I started writing this with the intention of posting 1 week on, but fell asleep part way through after a weekend at Scout camp......no stamina ;-)
I finished the Coast to Coast in 14hrs, 55mins, 59seconds. Almost 1hour longer than I wanted to.
And am I satisfied? No - I'm hungry to do more and do it better, already making changes to the very detailed plans I laid down for this event in time for next year. What the hell is wrong with me? Why can't I be satisfied with what I did and celebrate it?
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| Before the start, Nairn Links Day 1 |
For those that remember the Spitting Image song 'I've never met a nice South African..' I am so pleased to say that Michael was an absolute star! Not only was he full of encouragement but he retweeted our progress and helped with fundraising despite we only just met him! He was also out on the course, offering encouragement throughout!
After dropping the bike in Cawdor Castle for the day 1 transition and doing some last minute ferrying around for some friends who arrived by train, we retire to our campsite to run through final preparations and a good night's sleep.
Awaking at 5am (for an 8am race start), we head over to the beach at Nairn (10miles away) and park up with a view of the starting line.
The Racer category (doing all 105miles in one day) set off at 6.30am and we manage to grab a few minutes chat with them.
Once they are off, it's time for me to get ready, have breakfast and get dressed.
7.30am and I'm ready....nerves are starting to twitch and the realisation I am about to start the biggest endurance challenge I have ever done hits home. Moreso because by now there is over £2500 of sponsorship for Erksine riding on my successful completion!
8am and we're off for an 8mile trail run to Cawdor. Not a particularly difficult section, narrow in parts and I find myself penned in for about 4 miles but its a good steady pace so no complaints.
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| Arriving at Cawdor, Day 1 |
At transition, I quickly find my bike and put on my helmet and gloves - move swiftly to the exit and get on for the 48mile road cycle ahead.
In doing so, I gain at least 50 places as others take their time and don't seem to be that organised. First morale boost and massive confidence gain for my strategy - it seemed to be paying off!
Within 10miles though I was having to use all the tricks to keep my mind focussed. Generally I was doing fine and had lots of energy, feeling good and strong except for my left knee. Still sore from Glen Tilt 2 weeks earlier it's now starting to hurt as I push hard into the strong wind coming from west to east up the Great Glen.
I get another boost when I see a sign that says just 18miles to Fort Augustus and pick up the pace and keep the fuelling going.
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| The last big climb before Fort Augustus - had to push! |
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| Course Profile |
With approx 300m to the summit, I relent and get off and push the bike. The wind is blowing hard, my knee is stiffening and my resolve is beginning to crumble.
For the first time today I start to worry that I will not finish. I know I'll finish today, but I'm worried about tomorrow.
And then I remember my 'mind training' and search for the word I use to distract myself and avoid lingering on negative thoughts. It's a word given to me by Vicky and has no connotation, meaning or purpose other than to make me smile.
'Jubblies!' I break out into a smile, reach the summit and start to get back in the saddle for the several mile descent. Back on track.
The descent is a sharp 14% gradient with some tight turns and still into a headwind so no time to relax, but it is definately easier than the previous 40 odd miles!
As I fly down the hill, I pass a chap from Switzerland called Hanu. We exchange a few pleasantries and then I push down hard on the pedals and take off. I arrive into transition and run the mile to the kayak start. A few moments later Hanu joins me and we agree to share a double kayak.
Within an hour, I am finished! Vicky has some ibuprofen ready for me and some frozen peas for my knee. We mill around a bit, grab a coffee then into the campervan for a shower and some food. By this time I've already wolfed down a meal bar and 2 recovery shakes and am still looking for more calories. Half a cooked chicken, some couscous, salad and smoked salmon later I think I'm done.
We head off to find somewhere quiet to spend the night and head back along the route to a quiet layby at the bottom of the initial descent next to a loch. As we lay in bed reading, we can hear the barking of deer and the bellow of a red deer stag outside. Eerie but beautiful at the same time ;-)
5.30am and we're up again and drive back into Fort Augustus. We grab breakfast and I check over my kit once again for Day 2.
A 16mile MTB section, 17mile road cycle section, 14mile mountain trail run and 1mile kayak ahead of me but I'm feeling quite strong. I strap up my knee and apply liberal amounts of vaseline today!
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| Getting better at spotting photographers! |
It's raining but at least the wind has eased! I roll out of transition just before 8am with an estimated 8hrs of movement ahead of me.The MTB section is what you'd expect - forestry commission style paths up hills and down them - all gravel and in the wet conditions a little tricky. A sharp section where there is a mud single track descent catches a few people out and the previous day's headwind causes a few to 'blow-up' on the small hills and push. It's going to be a long day for some......
My previous rides in Glentress, Innerleithen and Glen Tilt now prove their worth as I am more aware of the obstacles and my technical skills, whilst not at a high standard, are sufficient to enable me to safely complete this section without incident and get onto the road section for the last 17miles into Fort William.
Vicky meet's me as I am timed out and move into the transition area. Couple of quick photo's, a loo stop and passing her my kit, I then swallow a few more painkillers and get timed back on and head out along Glen Nevis to being the 14mile mountain trail run to Glencoe.
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| Fort William transition - about to head out for 14mile mountain trail run. |
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| Time off - rolling into Fort William transition |
This is the section I am most looking forward to.....except my knee is now so stiff it is hard to bend and I'm not moving anywhere near as quick as I feel able to or want to.
We approach the first big incline and I take out my poles from my rucksack. A lot of people are struggling to climb the path through the pine forest and with my poles I make ground on those who passed me earlier.
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| I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm done! |
On the uphills, I am making really good speed considering and overtake many.....who subsequently overtake me on downhill sections because I cant bend my knee!
A few hours later and I reach the top of the final ascent and am faced with the steep descent. This bit hurt the most and where I lost an estimated 30mins minimum on my time.
Just 3 miles separate me from the finish now - 2 of which are along the road and 1 is a kayak. I pass another competitor being helped by his team mate. He has hurt his thigh and is struggling to keep moving. I give him one of my poles as now we are on the flat (and the fact I've just taken my last 4 ibuprofen) I dont need them.
I arrive into the kayak launch, kit up and see the wind has picked up again. The effort for this last 1 mile surpassed all that for the previous 104 miles. It was hard going, cramp in my thighs, getting wet from the waves and intangible forward progress. So near and yet so far......
But 30mins later I climb out of the kayak and run the 100m to the finish. Vicky has been tweeting my progress throughout from texts I was sending her and I'm greeted by the MC who uses my twitter name @Sportster75 and comments on my chosen charity, Erskine. I couldn't have asked for a better finish.....
Once fed and showered, Vicky and I head back into the Isles of Glencoe hotel and grab a celebratory beer. I've already had a few drams of my malt whisky that I had been saving since Xmas 2011 and after a couple of drinks, I'm quite light headed. Guess it was to be expected after 10months of total abstinence!
The rest of the evening was spent sharing stories with other competitors and congratulating them, as well as cheering on those still finishing right up to 8.30pm!
On Monday, we headed to hand back the campervan and already we were planning next year. What tyres I would use day 1 and day 2, where could I save some time in transition, booking the campervan again because it made such a difference etc etc etc.
I finished 242 out of over 900 competitors (some were teams of 2) so in the top 3rd. But I was almost 5 hrs slower than the winner! That means there is room for improvement so for next year I am aiming to come in the top 150 which means a sub 13hr time.
So that's the story of the event, but it's only 48hrs in time and doesn't cover all those people that made it possible for me. I'm bound to miss some out here, but I need to do my best to make sure they are mentioned and every reader understands this was a team effort, not just me.
Michael Surmon at Outthere Campervans (@outherecampers) for his support, encouragement and kind provision of the campervan.
Bill McDonagh of Kyle Management Consultants and also the Group Scout Leader for 5th Clyde (Broomhouse) Scouts in which I am a scout leader. Bill made a significant financial donation and covered my nights so I could train/compete in the run up!
Craig Borthwick (@venturemedical) who has been a good friend and training partner as well as motivator over the course of this year and with whom I did the Mighty Deerstalker and Monikie Duathlon previously mentioned.
Dani Wilson, Tracey Stutt, Dawn Cockburn and Lorraine Sutherland - my team at Lloyds Banking Group who have helped me raise funds and who have kept encouraging me throughout (and putting up with me!!).
Colleagues within Card Operations at Lloyds Banking Group who between them raised almost £1500 for me.
All my Facebook and Twitter friends who posted encouragement and support before, during and afterwards. It does make a huge difference and keeps the head up when the going got tough!
Adam Renshaw and Emma Pearson - for showing me how I can improve my nutrition to get in the best shape possible! It went so well, we even started our own business helping others... www.personalwellnessxperience.co.uk for more info ;-)
My Mum and Dad, who kindly came and took our girls to school and ran around all weekend for them whilst Vicky and I were away! Thanks folks!
My wife Vicky. For 10months she has watched me plan everything, and then do it again to make sure. She put up with me getting out of bed at 5am to go and train and then come home and go straight back out. Even on holiday she was there with a shake for me when I was finished and worked the family plans around my training. She's been my biggest supporter and borne the hardest jobs in keeping the home and children whilst I focussed on training. Thanks love, you were the best support crew I could ever wish for, right from when I decided to do this!
And finally, every single armed forces veteran, young or old, for doing what they do every day and all so we can be safe. Whatever you think of what I have done, trust me, the hardship, challenge and effort is nothing compared to what Veterans go through every day.
My lasting desire from completing this event is that at least one person becomes more aware of Erskine and our Veterans. Just one person who tells others of 'a fat lad who lost a bit of weight and went from jogging to doing 105miles to raise money for Erskine' is a success and ensures they get the help and respect they deserve!
Until next time......because I now have the bug and there will be more! Please leave a comment on this post to let me know if you've enjoyed it or not and your thoughts. Thanks ;-)
