WHW Challenge Race 25th May 2024
It was another great event, but sadly, a DNF with a big nasty fall at the bottom of the Devil’s Staircase.
I’m gutted to be writing this, but in some way, I’m glad to have been able to get on the trail to attempt another 96 miles.
The preparation for the race has been great. I was injury-free, but I had long COVID symptoms, which had been affecting my chest since last October; I felt like I had asthma.
Training went well, I did most of my training on Ben Bouie, behind my house. It is a great hill for doing short to long hill reps, with me hiking up and running down.
I regularly did a few classes at Chris Bowman Fitness, boot camp with Chris, pump with Annie and spin and kettlebells with Mary-Anne Cameron https://smmacombatsports.co.uk/macfit.
So, on the morning of the race, it was a chilled-out drive up to Fort William with my wife. I arrived on time at Inverlochy Village Hall and registered. The drop bag positions were well marked out for our bags with extra food and clothing.
Drops bags I had in them: –
- Reeva Mashed Potato Pot.
- Pot Noodle.
- Full Set of running gear.
- First Aid foot care equipment.
As we made our way to the starting point at The WHW sign, situated at the junction of Glen Nevis Road and the A82, I spotted Howard! He’s such a lovely source of encouragement, and I also noticed another runner who was the sweeper of the race, ensuring everyone was feeling good along the way.
As the race approached, the atmosphere became lively with runners arriving from the hall. I encountered a Welsh guy who was excited to start.
Just before 10 am, Jim, the race director, delivered our safety briefing, while my wife headed down the road to capture some video and photos.
As we all took off, I found myself in the middle of the pack, feeling comfortable jogging alongside the crowd. It was nice to see my wife as I thought, “Am I really doing this?” Then I shifted my mindset to, “Let’s do this.
The weather was warm, and I was ready with my poles as we passed through the Braveheart Carpark. I found a good rhythm, hiking uphill and running on the flats. Time flew by as I enjoyed the stunning views of Ben Nevis; it truly is impressive.
The descent to Lundavra was gradual. I reached Lundavra at 11:35 and felt great, fueled by High5 gels for energy. The staff at the station were encouraging and supportive.
The remainder of the run to Kinlochleven went well. I was fueling with High5 gels and SIS electrolyte tabs mixed in my water, and while they seemed effective, I didn’t feel sharp while descending into Kinlochleven. I reached checkpoint 1 at 13:32, where I filled my flasks with High5 caffeine powder and enjoyed some tasty sandwiches and grapes. I also had a hot Ovaltine sachet from my pack, which boosted my energy. After that, I went to the restroom, and my urine looked healthy, indicating I wasn’t dehydrated.
As I climbed out of Kinlochleven, the heat intensified. A few runners passed me, but I didn’t mind. I met Creag Reece and chatted with him as we ascended, which really lifted my spirits—almost like a therapy session. However, I was starting to fade, and Creag moved on ahead. I knew I would catch up with him on the descent.
While hiking up, I paused to apply some heat patches to my feet, using 2Toms BLISTERSHIELD Blister Prevention Powder (70g/2.5oz). As I sat there, a lady passed by one of the runners and said, “You’re that runner with the blog!” I was thrilled to know people are reading this, but unfortunately, I forgot her number. (If you’re the lady from this site, please get in touch with me.)
I got up and headed to enjoy my view of Buachaille Etive Mòr. Along the way, I filled my water flasks at the streams. As I climbed toward my viewpoint, fatigue set in, but I looked forward to a relaxing leg stretch during my descent.
The view of Buachaille Etive Mòr was magnificent; I must climb it someday. I happily descended, greeting the hikers heading up the path. In the distance, I noticed the runners who had passed me and thought I might catch up with them at the Kingshouse Hotel.
However, near the bottom, I’m uncertain about how it happened, but I fell forward and crashed onto the loose stoned path. In shock, I leaned back, noticing that both my knees were bleeding. When I looked up, a cute dog was staring at me, seemingly curious about what was going on.
As I attempted to rise without looking foolish, a group of hikers appeared and urged me to remain seated, noticing my dire situation. The bearded man approached, fetched a first aid kit, and began to clean and bandage my knees.
Even though my right knee was throbbing, I managed to get fixed up, and the man who helped me was incredibly strong as he lifted me to my feet. Standing there, I knew that my race was over, which made me feel upset because I wanted to keep going. With determination, I made my way towards Kingshouse, but the pain was tough to bear. I just couldn’t put any pressure on my leg, and despite pushing through for a mile, I found no relief.
I called the Glencoe checkpoint, and Steve Bell was quite gracious, arranging for someone to pick me up. I hobbled back to the bottom of the Devils Staircase, and I think Gary picked me up and drove me back to Bride of Orchy.
At Bride of Orchy, my wife picked me up two hours later, and I was thankful for the chili and rice that helped warm me up.
I was thrilled to see the runners coming in, especially Louise Harrison. It was fantastic to catch up with her. Garry Grant and Stephen Morley also arrived, and we shared stories about our adventures on the East Highland Way.
As of 10th August 2024, I am still not able to run due to issues with my quadriceps and knee. I had x-rays done, and it turns out it is just muscular, so I am strengthening them as we speak. However, the x-ray on my hand revealed a fractured finger, and a few months later, I am still unable to bend it, so I am undergoing hand therapy.
Recovery is slow. My forms for the WHW Challenge Race 2025 are ready to go when I can start running, but I am very worried about my knee, and I’m getting depressed about not being able to get up the hills.
