Devil o' the Highlands 42 mile ultra race, August 2012
This was the first time I'd run this race, so didn't know what to expect. I'd run / walked the whole course just a couple of months earlier as support for Jonathan Mackintosh in his successful inaugural West Highland Way Race, and I'd run / walked the whole way a few times before, but I'd never managed to run the Devil section hard: always tired out by the time I reached Tyndrum (or even earlier).
I was worried about the uphill first mile - my dodgy right leg usually needing a couple of flat steady miles to stretch out (that's why I post such abysmal Parkrun 5K times) - but I managed to keep up mid-pack without really pushing it, and before I knew it I was nicely into a 9 minute mile pace and enjoying the scenic, relatively easy few miles to Bridge of Orchy.
I'd contemplated running without my bum bag until I reached the Bridge, but as it happened I was glad I'd decided to play safe. I heard a story (unverified) that someone had been thrown out of the race for not having the mandatory kit, which may or may not be true, but if so, it would be a bit harsh unless the guy was a novice on the course. As it was, I reached BoO in 1:01, ahead of expectations, and quickly grabbed a couple of bottles, a sandwich and gel bar from Julia, who was braving the midges without donning the pretty seasonal hat I'd just bought for her.
A brisk climb over the hill followed by a fast descent to Inveroran Hotel and my only fall of the race - luckily onto boggy ground rather than the rough stones. I was having a ball at this stage, despite the increasingly hot sun burning down.
The long run across Rannoch Moor was fairly steady, although I was beginning to wilt a little in the heat. Mind you, I was knocking off the odd place, overtaking more runners than those passing me. Suddenly, a mile from the last incline before the descent a vision came into focus! It was Alan Robertson, who'd run back from Glencoe to lend a bit of support. What a fillip that was. If you could choose someone to bump into on a run to lift your spirits it would be Robbo, with his ever-upbeat singing and questionable repertoire of jokes. That seemed to give me a spring in my step once more, and I had a nice run down to the checkpoint at Blackrock Cottage, in a time of 3:03, where Julia was there to meet me again, still braving the local insect population (ok so the midge hat was really bad). A quick swap of bottles another sandwich and couple of gels and I was off.
The section past Kingshouse Hotel where the trail veers right off the tarmac and uphill was quite hard, and I was so thirsty I stopped and harangued a support driver (it may have been Paul Hart) at Altnafeadh before the climb for a water refill. Sorry about that but I was in a state and was fearful of the ensuing ascent without liquid replenishment. Apart from that, though, I was looking forward to the Devil's Staircase, as I can usually make up time on others on these steep sections. Though I had to laugh when I read the eventual winner, Thomas Loehndorf's, blog, admonishing himself that he had to walk some of the Staircase. If only!
The climb was ok, especially as near to the top I came across a lady devil dressed in a kilt brandishing a trident - and offering jelly babies to passing racers - yes really - I wasn't hallucinating. Or was I? I read later that it was Fionna Rennie - who was rushing down the hill to try (and fail) to get to Kinlochleven in time to meet her runner!
I managed to run most of the section from the top of the Staircase down into Kinlochleven, but it was slow and ponderous progression. A few runners - mainly female - who'd paced better, zipped past me, but I got into a decent rythym and passed a couple of guys myself. When I run this section I always think of that fantastic book Children of the Dead End by Patrick McGill - an autobigraphical novel about an Irish navvy that ends up working on the Blackwater Dam construction that provided the water for Kinlochleven's aluminium works in the early 20th century. Very evocative and I thoroughly recommend it if you like your British social and industrial history.
Just before entering the village I bumped into John Kynaston again as he was waiting for Katrina to come down off the hill. Every time I went past John he thoughtfully offered encouragement and asked how I felt and every time I pulled a face and moaned back - out of tiredness, not intentional bad manners, I must add. It was just my race face - I was actually enjoying myself - but he must have thought I was the grumpiest runner out there, and I contrasted my utterances with the style of Jonathan Mackintosh during the WHW race. Not once did Jonathan ever complain or feel sorry for himself throughout the 16 hours I was with him. What class, and something for me to remember for next year, if my dream of running the West Highland Way Race in 2013 is realised.
Anyway, back to the running. KLL reached in 5:15, with a 4 minute rest there to rehydrate and change my shirt. Julia did a fantastic job all day, but we'd agreed that she wouldn't try to get the camper van up the narrow road to Lundavra, and so I was a bit worried about lack of water there. Earlier that day, at race registration in the Green Welly Stop, I'd asked the marshals if water would be provided at Lundavra, and when told it wouldn't be, my suggestion that the race could be run unsupported with drop bags facility as with the Fling was met with a firm rejection: we've always done it this way, and we're not going to change. Personally, I think it's a shame that I had to drag Julia on a 900 mile round trip when I am quite capable of looking after myself on what isn't a particularly long or exposed run, compared with some we do. It also seems rather an environmental own goal to have 100+ cars traipsing round the highlands and chugging up the road to Lundavra and back. Still, there may be good reason why it's done this way, but I for one think the race could only be enhanced with the introduction of drop bags. It would also probably allow for more runners to take part, as the limit of 150 seems very low for such a fantastic and popular race.
The climb out of KLL was fine; I don't mind it at all, but was sad to see a male runner was fallen and injured halfway up the hill. He'd knocked his head and was lying down in obvious pain on the path, but was in good hands so I carried on up the path. When I reached the top of the hill and started along the Lairig Mor though, I was knackered! Feeling rather sorry for myself I walked steadily for half a mile until I came across the familiar and very welcome sight of Robbo bounding towards me, complete with refreshments, from Lundavra. He was less subtle than normal - and cajoled and harangued me first into a trot and then a steady 12 minute mile jog, and the time started to pass quite quickly as we descended into Lundavra, where he had to leave me, but not before fetching me some sugary coffee and Irn Bru from his car. Thanks a lot Alan, I owe you, if I could keep up with you I'll try and return the favour one day!
Then it was a case of attrition for the four tough miles until reaching the track that flows downhill into Fort William. I managed 9 minute miles for the descent, but the energy tank was flashing red empty as I grimaced and moaned my way past John K and his video recorder at Braveheart car park. What do they say: sprint when you see the 30 sign. No, my watch said I was well within my target of 9 hours, and there was no sprint left in me. Over the line in 8:40:40 and very happy with that.
On reflection, there is plenty of time to chip away at there in future. 8 hours should be possible with the right training to keep the speed up in the second half of the race after the Devil's Staircase. We'll see what next year brings. Anyway, one very happy chappy, a lovely day out with friends, a new race conquered and a decent time. 53rd out of 131 starters, 124 finishers. Thanks very much to the marshals for a fabulous event and well done to all runners and suppporters, especially Julia for giving up a lovely relaxing weekend to look after her grumpy old man :-)
