This was my second Ultra marathon after popping my ultra cherry at the D33 back in March. Since my quadrathlon in early July long training runs have been non-existent, my longest run being an 8 miler. I was nervously hoping that my fitness gained earlier in the year was going to see me though.
Registration was in Buckie at 6.30am so an early start. We then boarded a coach that transported us all up to the start at Craggonmore Distillery. After a quick race briefing we were piped to the start and we were off. I set off at what I thought was an easy pace only to discovery at mile one I had done 7.13 –‘hmm, that’s a bit quick, slow down Ed’. At mile 2, I was 7.10 – ‘what is wrong with me?’. I finally settled myself in a group of four runners and we cruised along and the miles ticked by at around the 7.30 min/mile pace. Better but still quicker than my 8 min/mile target pace.
I practised my fractions as I ran – mile one 1/36th of the way complete, mile two 1/18th, mile three 1/12th and so on. Makes me feel that I’m making amazing progress! Fractions done and before I knew it we were at the first drop bag point at Craigellachie. I had opted for a leaner drop bag than the D33, so downed a Lucozade sport, a banana, some jelly babies and a gel and was away.
By now I as running solo and quite quickly I was faced with a long steady climb into the woods round the north of Ben Aigen. It was pretty relentless but I just got my head down knowing that this was the hilliest part of the course. I was met by a cheerful Jenni Coelho at the 18 mile water station. At this stage I was 2hr 21 mins – way ahead of my target which was a bit concerning.
Once you leave the woods, there is a 5 mile section on the road which was a lot tougher than I thought with another long steady climb up to Cairnty so it was a big relief to reach the second drop bag point just outside Fochabers. I spent a good few minutes there refuelling knowing that the final third was going to be mentally and physically tough.
A few minutes after setting off I felt water dripping down my back – annoying I hadn’t put the top back on my water bottle after refilling at the water station. Schoolboy error. For the first time in the race, other runners appeared on the course with me overtaking one of two and vice versa. The section to Speybay on any normal day would be lovely – a gentle woodland path along side the river – but today was not one of those days. I was really waning by now and thought that it was about time to put on some tunes to take my mind off things only to discover my ipod wasn’t working – I think it had got soaked by my leaking water bottle. Finally I reached the last water station at Speybay knowing it was ‘just’ 5 miles to the end. The lovely old ladies made sympathetic comments like they wanted to bundle you up in cotton wool.
Off I set again for the coastal part of the course. A light breeze was quite welcome too. As I plodded through the woods I tripped and although I didn’t fall, the jolt made me strain a muscle in my chest. The pain forced me to stop for a minute. I had to try to compose myself. This was turning into a comedy of errors. Off I went, by now averaging about 9-10 minutes miles. The path to Portgordon opened out and with 4 miles to go it was just about mind over matter. My legs were screaming, chest tight, thighs chaffed, toe blistered. Portgordon past, now onto Buckie, the final 2 miles. I could see a couple of runners ahead clearly struggling too and the gap narrowed as I tried focusing on catching them. Rounding the last bend was a short sharp incline up to the finish – 400m to go – although no Mo Farah style sprint finishing for me today. I crossed the line absolutely spent and collapsed on the grass. My time 5 hr 10mins 17seconds. 16th Overall (9th Senior Male). Delighted to have completed it and some valuable lessons learned yet again. I think this ranks as one of my hardest races so far.
A well organised event and a superb route. Sarah and support team were so friendly. The hot showers and sandwiches in the High School were also much appreciated.
Fellow MRR Sarah Houston also completed the race in a great time of 5hr 42mins 39 seconds, 26th overall and 2nd Female Super Vet.
Report By: Ed Dunbar