The truth about running a 53 mile ultra

If you read my last blog you will have got a flavour of what went on but I think for those that are interested, you want the truth not the afterglow report.  So here it is.
Let's start with my training.  I ran all winter building up the mileage on trail runs as this was more like the conditions I would run in.  To simulate the fatigue I would run back to back long runs during the weekends, say 20 miles on the Saturday and 20 on the Sunday.  When your body and mind get used to longer distances, heading out for a 3.5 hour run is like going for a game of golf.
I spoke to many athletes who had completed the 'fling and picked their brains on hydration, nutrition and equipment. I ran 3/5ths of the course making sure I covered the most technical section so I knew what to expect on the day - that played a major part in my success.
The night before I had 3 of my MdS pals stay over and we ate pasta and shared our nervous thoughts about the day ahead which was new territory for us all.
The alarm went off at 3.15am and I got up to make their breakfast - porridge.  I had a last minute search for calf guards but couldn't find them so had to use new compression socks that I'd never worn before - that breaks a golden rule, don't race with anything new.  We got to Milngavie and I left my lubricant in the car and had to run back and apply it - I've seen too many nasty pictures of bad chaffing so wasn't going to be caught out there!  Lucky I did.
I knew my friends would be faster so I found a running partner who is a similar speed to me and his target was the same as mine; 12hrs 30 mins - 13 hours.  But within minutes of the race starting David was having breathing difficulties and told me to go on - we were only 5km into the race.  Fortunately he recovered and completed the race. I remember thinking that I had to keep the chimp in my head quiet as he did whisper a few thoughts along the lines of, 53 miles - that's a double marathon or how are you going to keep going for more than 12 hours?  I blocked that out and soaked up the atmosphere. At 8km I got a boost when a girl playing the fiddle stood by a gate and shared some Scottish music with us.  I felt so proud to be Scottish at that moment and wondered what all the foreign runners were making of the occasion and the stunning scenery.
At 10km I won the lottery. I noticed a runner with an IM tattoo and we got talking.  It turned out Will and his pal John had both completed 2 Ironmen competitions and a shorter ultra.  But they didn't know this route so picked my brains.  They seemed happy to "walk the hills" which is something you do on ultras and were aiming for a similar time so we decided to run together.  We reached Drymen which was a water stop only in 2hrs 3minutes which was slightly ahead of target but I felt great. ATHelite president Mark Russell was shouting encouragement which was welcome.  I knew the next section was going to be tough as it went up Conic Hill.  We continued with our mantra of "walking the hills" and I made sure we all wore our waterproof jackets as it got cool as we climbed.  There was low cloud at the top so we didn't get to see the wonderful view of Loch Lomond until we were heading down.  The boys were stunned by the view and then I informed them we'd be running as far as they could see -  a sobering thought.  We took our time coming down the hill as your quads could be destroyed by the bottom.  At Balmaha I collected my food bag, filled up my bottles with High 5 and walked on eating a banana, hula hoops and a fudge -fuel was  going to be critical.  I had also taken 2 gels for later. Balmaha to Rowardennan takes a long time.  It just keeps going on and on but I knew to expect this so didn't let it get to me.  My spirits were lifted by a fellow ATHelite member John Young passing me.  He was running the relay and gave me some words of encouragement which were welcome.
As we approached the Rowardennan car park, 5 hrs 21 minutes there was a big crowd and the cheered us in.  I actually felt like a super star at this point, it was such a lift.  Lee McLean who is a friend and was marshalling handed me a cup of coffee which I grabbed and swallowed almost in one go - caffeine gives you a boost.  More bananas, peanuts, filled bottles and off to face a couple of big climbs.  I kept the boys back by explaining the terrain that was coming and Will mentioned we had just completed a marathon.  I didn't want to hear this as I was treating this as a "long training day".  I didn't want to think about hitting the wall.
Rowardennan to Inversnaid starts to get technical with tree routes and large stones becoming dangerous.  Every step is a potential ankle break so much of this section is done with your head down.  That's why I didn't see the big tree branch at head height which almost felled me - ouch!  Stupid thing is someone had told me about it the night before but your concentration is on where your feet are landing.  I was starting to hurt on this section.  My right ankle protested every time it landed, I felt a hot spot on my left foot and my left calf muscle was warning me there could be trouble ahead. But pain is something you expect and "welcome" because it means you're getting through the miles.
Inversnaid was a welcome sight but there were only a couple of marshalls there due to it's location.  I was looking forward to a bottle of flat coke that was in my bag because I knew I needed some "rocket flue" - all part of the planning.  Johnny the race director helped me apply a compeed to my hot spot and kept our spirits up - by this stage I couldn't bend my legs!  He warned us that the next 3 miles were the toughest in the race.  I knew this but having it come from him just reaffirmed how careful we needed to be as our legs were tired.  Narrow paths with rocks and tree routes made the pace drop below walking speed.  At times it involved scrambling or lowering yourself down.  This was a really tough total body workout and the stiffening leg muscles weren't happy.  But this is where the long back to back runs came in handy.  I was used to the fatigue.
I was now heading into unchartered territory and Bein Glass farm.  I had been warned that this is where people lose it mentally but I didn't mention this to the boys.  I just kept the chat going which was a great distraction from the pain and I didn't want to think of the mileage.  One runner had been passing us and then we passed him.  He said something which John didn't like, I think this was more about us all being tired, and he was determined to get past him for good.  We dropped him before Bein Glass but he left before us as we faffed over our food - more flat coke for me but I really wasn't interested in food but packed some more gels and a sports bar.  John wanted to chase him but I said we had lots of time to over take him - we were now 9hrs 17 minutes into the race and I knew, this is where it was going to push us to the limit.
We had a lot of climbing to get out of Bein Glass and the chat dropped off as we all went into our own heads.  We dropped the target runner and he informed me he was "burst".  It had cooled down so we had the waterproof jackets on again as there was a bit of a wind.  Then we found "cow pat alley".  Literally a shit hole that stretches out for hundreds of metres and we all picked our way through it without falling flat in our faces.
The final few hours were involved in tough climbs with even harder descents.  On the way down our legs were shot to bits.  Every step hurt and my ankle, hamstrings and quads were screaming at me to stop.  My legs were out of control on the downhills and all I was trying to do was stay upright and not break my ankle on the loose rocks.  Every so often I'd stumble or kick a rock which would be agony especially on my hamstrings.  We'd walk the hills, stumble down the hills and shuffled on the flats.
I explained to the boys that they should have a picture of what the finish line will look like.  I suggested we all cross the line together holding our hands above our heads.  Having this picture gave us something to focus on.
We met one runner who was "out of fuel" and really struggling.  I gave him my sports bar and he was so grateful - it probably gave him enough to get to the finish line.  Food is fuel.  A marshal informed us we had 4.75 miles to go so we knew we'd make it but wanted to push on and get under our target of 12hrs 30 mins.
There was a lot of shuffling in the final few miles.  Our pace was down to just over a fast walk but our legs were shot to pieces.  Mentally the chimp hadn't visited and I put this down to my preparation and having company to run with.  With 500 metres to go I checked how far behind the next runner was as I didn't want our finishing picture ruined.  So we quickened up.  As we came into the finish area we could hear the bagpipes and I fought back the tears.  After all the winter training here I was with 2 new mates about to complete one of the top 10 toughest unsupported runs in the world.  We got into the final straight, we joined hands and raised them above our heads.  we could see friends shouting encouragement as we approached the red carpet.  The final 20 metres and BANG!  My left hamstring goes.  I felt as though someone had shot me and my leg collapsed from under me.  But fortunately I was with 2 rugby players so they kept running while holding me up.  Not exactly the picture I had in mind but it was in 12 hrs 16 minutes - result.
The marshal gave me a seat, a medal, someone took off my timer and then I was helped through to the medical tent.  Ice was strapped onto my hamstring while the ATHelite president Mark Russell went and got my finishing bag, some soup and a beer.  I was wrapped in a foil and an blanket and then my pals all started taking pictures of me - you didn't expect sympathy did you?
I hobbled 400 metres to my accommodation and curled up in a ball feeling like shit. My pals arrived with my clothes and I got cleaned up. I limped up the road to get some food, a beer then bed.
What an amazing adventure.  The organisation was amazing.  The people couldn't have been any more helpful.  The crowds so supportive.
I've just had it confirmed that I am out of running or cycling for 4-6 weeks which means I have to pull out of 2 races which is disappointing.  However this will allow me to focus on my swimming which is important as I have a 10km river race in September. Completing the Highland Fling is a major achievement for me.  I pushed the barrier to a new level and realised I can go further.  Preparation is everything be it physical or mental.  Thanks for following me on the journey.  It will continue with my hardest goal of this year -  the river swim.  there's more to come folks!