Today was my 2nd run on the WHW within 1 week. This time it was a run organized by John Kynaston with 35(!) runners turning up, including all the fast ones! It was a glorious winter day, very cold, but sunny and lots of snow on the hills. The Loch looked fantastic with the sunshine - though you really had to concentrate on the path in front of you due to the rather icy conditions.
The pace was pretty quick right from the start and people seemed to also run the uphills in the beginning. The group spread out and I dropped back and back and eventually settled into a pace with Sue. I had met her at Eddie's HM and she had joined the run today with her friend Mandy who has entered the Devil for next year as well. Unfortunately we were a bit slow on the icy bits trying to be really careful not to slip. We walked across the bolder parts and lost sight of Mandy & Co quite quickly. But I had a great time chatting with Sue along the way and admiring the views in between. I had hoped though for her sake that maybe Mandy and some of the other runners ahead of us would wait for her at Inversnaid so she could have a faster run back. But they were all on their way back by the time we got there... I kept thinking she did after all join the run to meet people who had actually run the WHW Race and I was obviously not one of them. I tried to pass on some of Tom's insights though and introduced her to "Mud socks". She was great company and said she did not mind! Thanks!
3 miles before Beinglas I insisted Sue should head off as she wanted to run to Derrydaroch which I hadn't planned to do anyway. I actually caught up with someone else on this part, Rab from Dundee. He picked up a few injuries along the route involving his Achilles tendon and hamstring. He was swearing after slipping yet again when I approached from behind and we ran/walked the last half mile together. He headed back straight after arriving at the Drover's Inn and I hope he is all right getting his injuries sorted! He managed to finish this year's WHWRace despite also being injured.
I did really enjoy my run in great weather, scenery and company, but I also realized that this is indeed the faster group. The pace is fast, there is no hanging about and everyone seemed to try and get to Inversnaid as quickly as possible. So, I don't think I will be there next time. I would probably arrive in Drymen by the time they were all back at the Beechtree Inn or somewhere close! We also have our Christmas Night out from work the day before so I'll probably prefer to have a lie in. For next year I might come along to the training runs with Thomas but do my own bit, some out and backs maybe along the same route so I can at least say hi while everyone is flying past me or if there is a support vehicle I might ask for a lift. But well done to all of you ultra-runners today. I am clearly a long way off!
5 comments:
Your post sounds a little disheartened!
I found my performance took about a year of dedicated ultra running then got much better. Make sure you include some speed / interval sessions to for improved running economy. And enjoy! :-)
Thanks for your comment Brian. Not so much disheartened, but it was more like a reality check.
I am a beginner after all having done only 1 marathon so far.
I have started to go along to the club's speed session so I am hoping for big improvements next year - at leat at the "normal" distances!
Silke, don't feel down about this. It would be such a shame if we didn't see you running with the group, even if it's further back - remember JK's staggered starts allow us all to finish together and say hello on route.
That's a really hard section technically. When you haven't done that kind of terrain before it can be disheartening, you feel like you're never getting anywhere. The Christmas run is on more 'normal' terrain and you've run it before. It does take time, but you've put in some great runs already... remember your run from Glencoe? Don't let a bad one put you off. If you didn't have bad runs, you wouldn't know what a good run was!?!?!?
Hope to see you soon!
Hey Silke,
I was surprised to read your blog and find that you are disheartened by your run. I was coming on here to say that I thought you had done terrific. I know a lot of runners that are capable of 32min 10k's and 1:10 halves. They would not have been able to run what you did on Sunday. JK's training runs aren't about speed. It is all about sharing a love of running on the WHW with like minded people. You are as much a member of the WHW family as the rest of us and we would all be disappointed if you didn't come along with us on runs.
You have had a fab running year.
Hope to see you soon.
Marco
Thank you all for your encouragement. I guess I have to stop comparing me with the rest of the group and just enjoy the experience. So maybe see you on the 20th in Drymen for tea & scones, or rather coffee & cake.
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