One Way Only

One of my pupils this morning was driving down a dual carriageway road in Paisley. I had been explaining the reasons why we should be in the left hand lane and she was happy enough. The road then became single carriageway, she got flustered and asked, “but which lane should I be in now?” I pointed out that there was only one lane and that seemed to answer her question! The same could be said for the WHW route, there is only one path. However for some reason I can’t find my way out of Milngavie alone. So after her lesson, I headed to Milngavie to see which lane I should be in…

12:03 8 miles 1:07:10

No Splits  Average 8:24 min/miles

Today’s run was tough, I’ve done a lot of running over the last few days. With hindsight, I probably should have stayed at home and rested for Sundays long run. However, hindsight’s a wonderful thing and I didn’t, so here’s the gossip…

I wasn’t really in the right frame of mind for the run which may have been part of the problem. I had been really looking forward to it until I got to the official WHW toilet in Tesco. I decided to buy a few bits for Sunday whilst I was there, but things weren’t that simple (I’ll come back to this later). Having escaped from Tesco, I then had to get out of the car park. Old people should  not be allowed to drive, fact! I pulled out of my space, but was blocked from escape by an OAP trying to reverse out of his space. It was a big space with loads of room behind, yet with a worried look on his face, it took him at least 27 turns to get out. When he did, he was facing the wrong way, i.e. right towards me on the one way road. I decided it would be quicker for me to move, so I did. I then indicated that he was going the wrong way. He wasn’t wearing glasses (he probably should) and he just thanked me as he passed.

One problem over, I headed toward the train station, getting stuck behind OAP number 2, and reason why they shouldn’t drive number 2. At less than 15 MPH I followed their car out of the car park and onto the main road until the station turn off. Hurray, freedom! I sped into the car park then drove up and down, up and down, before finally giving in. There were no spaces at all! I begrudgingly headed back towards the Tesco car park. On my return, repeat all that you have read, and now imagine me really annoyed!

                         A Picture Paints A Thousand Words!

Finally parked, I got changed and headed off. I went the wrong way! All the paths thankfully come back to the same place eventually, but I wanted to go the right way. It isn’t signposted and that’s why I got it wrong… now I know. Once back on familiar trail, I couldn’t settle into a pace. I wanted this to be easy, but kept pushing the pace. Whatever speed I ran at I felt awful. Originally I was going to do 10 miles today, but decided I’d just run to the Carbeth Huts, knowing that this was an out and back of about 8 miles. As it was, it was exactly 4 miles to the gate onto the road just after Carbeth. By the time I got there, I had walked a few hills, been annoyed by walkers not looking where they were going, and felt generally rubbish.

Remembering the words of WHWR legend Kate Jenkins from the night in Edinburgh, I realised the problem. I had lost the spirit of the West Highland Way. I started to run back and things were different. I was enjoying the scenery, the terrain, saying hi to the walkers, and running in the countryside. I ran the whole 4 miles home regardless of incline, and was probably sub 8:00 the whole time. Unfortunately I didn’t lap the GPS at Carbeth, so I don’t have the splits but I’m pretty sure it would be very negative!

  
                           One Of Many Carbeth Huts

So, back to the Tesco incident, and a ‘How Annoying?’ award (you wondered where they’d gone didn’t you?). I had selected my purchases and headed for the tills. I was buying two of one thing due to the offer that was advertised, however when I went to pay, the offer did not register with the tills. “It’s because they’re different flavours” (what? ed.) said the woman, “well it doesn’t specify that” said I. She called for backup. 

Backup arrived in the shape of a so called ‘supervisor’. The woman on the tills (who incidentally was the same age as the people in the cars outside. If you ever want to feel young, head for Tesco, Milngavie) explained to the supervisor the problem. “hang on” said the supervisor, who went to use the phone. She returned, and I followed her to show her what it said. I got there, she didn’t. She was now walking around with tomatoes in her hand. That, incidentally, is not what I was buying! The women on the till saw this, so she got off her seat and used her Zimmerframe to follow me. She was too confused/senile to understand, so I opted for two of the same flavour to put an end to it, and get my discount.

But now we needed a void on the other flavour. Supervisor called, but supervisor walks past to use the phone again. I am now really angry and about to walk out the shop, however it’s not Grandma’s fault on the till. Someone else does a void for her and I begin to go through the ritual of payment. Supervisor returns. “I couldn’t sort that problem for the customer” said women on till – now here’s where she clinched her award – “where is she?” said the supervisor as she walked off to use the phone! To be fair to Granny Checkout, she said at the end, “I’m not going to make excuses for her, I’m sorry though”.

So Mrs-so called-Supervisor, I will send your certificate via your manager, with a covering letter detailing the events. The good news though, its ‘Buy One Get One Free’ today. You don’t have to pay a penny, but you do have to BOGOF!!!!! 

Hits To Dye For

19:40 6.5 miles 47:47

1 7:41 2 7:35 3 7:36 4 6:57 5 7:30 6 6:46 .5 3:41  Average 7:21 min/miles

It was the pacepusher, Boyracer and Crazyboy show again tonight, and as always, Boyracer claimed to be tired then led the way, I claimed to be tired and then chased him, and Crazyboy didnt’ claim to be tired but after chasing the both of us, is now! The Boy that is officially Crazy only has himself to blame. I said I’d like to run about 6 miles, so he chose a six mile route that goes largely upwards for the first three miles (very largely upwards on the third mile!) then back down again for the next three (I did an extra half mile as a cool down). 

It was a good route and I was really pleased with my uphill running. The downhill section was also great training for the WHW as we really picked the pace up. As you would expect from Mr pace-did I tell you I like running downhill-pusher, my quads felt fine before, after, and during. I’m either lucky, or I must have done something as a kid that has left me with strong quads! 

I chatted to Crazyboy about Sundays WHW run prior to hitting the streets. He’s really looking forward to it but I think he is a little worried about the distance he’ll be covering and the terrain he’ll be running on. I think we all have these feelings the first time we hit the trail, I know I did. He’ll be fine though, and I know he’ll love it. Especially if the weather is kind to us.

Before we headed out the door tonight, Father Crazyboy-in-law took one look at Crazyboy in his running kit and said, “If I was a fisherman I would put you on the end of my hook!”. Genius!

Although he unfortunately can’t join us on the WHW on Sunday, the Boyracer has, once again, increased his training in preparation for being my support runner. He is now covering more miles per week than Jezz Bragg! 

Finally, I once posted a comment regarding Hollyoaks, in particular, Nancy from Hollyoaks, and her red hair.  I get so many hits regarding this that I thought I’d mention it again, although this time I’ll give them some information:

Nancy Dean, or actress Jessica Fox, uses Vidal Sassoon hair dye, available on-line at http://www.V-Sassoon.com at a price of $40 plus p+p. She favours the ‘lip stick gloss’ shade, and dyes it herself at home over the side of the bath with the help of her sister, Hannah.

That should keep them happy!

A Night Out Of The Town

I arrived at Milngavie rather early after it took a surprisingly short time to get there. Not to worry, I listened to the football for the 50 minutes I was waiting. Being a friendly game though, I did almost doze off! I was tired, I’m normally in bed by 10pm, but I was about to set off on a run from the town of Milngavie, and hoped to make it to Drymen with my eyes still open about two hours later.

22:01 12.65 miles 2:01:40 

1 10:04 2 9:58 3 9:45 4 9:10 5 9:00 6 9:21 7 9:13 8 9:54 9 10:15 10 9:16 11 10:09 12 9:53 .65 5:43 (8:47 pace)  Average 9:37 min/miles

   

As always, JK insisted on a group photo before starting. This was then followed by a second photo taken by Debs so that JK could be in it. I did suggest that we all took turns to take the photo so that we all had a group shot… I was joking, we’d have been there forever!

10 of us set off from Milngavie. Mike had already run from Drymen and was now doing the return leg, whilst others were planning to run back to Milngavie. I had decided to just run to Drymen given my 35 mile run planned for Sunday.

The aim was to cover the section in 1hour 55mins (WHW race pace for most) but this proved easier said than done. We all set off together, led by Debs and Sharon. The girls stopped before the first mile was up, reluctant to lead the way, and claiming they wanted to Gossip. So it was now the usual suspects at the front… pacepusher and Sonic!

A few miles in, Sonic dropped back, he was worrying about a recent injury and was also planning the return leg if things felt OK. I started to slow down as well but was joined by Davie. Davie pushed on and I just went with it. Despite running earlier in the day (be it only 3 miles) my legs felt fine and the two of us broke away from the pack, not seeing them again until Drymen. This wasn’t the plan as I saw this as a social run, but despite running with him a few times, I’ve never really chatted to Davie properly before and I enjoyed his company. Of course we chatted mainly about the race… tapering and pacing etc. and it was good to hear someone else’s plans… even if they were basically the same as mine!

We arrived at the WHW check point in Drymen in about 1:57. We felt like we’d been pushing the pace a bit but were still short of the intended 1:55. Of course we hadn’t tapered and it wasn’t the race, factors which will make 1:55 seem much easier on race day. We continued to the car park in Drymen assuming this was where the cars were for the return, and (of course) finished with a burst of speed. I just can’t help myself, I’ve always got to finish first!!

We had already discussed that we would walk back up the road to meet the others, and it wasn’t long before we saw their head torches. We were messing about flashing the lights at each other when we realised they had stopped. We ran back up the road to join them discovering that the cars were actually parked at the check point area.

JK had the camera out again, although there was no warning, and it was only raining, not snowing as the photo suggests! JK, Thomas and Marco ran back to Milngavie, the rest of us took the easy option. I wasn’t home until after 1am as it was!

I found running in the dark really quite hard. A couple of times I would have gone the wrong way if Davie hadn’t been there, and I found it hard to gage distances and inclines. I also felt myself getting a headache towards the end. My head torch provides quite a strong beam, but it’s a single spotlight. I felt a little cross eyed from staring towards it for 2 hours, and I think that’s what caused the headache. I also felt myself tiring from about 11:30 onwards. I’m going to need to get plenty of rest before starting at 1am on the 21st June!

As Three As A Bird

I enjoyed my wee run so much yesterday I thought I’d do it again today!

14:55 3 miles 21:14

1 7:20 2 7:05 3 6:50  Average 7:05 min/miles

The wind had calmed down today but it has left behind the rain, so it was a bit of a soggier run than yesterday! I aimed to start steady and pick the pace up a little with each mile as I’m keen to keep some pace in my legs. Again I didn’t see anybody on the trail, but I was joined by a huge buzzard that followed me from tree to tree over the last mile. I hope it saw me as a threat and not as food! I wore my Inov8 trail shoes today to make sure my Asics were dry for tonight. I really find them a bit flat for running. I think they would be good on the hills but they just seem to lack a bit of bounce on the trail. I’m really pleased I bought my Trabucos!   

Time to refuel now before the small matter of running from Milngavie to Drymen in the dark!

Better Late Than Never, Comrades!

This months Runner’s World dropped through our door this lunchtime. What did I find on page 78? Secrets Of Endurance – an ultra training guide! Better late than never eh? They recommend a 3 week taper, so always keen to have someone else to blame for my mistakes, that will be the length of my taper. That makes this my last hard week of training.

12:42 3 miles 22:07

1 7:21 2 7:28 3 7:19  Average 7:23 min/miles

I was meeting Boyracer and Crazyboy for a run from the gym tonight, but my legs felt a bit stiff when I got up this morning. DOMS are so annoying (Delayed Onset of Muscular Soreness – usually surfacing two days after hard effort), even though in relative terms the Edinburgh Marathon wasn’t a hard effort, I still ran 26.2 miles and my legs were feeling it this morning. So a wee trot to ease the muscles (and gain some extra miles on my last hard week) was called for. 

I drove around to the Woodland path, rather than running there, so that I could do the whole run on the trail. I didn’t wear my tubigrip for the first time and the ankle felt fine. I’ve never really measured this trail, despite running it several times. A whole lap (one big and one small circuit) was 1.44 miles, whilst one complete big lap was exactly one mile (future mile repeats training spot!). Anyway I had a nice easy tootle round, bothered only by the dust that the wind was blowing up. I didn’t see another soul and it was great. I also officially love my Asics Trabucos!

19:11 5.36 miles 37:54

1 7:10 2 7:11 3 7:19 4 7:16 5 6:43 .36 2:15  Average 7:05 min/miles

Back in my road shoes, and back to the roads. I was there first as always, but the guys weren’t far behind and we were soon off up the hill towards Pollock Park. The wind was really quite strong over the first mile,  and the second, and the third… “it’ll be behind us if we go through the park first”, said Boyracer. No it won’t. It’ll change direction and be back in our faces for the second half! …and the fourth, and the fifth…

Crazyboy was struggling a little. Not only is he just returning from injury, but he has also been plagued with illness over the last week. Still he hung on in there until a mile or so to go and is well on the way to being his oldself. Running on the WHW on Sunday will do him good. It’ll be a little light relief from pounding the pavements and constantly trying to run faster than the last time he ran.

I wasn’t the only one who ran earlier today. As if to always out do me, Boyracer had already done a 7 mile run with a friend from work. He tells me it was only about 8 min/miles though. He also tells me that the reason for his two runs a day routine is in preparation for being my support runner on the WHW on 21st June. He’s also been doing hill session especially. Do you think he realises that I’ll be practically walking by the time he’s running with me?    

I’ve got some good runs planned for the rest of the week. Tomorrow night, a group of WHWRers are meeting at 10pm to run from Milngavie to Drymen, with the option of running back again. This gives us a chance to replicate race conditions and run this route in the dark. On Sunday I’m running the 35 miles from Bridge Of Orchy to Fort William that I missed because of my injured ankle the other week. Pete is again giving up his time to support me on route, and Crazyboy is going to run some sections with me – thanks to both in advance. Other than that, I’m just going to do a few steady runs, and aim for 70 or 80 miles for the week.

Runner’s World also contains an article on South Africa’s 55 mile Comrades Marathon (www.comrades.com). Now that’s definitely got me thinking… 

Tales From Further Back In The Pack

Mrs pacepusher was a bit chuffed with herself yesterday afternoon!

Edinburgh Marathon

09:00 26.2 miles 3:54:44

See Mrs pacepushers blog for splits  Average 8:53 min/miles

Mrs pacepusher woke up with Marathon-Flu, her equivalent of the serious illness Man-Flu. I wasn’t buying it, and I wasn’t too popular!

We set off towards Edinburgh a little after 6:30am, but only after Mrs pacepusher had threatened to stay at home – pullingoutofraceitis is a well known symptom of Marathon-Flu. 

I followed a car with runners in it most of the way to Edinburgh whilst Mrs pacepusher slept/dozed… another symptom – nottalkingtohubbyitis!

We were soon parked and walking to the start. Arriving at the start area we joined the queue for the toilets. We stood in this queue for almost an hour by which time the race was due to start in 10 minutes. I lost the plot and went off in search of a tree, discovering the many more portaloos further up the hill! We’d been queueing with loads of other people for basically one portaloo.

So bladders emptied, we rushed to the start line just in time to hear Bryan Burnett being his ever enthusiastic self over the tannoy, “What an amazing sight!” …will he never tire of seeing mass participation races? How does he maintain his enthusiasm?

We managed to get as far forward as the back of Pen 4. We were supposed to be further forward than this, but arriving late, this was the best we could do. Not to worry, we’d be fine… once we’d finished the long walk to the actual start line that is. Some people must have completed 27 miles as they started running so far back!

The atmosphere further back in the field is quite different to that nearer the front where I usually find myself. The talk is not of splits and PB’s, it’s about hoping to finish and maybe getting around in about 4:00hrs. It’s about the charity you are running for, and the crazyness of signing up for 26.2 miles. It’s not about the latest technical gear, racing shoes or GPS accuracy. It’s about wearing the free commemorative T-shirt and those old trainers you’ve had since you were 15! That is unless you’re the pacepusher’s in pen 4 anyway!

I heard a conversation about training, “what’s the longest you’ve run then?” 16-20 miles seemed the general response. I turned to Mrs p and said, “I wish somebody would ask me”, my response of 53 miles may have caused some unrest amongst the masses!

Mrs pacepushers illness (?) seemed to have eased with the starting gun and the familiar tones of Mr “so many runners running for charity”  Burnett. I was to be pacemaker today with a target pace of 9:00 min/miles. I started well. Mile one according to my GPS was bang on 9 minutes! The speed then picked up a little with the early downhills and the race adrenaline. However, when I tried to slow things down Mrs p ran past me… I decided to stick with the 8:50ish pace, and see how long she’d last without shouting abuse at me. Running into the wind, I suggested she run behind me. Clearly the guy in front of me had a better looking bum, because she was never content with being behind mine (and at this point I didn’t have the stomach problems I developed on about 22 miles, pity the fool running behind me then!?!?).

Mrs pacepusher was running really strongly and did throughout. Her fastest mile according to my GPS was 8:41 mins, whilst her slowest was 9:09 mins. That’s only 28 seconds difference! Fantastic pacemaking job by the pacepusher… ok and great running by the wife (can I have just a little bit of praise though please? She’s getting all the glory!). 

In the latter stages I was still feeling really strong. If I’d been told at the end I had another 10k to run, I would happily have trotted off into the distance. I helped three guys to a sub 4:00hr marathon over the latter stages, they were struggling and I gave them some encouragement. They went from struggling to walk, to running at a canter over the last 24 furlongs (it finishes at the race course!), knowing that they could break 4hrs. I got a real boost from this, but went back to shouting at (I mean encouraging) Mrs pacepusher. I was yelling at her over the last .2 knowing that 3:55:00 was close. She did me proud though, and I’m sure I heard Mr (soon to be Sir?!?!) Burnett saying something along the lines of, “sprinting after 26 miles”. He probably added some of his more commonly used words though, perhaps, “inspirational, amazing, sprinting after 26 miles, along with other runners, many running for charity!”… oh yeh and this was followed with “here comes the panda”.

Stumbling, smiling and crying, Mrs pacepusher had finished… and she’d gone faster over the marathon distance today than I think she thought she was capable of. WELL DONE MRS P… but next time, no Marathon-flu please!

   

Running Off The Taper

Who wants to stand on the start line of a marathon feeling fresh? Not me.

16:07 3.5 miles 23:56

1 6:47 2 6:53 3 6.47 .5 3:29 (7:00 pace)  Average 6:50 min/miles

Tapering is amazing. Even if it has been enforced by injury. I set off running today at what felt like 7:30 – 8:00 pace and it was actually about 6:30 pace. I didn’t feel like I was pushing things at all, the ankle (and the blisters) felt fine in road shoes, and I ran the whole run feeling great, struggling only with the wind. As Mrs pacepusher intends using me as a wind break tomorrow I’d better get used to that though!

So now that I have wasted my taper, I’ll stand on the start line tomorrow knowing that a PB is out of the question, and happily trot around the 26.2 miles with Mrs pacepusher. It’s ridiculous that the marathon distance currently holds no fear for me. I need to remember that it is still a long way, and not get too complacent. I’m still going to be on my feet for 3:59:59 (at least that’s what time Mrs pacepusher wants her pacemaker to aim for!) and there’ll be no carrot cake or chocolate milk stops… it’s just plain old running!

We went across to the expo yesterday. It wasn’t great, but then I’ve been a little spoilt with New York and London’s events recently. We did also shop at the Ocean Terminal though and discovered season 3 of Prison Break on DVD… result! So without much persuasion, whilst I’ve burnt off a bit of energy and spoilt my taper, Mrs pacepusher has hardly moved off the sofa as we’ve watched one episode after another. It’s great. I was supposed to run much sooner today, but each episode ends in such a way that another one just has to start ASAP! Perfect pre-race entertainment.

Finally, congratulations to JK who ran an excellent time of 1:25:56 in the Kirkcudbright Half Marathon today. The man’s on fine form right now, I think he might take some beating on June 21st.

If anyone’s watching the Edinburgh Marathon tomorrow, I’ll be wearing my WHWR Buff and carrying a big Saltire. Give the pacepushers a cheer as we pass.          

The Incredible Heeling Man

19:30 4.5 miles 31:56

no splits  Average 7:06 min/miles

Hands up if you thought I’d be running by now?

I’ve had a lot of RICE over the last six days, and I’m not talking the carbohydrate kind. I’m talking about Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation… and it appears to have done the trick! I was sick of sitting at home in front of the TV and was becoming increasingly grumpy so, as tomorrow is Expo and registration day for the Edinburgh Marathon, I felt it was time to make a decision. Most of you are probably aware of JK’s campaign to stop me running on Sunday. Well it’s his fault I went out running tonight!

John sent me a link via e-mail this morning to The Sports Injury Clinic and I had a read. I’m sure JK expected me to read all the sections of the article regarding sprained ankles that would make my injury sound more serious and make me leave my running shoes behind at the weekend. However, it was the following paragraph that flashed up to me in fluorescent neon lights:

“Running may begin as soon as walking is pain free. It is a good idea to tape the ankle before starting running training particularly during early sessions until confidence, proprioception and strength has returned”.

Well, I’ve been walking pain free for two or three days now, so with my ankle supported by Tubigrip bandage, wearing my Trabucos and my GPS*, I headed off towards the woodland trail. As I set off I soon realised something. I had no pain. None! I did get a stitch as I’d eaten quite soon before running, and my right leg felt a bit tight (probably due to running 27 miles on one leg on Friday!), but my left ankle was fine. There’s a few twists and turns on the path, and none of these caused me any concern, neither did running at just over 6:00 min/mile pace towards the end.

I saw Jim O from Kilbarchan tonight, he’s recovering from a hamstring injury and was just out being beaten by two little boys around the path (speedy recovery Jim). I ran slowly with him and chatted for a while, then pushed on again knowing that having told Mrs pacepusher I would do no more than 3 miles, I had lied. I set off on another lap of the woodland trail feeling happy as a pig in poo! …pacepusher is back!

*Don’t worry, I also wore socks, shorts and T-shirt!

How The Other Half Lives

I am so glad I’m running the 95 miles of the West Highland Way Race and not acting as backup for a runner!

Saturday 17th May 2008

I was only dozing when I heard JK get up and go for a shower. When he returned I was still in bed, busy looking at my ankle. I showed him and asked what he thought. It was badly swollen and I think he was trying to be positive in his indirect responses. “Well it’s hard to tell without seeing the other one”, I showed him the other ankle. No comment, “well what’s it like to stand on”, I swung my legs out of bed. The previous night we had discussed the ‘hop’ test, if you can hop on it, you can run on it. So that was to be my test… until I discovered I couldn’t even stand on it!

I made the necessary phone calls to reduce my back up crew to just Mrs pacepusher, then hobbled about getting ready for breakfast. We decided to just go up and wait in the hotel before our 7:30am breakfast. A great idea as the bunkhouse was a bit stuffy. Except for the fact that the hotel was locked that is! So I hobbled back down to the bunkhouse. To be honest, the exercise was slowly making the ankle move more freely, but I was concerned about walking too much in case it was broken. The plan was to go to A&E in Fort William whilst waiting for the runners to arrive.

We finally got into the hotel for breakfast and I discovered my first advantage to being injured. The full Scottish breakfast! Nothing to stop me having it now… or WHW Runner who was just going to take his chances. He didn’t have it last year and spent the whole day regretting it. He wasn’t making the same mistake twice. Cue JK and his camera. I was too hungry to look up and smile!

As I walked out of the hotel Mrs pacepusher had just arrived. I tried not to be too grumpy, and to think positively. I’d managed one good run so it wasn’t a complete disaster. I also knew that I’d done all the hard work for the WHWR now, and a couple of weeks recovery wouldn’t make any difference to my performance on the day. Mrs pacepusher mentions on her blog that she was surprised how well I was coping with it when she arrived. The most frustrating thing was that my legs felt fine and I know I could have put in another solid run to Fort William.

It was soon time for the guys to head off on day two. Richard was only ever running on the Friday, and of course I’d withdrawn, so there was just JK and WHW Runner who would be completing the two day run. They were joined today though by Ian K, John, Morgan and Tim. Mrs pacepusher was also planning on running from Kinlochleven to Fort William as this is the section she wants to run with me on race day.

I hobbled into the car and we headed off to Kingshouse to await their arrival. With two hours to kill we went straight into the hotel and sat and had a coffee. The views of Buchaille Etive Mor were stunning from the hotel lounge windows and we could see the cloud slowly rising towards the summit. It looked like it was going to turn into a nice day again. Having finished our drinks we headed outside to see Allybea in the car park setting up her snack bar (check out Allybea‘s blog, ‘You can’t do it without backup’). She introduced us to the delights of freshly brewed Earl Grey Tea, and we sipped and waited, sipped and waited, sipped and waited…

The runners would be coming over the brow of the hill and then down towards the car park. The horizon became like a TV set that isn’t turned on, you still watch it but know there’s no point. I stared aimlessly as bikers and walkers appeared but no runners. But then why would there be, they weren’t due for another half hour or so!

This backup thing is not much fun! I tried reading my book whilst I had my coffee but was too tired, so the three of us were reduced to idle chatter whilst we waited. Thankfully Allybea is lovely, and as Mrs pacepusher is a teacher, and Allybea used to be, they had plenty to talk about. I spent most of the day thinking about my ankle and whether or not I was going to be able to run the WHWR!

The runners appeared in a group, all six of them together like a squad of soldiers on expedition, their feet in unison. They all had a brief stop, too busy eating and drinking to speak much, then they were off just like that. Tim didn’t even stop at all! Two hours just for that! So packing the car up we headed towards Kinlochleven, arranging to meet Allybea there.

At least there was more to do in Kinlochleven. Well… we visited the shop in the ice climbing centre, Mrs pacepusher finally giving in and buying a Buff. Then we went to the high street to shop. After a visit to the co-op for flowers and beer for our visit to the Crazyboy household that night, we had run out of shops and headed to the meeting point where Allybea had the snack bar up and running. More coffee, more waiting, more chat, and more staring at the turned off TV!

Mrs pacepusher had a message from her Aunt saying that she would be in Kinlochleven if we were anywhere near. Her Aunt is a nurse so I saw the opportunity straight away. Mrs pacepusher got herself ready and headed off on the West Highland Way towards Fort William, deciding to take a head start and allow the others to catch her (well that was the plan anyway!). I called Lesley (Mrs p’s Aunt) and arranged to meet her. I wanted to avoid a visit to A&E if I could. The others had arrived, first the four one dayers, then someway behind JK and WHW Runner. Apparently the first four had flown down the hill… I would have loved it! They all had their brief stop, then disappeared.

So now everyone had gone apart from me and Allybea. We waited on my nurse, and when she arrived, the first aid kit got it’s second use. It was decided that it probably wasn’t broken, I was strapped up, and then given the old RICE advice (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). Thanks Lesley, and partner Billy for driving. Meeting them meant I also got to see my two girls… their gorgeous two dogs!

It was now time to head to Lundavra. Allybea, under protest, was now also going. She hates this road, but agreed to lead the way as I didn’t really know where I was going. The ankle felt better already. I think that was just the knowledge of being told it wasn’t broken, although Allybea said that I was walking better with it strapped up. Thankfully driving wasn’t too painful, and we were soon there despite the big Morrisons lorry that we got stuck behind.

Lundavra is a horrible place at the moment. It used to be dense woodland but all the trees have been cut down and it is now just a miserable expanse. There’s an information board there so I took a walk to read it and kill some time. There wasn’t much to read so I considered reading a sentence, walking back to the car, then walking back to read another. Repeat until all is read. However, I was supposed to be resting my ankle so I read it all at once.

Much to my surprise Mrs pacepusher appeared ahead of schedule. Still alone, she was smiling from ear to ear as she flew down the hill chucked her extra top into the boot, grabbed her water, told me I was rubbish backup, and disappeared into the sunset. That was worth waiting for! JK and WHW runner were next – see experience shows in the end – followed by Ian K who was running well. Tim followed, then John who stopped at Lundavra, struggling for various reasons, and then Morgan, still looking happy.

So we packed up the cars, and headed for Fort William. Myself and John chatted about the race and things on the way, and then decided to stop at the Braveheart car park to give an extra cheer to the runner’s. This was a good idea but one which didn’t go to plan. First to arrive was WHW Runner, or so we thought. Wearing the same kit, and with the same running style, a guy came down the hill. “Well Done Ian” I shouted, as the man turned into the car park got in his car and drove off. That wasn’t WHW Runner then! I thought it was strange that JK would let him get away.

So we again waited on our first runner. Sometime later there was a shout from behind. Mrs pacepusher had taken the WHW route rather than the Race route, and therefore hadn’t come through the car park. “You didn’t tell me not to follow the WHW signs!”, she said. “That’s exactly what I told you to do!” said I!

Flushed with our success, we gave up and headed for the Leisure centre! One by one the runners arrived, first Mrs pacepusher who’d had a great run, then JK, then WHR runner. Ian K wasn’t too far behind, and Tim and Morgan ran in together, Tim trying to encourage a sprint finish, but Morgan having none of it!

I think Mrs pacepusher may now be thinking about running the WHWR one day, although so far she has only discussed doing the Devil O’ The Highlands race (43 miles – Tyndrum to Fort William). I can see why. What I can’t see is why anyone wants to do race backup! I now have a whole new perspective of the role, and will appreciate my team a lot more from now on.

Can I Be The New Drama Queen?

Mark Hamilton ran the West Highland Way Race in 2006, completing the distance despite breaking his ankle only 5 miles into the race. This has lead to Mark becoming known in WHWR circles as Drama Queen. Apparently Mark has dropped out of this years West Highland Way Race with an injury, and therefore, they are auditioning for the next person to fill the role. I think that person could be me, so I had a practice on this weekends two day training run! 

So, if you’re sitting comfortably…

Friday 16th May 2008

Balmaha to Bridge Of Orchy

40.75 miles 8:10:48  Average 12:03 min/miles

We arrived at the car park in Balmaha well ahead of the proposed 10am start time. Richard was already there, so the three of us headed for pre-run caffeine at the Oak Tree Inn whilst we waited for WHW Runner and Allybea (Allybea was kindly supporting us for the two days). Over coffee I (on film) demonstrated a new way for JK to wear his Buff, and JK did his best to talk Richard out of running the WHWR with details of his suffering from last year!

Eventually we headed back to the car park and started getting ready. Richard set off early as he was planning to take a bit longer to do the run (this would be his longest run to date) and we planned on catching him somewhere near Inversnaid where we would spend some time running together as a group. Just after Richard set off, we had a text from Allybea saying they had just left. This would changed our start time, and left me and JK with a wee bit more killing of time to do. They soon arrived and WHW Runner got himself ready, a quick group photo, and it was about 10:30 when we eventually headed off.

Balmaha to Rowardennan

7.80 miles 1:24:56  Average 10:53 min/miles

I really like this section, and the banter was good throughout. The three of us were clearly in good spirits from the start (despite WHW Runner getting the excuses in early… something about a sore ankle or leg or something!) and this first section flew by. We stayed together as a group the whole way, although I did get a little carried away on the odd downhill section, I just slowed and waited for the guys each time. I was keen to take things easy as this was to be a two day effort and I didn’t want to be too tired to run on the Saturday. The weather was great, and the views stunning…  cue photo opportunity…

About 5 minutes ahead of schedule (JK’s schedule. I just run aimlessly till I get to where I’m going… then fill in my schedule!) we arrived at Rowardennan. We had a break of just under seven minutes (6:50) and I managed to drain the remainder of the sports drink I’d been carrying, eat a pot of baked beans (cold), a piece of carrot cake, and a whole bottle of chocolate milk. I also removed my base layer (who wears two tops on a day like that? Me, the idiot!), then clicking my hydration belt around my waste ready for the next, longer section, I was refueled, and ready for the off!

Rowardennan to Inversnaid

7.18 miles 1:22:27  Average 11:29 min/miles

This is one of my least favourite sections as I find it a bit boring. However, the company was good and we had a good laugh. WHW Runner recorded a video rant at the two most pointless Way markers. Posts on either side of the path advise that the WHW is straight on. To the left is down a cliff, and to the right is up a cliff. You can only go straight on unless you’ve decided to go home!

JK reached 1000 miles for the year so far at the 12 mile point in the run (I had already done this at mile 9 but hadn’t noted my current mileage before the run). JK stood recording a video diary of the feat as a walker passed looking rather surprised. I had to point out that it wasn’t consecutive miles, which removed the look of shock from his face somewhat! The guy kindly took our photo…

WHW Runner’s race experience never stops amazing me. After a call of nature for JK, WHW Runner produced anti-bacterial hand wash. Genius! A smell of perfume filled the air, and JK could keep eating his grapes without the fear of poor hygiene!

We were about a mile from Inversnaid when my day took a turn for the worse. Yep, this is when the audition started… I went over on my left ankle. It hurt, I swore… loudly!

I barged past the guys, both of whom looked quite concerned, saying “let me keep running”, and then I did just that. It started to ease off but I knew it was bad. I was now about 14 miles down and had about another 27 to go… would I make it? …I had to. At least to Beinglass Farm were we would see Allybea again.

Arriving at Inversnaid, my ankle was throbbing. I tried to play it down a little but the look of anguish on my face probably gave me away! We stopped for 6:23 minutes, filling up our water in the hotel, and the guys ate some food. I felt too sick. Pain and worry do not enhance you’re appetite!

Inversnaid to Beinglass Farm

6.62 miles 1:32:31  Average 13:59 min/miles

We set off down the hill away from the hotel, and I apologised for my loud expletive. It took a while to get the ankle going again, but once running I tried to ignore the mild pain and things started to improve. I found it increasingly hard to restart after each stop, or walk break as the miles went by though. The terrain is not good in general on this section, and my ankle, already weak, decided to let me go over on it slightly another couple of times before reaching Beinglass Farm.

One of the perks of having WHW Runner with you on these runs is that he knows the route so well (he’s done the race 7 times already). At one point he suggested we stop and turn around, something I would not normally do, and will certainly not consider doing during the race. The result was another JK photo opportunity…

Just short of Beinglass Farm we caught up with Richard. He was looking pretty warm in his leggings and long sleeve top, but was going well. After a quick chat, we ran into Beinglass together and to the Allybea snack bar. We stopped here for just over 9 minutes (9:04), too long really, but I didn’t care. I needed time to regroup. JK and Richard left a couple of minutes ahead of us, but we soon caught them up on the next section.

Beinglass Farm to Auchtertyre

9.56 miles 1:48:52  Average 11:23 min/miles

I was feeling pretty miserable by now, especially having gone over on my ankle for a forth time (some people just don’t know when to give up!). I needed to be in my own space, and just work away at the miles. I spent a lot of this section running ahead of the other guys, finding the faster pace more comfortable on my ankle.

Richard dropped off at the A82 underpass, rightly deciding that he needed to run at his own pace or face not making it to the hotel, and we carried on up towards Crianlarich. JK was working away on these sections, not stopping to walk on the hills. I got my head down and followed but was not happy. We passed the muddiest part of the WHW next to the farm owned by the “nasty farmer” as WHW Runner called him. He allows his cows to (some say deliberately) churn up the path into a mud bath. However with the fine weather it was relatively dry underfoot.

I was still feeling miserable, and felt like I was spoiling things for the other two. I was happier at my pace and with my own thoughts so pushed on. To be honest I thought they would catch me up the hill into the forest but I clearly had my determined head on. I flew through this section, running every bit of the path that was remotely runnable and flying down the hills. It wasn’t the usual fun though as my ankle continued to twinge and ache.

I’d been visualising the bottle of coke that I had in the car for the last few miles. So arriving at Auchtertyre and disturbing Allybea from her knitting, it was the first thing I grabbed. It was heaven in a bottle, as was the ice cold milk that Allybea had kindly bought for us. I wanted to change my shoes and socks as my new Trabucos were starting to rub, but Allybea agreed that there may be a danger of not getting a shoe back on again. Using the WHW Runner’s first aid kit for the first time ever, Allybea sprayed vast amounts of freeze spray on my ankle. I don’t know if it really worked or if it was all in the mind, but it felt a little better for a while. I was about to leave when I saw the guys coming down the hill, so I waited to say Hi, then Bye, and headed off again after 8 minutes 20 seconds. Allybea (obviously concerned) had offered to stop at Tyndrum and check I was OK, but I didn’t want to have the option of stopping. I was seeing this through to the end!

Auchtertyre to Tyndrum

2.67 miles 27:33  Average 10:19 min/miles

I headed away from Auchtertyre in ‘don’t walk’ mode. It felt easier to just keep running so that’s basically what I did. I don’t think I’ve ever covered this section so quickly. There was nobody about and I just battled with my mind all the way to Tyndrum, enjoying the personal battle despite the pain. This is quite a short section in relative terms and I reached the final stretch toward Tyndrum much sooner than I was expecting to. I had no intention of stopping here, but for some reason, once I’d crossed the road I pressed the lap function on my GPS, recording the split.

Tyndrum to Bridge Of Orchy

6.54 miles 1:03:48  Average 9:45 min/miles

Onwards ever onwards, I started running up the hill on the final stretch of the run. There was a guy ahead feeding a cat from a carton of cream that he had obviously picked up at the Green Welly Stop. Seeing me the cat fled and I felt a little guilty. I apologised and he smiled and said it was fine. His presence spurred me to keep running up the hill though.

I kept picking markers (baby steps) ahead. Run to that gate then walk. Run to that post then walk. Before I knew it I was walking up the final incline and then tentatively running back down under the railway line and onto the downhill stretch of easier terrain. It had started to rain now and I was getting cold. It really poured and I was tempted to just sit under the railway line in the dry. My mind was starting to play games and I knew I had to keep going. There were a lot of puddles now and I was running through them trying to use the cold water to soothe my blisters and my ankle. Unfortunately though the Acics Trabucos are quite waterproof as advertised so I didn’t get much benefit. I was clocking sub 8:00 pace down the path and making good progress. I had intended filling up my water at one of the waterfalls but didn’t  want to stop. Cold and wet I just kept on pushing.

At one point I was running up a hill towards a group of three girls. I wasn’t going to stop until I past them though. One of the girls said, “keep going, you can do it” as I passed so, when I was ready to walk I didn’t. Her words firmly implanted in my head. I was pushing on hard, clocking 8:00 – 8:20 pace most of the time, even uphill, and when I saw the top of the hotel I smiled. I was home. I saw a cow get up and move from the side of the path, then a hare bounded off ahead… nope, just tufts of grass, I was seeing things now!

I pushed myself onwards down the hill smiling to myself at the achievement, and at being first home. I really needed to see a welcome face so thank you Allybea for being there at the hotel door, despite the now miserable weather. I put on a dry  jacket and went inside.

I started shaking uncontrollably and so Allybea draped a beach towel around my shoulders and got me a cup of tea from the hotel. Thank you again, it was much needed. I didn’t think I was too bad, but according to her blog, I was a little incoherent!

JK and WHW Runner came in about 15 minutes behind me, although I felt like it had been ages, and then Richard also arrived. I have no idea whether this was before or after I was showered so maybe I was a bit out of it! I know that before I showered I’d spoken to Mrs pacepusher on the phone but had to cut the conversation short as I thought I was going to be sick. She told me later I wasn’t making much sense then either! 

I’d done it though! I’d actually had a good strong run despite the ankle and was really pleased. After showers we hit the bar, and after a pint of water I had one of the best pints of lager I have ever had! I was continually icing my ankle throughout the evening, and had a hearty meal. Fish and chips with a (much to the waitresses amusement) side portion of chips and a basket of bread!

I’d text a few people to let them know how I’d got on. Crazyboy asked what I was doing tomorrow and I told him running 35 miles despite the ankle. This was his response:

“Your name is not pacepusher. You are ‘The Mentalist’ and I shall not be persuaded otherwise!”

I didn’t sleep too well that night. I was stressing about my fitness for the WHWR in June, and more immediately about my ability to run the next morning.