Caroline
We started the day with a wee bit of rain and no wind (as forecast) however a tad too hot for me. I couldn’t believe that I was actually looking forward to the race (at the beginning I didn’t really enjoy the training runs….long distance not my thing) wasn’t nervous, maybe I should have been? The gun went off and I was on my way. Got to Cambuslang at 1hr 33(1st CP) faster than I had planned but was feeling good. Had a gel and a few mouthfuls of rice then set off running with a chap in a kilt for a few miles (pity where the wind is when u need it). Nearly got lost at around 15 miles was nearly over a hill (well I am nearly 50) but thankfully got called back to the path just as I was about to descend phew! Was really enjoying the scenery by now and thought I was on long Sunday run minus Mick’s running tales and John Weirs terrible jokes. However Chris was at the back so no change there (sorry DARLING!!) I made the big mistake of having half lucozade and water in my camel back (and my gels were all lucozade) and by the second check point was starting to feel nauseated. Got to Strathclyde Park at 3hrs 25(20 miles) was pleased with my time met up with Sam and we chatted for a few mins. On hindsight took too long at this point should have walked while eating. It was only 20 miles into the run and I had severely stiffened up and was a bit tired by now, however I soldiered on and got to the 3rd CP in 5hrs 35 mins. The last 10-12mile is where I lost all my time. Got lost a further three times once just after 30 miles and the second at around 35.By now I was not managing to run much, if I was it was more in shuffles. Surprising enough I was still enjoying the experience until S—t at 38 miles you guessed lost again. This time there were no markers or runners to help, I ran up and down looking for signs I knew by then I was truly lost. Had to phone the organiser who didn’t know where I was (the only time I thought about packing it in). Made the big mistake of asking a lady where the tourist information was she told me. However I was in Lanark and later realised that I should be aiming for New Lanark tourist information…….bore bore bore. Eventually got there 41.5 miles later to big cheers from Chris Sam Fletcher and Margaret. Not even a cold beer could make me smile at this point as I was so gutted THAT ONCE AGAIN I GOT LOST. However despite being definitely positive that this was my one and only ultra the positives outweighed the negatives(maybe not at the time) and I’m now signing up for the river Ayr Way.
Chris
Having started a new job the week of the race, which requires me to be on my feet for 10 hrs at a time, and my final training run of 5miles on the Tuesday where I had to walk/jog home through fatigue, I didn’t think i was especially well prepared for the race which started at 9am on Saturday morning but as Caroline was doing it I thought i might as well give it a go.
We met Sam and got registered had a word with Margaret, George (who was supporting a relay team) Evelyn and Gordon, who took some photo’s, then we had our race brief and we were on our way.
Caroline and I had a plan to run at a pace which got us to the first Checkpoint at Cambuslang (10 mls) in around 1hr 45m and repeating this for the four sections, allowing for slowing down as we went, to get us to New Lanark in under 8 hrs.This plan lasted for all of 5 minutes before Caroline disappeared into the sunset, leaving me bobbing along on my own, Sam I think having made a late pit stop was a bit behind. The three of us came together at the 5m point where we had a planned walk break, and then Caroline sped off again, that was the last I saw of her till the finish. In the meantime Margaret kept popping up at various points and taking our photo…..cheeeeeeeese.
Sam and I hit Cambuslang in 1 hr 40m a bit ahead of schedule, we fuelled up but I think the near litre of fluid I took on had a disconcerting affect on me and I started to slow right down, and I felt I struggled to keep up with Sam’s easy pace, and despite my protestations Sam stuck with me till just before the 2nd Checkpoint where he ran on ahead.
I hit Strathclyde Park (19.5 mls) at about 3hrs 40m spot on schedule, Caroline had already left and Sam was just leaving, this was the last I saw of Sam till the finish. After refuelling again and taking on another litre of fluid I dragged my bloated and unwilling body out of the checkpoint and alongside the loch trying to think up an excuse to pull out, but being more uncomfortable than in pain I plodded on, Three miles went by and I never saw anyone in front or behind me and I just couldn’t get focussed, then I met three ageing baldy bikers in a field drinking Buckfast, who in their own encouraging way suggested i get my ass after the guy in front of me as he was only a half mile ahead, I thanked them for their sage advice, declined the offer of some liquid sustenance and the race was suddenly on. This gave me my much needed focus and I set of in pursuit of the guy in front , whom I’m pleased to say i caught just before checkpoint 3.
After moderating my refuelling technique I left Maudslie Bridge checkpoint (29.4mls) dead on 6hrs which didn’t give me much leeway to go under 8 hrs especially as the last section was a wee bit hilly, but I cared not a jot as I was feeling the best I’d felt in the whole race and quickly passed another two guys who had left the checkpoint walking. The scenery in the last two sections was really nice and a few hills and steep wooden staircases did nothing to dampen my ardour and I doggedly kept on taking another couple of scalps as I went. I finished feeling great in 8hrs 24m 3s in 77th place, I think over 100 started so was delighted which quickly turned to dismay when I heard Caroline had got lost………….. Not Again. I am definitely doing this race next year and would thoroughly recommend it, especially to newbie’s, the organisation was great and the signage was spot on, for some of us. It was especially nice to see Fletcher and Margaret along with Sam at the finish cheering me home Cheers Guys well appreciated as was with Gordon and Evelyn at the start.
Sam
Got back in Glasgow from a few days cycling in Skye on Friday night around 12.30, made a very hasty visit to all the local 24hr shops to come home with: bread, lucozade, salt, coca cola, and milk. An hour later the resulting concoction was spread over three checkpoint bags and I could finally get to bed. Got up extra early the next morning so I had time to find some shortbread on the way to the start, not to mention cycle there.
All went very smoothly with getting numbers, bags into checkpoint cars etc. Great that George, Margaret, Gordon/Evelyn made it out their beds to show some support.
My only worry for the race had been my shins, so took the first ten miles very easily. Starting 3rd from the back I kept a pretty gentle pace for most of the way to check point one, came across Chris/Caroline about 55 mins in.
Had a nice break at every checkpoint for juice, shortbread and several minutes of stretching. I carried all my gels and shortbread (light things) on my person, but left fluids (heavy things) in drop bags. This worked out quite well, got to each checkpoint just as I was finishing the last drop in my bottle.
From checkpoint one the route got far more interesting than it was leaving Glasgow. More open sections, less tarmac, nice scenery, etc etc. Stayed with Chris most of the way to Checkpoint two but parted after decided on a slightly different pacing strategy. Arrived at checkpoint two just a minute or two before Caroline set off, and left, just a moment after Chris arrived.
Took me a good hour or so to catch up with Caroline who was flying on ahead. Not sure whether I was keeping a consistent pace and other people were slowing down, or I was accelerating slightly, but seemed to be constantly overtaking folk. Still though, kept a very comfortable pace, didn’t tire myself out, but wasn’t going to fast either.
Very sunny three hours about half way through the race. Now have a pretty prominent running vest tan line, may be avoiding the swimming pools for a few weeks. Nearly got lost after Strathclyde park, but fortunately got shouted back on to the path by a couple of runners behind me.
The second half of the race was probably my favourite, best scenery, good music on ipod, nice weather, etc etc.
Might of gotten slightly faster in the second half, definitely got fast the last quarter with at least a one mile sprint (caught about twenty people here, no exaggeration) leading up to the elusive finish (you ran past it for half a mile then doubled back).
Had a very nice run with great support from all marshals, harriers, and runners along the way. Still though, always nice to see the finish.
Surprised to see Fletcher at the finish line, like the school boy who’s too sick to attend class, but well enough to play after school – hopefully running the route next year. Great to see some familiar faces after the race and have help giving Chris and Caroline some good Maryhill Harriers support on finishing (lots of clapping and shouting!) from Margaret and Fletcher.
All in all, one of the best runs of my life, will definitely be doing it next year, and with the same strategy – go slow, jog not run, and enjoy.
Results
Sam: 07:16:50 (49th)
Chris: 08:24:03 (77th)
Caroline: 08:28:57 (80th)
