Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Two months of training, weight loss, booze deprivation and strict discipline had all lead to this moment. Emma generously drove me over to Rowardennan and I began the nervous wait before the race (1st pic). I knew that I wasn't going to finish anywhere near the top 50 but of the 175 runners entered into the race, I didn't want to be embarassed. On Friday, Lynda Browning had donated money to take the total raised for Scottish Motor Neurone's Disease to over £500 and that seemed apt. No matter how much pain I endured, I was doing it for a great cause. Most of the runners looked like runners; professional club shirts and skinny beyond belief whereas I just looked skinny and unprofessional beyond belief. At 1300, the whistle blew and we were off. I didn't want to set off too fast as I was well aware of what lay ahead. The temperature was about 20C and not great conditions for endurance running. However, I was surprised by how I was keeping up over the 1st mile. Perhaps I could beat 1 hour 45? Alas, once we began the steep ascent over the grass, I began to realise I was slowing up. I reached the flatter part of the hill and began to run again and felt good before approaching the summit climb. However, rather than ascend up the zig-zags, the route deviated straight up the summit - it looked and was absolutely brutal. Eventually, I arrived on to the last pitch before the summit, took a gulp of water and began the descent. Last time out, I felt fresh at this point but today, I knew I was struggling. 1 hour 15 to the summit - no way could I descend in 30 minutes. However, I began to make steady progress and over-took about 6 or 7 runners and halfway down I felt good. The last part of the race was run on sheer will-power and the fact that I had to beat 1 56, my practice time. I could hardly run at the end (2nd pic) but Emma cheering me on meant I had to get over that line and although I was almost doubled over with pain, I did it. My time (1 hr 55) and position (100th of 121 who finished) can be found at
http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0035&RaceYear=2008
This doesn't include those who were turned back at the halfway point or couldn't finish. I was quite chuffed but felt I could have run faster on a colder day. I began the re-hydration process and said goodbye to Ben Lomond once and for all. By far the most physically painful thing I have ever done but thanks to all those who donated for the charity and supported me and hopefully the money raised can go towards research into MND. I started with a cliche and will finish with one - never again!
