There goes my Ben virginity!
It was the pipers fault, they led me to the slaughter!
After the start I saw Holmesy talking to others as he led the way around the field......wonder who's going to win today then?!
Passed a few on the road but then the steep climbing and started to feel rubbish and weak. Lots of folk including walkers clapping which was nice. Very steep off path bits still cr*p and tired....apologies if I'm slowing you lot behind me. First race where I didn't really want to look up at all and/or speak to anyone. Someone even offering sweets near to Red Burn. I just thought f*** *ff and leave me alone which probably reflected how rubbish and unfocussed I was. I said just leave me alone. Relentless scree and know I knew what it was like being a caravan on the M6 with all the other irritated drivers trying to pass. Many passing me and I passed no-one! Suddenly appearing out of the cloud, Holmesy with another runner on his tail. Bet he won't be that close at the finish. Massive gap then others hammering down, some just missing my staggering gait. Still not feeling good even though I desperately tried to have a serious chat with myself. Wanted to cry and give up, but not the best idea near the top of Ben Nevis.....in fact a great motivation to at least finish, being stuck up here. Hey just hang in and at least get back to the park.
Chocolate sesame snap good instant hit and woke me up for a few seconds.
Able to jog the last bit to the summit and now the descent to look forward to.
Whooooaaaaaa, here we go.
Now following the fast descenders and passing quite a few. Slipping but just balancing and staying upright (how does that work then?). At one point two of us fast (ish) descenders sandwich a tentative (sensible?) runner and we all crashed. Sorry! More fast descending then the inevitable, a nice pleasant grassy fall with a gambol.....9/10?
More descending, eventually on path. Claps from well wishers and considerate walkers who stood out of the way. Thanks, much appreciated.
At last the pub and the road . Upped the pace, passed a strong female runner then bang! Lack of energy and cramp (why o why do I get bl**dy cramp!). Slowed right down. Was passed by a few. Hanging on for dear life around the field. End. That's it. A highly disappointing 2h21m for me.
Nice to see Rachael my other half at the finish, but for the first time ever, "I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!"
Walked back to Glen Nevis YH in a solumn mood.
Very much looking forward to post race pi55 up but didn't happen. Instead, bed at 1945!!!
POST RACE: Set off too fast? Too much training for L'Etape and not enough running? Not enough distance trained? A big tri 2 weeks ago? Blah blah blah blah......excuse blah blah
Would I do it again? yes, have Big Tri at end of Sept which after a small matter of 1.25 mile sea swim and 53 mile mountain bike, finishes with the Ben. Aha, revenge!!!!! My time will come!
Many thanks to all organisers and helpers. Really appreciated. All the supporters and runners as well.