Cateran hill race and Ultra

I took the Friday off work, more because of the hill race that evening rather than prepare for the ultra.
I arrived at the Spittal in plenty time expecting to help the race organisers but all was done including marquee set up. 
This meant a relaxing afternoon chatting to early arrivals.

The forecast heavy rain started and I began to regret entering the hill race.  I didn't expect such rubbish weather and only brought one pair of running shoes.  It was cold and snow could be seen at the peak of the hill we were due to run, however, this was all training for the 6666.

Needs must though, I certainly wasn't going to back out now.  Once in running gear and at the start, the sun broke through the clouds making perfect conditions for the 5 mile race.

The instructions from George were simple,  follow the markers and I'll see you back here.  At 1900 we were off (after pushing a car out of the muddy field).  It's a rude start, a sprint along the road and straight onto the Cateran downhill finish, only we were going uphill.  With no warm up my breathing was all over the place, running as much as possible then walking when it became too much.  We passed Mike and Flora who were at the point of return when coming back off the hill.  As it happens, Mike didn't see many runners return on the proper route as quite a few of us missed the markers on the hill.

The top of the hill is Lairig Gate then turn left and follow the crest of the hill.  At this point runners were spead out, the runner in front of me was too far ahead to see and follow.  There was a layer of snow and the mist moved in.  I thought Lairig Gate was the peak but no, there was more climb ahead.  I followed the footprints which whittled down to one set, not only that but there were no markers, I had missed the turning point.  I stopped to chat to the runner behind, we decided to follow the one set of footprints down, they finally disappeared.  Before long we could see the Cateran camp site way over to the left.  From here it was every person for themselves as we headed back as the crow flies.

I managed to get back on the Cateran trail before crossing the finish line half a mile over the 5.  This hill race turned out to be good fun, a one off as a thank you from the organisers to the marshals who have helped out at the Cateran over the years.

I wasn't sure how to do the Cateran, my PB was 11 hours 45 minutes but I didn't want to go after this.  I wanted quality over speed in training for my main event in June.  I decided to run as I felt, keep it comfortable and more importantly finish injury free.
After a cold night the day was bright and clear, perfect for running one of Scotlands best long distance trails.

I ran with various runners, quite a few doing their first ultra distance.  Don't take things too seriously, a reminder from marshals at various checkpoints in fancy dress and costumes.  I was feeling exhausted and a bit low on approach to Blairgowrie before being escorted accross the road by a chicken, this sort of thing that brightened my day.

On exiting this checkpoint I bumped into a familiar runner, Minty.  Perfect, good company which made the miles go by.  We stuck together then was joined by Mike.  Once again it was a perfect race, beautiful scenery, lovely weather and great company.

For the past 9 years I have been part of the Cateran Ultra in one way or another.  Seven finishes, one DNF at the first double and one marshalling when injured 2017.  George and Karen were organising the Cateran for the last time before handing the race over, I must admit to being a bit emotoinal on approaching the finish line.  A finish routine would be good so all three runners decided to have an argument as to who crosses the line first before joining hands and crossing together.

Twelve hours 37 minutes, I'll take that as part of my build up to 6666.

Now I need to say thanks to George, Karen and the marshals for organising the superb Cateran Ultra.
Thanks to Karen and George whom I first met in 2010 and encouraged me to enter the Cateran, the catalyst for me continuing to run ultras over the years.  Enjoy your rest and I'll see you at future running events.

28 seconds.

The Fling was my first event of the year and I was feeling quite good.  So good that I found myself in the 10 to 12 hour starting pen for the race.  I knew just over 12 hours was my PB, that was back in 2013, what I perceive to be my best year of running.  Could I dip under 12 hours six years later?  It would be a huge boost to moral with the 6666 fast approaching.

So off I went at a much quicker pace than normal, hoping to make time on the flat run to Drymen before hitting Conic.  I ran between 9 1/2 and 10 minute miles, the rain forecast held off before inevitably arriving and soaking the field.

After Drymen, I continued to run uphill to the forest before walking some of the steeper slopes. 
Once at Conic a runner was following closely behind, time to test the hill training I thought.  I felt strong climbing and passed about a dozen runners before descending to Balmaha. 

A good start to the race but all was not well.  A pain in my right heel had me limping out of the checkpoint and I wondered if it was going to be an early finish.  Forefoot striking was painful so I was forced to flat foot strike to make progress.  I decided to nurse the foot to Rowardennan and assess the situation from there.

Although in pain, I decided to hold off on the paracetamol, I wanted to make sure pain didn't spread to my achilles tendon which would disrupt future events.  I needed to reduce my pace which was just as well, I felt tired after starting so quick. 

At Rowardennan I decided to continue on, the pain remained in my heel so if I could just get to the finish like this it would be a good result.  On the uphill out of Rowardennan I hooked up with another runner.  Dave felt the same as me, started the race too quick and ran out of energy.  The cold and wet conditions were not helping but someone to chat to made the miles go by.

The technical section was wet and muddy, this slowed us down even more but we soon made it to Inversnaid where I swallowed a couple of pain killers to see me through.

The conditions were miserable but the view from Darios post was as spectacular as ever.  Once fed and watered at Bienglas I looked at my watch.  Ten past three, 2 hours 50 minutes to get under 12 hours.  It was going to be tight Dave and I agreed but we were not going to get stressed, we would just take it as it comes.

The Falls of Falloch were spectacular, in full spate with the wet conditions.  A smooth new path at Cow Poo Alley sped us along to the roller coaster section before the last four miles to the finish.

It became obvious we weren't going to make it under 12 hours but it wouldn't be much over.  I had it in my mind my PB was around 12 hours 2 minutes (I should have checked before the race).  In fact, back in 2013 my PB was 12 hours 4 minutes and 37 seconds.

We were piped in to the famous Highland Fling red carpet finish.  The brilliant team here took care of each and every runner, making sure all was fine and fetching hot drinks.

My chip time for the 2019 Fling?  12 hours 5 minutes and 5 seconds.
I'll take it though, it means my fitness is back to what it was and gives me confidence for the big one in June.

Thanks to John Duncan and his team for yet another superb event, one not to be missed on the ultra calendar.