Having a fling!

Being a postie, I am used to getting up early and spending a lot of time on my feet. Saturday was to be no different, alarm going off a 3.45am, bowl of corn flakes, caffeine intake, work clothes on and out into the dark of the morning. But Saturday was different, the training of the last 4 months had been forgotten (tapering for two weeks makes you think you cant even run anymore) and todays work clothes were lycra and running shoes…oh and my usual 10 hour shift was to be extended to nearer 12 hours!
The Highland Fling is, according to SUMS(Scottish Ultra Marathon Series), a ‘medium’ length ultra of 53 miles, on the West Highland Way with all but a couple of miles off road, and more often than not uphill and downhill.
Having done this event 3 years ago I knew what I was in for, but training had gone well with numerous runs of marathon distance and more under the belt of myself and training partner Mark Hamilton…who in 2011 had pulled out at about 43miles, the reason we were back! Mark had unfinished business and I (foolishly?) had committed to entering if he did as the long gruelling hours of training are far easier with a bit of company.
So here we were 6am in Milngavie and alongside over 600 other, well idiots is a word that springs to mind, but idiots with a common goal, finishing the day 53miles further north before dark. Now,for the marathon runners amongst you hydration would be your main point of focus immediately prior to the start, but for the ultra runner more is needed so all around people are trying to cram in some more carbohydrates- cereal bars, bananas, rice puddings, etc etc… and this would have to continue throughout the race in order to get to the finish in Tyndrum. All around are a variety of bum bags and backpacks stuffed with fuel for the day, gels, malt loaf, energy bars and crisps in mine, with refuelling stops at 4 points along the course to refill the pack with more of the same (all tested to some extent in training…and never enjoyed).
And then we were off, like a big city marathon congested at the start, but not a care in the world about pace as time is not at all important at this stage, in fact for myself and Mark we would cover 40miles before we would even glance an eye at the watch to consider a finish time! And it WASN’T raining, some body upstairs was being kind. The first section, 12 miles to Drymen checkpoint is on good paths and the only tarmac section on the route so steady running for the first 2 hours, here we were cheered on by our support man Tommy and the two relay teams awaiting there men. All happy and smiley as we passed through but now the work was to start, with conic hill the first big climb of the day. By this stage I had already eaten a large energy bar a gel and on the ascent of conic hill the first packet of crisps of the day, the last coming some 36 miles later! Now in ultra running conservation of energy is important so, for most, hills are for walking up and refuelling. The next worse thing to going uphill is going downhill, I am still amazed how well the old knees take it, but at this stage the legs are still strong so not too bad. As we come through the trees at the bottom, civilisation appears and our first “drop bag” of the day at Balmaha, and more encouragement from teammates and marshalls alike….another gel, malt loaf and two drinks taken and more put in the backpack. At this stage I decided to use the facilities, frustrating to have to queue but comfort in the long run….and Mark was off by the time I got back so we were now both solo for the next 34miles.

Mark’s story.

This is where Mike and I parted company as I took off to Rowardennan , Pace was good and at Rowardennan I changed my wet shoe’s and sock’s, At Inversaid I decided I’d had enough food and enough carb and electrolyte drink and was yearning for water as I couldn’t quench my thirst, water never tasted so good, Heading into Bienglas I was remembering nearing my DNF spot just up the trail a bit, but no way was I not finishing this time, Meeting Jean, Joanna and Tommy Ingram (our support) got a last water fill up and headed off up the hill, crossing under the road I passed the 45 mile point, climbing up the last big hill was ok, it was the decent that was hardest, toe’s and knees taking a bit of a pounding, and trying to protect my knees after double knee surgery in 2011,
As I got to the bottom of the hill and crossed the road again my support team were there again to boost my spirits, with just 3 miles to go I lifted the pace to pass around 10 fellow runners and come into the finish in 10hrs 55mins and get even with the fling for spitting me out three years ago.
After the race I was a bit sick and shaking a little, and did say I would never do another ultra, but the next day felt better and will do more I’m sure, just not The Highland Fling!

(Mikes comment: Got a text from Mark asking me if I wanted to do Devil o the Highlands next year (just 43miles)…..he was in the pub celebrating at the time!)

Mike continues:

Still feeling good after 20miles, but the next 7 miles just seem sap all the good feelings out and replace them with heavy legs and a heavy heart. Finally Rowardennan is reached and more refuelling, a change of socks and shirt help to pick the spirits up and only a marathon to run and we are finished….sometimes its hard to be positive.
I trudged on barely putting one foot in front of another it seemed until the “rest” of a long walk uphill. However downhill wasnt any better but having left Rowardennan the next realistic point to pull out of the race is Bein Glas, and with only 12 miles left at this stage the finish is in sight. So maybe the power of positive thinking reaches the legs and I get back into some sort of rhythm through Inversnaid (more gels bars malt loaf crisps drink) and onto the final checkpoint. Tiredness had come over me again as I reached Bein Glas but by this time this food is the last thing you want, I might have taken a gel, but just had more drink and got on my way…the sooner this was over the better.
Something to remember…you are not alone, as you struggle to put one foot in front of another, those ahead dont seem to be getting away and only relay runners come past with shouts of “well done”. So one more hill to go at Crianlarich then the final descent to cross the A82 and the “flat” 3 miles to the finish. But my memory had wiped the fact that on the ‘descent’ the path has numerous wee climbs just to keep you from enjoying yourself too much.
Now as I said before, no point at looking at the watch too soon, so I had taken the decision to wait to this point. Last time I finished in 11hrs 19mins so would be looking at around 10hrs 30mins with 3 miles to go to get a PB……unsuprisingly the watch had passed 11hrs so no hurry then! 40minutes later the sound of bagpipes could be heard…..now I dont mind a bagpipe but today its the greatest sound in the world as it signals the last 250metres to the finish line. The crowd all cheer as you enter the finish straight, and suddenly the pain is over, a smile can return where a scowl has sat for some hours….and then you get a beer…(tasted good even though I dont drink) and a bowl of soup that feels like your dining out in a michelin starred restaurant! And to add to the good feeling as I left the tent the relay team was on the podium collecting their 1st place trophy…and I find Mark who has finished in under 11hrs and learn that the 2nd relay team took a prize too……RESULT!!!