Cateran Trail 55 mile Ulramarathon

8:30 at night with the sun fading I clutched hands with two people who thirteen hours previously were strangers, we raised our hands and crossed the finish line of the Cateran Trail Ultra marathon. Covering 55 (+3) miles with over 2000m of elevation. Long before this time it had stopped being a race and become, for me at least a little more.

 

 

I haven't posted a blog in a while, because I've had a few things to juggle. As well as a new job and moving house the weekend before the Cateran I've  actually had to train for the event, and that takes up a  takes up a lot of time. If I take the last 12 months as a whole my training as a whole my preparation was pretty good but recently I've had a sore knee that required more rest than I would have liked.

So what was it like?

The day before the race my wife found out that she would have to work the morning of the race so my lift to the event was scuppered. Step in Neil Smith who replied to a Facebook plea for a lift  from either Perth or Blairgowrie. This show of generosity was a sign of things to come. On race day Neil picked me up promptly and was great company distracting me as I was probably very obviously a bit nervous. Once Neil and I arrived at the Spittle of Glen Shee I got a bit carried away and must have packed and unpacked my bags at least 3 times. Soon enough we had the race briefing which was a short but prompt and then we all headed across the road to the start line. Then we were off. It all caught me a little by surprise. I hadn't recced the first or last 13 miles. The first section is stunning but I made sure to stay near  the back and keep to a pace that meant I could still talk mainly to Andy who was doing this for the second time. The first checkpoint was 6 miles in and although I had a drop bag I left it there as I still felt good and had enough food and drink to get to the next checkpoint, though I did eat the first of many bakewell slices.

There was lots of chatting between runners and everyone was really encouraging and friendly. I settled into a pace with a runner called Lois who both seemed far more seasoned at these sort of events. There was lots of styles on this section but at the start you don't mind them do you?  Gordon George (Please let that be right?) was smart enough to know which gates to open rather than climb, Surely the sign of a pro. He had done the double before and clearly knew the course really well and it was really interesting chatting to him about running through the night when he did the double. As we got into the Glen Isla checkpoint it was obvious I was really far back with only a few drop bags left. It seemed a bit odd since we were there at a decent time (for me, I'm no record breaker) but there wasn't much I could do about it. It was also at this point that I started to yoyo a couple of runners that I would later run the second half with.

From Glen Isla to Alyth I was feeling really good and now on a part of the route I had recced I felt confident. This section is also my favourite part of the route with a few wee 'bobbles' but great views. n hindsight I probably got a bit carried away on this section and ran too much of it.  As I came into Alyth I found myself alone for the first time and I headed down and then out towards the Den of Alyth. As I got to the Car park I didn't see the checkpoint so assumed it was at the other  end and headed on through, only to get to the otherside and it not be there. I speed up to catch a pair of runners and  ask them where it was. The fist chap said 'about a mile back at the play park'. My heart sank and my face must have showed it as the other chap said it probably wasn't as far back as that (My Strava says I ended up doing 5km extra). I decided I didn't want to risk a DQ so headed back through the Den and towards the checkpoint. Every runner I passed was great and checked I was okay but my head was mince. I know I was being massively over dramatic but I suddenly had loads of variables running through my head, I couldn't believe I'd been so stupid I'd recced this section multiple times.. I got to the checkpoint, signed in and asked what time the cut off was for Blairgowrie. I had planned on slowing and eating something a little more substantial but now the only thing I could think about was how stupid I had been. I've recced this part of the route and knew exactly where the park was I had just thought the checkpoint was at the car park. I had ran parallel to it on the road (as an add in This was my fault not the organisers, they actually put the OS co-ordinates of every check point up, I just didn't confirm them before the race). From then on the next 6 miles to blairgowrie were all spent in my head thinking what a silly mistake I'd made. I started to get loads of niggles and pains. My head spiralled downwards to the point that I was thinking about dropping out. It was a massive pity party. Fortunately I met Lois at the checkpoint and had previously chatted to her. She was great and I just tried to stick with her and the other runners around me. Lois and another runner were chatting about the CCC and UTMB and although I wasn't really talking it was a great distraction from the head mess I was dragging myself into I don't know if Lois realised how much of a help she was, so thank you.

On the long down into Blairgowrie my right leg started to cramp and get sore. Once we arrived I refilled my drinks and phoned Anna. I needed someone to tell me to Shut up, get a grip and crack on. Anna  duly obliged and was really encouraging. I set off from Blairgowrie with Tom who I had spoke to a bit on Facebook. He was starting to feel it a bit too and we resolved to keep going. Once up the climb out of Blairgowrie Tom pointed out Mount Bair where we had came from and it looked miles away, which I guess it was. We tried to run the flat section and Tom managed well but my Right quad and calf cramped up. With more than 20 miles I couldn't run. I thought I was fcuked. After some flapping I figured that I needed to eat and get some salt into me to I eat and drank everything I had on me. I gorged on my bakewells and crisps, put some music on and tried to run again. Fcuk, Siht,  crap. More cramp. At this point my mum sent me a text to say she was inspired to to run today having recently only fairly recently taken up running got a Parkrun PB, with a double whammy of emotion my sister sent me a motivational text just as Florence and the Machines came on. That was it, I started to ball my eyes out while walking through a field.

Thankfully the calories and a sence of decency took hold, and the calories kicked in. I tried to run again with a little success. I caught up to Patricia and we developed a routine of her running consistently and me run walking as and when my cramp allowed. As we came into Bridge of Cally we caught up with Tom. The marshalls here were brilliant and like everyone helping couldn't have been more helpful.

I asked the marshalls the time and when the next checkpoint was. I decided to carry on and see what happens. I managed to stay with Patricia and Tom for a while but soon enough they Pulled away as I cramped up again. At Bridge of Cally I had a Banana and I think that this helped a lot as later I was able to run walk with more consistency. It didn't stop my head from trying to talk me out of finishing. I didn't think I was making enough progress and the finish seemed so far off. I spent so much time thinking how I was letting everyone down that had sponsored me or donated their own miles to the MillionMilesForEllie campaign I didn't want to be the only one to fail. But how on earth would I get to the next checkpoint with my legs like they were. Then another runner passed me and said he had got lost and added a whole load of miles, much more than I had added. God I was pathetic. I made it to the next checkpoint and it wasn't anywhere near a road I couldn't even drop out here. On to Kirkmichael and as I arrived it was unmanned. There wasn't even any water left. A runner came behind me and asked if anything was left. I asked him how far to the finish? ( miles he replied. I said I don't think I can manage 9 miles. He replied in the most Scottish way possible

"Either way, it's a 9 mile walk big man"

With that he offered me a Banana and off we went. He was right, time to shut up and get on, Thanks whoever you were. Man those Bananas really help too. He started to run and I followed and continued the run walk shuffle I had been doing since Blairgowrie.

As we came into the final checkpoint I met Tom, Patricia and importantly my wife Anna. She had come to make sure I was okay. I wasn't sure if I could do the final section. I know it was uphill for 5 miles then down for 1. The marshalls were again brilliant and really encouraging. I had another Banana and packed a mars bar.  Tom asked if I wanted to go over with him. So Tom Patricia and myself set off on a March towards the finish. This section was absolutely stunning. We tired a small run on a flat section but by this time I think all of our legs were in pieces. as we reached the big climb a few people had passed us again and we encouraged where we could. At the top the view behind was amazing. so we stopped for a few photos and then turned to see our end point for the first time in over 13 hours. the view was great but if I thought the down would be easier I was wrong. Stiff, sore and wrong. Thankfully though we did move forward and we soon crossed the bridge. It was great to hear Anna shout my name from about half way down. we then took the last few turns together and joined hands to cross the finish. It was a great feeling and a huge relief.

It was brilliant to finish with Tom and Patricia and also goes to show the strength community that running creates because finishing with Tom and Patricia absolutely made my experience better.

 

Karen the race organiser was at the finish to congratulate us. As I had to leave straight away she gave us our amazing finishing prize of a Quache, a beautiful and fitting memento..

On the way back to bonny Dundee I spoke to a very nervous Mum and told Anna the story of my race. As the week has passed I've become happier and more content with the day. My legs have started to work and I think I'm about to lose my first toe nail.

I learned a huge amount about myself and the race itself through this experience. Though I found it really hard I'll echo what everyone else has said. This is a brilliant race, in a brilliant setting and very, very well organised.

My splits show that I got carried away on the Glen Isla to Alyth section and pushed a too much, then let my mistake dictate the rest of my run. I'm still fairly new to the ultra business  so lots to learn.

Dalnagair    Glenisla    Alyth    Blairgowrie    Bridge of Cally    Enochdhu      Finish        Placing
1.07                2.50        5.26       6.41                    8.32                     11.3       13.31.42       74

I'd like to thank the Race Director, Marshalls, Neil, and all the runners I spoke to throughout the race, especially Lois (if your reading), whoever '9 miles left big man' was, Tom and Patricia.

A big Thanks to everyone that has helped support me in my preparation, or sponsored me in raising miles and money for the #MillionMilesForEllie. If you don't know what it's about please have a click and a read. I can be a bit cold hearted but have found this is a really inspiring campaign.

So far I've raised an amazing £425 and added 55 miles to the cause. If you'd like to help out and add miles or pounds please go through the website.

I don't know if I can muster up the strength or time to train to do this sort of distance again any time soon. So I think I will drop down and try and get myself a Marathon time I'm happy with. I'll take some time to think about it though, because I think I can give a better showing of myself on this course. Having just moved I'll be cycling to work more often than not so I'll have to figure out my running schedule and the effect cycling has on it.

If you are looking for a friendly race to get your teeth into give this one a go. :)