With Glen Ogle Ultra in November firmly behind us, the next race wouldn’t be until the Deeside Ultra in March so Tommy and I worked out our training strategy for the coming winter months. Running in the dark and cold is what separates the fair weather runner from the serious runner and it’s the training in these conditions that can make all the difference when you most need it. The weather this year was far milder than last year. Last winter saw some of the thickest snow in years and most runs were done wearing the Jaxtrax. This winter though had very little snow although an abundance of very, strong cold winds which I find the most difficult weather condition to run in. Training went fairly well with both Tommy and me managing to avoid any particularly nasty injuries (so far….).

As March neared we reckoned what we needed was a lovely big run up North as a practice for The Fling in April so settled on a 30 miler leaving from Drymen, the plan being to run 15 out and then back again. We set out early doors and arrived in Drymen about 8am, it was still dark and very cold.

 

Before long we were on the trail and making our way along what is part of both the Highland Fling and WSW race route. Part of the route entailed running through a forest which warned no admittance which we assumed meant vehicles so ploughed on through regardless. The reason for the warning soon became apparent as we witnessed hundreds of felled trees all balanced in piles, brought down by the storms earlier this year. It was quite eery seeing all what must have been a thriving forest reduced to a scene of carnage.

Once through the forest approaching Balmaha, we started on the climb up Conic Hill. As it was very slippery underfoot we had to exercise great care in trying not to fall on ones behind. 

 

Once at the summit the views over Loch Lomond were simply stunning. After pausing to take some photos we commenced the descent which proved harder than the climb due to the slippery conditions. 

  

Once safely down (only falling once) we continued on our way towards Rowardennan.

After a bit of a steep climb you descend down towards Loch Lomond on the East following a forest trail. The run was going great when suddenly as I glanced down I saw my right foot bend 90 degrees inwards. It didn't look good at all. I stopped running and Tommy remarked it looked like I’d broken my ankle. The pain was severe but not enough to deter me continuing. I told Tommy I’d press on and see how the ankle was. We ran on for another mile to about the 9 mile mark at which point I could feel it starting to swell. We stopped and reckoned to press on would be crazy and decided to turn around and head back but rather than attempt Conic Hill again we would just run straight through Rowardennan and back to Drymen. This would be about a mile less but still 8 miles on a dodgy ankle.

Before too long we were back at the car and by then the ankle swelling was in full flow. All in all we’d covered just under 18 miles but I was gutted this had been the outcome, not something you want weeks away from an ultra.

I realised I simply had to have a complete layoff to heal this. In the meantime I figured that the old running shoes should be put out to grass as the wear on them may have contributed to the ankle injury. They’d done me well and got me through 2 years of training, 3 marathons and 2 ultras, not bad value for money. I did the ‘wet foot on the brown paper’ thing as recommended by SportShoes.com and shelled out on a pair of support Asics. After a few weeks of complete rest I started back out wearing the Asics.  Initial thoughts were how much softer on the feet they felt with a lot more cushioning. I ran for a few weeks being careful not to aggravate the ankle. It was then I started to notice a cramp like tightness at the top of my right calf. I initially just put it down to the aches and pains that every runner gets. As the days passed it got worse to the point even walking was becoming sore. Wonderful, here I was a couple of weeks to the D33 and I can barely walk. I reluctantly decided all I could do was have yet another complete week's rest and hope it recovered in time for the D33. Dave told me not to worry as I would have enough fitness and 'muscle memory' (no, I don't know what that means either!) to get me through the 33 miles. A week to go and it was still giving me a lot of pain. I phoned Tommy and told him that unless things dramatically improved it would be unlikely I’d be running although I would still come along for the race to support. Tommy said why take the risk and potentially jeopardise running in the future for the sake of a single race. I agreed and said I’d do a test run on the Sun and see how it went. I did at that point try to figure out what was causing the problems and came to the conclusion that this all started when I started wearing the new running shoes. I inspected them inside and could feel the arch support in the Asics was definitely higher than my old ones so made the decision there and then I would cease wearing them, not an easy decision since I’d paid £50 just a few weeks earlier!

Tommy came up on the Sun and we ran 5 miles to Blackburn and back again and I was happy to note there was very little discomfort with the leg. I decided though a full week of rest was in order so the leg would be completely pain free for the D33.

Friday soon arrived and I was picked up by Tommy and Ian just after 6pm and we made our way up to Aberdeen. After negotiating a lot of traffic we eventually arrived about 8.30pm. We dropped our stuff in the Travelodge and headed out for some food eventually settling on ‘The Filling Station’ which offered some cracking American type food. Finishing up we headed back to the hotel via KFC for a coffee (which was rotten). After a spot of TV we called it a night and it wasn’t long before Tommy’s snoring kicked in!!

We were all awoken in the early hours when a group of girlies decided to inform all the hotel residents she’s done a ‘rolly polly’ in the corridor. Thankfully after a lot of faffing about shouting and looking for keys they all headed into their rooms and silence was once again restored. It wasn’t long before the alarm went off and we were all up, showered and ready to go. We headed downstairs and enjoyed a continental breakfast of fruit juice, coffee, toast, jam and cereal. Whilst at breakfast we were joined by a couple of girl runners, Jane and Jane. Once finished we said our goodbyes, wished them all the best and headed back upstairs to collect our stuff before checking out and heading to Duthie Park.

It was surprisingly a very bright, sunny morning although there was a stiff cooling wind. Once we parked up we walked round the pond up to the registration area and soon cauht up with Dave, Mike, Annette, Rhona, Ian, Donna, Jonathan, Vickie and Ian. 

  It was great to see the guys as it had been a while since we’d all been together. After a bit of debating Tommy and I decided to have just a single drop bag at the halfway point. Before long we were all (199 runners as one guy dropped out the day before) herded into position and given the pep talk of which I heard none of.

Following a countdown (I think) we were off. Tommy and I had decided we wanted to sit at about the 9.40 pace.

 

My aim for today wasn’t about breaking any records; it was all about damage limitation and hoping I could get around all 33 miles. If I’m perfectly honest I didn’t think I was going to make it. I somehow had it in my head I was going to pull up about 10 miles or so in and would have to throw the towel in. As I ran I told myself I had to banish these negative thoughts as that would only lead to failure. The first 3-4 miles were fairly congested as expected but soon thinned out. It wasn’t long before Tommy and I met up with the 2 Janes again and ran with them for a few miles. We were soon split up as our 'gel every 30 mins' break was upon us and the girls continued on ahead. We were both running well and I was delighted with how the leg was feeling. As we progressed, the sun was getting warmer to the point it was a relief when you hit any shade. The first hour seemed to pass very slowly then astonishingly time seems to fly by to the point we were soon seeing the leaders running back towards us. Mike was in 4-5^th place I’m sure and not far behind we high-fived Dave as he passed who was looking annoying fresh as a daisy as he normally does. ;-) 

At this point we had caught up with Vicki, Ian and a few of the Stonehaven gang. Before long we hit the turn point. A quick drink of Lucozade and a bit of banana and Tommy and I were soon running back towards Duthie Park. We ran together but as we approached about the 18 mile stage I could feel both my legs getting heavier and sorer which I was putting down to very little miles in training in the weeks before. Despite Tommy’s pleas to keep the pace going, before long he was edging ahead and I knew there was nothing I could do so accepted I would let him go although it was then I remembered he had all the salt tablets. Not much I could do sadly. Over the next 3- 4 miles Tommy edged further in front and I knew I just had to hang on. Once out of the woodland trail section and we’d negotiated a section of road (which I always find easier to run on somehow) we had about 7-8 miles left. Gradually I noticed I was starting to narrow the gap between Tommy and I. As I pressed on I was soon behind Tommy and shouted to him. He turned around and slowed up to tell me he was feeling a little nauseous and reckoned he’s gotten a bit carried away pace wise and was now paying the penalty. We ran together for a few miles although Tommy had to pull up complaining of a sore gut. I stopped at the same time although was fighting a mental battle myself. Every time I stopped it was getting harder and harder to start running again so decided that I needed to press on as best I could. If I continued to stop I was getting worried I may not complete the course. With about 5 miles to go I started feeling severe cramp in my left calf and not the right which I’d been having all the problems with oddly. I tried to brush it off and kept pressing on then suddenly it tightened like it was locked in a vice and I had to stop dead and limped along for a few minutes. Gradually it eased off and I was able to pick back up again. With about 3 miles to go I heard someone about to pass me, as I turned around I saw it was one of Vicki's friends Jo. I asked how she was feeling, she told me she was struggling especially since one of her toenails was practically hanging off, ouch!!

We shared some water and salt tea (I think) and decided we would run together to the end. Just having someone to talk shite with helps enormously, taking your mind off the pain. We pressed on as fast as we could and was soon met with the welcome sight of the finishing line. As we reached the brow of the hill we both kicked on and crossed in style!!

I’d done it: finishing in 5 hours 40 minutes, it wasn’t pretty and was the hardest race I’d ever done but I’d somehow gotten around and that made me very happy. I grabbed some water and spoke to Mike for a bit before making my way up to watch for Tommy. Soon enough Tommy appeared and we all screamed encouragement as he crossed the line in 5 hours 49 minutes, a cracking effort yet again.

Tommy, I met up with Colin, Ian-R, Dave and Mike and watched waiting to see the others come in.

Soon enough Rhona appeared and looked in brilliant condition finishing in under 6 hours, a remarkable achievement after her Inverness disappointment – she was now indeed, an Ultra runner!

Ian-D then appeared from behind this and we thought we’d missed his moment of glory. He told us he’d had to pull out after suffering from breathing problems at the 22 mile stage sadly, sounds very similar to my ailment last year. He did however later get his own unique D22 medal!!!

Donna came in looking in great form closely followed my Annette.

 I have to say here and now, out of all my running mates the biggest cheer has to go to Annette on the day. She’s literally gone from zero to Ultra in a matter of months and seeing her throw her arms up in the air as she crossed the line was a joy to see – that’s what makes this sport of ours so special. There is one person who comes first but we’re all winners, every last one of us.

This picture to me sums up why I do this thing.

 

Due to the distance we had to drive to get home we made our farewells and made our journey back home stopping in for our traditional post-Ultra McDonalds meal and I for once agreed to ‘Supersize’ mine, lovely.

Around 7.30pm we arrived in Livingston and after unpacking I settled into a wonderful hot bath, sore, aching, very tired but bloody on top of the world after another cracking weekend.

Thanks to George and all the other guys who worked tirelessly throughout and put on a brilliant event, one of which injury permitting I'll be back for next year for sure.

Now then when’s this 53 mile Fling thing then?