Drink from the Red Burn

 Having not run a hill race since April, my recovery from a foot injury was complete a few weeks ago, and its been all hands on deck to try and reduce my BMI fatness in time for the Ben Nevis Mountain Race. Having raced this twice previously (2009 and 2023), I was under no illusions about the size and shape of the challenge, even without the extra 10lbs of flesh hugging my waistline. Speedy Joe has had a good season, so at least one of us was going well. Four of us zoomed up to Fort William on Thursday stopping off at Straiton to buy all the Beetroot shots that Holland and Barratt had in their store. We stopped off at the Glen Nevis Centre for a single evening before moving to Inverlochy. 

On Friday we did a short recce of the zigzags at the base of the Mountain in an attempt to establish the best way up and checking out possible short-cuts. Of course, with the race being on Lochaber's door step, all that might have been required was to follow one of their runners. However, over the last few years, we've found that there is no substitute for decent preparation for off-road races. After a quick trip to Torlundy for the Park Run for Ant and Marg, we got back to Inverlochy for a cuppa before setting off to Race HQ. Around 400 turned out on Saturday for the race. 

We got our numbers and were hopeful that the weather would hold up and that the rain would stay away. We were walked around the playing field led by a pipe band (as is tradition) before being set away. There were around forty M60's, but settling in near the back I intended to try and keep the heart-rate down. You can't fool gravity. Carrying extra lard up 4400ft of ascent will slow anyone. As it was, I took my phone and during the early stages, I stopped to take some photos, the rationale being that this would encourage me to moderate my pace and remind me that I am quite a way off full fitness. Surprisingly, a few well kent faces in the form of a Carnethy and a Hartfell whom I recognised were close by, but they went on ahead. 

Halfway up, I had a few gubs of water at the Red Burn and then the serious, steep gravelly ascent commenced. It was truly a slog, but I reached the top in 1:40, catching the Hartfell chap just at the summit. He passed me back down at the Red Burn when I stopped for another few handfuls of water and I tucked in behind him. We caught the Carnethy runner shortly afterwards. As the series of rocky steps began I decided to put in a burst and did my best to put some time into both. I was pleased with my descent, passing perhaps 25 runners and getting off the hill in around 43 minutes. However, with a mile to go on the undulating tarmac, sheer exhaustion caught up with me and I found myself walking for short spells, completely puggled. I collapsed over the line in 2.33, for 7th M60. Done in. Evidently my 'take it easy' mantra failed once I had gravity on my side. I guess my mass gave me an edge on the way down.

As per 2023, my inner thighs cramped quickly and Mrs Mac managed to source some salt tabs, which was a god send. Speedy was first woman to the top and eventually finished 4th; Both our finishing places were a little down from 2023, but neither of us were down-beat with the day and we celebrated at the Garrison Kitchen later in the town with a slap up feed. All in all a tough day out, but life affirming. Clearly not enough beetroot!