated her.We stayed there for probably 15-20 mins then decided to make the final push to the end. Roy was going to join us at this point and again it was great to have him here to keep the mood light and our spirits positive. 

The climb out of Kinlochleven is always brutal but more so after 80 miles under your belt. To be honest it didn’t feel as bad as I remembered and we were soon on the trail heading to Lundavra. At this point there wasn’t a lot of running being made. 








I was trying to encourage Tommy but he was feeling very drained. It didn’t seem too long before we saw the welcome sight of the burning torches of Jeff Smith of the Wilderness Response Team.  Having guys like Jeff around at these times always gives you a welcome lift and a very welcome drink of Irn Bru. Sadly I had been too slow to get there in time for a drink of Tizer. Obligatory photo taken we pressed on with me asking Roy how far we had to go every few minutes. 

We soon reached John Kynaston and the team at Lundavra. Handshakes all round and a photo we moved off once more almost in touching distance of Fort Bill. As we climbed towards the forest we met up with Fiona Rennie and enjoyed some like hearted banter before she moved ahead with her team. At one point I saw a recognisable figure in John Vernon. John had accompanied me last year on this last stage and it was nice to catch up. John wasn’t taking part this year instead opting for the “other” race.

Light had ascended which always helps to lift the mood. We weren’t far now and I was feeling quite strong so pressed ahead then would sit down and wait for the others to catch up. As I reached the summit of the last big hill I arrived at the fire road and shouted down to the others that they were almost there. I took a welcome seat on a pile of logs and thoughts turned to hitting the leisure centre, nearly there I thought.

Once the other guys reached me we started on the long descent of Glen Nevis. I was up for running but Tommy was visibly struggling.  He was literally dead on his feet so we walked as quickly as we could. I tried my best to encourage him telling him he’s already in pain so trying to run will just get him to the end quicker. Tommy picked up and we all ran as a group with me frequently running ahead more really as a test for me to prove I could do it. 








Tommy told me to just go for it and I said that we would cross the line together. We made steady progress alternating between running and walking. I told the guys if we could pick things up we would bag a PB. Tommy and Roy told me just to go. I said I wouldn’t but they insisted there was no point in me not doing so as Tommy was in safe hands with Roy. I reluctantly agreed so Steve and I kicked on as hard as we could maintaining a decent pace. We eventually reached the bottom of the road and turned left for the final mile or so to Fort William. Steve was doing his best to get me to the end to bag myself an hour’s PB.

We kept running as hard as we could and after asking a local how far it was to the leisure centre I soon recognised the last corner and just went for it, sprinting as fast as I could until I reached the end. 
 
I’d done it finishing in 30 hours and 38 minutes, an hour and 4 minutes PB on last year.
Ian and Pam were there to see me finish.
 

 Ian gave me a hug followed by Pam. As she hugged me she told me Mum and Dad would be so proud of me and that just reduced me to tears!!




Very shortly I was astonished to see Tommy and Roy come running towards the tape. I screamed encouragement as he hit the finish. He’s finished just 7 minutes after me. At the point I left him I honestly believed it would be another 30-40 mins before he reached the end but he had decided to just go for it. Amazing gutsy runner.

 All showered we made our way to McDonalds for a spot of breakfast before heading to the centre for the presentation ceremony. It was great to have Tracy, Ava and Libby there to see me collect my second goblet.

 
That was it, another adventure of huge proportions. I had my highs and some massive lows but positively I felt I finished very strong and gives me something to work from when I set out on the same again next year to hopefully improve once again. Did I say I wasn’t doing it again??
I want to thank my crew; I simply couldn’t have done it without all you guys. Pam, Ian, Steve and Roy. You’re the best, simple as.


 Finally thanks to Ian Beattie and his team, you’re an awesome bunch and again without you lot doing what you do we simply wouldn’t have the opportunity of doing stuff like this.



Roll on June 2015.