View From The Back

Having completed some 10 (I think) ultras in these last 3 years I believe makes me a bit of a veteran in ultra race circles and not just because I’m an old, cantankerous git. For the first few I knocked together a blog which was my way of documenting my journey but it’s not something I really bother with now. However, the Glen Ogle 33 was a bit of a new experience so I thought why not.

Following a successful Fling and WHW earlier this year my running slumped somewhat when a very mild (enough to stop me running) chest thing kicked in. The doctor reckoned it was asthma or hay fever, both of which I wasn’t convinced about since it disappeared as quickly as it came. It did however render me almost unable to run for any further than a few miles. This dragged on for about 6 weeks meaning I’d done very little running. Once this had passed I resumed training knocking out 10ks and nothing farther than 13 miles. 

As GO33 loomed I realised with the lack of running and the impending 2 week holiday beforehand it wouldn’t be possible or sensible to run the ultra. I had my holiday and fully intended to just go along and help out like I had the previous year. In the week running up to the ultra I posted on the GO33 FB page asking whether running it would be daft or not. Most comments including Fiona Rennie’s suggested I had the experience to grind it out and to just treat it as a day in the hills with my pals. Any ultra advice from Fiona is good enough for me so it was at that point I decided to give it a go.

My training buddy Tommy had in contrast been training his arse off including a 23 mile run of the proper GO course the weekend before, the 16 mile “Skyline” amongst numerous long distance bike rides.

We decided we’d start off together and just see how it went. I sincerely expected I was going to crash and burn and have my arse booted by Mr Heirs.

I decided there was no point in even a 5k tester on the Wed as it would serve little purpose other than perhaps put me off entering so I decided to just wing it on the day.

Following my traditional steak pie supper before any ultra I headed to bed about 10pm. After a very restless sleep mostly spent checking the alarm to see if it was 5am yet, I got up, had a bit of toast before Tommy arrived to pick me up. As we drove to the new start in Killin we discussed how we were planning to run it. For me it was all about taking it very easy to avoid falling over too early.

Once we arrived in Killin we parked up and was met by a far too cheery lass, Angela. Turns out she had done a lot of triathlons but this was her first ultra. Since she was coached by Karl Zeiner I knew she’d be fine. After registering and the briefing by B&M we all made our way to the start in Killin. As anyone who knows me (just ask Tommy) my geographical and navigational skills leave a lot to be desired hence any ultra report I write rarely refers to areas as it’s usually down to me simply not being aware of exactly where I am. 

Before long we were off. For the first 20 minutes I was honesty expecting to crash and burn. The weather forecast was overcast but dry and this proceeded to be the case resulting in the jacket being stuffed into the backpack after 10 minutes. 30- 40 minutes in I realised all was still ok and I might actually just get my arse round the course. 

As is the case with ultras it wasn’t long before I was chatting with everyone around me which always helps to mask the job in hand. At one point I decided to ‘entertain’ the others with a few Billy Connolly jokes I’d heard the previous Sun when I went to see him play live. Oddly I noticed it caused most to pick up the pace, no idea why. I was running my own race at this point but as is the case with ultras you overtake and are overtaken with the same small group of people. Tommy and Angela seemed to be running well. 

Due to flooding following heavy rain in Strathyre, B&M had decided to change the route start and to have the runners run the course in reverse. This made for a race which despite having done twice previously and twice in training felt like a completely new course. 

Before long I was heading through Balquidder (a bit I always enjoy) heading towards Strathyre. As I crossed the shoogly bridge it was quite tough mentally knowing this was only the half-way point so I made a conscious decision to keep looking straight ahead as I crossed the bridge and not glance to the right where the finish should have been. The next 3 miles are tough as you start the long climb up towards the viaduct. 

The lack of training was starting to take it’s toll as I felt my legs aching all the more than they would normally after ‘only’ 16 miles. I pressed on trying to maintain a steady trot and soon reached the viaduct. It was at this part that the cramp first kicked in, with my right calf pulsating like something out of “Alien”. I stopped to walk it off then resumed running when I could. As I approached CP3 Angela zipped past me still smiling and laughing and enjoyed telling me of her soon to be bottles of chilled beer in a Jacuzzi.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

As I neared CP3 I heard Lorna shout encouragement and was given a big hug which was just what the doctor ordered. As I re-filled and crossed the road Bill informed me I had 4 and a half miles left all of which was downhill. As I passed the snack bar Minty high fived me and before long  I was winding my way down towards Killin running and walking where the cramp permitted which had also affected the left calf.

Despite it being downhill, as any ultra will testify downhill sections on tired legs can sometimes be worse than uphill. At this point I’d met up with a young guy Michael (from Broxburn). This was his first ever ultra having only completed a ½ marathon before. He was running well but could see the distance was starting to take it’s toll on him as it was for me. I told him we’d run to a certain tree then walk for 30 seconds. We maintained this and almost unexpectedly arrived in Killin with the sight of the water a sight for sore eyes.

As we crossed the bridge Michael spotted his Mum and stopped to speak to her. I carried on running as best I could with both calf muscles cramping big style.

As I entered the park I made my traditional attempt at a ‘sprint’ finish overtaking another runner in the process. As I passed he questioned my parentage so I told him I’d race him to the finish line but he’d take me as I was cramping big style making even staying upright difficult. He replied saying he was cramping too so I just ran as hard as I could which must have looked rather comical considering the nick my legs were in at that point.

As I crossed the line I spotted Angela, she had finished about 10 minutes before me. I asked her if she was waiting on anyone. She told me she was just wanting to see Tommy and myself finish since we’d ran a huge part of the course together. This was a perfect example of why ultras and the people who both participate and help make this scene amazing. Tommy appeared soon after and looked in better condition than he had a few hours before.

I’d done it. The time was unimportant but the lesson I’d learned was valuable. As an ultra runner, the biggest thing we build is experience and knowledge of what lies ahead. A baseline fitness is essential but the knowledge of having been through the highs and lows is what allowed me to get to the end.  Tommy on his own admission had struggled with about 10 miles left in no small part down to over training. It’s a hard juggling act, getting the training just right before a race. I’m delighted with my run and it’s given me the springboard and confidence as I start to build on what will hopefully be my training for next year’s WHW race and other ultras.

To finish off though I want express my sincere thanks to Bill and Mike and all the wonderful, selfless volunteers who allow us nutters to enjoy ourselves for yet another amazing race. Finally thanks and well done to all the other runners, it's always a privilege to be part of this great community. The friendship, warmth and care to one another is simply amazing.

Alan Stewart - Oct 2014.