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.