Kintyre Way Ultra Experience 2017

KINTYRE WAY ULTRA REPORT –  photos courtesy of Raymond Hosie

No I wasn't this excited about the start line, this is the FINISH!!!

I haven’t ‘blogged’ in nearly a year and I had hoped to re-launch it, injury free with some new PB aims.  However, that hasn’t been the case and this year I’ve been plodding around moaning to anyone who would listen to my injury woes.  Putting that aside, I’ve managed to get back to some sort of running.  It may not be fast but I can trot along (mostly) without too much pain so I thought ‘why not do the Ultra’?  It would give me a focus and a challenge that I could get stuck into without time pressure and on my favourite surface, trail.  Inspired by some of our members’ efforts over the long distance last year, I signed up – hard to refuse with the Kintyre Way on our doorstop, safe in the knowledge that as it was local I could drop out at any point without much issue and some kind soul would drive me back to Campbeltown, if required. 

With a lot of the club signed up to marathons, I teetered along behind them with their schedules, banking the miles over the months and enjoyed the company.  Loosely following a 2 LSR back to back plan that Sarah followed last year I did a 3 or 4 20+ milers after the marathon which seemed to go OK (with the help with physio tape, knee supports and lots of ibuprofen as well as my daily specific strength work). 

I’m normally super organised and focused on a race but this seemed to be just another extra LSR for me so KW Ultra planning didn’t happen and before I knew it was the morning of the race… 

The start!

Therefore, I was the only numpty to turn up without checkpoint bags made up or a rucksack of goodies.  I never took this Ultra as seriously and I really should have.  It is serious business.  Just look at the map or elevation profile!  I DO have a camelbak but I just thought the extra weight I was carrying from coffee and cakes (consumed over months - oops) I didn’t need to be weighed down any further.  And I presumed there would be lots of water and fuel stops along the way.  There wasn’t.  And I should’ve been more prepared!  The start line made me more nervous than normal seeing all these Ultra runners – fully geared up with their backpacks stowed with creamed rice, sun lotion, baby food, gels, nuts, jelly babies, Lucozade etc.  Me? Nothing.  Idiot.   

Luckily Gail Losh who was running with club member Trudy both doing their first Ultra, let me borrow her marker pen so that I could scribble my race number on 2 plastic bags I found where I shoved a mini flapjack and 330ml bottle of water in each.  Job done? 

Big Drew leading his team to victory from the off

I waited at the back as all the speedies (some amazing runners who broke national records) took off including lots CRC members doing the relay before meeting up with Lauren (another club member and experienced Ultra runner) and her dog who were going to keep me company.  Immediately we got lost from each other as the starting gun fired – her dog had tripped someone up!  Then Corven (Johnny’s dog) decided to go to the toilet 50m in.  This was setting the scene for the day – laughter!  Lauren soon caught up and all was fine, we blethered and yarned our way up the huge hill as the wind battered us backwards.  We didn’t care too much, this was an endurance test and we planned to take it easy and conserve ourselves of what was yet to come.  The adventure show were filming the Ultra and it was at perfect timing when the dog had taken a quick bath in the mud, splattered it all over me for their cameras to make an appearance.  I hope that doesn’t air!  Lauren had it all well sussed with the dogs and Kirsty Black (another Ultra club member) was on site to swap over dogs and offer water – thanks Kirsty!  We passed a few runners and a few passed us, taking the time to yarn to a few of them as you can in an Ultra, it really is quite sociable.  We joined up with one girl, Emma, who had only ever completed a 10k before and was now embarking on this, and all with a smile!  

About 10 miles in as we started to descend my hamstring and knee started to seize up – on my good leg!  Since having my injury, in my infinite wisdom, presumed I would be immune from any other running injury whilst I had this one.  Of course, that was naïve and I was still open to more and the curse hit me a few months ago, nothing devastating but enough to give me pain and force me to skip a few sessions.  Anyway, I thought a knee support would help but after asking around, nothing available so I battered on knowing I couldn’t stop or I wouldn’t get started again!  I picked up the pace a little to get to Carradale as they have first aid but no tubigrips unfortunately.  At least that was 16.5 miles done.  Bottle of water and mini flapjack devoured.  And off I went again, took a wrong turn but after a few map checks with others we were back on track.  

 This section from Carradale to Ifferdale may be the smallest, but is arguably the hardest – rugged, rocky, beach terrain in the blazing heat!  Jocelyn overtook me here in her smiley, positive manner as she passed by on the shore like spiderman while I daundered about like an old granny who has lost her dentures.  Dougie Vipond and film crew were awaiting at the fence post to see me go the wrong way and then crawl up the grassy bank to give me motivation of “you’re almost there!”  At 18 miles in, I was barely ½ way.  But feeling OK and I plodded through some wonderful  trails within Torrisdale Castle.  Then the big hill loomed.  Everyone in front were walking so I decided to do the same, “why fight this?” I thought.  I met up with another few ultra-runners and chatted along as we descended down the steep, narrow section to Ifferdale.  22 miles done in under hours.  It seemed pretty slow but I was happy I was still going and those hills were tough (justification!)  By now I was parched but my make-shift check point bag was awaiting along with Kerry, Eilidh, Johnny and Jocelyn who were all welcome cheerleaders.  Kerry handed me an Active Root sports drink which tasted remotely like a Crabbie’s ginger beer so that set me up nicely – I’d do anything for a frozen daiquiri at this point!  I looked behind for Lauren and Emma but no sign so carried on towards Lussa before my leg seized completely. 

Stuart on the last section, finished long before I was there

I was feeling dehydrated and the sun was blasting in our faces so I decided to walk/jog the next few miles uphill for the next 3 miles, making conversation with some of the runners and gladly taking their offer of some of their water.  At this point I was strangely enjoying it but also thinking “what the hell am I doing?”  Just at the top, KB appeared again, this time in the car with Joc, with another welcome bottle of water – I didn’t know I could be that thirsty!    With Lussa in sight, I felt more comfortable counting down the miles home but my throat felt drier and drier.  I overtook a few relay runners on the downhill who offered me some water – thank you whoever you were!  Alasdair and Lorraine O’May appeared like a mirage offering me litres of the clear stuff and even left some along the way – thank you!  I was now getting more tired, my hamstring pain had become constant but manageable and a big blood blister was growing by the second on my foot but the company of fellow runners and the beautiful sights all around kept me going, I tried just to stay positive and think of the finish!   

Lauren and Emma with the dogs - still smiling!

With only 3 miles to go my best friend Catriona appeared with even more water – I nearly cried with happiness.  She walked along beside me as I shuffled up the last hill to the Quarry and gave me the morale boost I needed to get jogging again towards the finish! I wanted to walk so badly on that last mile but I just wanted it OVER!  Coming down the final straight to Hazelburn was such a great feeling, 36.3 miles in 7 hours and 1 minute recorded on the garmin.  I turned round the corner to welcome smiles of family and friends and the smell of burgers and beer.  What a great finish the KW put on this year.  Ultra-runners and relayers had already completed the course in great times (the top 7 teams were all CRC and I think Ralphy was on to his 3rd pint!) and had set up on picnic blankets with food and drink.  Before my legs gave way I sat down to join them so that I could cheer in the rest of the finishers and cyclists with a pint of water in hand, not beer just yet!  I was sore.  All.  Over.  The Ultra was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but I loved it!  2 weeks later and I’m still sore but I'm staying positive and focusing on a pro-active plan of physio and rehab.  I'm not giving up - I just did an Ultra!

Apologies for the formatting of this blog - it was composed in Word then went weird!  To see the photographers wonderful photos capturing the day check out Raymond's facebook page or his website album - http://www.raymondhosiephotography.com/p704486528 

Enjoying the finish area celebrations!