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| Leaving the Nevis Centre with a goblet! From left to right: Chuck Gordon, me, Claire, Chris, Gerry and my daughters Grace and Monica at the front. |
How did this quest for a goblet begin in the first place?
Two days after the race, I'm still struggling to take it all in. I have a goblet and it's just surreal.
Four years ago I had never even heard of this race. All I knew was that people generally spent 5-7 days walking the route and I gathered it was quite hard going.
Back then I was 36 years old and like many other fine "young-approaching middle aged" Scotsmen, my thrills in life came from playing a weekly game of 5-a-sides followed by a bucket load of lager afterwards topped off with a visit to the kebab shop for a large chicken pakora with a chips, cheese n' gravy chaser.
My running career at that time had reached a pinnacle of running the annual local 10k in a time of 51 mins. Boy I was proud of myself!
Turning Point
As a father of two young daughters, I was becoming more aware that I was not setting an inspiring example for them to follow. I started running more often, mainly to shift a few pounds as my weight had been gradually creeping up year on year. In Spring 2012, my brother Chris became ill and needed a kidney transplant. He had a long history of kidney problems and actually had a successful transplant 18 years previously but it started to fail and he ended up on dialysis. My younger brother Kevin and I had a heart to heart and we decided we would go for tests to see who was the closest match. It was me. That started a chain of events that changed my life. I started working harder at getting fit before the donor surgery took place. I started to really enjoy running rather than seeing it as a chore to lose some belly flab.
The transplant took place in Sept 2012 and was a great success. I vowed when I was lying feeling like death in the hospital that I would appreciate my health more and get fit and start taking on bigger challenges.
I looked at the race calendar and picked the Glasgow MO-run 10k two months after the surgery. We raised a lot of money for Darlinda's charity for renal research and were invited to the charity's annual dynasty ball.
I met Chuck Gordon here who had just run his first WHW race. I would like to say the seed was planted but I'd be lying. I just thought it was ridiculous and could not compute how anyone could complete the WHW in one go!
Increasing distance
2013 saw me reach the dizzy heights of half marathon distance. I did not have a grand plan to keep going. I ran my first half 6 months post donor surgery and I thought that was my limit. However I applied to a renal charity to represent them in the 2014 London Marathon without having a clue how to train for it. I entered a competition in Men's Running magazine to be part of their Project 26.2. I successfully got a place and it was incredible. I got coaching tips from Liz and Martin Yelling, free running kit and some healthy pressure to complete my training to the best of my ability. I think this is what motivated me to really stick in and try and become a 'proper runner'.
Into 2014, as well as the London Marathon, I also ran the Loch Ness and New York City Marathons. I met Chuck Gordon again at the annual Charity Ball , he told me about the 53 mile Highland Fling and I started to think big. In the meantime, my 10k and half marathon times were improving fast with PB's of 38:57 and 1:28 respectively.
I ran the Fling in 2015 in a very painful 12h48m, having to walk most of the final 10 miles. My training had not been sufficient and it had been too big a jump in distance.
Entering WHW race 2016
So of course with my solitary ultra race in the bag, I got ahead of myself and entered the full WHW race when entries opened. I told myself that all I need to do is train properly on the correct terrain, run the 2016 Fling to get more experience and I'll be good to go!
That all went out the window at the end of 2015, I picked up a knee ligament injury training for the Chicago Marathon in October and I was pretty much unable to train properly all the way through to February. It kept troubling me every time I thought it was better and even though I was getting out on the southern sections of the whw for 7-14 mile runs, it was still hurting whenever I started doing more than 25 miles a week.
Heading into March and April, I was increasing distances to 25-30 miles a week but pretty hopeless mileage for build up to the Fling never mind the 95 mile daddy race.
Things got worse when I had to head back to work offshore and I missed the fling by 2 days. I was gutted. I was going to base my decision to run the whw race on how I got on in the Fling. I was pretty close to withdrawing from the race but seeing the fun everyone had at the fling on the facebook page gave me a real kick. My cousin Alan Ferguson, who had been doing a lot of training with me, smashed his first fling in 11h30m. This gave me the inspiration I needed. I had 7 weeks to go till the whw race and I was going to be offshore with only treadmills to train on. I said if I can do 50 miles a week for the next 4 weeks and recce the final 45 miles of the course over two days when I got home, I would go ahead with the race.
That all worked out and I committed to getting on with it and getting a goblet no matter what. My training had been inadequate but my head was in the right frame of mind.
My race strategy was to get to Auchtertyre in under 13 hours, Glencoe in around 18 hours and walk the rest if I had to.
The Race!
One of my main concerns was for my support team. Chuck Gordon kindly volunteered to be my support runner and my brother Chris and mate Gerry McDaid would share driving/feeding duties. I was determined to get a goblet and I was worried about the inconvenience for them if I had to take the full 35 hours. I promised I would do my best to try and at least finish in under 30 hours. Having just done a recce of the last 45 miles 2 weeks beforehand and getting a reality check on the difficulty of the terrain, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep that promise.
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| With Chuck |
Regardless of all this, Chris and I set off to Milngavie for registration. I felt nervous but not overwhelmed. I had drummed it into myself that I wanted a goblet, that it is going to be a long painful weekend but I would get my goblet if I just kept moving. We also met Chuck at registration and he gave me a bit of a pep-talk. The plan was Chris would be sole-support through the night up to Beinglas then Gerry and Chuck would take over from Auchtertyre onwards. Chris would then rejoin us at Kinlochleven. Chuck would run with me from Glencoe.
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| Chris and I. Pic:Chuck Gordon |
I loved the start. The charge through the precinct. Cameras flashing, head torches shining. It was the first time I had run with a head torch and I tried to focus on the ground to make sure I didn't have the humiliation of falling on my arse before even getting out of Milngavie. I took it easy on this section, having the odd chat with other runners. I told Chris I'd meet him in the field before the road at Drymen after 2h10m to get a drink and some more food. I was nearly 10 mins late because I followed another runner up the road instead of turning into the field. Luckily someone gave us a shout before we headed off too far into the distance!
The rest of the run to Balmaha went great. I was drinking regularly (one bottle with water and one with water with and electrolyte tab). I was snacking regularly as well.
Balmaha to Rowardennan 1h49m
I had a 5 min stop at Balmaha and scoffed a pot of rice and a banana and got some fresh water bottles. Chris was parked down near the oak tree inn. When I was setting off again I was going to head back up to where we'd come out the forest to get back on the trail as I'm sure that's the way we went in the Fling the previous year. Chris said I was going the wrong way and told me to head down to the road. A marshall also called out to head down towards and the road and I shouted "oh, ok thanks" and Chris jokingly said "Don't listen to him, I'm your support team, listen to me! haha". It was then that I noticed that this marshall actually had the words "RACE DIRECTOR" on his vest. I ran off laughing at myself in embarrasment.
The first couple of miles into this leg I didn't see another soul. Total contrast to the first leg where there was always runners close by. Apart from that, I felt good and had a good steady run.
Rowardennan to Beinglas 4h01m
I had about 3 mins stopped at Rowardennan due to the midges. It was unbearable. I just got some food and drink and got out of there. The midges were a constant source of annoyance all the way to Beinglas, I had my first dip of the race and felt grim by the time I got to Inversnaid. I just reminded myself of many previous race reports where people described feeling lousy from as early as Balmaha and that it would pass and I would recover. The lovely people of the Search and Rescue team there were brilliant. They had big fans set up with seats around it to offer a brief respite from the midges. They couldn't be more helpful and helped refill water bottles. They also offered an ice pack to a guy who had picked up a minor injury. First class and very much appreciated. I spent a while running with Katie Walling most of the way from Inversnaid to Beinglas. It was good to have a bit of company at that point and she was running strong.
I met Chris at Beinglas and spent about 10 mins there. I threw down a small bottle of coke, some rice pudding and grabbed a sandwich and some sweets to take with me.
Beinglas to Auchtertyre 2h55m
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| Pic: Chuck Gordon |
I called Chuck on approach to Auchtertyre as I was a bit earlier than I thought. I expected to be there after 12h45 and I got there after 12h21. He ran out to meet me before the checkpoint and gave me some coke and some crisps. The car was at the entry to the checkpoint so we just decided I would dib in and weigh in on the way out rather than messing around walking up to the dib point then back to the car. Chuck and Gerry sat me down, gave me a brolly to shelter from the sun. Passed me soup, irn bru and a crispy gammon roll. I was loving being pampered and I was feeling good!
After 14 mins, I was on my way again, still eating the soup and roll with the plan to meet the guys again just up the road at tyndrum, dump my rubbish and get more food/drink.
I had a real craving for an ice cold orange Calippo lolly so they said they would try and get me one.
Auchtertyre to Bridge of Orchy 2h29m
I took it easy, walking most of the way up to Tyndrum while finishing my soup and roll. I met the guys again and they had that Calippo waiting for me. It was the best thing I've ever tasted. The weather was feeling pretty hot now. I topped up my water bottles again and grabbed another roll. I was eating the roll and Calippo at the same time whilst walking up the hill out of Tyndrum.
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| Gerry and my Calippo! Pic: Chuck Gordon |
I knew this section up to BoO was a very runnable section before things started to get tougher from there onwards so I pushed on and I was feeling good again. Chuck came up the road from Bridge of Orchy and ran into the checkpoint with me telling me that I was doing great. It was a good wee pep talk.
Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe 3h18m
I felt good at Bridge of Orchy, the marshals telling me I was looking good. I'm sure they say that to everyone! I was still eating well. Gerry topped up my bottles again and sorted out some snacks to take away and another roll. Chuck offered to run with me from here but I told him I was happy to slog this next section out alone and to keep himself fresh for when I needed him from Glencoe onwards. Chuck gave me a wee bottle of Whisky to give to Murdo up on jelly baby hill. I looked at it for a minute and I was thinking it might go down well when I heard Chuck shouting at me "You better not f*****g drink it!
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| Eying up Murdo's whisky. Pic: Chuck Gordon |
I carried on up over the hill. I struggled on the downhill into Inveroran as my legs were feeling tired and a few people overtook me. I carried on up the drovers road and onto Rannoch moor. The sun was beating down and I felt very hot and thirsty. I was going through my liquids fast. My feet were getting pretty sore with the hard packed rocky road but I pushed on. This was a long lonely section and I was having a bit of a low point but I knew that Glencoe wasn't far away and 70 miles was a big milestone and then I would have Chuck for company all the way to the finish.
Chuck met me a mile from Glencoe and ran in with me. I was about 10 mins slower than he expected but all in I was doing ok. Gerry sat me down, gave me some soup and replenished my bottles. I changed into a warmer top and packed a lightweight jacket in my pack.
Glencoe to Kinlochleven 3h20m
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| Devil's staircase. Pic: Chuck Gordon |
We did make it into KLL just before dark where Gerry and Chris were waiting. Chris had joined the party again after a few hours sleep in Fort William. It was good to see them. I dibbed in and got weighed and all was ok. I declined the offer of a seat as I was worried about seizing up again. Chuck was now confident of a sub 27 finish. I was thinking to myself that would be great but I knew there was a long hard section ahead in the dark and I was really starting to struggle now. I spoke to Claire briefly on the phone and I asked her to be at the finish line with the kids despite me saying before the race that I didn't want to get the kids out of bed at 3am. Luckily, my crazy daughters were delighted with that plan!
Kinlochleven to Fort William 4h39m
We headed out again after 10 or 15 mins. Head torches on as we started the long climb up. Once up on Lairig Mor, Chuck pushed me to break into a jog whenever the terrain allowed. He stayed in front pulling me along. I desperately wanted to walk but I knew he was doing the right thing so I stayed quiet and just got on with it. I knew that in exchange for a bit of suffering now I could possibly come in with a sub 27 time. We kept going, running and walking until we reached the wilderness response team. What a welcome sight with their flags and cold juice.
After that, we quietly carried on. I remember saying to Chuck that I was sorry for being poor company but I was just concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. He told me what I was feeling was normal and to be expected.
We approached Lundavra and when they saw our head torches, the music started blaring and cheers rang out. Absolutely fantastic! I hope they all know how much us runners appreciate this at such a dark moment. I was handed a mini curly wurly from a bowl of sweets and got my water bottle topped up.
That was it. It was time to just get on with it. I knew the goblet was within reach. I was 88 miles into the WHW race! Chuck kept pushing me on, we overtook 3 or 4 people on this final stage. He told me if we jog the final 3 or 4 miles we could make it in less than 26h30m, I was barely able to lift my legs due to the lactic acid but I was ecstatic. Chuck stayed 20m in front of me and jogged most of the final 3 miles and came out at Braveheart car park. The illuminated 30mph sign was in sight and I tried to speed up. I felt like I was flying. I looked down at my Garmin expecting the pace to read 8min/miles but it was 12min miles!
I grabbed chucks hand and shook it and thanked him for pushing me. I was feeling emotional knowing that Claire and the kids, Chris and Gerry were waiting just along the road. Fantastic.
Chuck peeled off at the entrance to the Leisure centre and told me to run across the line. I ran through, dibbed in then ran into my 3 girls arms. I've never worked so hard for anything in my life. I then hugged the guys and got weighed by John Duncan who also handed me my print out.
26hours, 23 mins 32 secs. 97th Place.
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| Me and my girls at the finish. Pic:Chuck Gordon |
I knew if I pulled out, there was no guarantee of getting in again in the near future. Even if I did, what if my training went well but got a bad injury early in the race?
I hope this gives hope to people who don't manage to get the training volume they want due to injury or life commitments. It can be done.
The prize-giving
A beautiful occasion. I often dreamed about being in this room waiting to receive a goblet. It still feels like a dream. I want to congratulate everyone who made it to the finish. An amazing winning performance by James Stewart. For those who did not start or did not finish, you are still heroes for trying. Heroes for thinking outside the limits that modern society puts on us. It just wasn't your year.
I felt emotional seeing Norma Bone collect hers. The amazing Fiona Rennie collecting yet another. Her previous race reports, simple words of advice and inspiration were a great help to me in the build up to this race.
I want to thank my support team once more. I really can't thank them enough. Chris, for staying up all night on the first night then coming back for more on the 2nd night. Gerry, who came along at fairly short notice to help Chris with the driving in case I needed the full 35 hours. Chuck, who with his experience knew exactly how hard to push me without breaking me and got me safely to the finish. Finally, Claire and the girls for allowing me to indulge in this kind of stuff and for travelling all over the place to support me. I couldn't have done it without you all.
I'd like to thank Ian, Sean, all the volunteers, marshals, mountain rescue teams, medical teams, supporters and everyone connected with organising this amazing race. It really was an honour and a privilege being allowed to take part.
Would I do it again?
Well, I've got a PB to chase now haven't I? Roll on November, my name will be going in the mix!
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