WHW 2011 - Race Report

I have tried to get a decent race report together. Not an easy task (as always) since there is a lot happening before, during and after the race which is important. But I have decided to just publish this now, otherwise It will take month...

Results


I have borrowed a few of the great pics from Alan Young, I hope he does not mind (there was a blogger icon next to the pics).


Training went well altogether. Although I was not following a training schedule. And apart from one run with Marco in the Kilpatrick Hills. I have had another run with him and Richie earlier in the year and I had the impression Marco was almost up to par with Richie. On that Kilpatrick run I was no where near his shape and he completed another loop (incidentally wearing a heavy rucksack) whilst I pulled out. Marco is a huge talent but has no luck since he got injured...


All my following training was easy all on tarmac and pavements. No speed work. I did run up that gentle climb up to Loch Thom (the road up to the Visitor Center) a lot. After work. It was great and relaxing and enjoyable training. So I did not even consider coming back to technical stuff. For the very simple reason that I did not want to get injured. It was all a compromise. I had to face the realities. I had run a 100k race which was a 100% effort and also a hard Highland Fling and I do notice that I am 47 years old. My legs did feel all that hard running and I had to treat those legs with respect.

There was something else. I had this nasty fall only two minutes from the finish of the Highland Fling which frankly had left me slightly traumatised. Not just me. Some of my good friends (including my wife) had to go through some form of distress seeing me there lying in the grass and shivering (although it was hot that day). Because of that fall I had to hammer this into my conscious and sub conscious: DO NOT FALL DOWN!

This major task (although you may think this is obvious for all runners to avoid falling) was written all over my race. I was wearing contacts again which gave me a blurry vision. I had to constantly blink when I was scanning the ground to read the line. And all that wet muddy ground, wet tree roots and the rocky and technical bits (end there was plenty of that) had to be managed. Wet grass had to be better avoided since I was running in road shoes. The importance of that safety element did put me under stress the entire race. But this form of "Stress" which I felt from the start was required. A good thing. For my benefit. And to finish this chapter off I managed to maintain this focus for the entire race.

All the technical bits of the race were negotiated rather carefully. That did cost me time but I also think some of that lost time was not actually lost since in particular on the downhills the slower pace put less stress on my legs.

Neal and Caroline. One of my targets today was to beat Neals 18:42 from 2009.

OK. Let's move to the start:

Silke and Nancy supporting me again. Brave girls!

We are off at 1am on Saturday and it was clear that two of the race favorites Jan Albert Lantink (who had produced a sub 24 hour Spartathlon last year) and the strong American runner Mark Godale would go off fast. Both runners have run the race before, both had finished in second place. Lantink in 2009 and Godale in 2010. And today they were here to win. Both runners were here to beat Richie Cunningham. There was no question about that.

Unlike last year where the pace from the start was rather moderate and I even took the lead for a couple of miles this years start was fast. And I was surprised how large that leading pack was. And I was even more surprised to see Marco joining them. Since he was a) still handicapped because of his injurie(s) and b) had always insisted on a slow start to Drymen... I was however delighted for him that he was going off so confidently and under normal circumstances was certainly capable of running that fast. Unfortunately he had to pull out later. And that is another WestHighlandWay race for him where he can't show his fantastic potential.

The field starts to spread out with the leaders disappearing in the distance. Kate Jenkins has obviously enough of that fast pace and drops back. She has won the race many times before and knows what she is doing. Although she told me after the race that her preparation was not the best. A 20 mile training run on top of her usual races. Well, it was enough for the win but boy (or rather girl) she had to work hard for this win today.

I am running and chatting with Mark Leggett for a while. He would finish in 19:47 a great result and a massive PB for him.

Mark and Helen (both will be in Chamonix for the UTMB this year)

I reach Drymen in 1:42 (predicted 1:45).

Feeling a bit depressed. Same as last year. Nothing to worry about. But I do not like the cold and dripping wet feet. Legs are neither sore nor fresh.
There was no such depression in the Highland Fling. I was going fast but enjoying the race and feeling strong at those earlier stages.

I am at Balmaha in 3:05 (predicted 3:05).

That is 40 minutes behind Highland Fling pace. Kate had caught up again since I walked most of the downhill from Conic hill. All under the safety aspect. And to be honest the lack of technical and downhill skills.

Up to the view point behind Balamha. No smile from a grumpy and distressed runner... but that runner had no idea what was ahead of him! Photo Alan Young

On the way to Rowardennan Kate passes me again. She is too fast for me. My feet are now so muddy and wet that I am getting worried about blisters (Stu, if you read this, please do not tell me I get blisters because I am expecting them ;-)). My feet are cold and they hurt. The stress of watching my feet and the blurry contacts make the whole experience rather uncomfortable.

I think I reached Rowardennan at 4:20 but leave at 4:30 (predicted 4:25)

Decide for a shoe and socks change and cleaning my feet. Well trying to. But that shoe change was a good decision. My feet had started to wrinkle already and that little bit of added comfort was worth it. I left Rowardennan at about 4:30 and I was a bit disappointed about that.

The wide Forest track climbing slowly which winds towards Inversnaid is usually one of my favourite sections and I usually run most of it. Today I have to take walking breaks where I usually don't. I am dropping into a low now. My legs have already started to get sore, my quads which I had carefully treated in training and which have had plenty of rest are already complaining. Where is this going? It is a massive struggle to negociate the Lochside. Prepare for the low points they say and I know this is a big one. I had provided splits for a 17:50 finish this year (which was a one hour PB) and I certainly knew this was ambitious but before the race I was confident that this could be achieved. Now it was in particular the high self expectation of finishing today's race in such a fast time which depressed me. Also I am rubbush at those technical bits along the Lochside. In particular behind Inversnaid. Plus the blurry vision. Getting down to Rob Roy's cave was difficult and stressful.

Beinglas 7:20 (ish) (not a predicted support stop so no time provided beforehand)

Last year I lost 20 minutes between Inversnaid and Beinglas due to injury. This year I was just as fast. Another socks and shoe change and off I am to Auchtertyre. A long section. Usually one which I quite enjoy. Not today. I just keep my head down and work my way along the path. Kate has been out of sight for a while now and reaching the Bogle Glen above Crianlarich another runner in a red vest gets closer. I cannot shake him off and I do not want to. I need to focus on my own race. I have started to tackle the low points by stopping and enjoying the scenery. We had walked the West Highland Way on our honeymoon. We love the West Highland Way. That's why we love the race. It works! There is spiritual energy floating back into me and that energy feels just wonderful. It does not make me any faster though! In fact I just stop and let that runner in the red vest pass me. A good decision.

Don't know when I was in Auchtertyre since my major milestone has always been Tyndrum. Get to Tyndrum in 9:30 with fresh legs and the rest will take care of itself. That was my mantra.

Tyndrum 9:45 (predicted 9:30)

This is kind of a half way point. In fact it is past that. 53 miles done and 42 to go. It is also the finish of the Highland Fling race which I have done 4 times now. 9:45 was a massive disappointment. Silently I had hoped for more like a 9:15 split. One week later after the race however I am uttlery puzzled about this. Since what was about to come in the later stages would probably not have happened if I was faster here...

I see a lot of familiar faces there and it is uplifting even funny. I am shattered and tired. Something inside me tells me to pull out. Marco has pulled out too. Caroline had pulled out. Why not join them? I tell Neal Gibson that there is no way that I could beat his 18:42 masterpiece from 2009.

Consciously and subconciously I had always thought of that half way point as the point where the race starts. I allow myself the first espresso of the day and I am off to Bridge of Orchy. There is not much technical running involved in that section and apart from a strong headwind I am running quickish. I am moving well, feeling strong and enjoying the race again. That section goes in 1:05 and I am in

Bridge of Orchy 10:50 (predicted 10:40)
I do not spend much time here and off I am over the hill where I am greeted by the magnificent Murdo who has placed the Saltire on top of that shoulder overlooking the magnificent Loch Tulla. "You are looking great", "You are in 6th place". I demand jelly babies from him (an old tradition) and get them.
At Victoria Bridge 11:23 (predicted 11:25)
I leave for the Rannoch Moore and I am only two minutes off my schedule. But I have to say here that I never, ever during the entire race ran towards those splits.
I had spent some time before the race to predict them but I did not accellerate or slow down just to meet them. Incidently they were not much different from last years splits and also leaned on George Cairn's splits from last year. And I was not chasing any runner. I was trying to focus on my own race which I thought would lead to the best result.

The run over the Rannoch More is tough but I feel neither weak nor strong. I stop a few times to breathe in that wonderful scenery. The descent to Glencoe is tough though because I am very careful here, my legs are very sore and that little detour to the Sci Centre is utterly awkward to run.
Silke tells me that 4th and 5th placed runners had just left and that I could catch them. But I do not feel like racing someone. The weather is now very bad. Cold and thick rain. The downhill has cooled me down, I am wet to the bones and freezing. With my body temparature dropping it is a real struggle to Altnafealth. I can see a runner just a minute ahead but I am not getting any closer. In fact he pulls away and looks very strong. Silke told me later that I was down on my schedule when I reached the bottom of the Devil's Staircase. The climb up was ok and probably even quick but I was worried about the technical running which was ahead since I could not see properly and my legs were not fresh and there were sharp rocks all over the place which had to be negociated. DO NOT FALL DOWN HERE!!!
I walked many of that technical stuff but always made some time on the uphills were falling was not really an issue.

My struggle did find an end here once I reached the forest track which leads down to Kinlochleven. Many runners hate that descent because it can kill your quads but I found that track in a surprisingly good state and I felt safe. On top of that my legs were responsive and I could control the downhill quite well. Just before I reach the bridge to cross the river I pass another runner (I think it was Paul Giblin) and once at the checkpoint I am cheered on by Silke that I was in 4th place.
Kinlochleven 15:05 in and 15:15 out
I do spend some time at the checkpoint though. I am weighed. Eat something and drink another espresso. Take on a full bladder with my Nathan rucksack, change vest (takes ages since it sticks to my skin), change gloves (which takes ages since they stick to my fingers), dry the Goretex jacket from the inside and off I am. Once I reach the top though I find it here surprisingly warm (feels like 10 degrees warmer than GlenCoe or Staircase) and have to take the gloves and the buff off and even think to take the goretex jacket off but don't want to squeeze it into the rucksack since it is full of sticky gel all over the place. So I leave it on. In fact I had run the entire race from start to finish in that jacket. Some good piece if kit that jacket!

I do love that Lairig More. I have said that many times. Maybe unconsciously I have saved myself for that last section. Last year I have had the most wonderful running experience of my life in that huge place. But to my utter surprise this year was almost the same. Loose boulders all over the place and footing was difficult but I was just flying again. On top of the world. I do not know how that works but it felt like a miracle.

Lundavra 16:40 (predicted 16:40)
On schedule. Spot on. Again during the race I did not think of a schedule as such, certainly not in the second half. Just run as good as you can and the schedule was pure coincidence. And it was always strange when Silke told me "you are not that far from your schedule" since it was completely out of my control if I was or not.
Silke tells me that I had closed the gap to Mark Godale and he is only 10 minutes ahead. I give it a try and push harder, maybe if I see him I get another boost of energy and catch him but when I reach the highest point and the start of the motorway I still cannot see a sign of him. Now it is all more or less gentle downhill and my anticipation was this would be easy to run. But to my surprise it is not. Maybe it is my central governor has decided to shut down. I slab myself into the face to provoke some energy boost but it does not work. I do not hit the 8 minute mile even once. Last year I was flying down here.

The rest is a slow but sweet struggle. I feel very sore but it's just painful and mentally I am looking forward to the finish. But that sub 18 hour finish requires some hard work. I just wish it was over.
At Braveheart Car Park I am cheered on by Neal and Caroline. I did not manage to smile but lift my arm and try to wave towards them. Or at least I try. Now onto the pavement.
That bloody 30 mile sign is just not showing. And even if I get there the Leisure Centre is much further away than usual.

where is that bloody finish... I have enough now ;-)

I finish in 4th in 17:54:47. Greeted by a smiling Race Director Ian Beattie. I instantly apologize in front of everyone for my bad behaviour to my support team. I am utterly grateful for getting here in a massive PB and I am sorry for giving them such a hard job and hard time. Hugs and kisses and I am soo utterly relieved that I am allowed to stop runnning now.

Those guys know what this race is about. Lucy Colquhoun (WHW Race Record holder), Race directors Adrian Stott (12x finisher) and Ian Beattie (8x finisher)

Silke and her sub 18 hours husband

Me and Adrian Stott - one of the great sponsors of ultra running in Britain

Chuffed and gutted. Marco Consani was certainly in sub 17 hour shape but got injured...

Debs Martin Consani. Scottish International and one of the Carscube's "Fantastic Two". Third girl in 19:39! And a PB by 1hour 20 minutes!! (Photo Alan Young)

Sharon Law, the other one from Garscube's Fantastic Two. 19:11 and second woman. Guys watch your back, if you think you are a good runner and think you can beat her you need to run sub 19 next year...

Kate Jenkins defended her title. Just. 19:08 just 3 minutes ahead of Sharon. Just heard that one week after the 95 mile race she is racing again!

More celebrity hunting: The defending Champion defented his title. Like a Champion. More and more unbeatable: Richie Cunningham!

And not to forget:

We now have a second Goblet! On top of slate coasters from Ballachullish! Well the left glas was for me. I was really thirsty!

Thanks to the organizers and sponsors who kept this fantastic event alive and kicking. Thanks all marshalls and volunteers for making this possible.

West Highland Way 2011 - a runner's view

Maybe you have read Silke's account of my (our) 2011 West Highland Way Race to reflect her experience from a supporters perspective. She did not have an easy job to get me to the finish. Reading other accounts of runners (John Kynaston's or Norry's) you can imagine that their supporters did not have an easy job at hand too. And to call the job of a supporter difficult is in some cases even an utter understatement. Supporters losing one or two days of sleep and often worried sick between checkpoints about the well being of their runner which could be a very good friend, a husband even. Exposure to bad weather and midges for hours and hours adds to the experience...  
The runner however is in a different state of mind. He too carries a burden but it is a different kind. You may think that it is the legs doing the work. But right from the start in the darkness carefully watching the trail ahead to find the spot where to place your foot, watching the actual effort, stomach, slight muscle twitches which should alert of injury... and in particular in the second half where placing the feet becomes even more critical...  200000 footsteps on that kind of terrain. And even more. Additionally, after only a few hours of running, the legs become reluctant to run anyway. What I want to say is that eventually running becomes a total and utter mind game sometimes to the extend of total exhaustion, near unconsciousness, hallucinations. Physically you may see injuries of all kinds. Organ failure. Dehydration, hypothermia. You name it...
 
You would still think that someone who sacrifices a whole weekend including up to two hours of night sleep and gets out in a midge pestered environment in bad weather to help out some nutter who wants to run 95 miles is treated nicely by that running nutter?
The politeness and behaviour manners of a runner:
 
Imagine sitting at a camp fire on a romantic cool autumn night and slowly sipping hot soup and hot coffee! That feels like a treat does it not?
 
However, you offer just that to your runner who just takes the thermos flask and wants to wolf down the soup for its salt and starch content he may just say... "eek that's too hot" (after he burned his mouth) "I'll drink that at the next check point". A polite person would have responded "Uhh, that's lovely, nice and hot, just what I need. Thanks you so much" and sipped it slowly with a big smile on his face.

The same applies for the espresso shot. You may have occasions where a hot cup of coffee is just what you need, but if that obsessed runner just want's to swallow the caffeine shot and finds out he has to sip a cup of coffee (his mind set is alerting him that he is losing precious time) he suggests to his support team (in hintsight to the checkpoint at Kinlochleven) that the espresso does not have to be hot because otherwise I will burn my mouth again. Needless to say that the espresso at Kinlochleven was hot again. and it was not actually an espresso (very little water) , it was a coffee (loads of water). So I had to sip it again, rather than swallow.

Other behaviour incorrectness: After one of my support sprayed Deet into my mouth (by pure accident!) whilst I was taking my socks off and breathing in at the same time I had to cough which was a pure reflex of my lungs. That series of coughs was not meant to be an expression of ungratefulness!
And if my wife suggests in her blog that Nancy may even had done that spray in my mouth by purpose to "shut me up" I would not even consider that this was a remotest possibility. For one simple reason: Why would you want to shut someone up who hardly speaks.
All I said was: 
"I think I'll go for new shoes and socks again". 
Which ones? "
"Just the same again" (I was wearing Nike Pegasus and I brought another 2 pairs of them). 
"The yellow ones?" (since I brought a yellow and a grey version which was just the same as I was wearing).  
"Just the same" I replied (probably not helful, but I did not understand the question). 
"the yellow ones?" she asks again but by all gods I do not understand that question. Is this a question of colour coordination? 
"Just the same as I am wearing just now" I reply. I thought that it could not been any easier. Then I got that spray in my face. Maybe it was not an accident after all?
Another dialogue:  
Me: "I want my espresso at Tyndrum".  There was no "please" in that sentence I know but I think it was a good and helpful instruction.
My wonderful wife: "At Auchtertyre?"
Me: "Naahh, at Tyndrum"
My wonderful wife replies "Not at Auchtertyre?".
Me "I want my espresso at Tyndrum".  
My lovely wife: "but in your race plan it sais that you want it Auchertyre".  
I could have responded: "Darling, I love you! And I do not want to appear as someone who wants to criticise you. But remember I said to you before the race that creating a nutrition plan (as well as providing splits) in advance of a 95 mile race is tricky. Therefore I may change my mind during the race since I
a) may not be able to run as fast as predicted (for a variety of reasons)
b) may not be able to stomach certain food anymore
c) may suddenly crave some sort of foot at some point of the race (but probably later in the race) which I cannot predict two weeks before the race
d) may advise you of foot or drink during the race but beforehand but well in advance. That is I tell you at one checkpoint that I want something specific at the next check point. This leaving you enough time to prepare.
So this was a clear event of point d).

But back to the dialogue. I simply replied, maybe with a little more affirmative voice: 
"I want my espresso at Tyndrum". 
I probably even said "make sure it is not hot, so I can just swallow it"
 
That  whole dialogue was not polite (thankfully Nancy did not have her Deet cannon at hand)
but I was utterly exhausted afterwards. And maybe because of my lack of manners I got a hot coffee at Tyndrum (which I had to sip) and no warm espresso.

Let us not forget last years Lundavra incident! When I reached Lundavra last year and was just about to finish my first West Highland Way (after two proceeding agonising DNF's) my support team (Nancy and Silke) was not there.
I did lose some time there waiting for them but the Marshall eventually agreed that I should continue and he would inform my team (after I gave descriptions of them) that I already had left.
So what went on in my head whilst I was storming to the finish? I was worried utterly sick that they could have been in an accident. What if they would not be at the finish? The A82 is a nightmare of a road. And it was a nightmare just not to know why they were late. It was the greatest relief when I saw them at the finish.
For your information, it later turned out that Silke and Nancy went shopping for champagne in Kinlichleven and actually spent some time in the village to find some sparkling wine. Hence they were late a Lundavra.

To close this chapter and sum things up: I am probably just a wimp. The coffee was not that hot. And also my instructions were not that clear. And if I got a little angry than with myself. I was close to tears and cursing myself when I hobbled along the Loch side. 17:50??? What on earth did you get yourself into! I wanted to pull out, call it a day. And never come back to this dreadful event. Enough people call those ultra runners "nutters" and I was the biggest nutter of them all.
However, in whatever state I reached the checkpoints and however I behaved. Whenever I saw Nancy smiling and in particular Silke in her red GoreTex jacket and she jumped around and sprung to live I knew she was worried about me and that was for me the most beautiful sight imaginable. Thanks again Silke and Nancy, I could not have done it without you. You are pure angels! 

Highland Fling 2011 (85k)

So here is a more detailed version of my Highland Fling race. My previous post was about the last 300 yards.
This post is about the rest of the race.

The weather was perfect on race day. Just what I hoped for. "Be careful what you wish for" they say and to be honest the weather was a bit too sunny and too warm as it turned out.
That was a bit of a problem for a couple of reasons. Firstly the West Highland Way was crowded in places. Secondly I did sweat a bit more than usual...

Arriving in Milngavie at 7:15 it was rather cool though. But sunny it already was. And it was getting warmer by the minute!

The Start:
I lined up near the front row. I was hoping to witness another spectacular fast start as I had seen in 2009 when Stuart Mills shot off like a rocket going 5:30 minute/mile pace. But it was not to be today.

Stuart did not quite follow his own "Run as fast as you can, while you can!" pacing strategy today. I was disappointed because of that for a variety of reasons.
I found that runasfastasyoucanwhileyoucan strategy spectacular. And even if it was "wrong" in respect of achieving the fastest end result I considered it as "human" and brave. And I expected Stuart to make his point today that for some that strategy even works for the best end result.

But again, it was not to be. Not for him that is. As you can see from the picture of the start, Stuart (in orange) is holding back.

Thankfully there was another runner though who spiced the race up:

Picture: Montane

A guy with a white cap and a map storming up the stairs behind the underpass. Yes, a map. Someone who did not know the route. A new guy. A dark horse. Andrew James. Storming into the lead. Jezz and Stuart and a couple of other runners join the leaders. Going not quite 10k pace. But very fast.

I could not help it and followed that pace. Almost that is. Keeping the leading pack in sight for as long as I could afford it. My legs were extremely responsive. I was enjoying the fast pace. Soon I get the first splits from my Garmin and notice that I am going too fast. What the heck with sensible pacing. I am enjoying this. The second half will be a punishment. A hangover. But I do not care.

I am running with Dan Gay who for some reason did not seem to breathe much. He was chatting as if he was on a casual Sunday stroll. Some V02 max capacity that runner. Anyway, the mood is good. And although we are in a race and going considerably fast, there was no sign of any competitiveness. It all felt like a training run.


KM KM Split Mile Split (calculated)
1 04:23 07:04
2 04:38 07:28
3 04:25 07:06
4 04:23 07:04
5 04:11 06:44
6 04:19 06:58
7 04:20 06:59
8 03:59 06:24
9 03:58 06:23
10 04:06 06:36
11 04:15 06:51
12 04:15 06:50
13 04:21 07:00
14 04:22 07:03
15 04:20 06:59
16 04:11 06:45
17 04:16 06:52
18 04:40 07:31
19 05:12 08:22
20 04:51 07:49
21 05:09 08:17
22 04:47 07:42
23 04:09 06:41
24 04:33 07:19
25 04:28 07:11
26 04:52 07:50

I decide to take the climb up Conic Hill somewhat easier. I was realising that I had wasted too much energy already. Dan was already ahead and on the climb I was passed by quite a few runners. Allen Smalls first. We chatted for a bit and then he pulled away slowly. A rather storming ascent had Julian Rendall, going almost twice as fast as I did. Equally fast was my 100k team mate David Gardiner. I had no idea that he was such a good hill runner and I frankly expected him to have a great race. Unfortunately he did not and he pulled out later at BeinGlas.

27 00:04:57 07:59
28 00:07:12 11:35
29 00:06:17 10:08
30 00:06:28 10:25
31 00:04:32 07:18

I arrive at Balmaha Car Park (~20m) in 2:26. A PB by quite a margin.

Picture: Davie Hall

I hinted to Silke who I met at the Balmaha car park that I was going too fast. I was still confident to have a reasonable race ahead. But I think I misjudged that slightly. But my mental attitude at the time was certainly not quite as bad as the physical attitude of my legs...
The "Way" was getting crowded now. Runners and walkers alike made the narrower bits of the path a challenge. Certainly for someone who was storming downhill for example.
I passed quite a few runners I knew from other races, blogs and of course West Highland Way Race family members. Exchanged a few words.
At one of the steeper climbs between Balmaha and Rowardennan I was passed by Jack Brown. He looked fresh and he was flying up that climb which I had to walk.
I managed to stay behind him though since we ran into Rowardennen together. The car park was more than busy. Marhalls had all hands full to uncluster incoming and leaving cars and I was glad that I had told Silke not to come here so she drove directly to Beinglas after she met me in Balmaha. She wanted to meet our friends from Germany there (Michael, Silke (yes another Silke) and their daughter Clara).
But I made a mistake by taking only water from here on and no electrolytes. But I ran quite well on the section to Inversnaid. I do like those steady climbs and I ran all of them. Not fast but steady. But I noticed more and more that I had overcooked it with the fast start to Balamaha. The legs felt not as good as they should feel only about half way into that 53 mile race.
In Inversnaid I ignored my bottle of electrolyte which I had in my drop bag and took water again. One reason for taking water was that I could pour that over my head to cool myself. I would not do that with a sirup.
Walkers who has been shipped to Inversnaid or taken the Bus there were spreading in both directions and on the narrow path there were a few queues. It was not always easy for the walkers to just step aside and let the runners past because the path in places was steep, narrow and even exposed. So there is no question that I lost some time here. But I was not the only one losing time. But I made sure not to put any walkers under stress or shout at them or demand my space. I told whoever I met that I was not in a rush. And I thanked everyone who made space for me twice. One "thanks" and one "cheers".
I knew already that I had blown my chances for a good race. I had started to suffer to early. And although I reached Beinglas exactly after 6 hours (as planned for a PB) I kew that I would not be able to carry on fast enough.
I met Silke, Silke, Micheal and Clara but was grumpy and full of negativity. I wanted to pull out. Told them that I ruined my race. All my fault. Silly me.
Again I took only water. It was more than just warm now. I did not feel that I sweat much. But I did. I had not suffered from cramp during races EVER. And I was about to make that experience for the first time.
Usually I enjoy the undulating and steady climbing out of Beinglas towards Derridarroch. But not so much today. And when I passed one of the wooden bridges it hit me. A shooting pain up my right adductor comletely locking me to a standstill. A cramp. I though that muscle was gone and in pieces. When I stopped to find the approproate position to stretch that cramp out my left calf crampted. Then my hamstings. It was everywhere. I decided to get into a normal walk and that seem to help and the cramps settled.
George Reid and another woman came the opposite direction and offered electrolytes but I did had some salt sachets with me and I thanked them and added some of that salt to my water bottle and drank the salty substance I had mixed. Here I was passed by Richie Cunningham. He was moving very well although he was not entirely happy with his race either. But his split for the last section (1:52 I believe) was impressive and totally out of my reach today. Even without cramps.
At Carmyle Cottage I met Silke again with our friends. I wanted to pull out here. I had enough. Save myself for the WHW Race. That was a good enough excuse.
Sharon Law was there too. And she had pulled out. Another unlucky race for her. But I was not allowed to pull out. After a couple of minutes I was persuaded to continue. Marco was there too. He had to withdraw from the race because of injury. Not the luckiest day for him since he was in his best shape ever and he could have gone for the scottish title...
So I continued and to be honest I still moved reasonably well and I have had races far worse than this. Frankly it gradually got better. Maybe the salt water was doing the trick. After crossing the A82 and getting back on the flat I actually enjoyed running again. I picked up a few runners and started to look forward to the finish. I started calculating and with a few miles to the finish I noticed that a PB was probably out of my reach. Getting closer I think I was pretty certain to finish in either 8:11 or maybe 8:12. But then I fell.

Jezz broke his own record but he did not win! The race was won by Andrew James. That was a huge surprise. Allen Smalls came in 3rd. Kate Jenkins won the ladies' title with Debbie Martin Consani in 2nd place.
Results

If you want to know the rest of my race you need to read the previous post. But it's not for the faint hearted ;-)