The Cape Wrath Challenge 11/05/08 ~ 17/05/08
Last year for some reason I thought that I needed a challenge. It’s strange, my whole life I spend hiding from challenges, then I start running and now I actively look for them. The idea of running for five days now sounds like a great idea. The challenge is five days of running over different distances and terrains. Great for the fact that everyone has their preferences. Not sure what mine is, but it does involve running… So with my own support crew: mum, sister and my nieces Isla and Nieve we set off for a holiday up North at the end of the world.
Loch EribollMonday - Day 1 Loch Eriboll Half Marathon or 10k
Me being me, thought that the idea of running further, rather than faster was the best option so I opted for the half. The start is a short (13.1m) bus trip away, which is a small metal peg in the middle of the road (single track) with a view over Loch Eriboll with the road twisting round the edge and disappearing into the distance. The weather was fab if not a wee bit hotter than I was expecting, a cool breeze and blue sky. The aim for me was to start and see how I felt after a few miles. Standing at the start I found that I was on the front row waiting for the starter’s horn. As soon as the horn sounded I found myself doing a ‘Peter Buchanan’ (start right at the front, then do the first few miles as if Satan has just found out your soul is up for grabs).
The first 2 miles were spent following two runners: the first guy was starting to pull out ahead, but I just tucked in behind the second guy and thought that I should just see how things pan out. Round about three miles and we started to pull in the lead and soon I found myself in the front. As the wise Bert has said many times, catching is one thing overtaking is another. Mile four and I’m leading…yip I’m leading. My first thought was s@$* what happens now? Yes, people are behind me and I need to keep going. I need motivation that’s what I need. Now, what would keep me running?? My solution: imagine the guys behind me were named Peter and George…and yip I kept running, the route is great sort of up and down. So 9.1 miles and a few hills later…the finish and I was still in the lead…me winning a race!? I was well chuffed… then the realization that I was on day one.
Still I can bask… literally… I can bask, think I might even have got burnt…blue skies, sunshine, BBQ and a win, what more?
start of long hillTuesday - Day 2 The Richard Haldane Sangomore Hill Run
After yesterday’s success I was quite looking forward to the next run, a circular run on a mix of road and trail, up and over the hill and back. Sounds great…it was. The start was downhill and fast. Yesterday the field was split into 10k and half runners, today we all started together. The first two guys from Eton running club ran off like shots, I thought that we might have a 5:30 pace runner for the first mile and a half. Turns out that he had started way faster than anticipated. The course turned left off the road onto a track, it was here that I felt that I was catching back up. Soon after overtaking them I was aware of feet behind me. It wasn’t til near the summit of the hill that Mark Ford pulled up along side me, following the track along the side and down to the road. We were even when hitting the road but I just found that the shoes/legs never had as much bounce as I would have liked. Up a wee incline to the finish… second. Another great day, more sun and then long lie down on the whitest, nicest beach I’ve been on for a long time.
finish long hill
long hill podium
life's a ....Wednesday - Day 3 Middle Beat Fishing - The Round About Durness Run
The weather seems to be on my side at the moment, sunny and warm away from the wind, but cool enough to be out running. The run started as ever by the village hall, everyone looked a tad nervous as the legs were now starting to think twice about running a fast race. On the horn I found myself in front and trying to run an even pace. Within a minute though I could hear two other runners behind me. Thinking that it would be the two guys (Mark and Ian) that I had been with the past few races, I thought nothing of it. Little did I know that an Inverness runner had come up for the day just for this race. As he blitzed past me I tried to hold back ‘the male pride’, Run fast! Run fast! Run fast!
the neighboursIf it wasn’t for the fact that the guy was on his own and Ian, one of the guys I was running with, asked 'who the hell is speedy?’ I might have been tempted to try and catch up with him. As it was fate dealt the ‘loose laces card’ and I had to stop. I dropped from second to fourth, and with Bert’s ‘run your own race’ mantra in my ears I just pegged the distance and tried to enjoy the run through what were amazing views over dunes, through golf courses and past stunning beaches.
top threeIt was soon apparent that I was not slipping but gaining ground so I pushed to catch up to Mark who was then in second place. I stayed with him up the last hill, which I had been warned was a tough one. It was so steep, I had to fight through the guillemots that were nesting on the ledges. On to the finish… Mark did a ‘Paul Edwards’ trade mark sprint to the finish. Third place on the third day, as my sister said I might as well have the full set of finishes.
Thursday - Day 4 The John Walker Target Zero Balnakeil to Faraid Head Beach Run.
Starting to feel like I am in country where the weather is actually predictable and the sky stays blue. Another great start to the day, more sun and today we get to race on the beach. The Idea is to predict your time to run from here to there and back… roughly 3 miles. I got the wrong end of the stick and thought it was 4 miles up and over a few dunes.
Every one at the start had the option to dress up in fancy dress for a great day out. I’d seen Elvis, a spook, a rather tasty strawberry and my nemesis ‘Spiderman‘. Three…Two… One… and we were off. Running second and third after a local school kid, Mark asked what time I had predicted. My response: 28:40. His response: 20:00. It was here that I thought that it was about time I took up swimming… I missed my target by 6:40. The run was great, over a white beach, up and over a dune, down the other side and back along to the start. I didn’t mind the people overtaking me however I couldn’t let Spiderman beat me. I still have nightmares about Edinburgh marathon '07 and Spiderman.
Friday - Day 5 Runners’ Rest Day
I thought the rest day would be a great time to tell you all what a great place this is, and how much I have enjoyed being here. I figure that since I’m feeling optimistic about my performances so far I had better get all the good vibes down before a 26.2mile run including a climb of over 2,415 feet get in the way.
gateway to paradiseEvery run and every day have been well organized and for me have run smoothly and most importantly been great fun. The people, runners and locals alike, have all had great big smiles all around. The location is breathtakingly beautiful, I know I have been spoilt with great weather, but it’s not hard to see why the locals are so proud and happy with their lot. The fact that the sea is aqua blue, sands white and the sky big, makes this place feel like a wee bit of heaven.
Before I forget I would just like to personally thank everybody that helped in whatever way they did: tea and cake ladies, every water stop, every starter and finisher, timers, marshals, the massage guy, Tony and his team and the farmer for letting Isla name a calf (Ella).
wee Ella
marathon startSATURDAY - DAY 6 THE CAMPBELL LUTYENS CAPE WRATH CHALLENGE 26.2 miles
Got up nice and early as I had to drop my mum off at the ferry (for ferry read two men and their fishing boats). She had volunteered to be on a water station on the ‘cape’ side. Had breakfast and an hour of something resembling sleep.
The day was a little cloudy but very sunny and the wait at the village hall was quite warm. The start is on the jetty on the cape-side after a short ferry ride. After getting my time put on my card it was only a short wait with the other full marathon runners including Graham Henry, who was up for the day’s events.
ferry
pier at start of marathonStanding there I thought that just a finish is what I was after, then I thought around the 3 ½ hours would be great. Three… Two… One… like a mad man I chased the only other nutter that was looking for a sub 3. Not sure why but it felt good, past two water stations, then the pain… 7/ 8 miles and I could have crawled under a rock and died. Helpful hint: If you plan running hard up hills on a hot and windy day drink water regularly. Dehydration hurts… first time I’ve had a headache, sore legs and lethargy hit me so fast.
na, nae water...Next water stop I walked and drank and took water with me but it was kind of too late as by this time we were getting to half way and Mark had caught me and was looking very comfortable. I managed to hold with him for about a mile then he disappeared. More water… The next person I pass was the first man who I had been chasing but was now walking… to quote Bert again ‘run your own race’ … sorry Bert you have taught so much I will learn… I had better…
16 miles and I start to feel like the world is not an evil place that hurts! Just as I’m starting to get a little bit of speed going the third man overtakes me… that’s it, I’m off. There was no way I was giving up more places… they can bury me on the ‘Cape’. I managed to stay with him, drinking all I could and what felt like 40 days and 40 nights later, I managed to get past him and pull a lead to the ferry. This is where you stop, get on the ferry, and get allocated a time on your card at the other side then 3…2…1… go…
It felt like I was trying to kick start a diesel locomotive. The mind was racing but the legs took forever to feel like I had any control. I was now what looked like in third place again with second just in front, push, push and I started to get slightly faster. I overtook second who had now stopped with cramp, and I thought *&~# better push hard before (a) he catches me or (b) my legs fall off. The last 4 miles are all uphill and for me hard going, but the feeling of seeing the by now familiar finish …Ahh… bliss!!!
that waySoon after finishing I made a remark to Mark (first) that we had to do it again as the timers hadn’t been started. As much as it hurt and was borderline evil, I think I would have done it again. The run is hard, but man it’s a good run.
this wayThat evening I picked up second place in the marathon and second overall for the week at the prize giving. I also had what is possibly the best buffet ever!!! I also got to say hello and good bye to some of the people that I had met and competed against. First time I have ever taken part in this event and I hope it’s not the last…I would recommend it to any and everybody from the young to the not so young, as long as you’re not too fast. I’ve got a position to protect!!! ;-)
Website & results here
Official photos hereReport Scott Ferguson
Photos Clan Ferguson
the competition
