Highland Fling 2011

Hi All

Thanks for all the Get Well messages...

The story goes something like this.....

Having completed the D33 I was so looking forward to the Fling with the WHW Race 7 weeks later...

Went to the start and meet up with Sharky, Al C and others from my club. At 7am we were off and we headed off on our journey to Tyndrum.
Sticking to my game plan I rolled in to Drymen in 2.07(12mile) feeling good, drinking my perinon and off I headed for Balmaha.. 5mins into the forest above Drymen I begin to feel the effects of heart burn which I put down to some re-flux from the perinon which is not unknown depending how you mix it (strong or weak).

The weather was getting hotter as the sun got high in the sky I arrived at Conic Hill and was still on time to reach Balmaha in 3.40 which I duly did... I get some food on from my drop bag and say a few hellos and set off for Rowardennan to meet my wife and kids.
Known this section can be a real drag I set a target of 4mph along here which should get me into Rowardennan in around 5hrs.30mins.

The heat was now causing problems for most and I was no different. I arrived in Rowardennan in 5hrs.43mins.. and was still pleased at that due to the conditions.

On sitting down for some food in the shade and a nice cold lager shandy the heart burn became a tight pain in my central chest and was getting worse.... 15mins passed and I then know that things were not right and ask my wife to speak to the Doctor...

My wife is a Sister in ITU and quickly called for an ambulance which duly arrived in the form of a helicopter.... After some great work by the crew I was air lifted to the Royal Jubilee Hospital and fitted with a stent to clear the blocked right artery..

I have been told that I was very unlucky but also very luck as it could have been worse... I will make a full recovery and should be back running in 8wks but no ultra till next year....

so on the whole Ive got to be pleased...

Race Calender 2011

On the turn of the New Year I set out my race calender for 2011. First up was D33 a race in its second year arranged by a good friend George Reid.
The race starts in Duthie Park Aberdeen and heads out the Deeside Way an old railway line to Banchory and back...
Two other runners for my club were making the step up to ultra distance and this race is ideal for them. For me it was the distance as part of my training for the main event this year was the WHW Race again after last years DNF.
Known the course was flat I went eye balls out and turned at 16.5mile in 2hrs40 with Ada and Terry about 15mins in front. As I reach 19miles the wheels came off a bit due to a tight hamstring which was to plague me to the end of the race and put a spanner in the works as far as my time was concerned finishing in 6hrs22..

But on the whole was happy with getting the race under my belt with Highland Fling up next in 6weeks.

Xmas 2010

After Brecons Ultra I took 8weeks off to allow my knee to rest which worked wonders.
As a family we arrange to visit friends in New York and also Ski for a week at Killington Vermont...
Great holiday apart from my wife popping ACL on day one and is now waiting on knee re-construction...

BRECON 2010

20th November 2010 seen the running of the 3rd Brecon Beacons Ultra arranged by Likeys..
Still recovering from the cold and knee injury I went to the start line with the intention of doing one lap if not 2 if my knee would hold up..

Weather was good overcast but cool... A number of us ran the race in our new sport kilts which are a great piece of kite.

Still feeling the effects of the cold Mike and I became sweepers for the race and completed one lap before heading to the pub..

S2S

Hi All


Cant believe Ive not been on here for so long... Loads to bring you up to date with....
Training had been going well after the Eagle Isle but picked up a knee injury which just wouldnt clear up and with the S2S and Brecon 2010 coming up it was not great preparation for these two races.

S2S was a charity event from Kinlochleven to Tyndrum down the West Highland Way as part of Dr Andrew Murrays challenge to run 2860 mile in 80days from John O Grouts to Sahara Desert.

On the 14th November 2010 70 runners started from Kinlochleven and headed up over the Devils Staircase and out on to Rannoch Moor the weather condition were perfect for the time of year with clear blue skys and snow on the hills.

On crossing Rannoch Moor I could sense I was not running well and stopped and withdrew at Bridge O Orchy.. I woke the next morning with a very bad head cold and sore throat...

I had a beer with Andrew and wished him all the best with the rest of his challenge...