Adnan Khan
Tuesday, 24 September 2019
Sunday, 17 July 2016
Paddy Buckley Round - A shot in the dark!
After the Ramsay Round on last weekend of may, I
thought about doing the Paddy Buckley round too to complete the Big 3 UK Rounds
before I leave for Pakistan. But because of Ramadan starting when I hibernate and not enough
time to recover and organise it properly I put that thought in the back burner.
But after weeks of contemplation I decided to delay my travels by one week to
give me a one last chance to give it a go before I go go.
I had already committed weekend after Ramadan to help a
friend with her Bob Graham round and then try to do my Welsh round weekend
after. This was a big shot for me because I haven’t reccied the round at all and
it was all new ground for me plus I was very low on support. Also, It wasn’t a
good idea to do a very long day run a weekend before (did 3 legs with friend on
her English round) and not rested enough. I asked Ben too to do it with me but
he was sensible and told me he hasn’t recovered from our Ramsay Round.
I set off with Beth, Matt and Mark at 10:45am. Mark was in charge
of navigation and Beth and Matt has taken feeding duties. It didn’t take long
for the rain to start and the ground was very saturated with continuous rain
through out the week. I didn’t put my waterproofs on because I had only one
jacket with me and rain was forecasted for all weekend and I kept it for
overnight section. We were moving well without pushing it too hard and I was
also eating more than I usually do. Mark was great with navigation and I have
just been bog-stuck to my chest. Matt was quick to pull me out and we didn’t
lose much time. Ian was meeting us at the Quarries with Ben and his parents but
we got there earlier than expected and missed them by only few minutes.
Anyway we carried on and Mark had enough of it before Cnicht
and let us carried on. I just twisted my ankle coming off Cnicht and had to
take few seconds to shake the pain off. Ben just rang me to ask where I am. I
said we are just getting down to car park at Aberglaslyn. Ben said he will rush
down with Ian to try to catch us. Ian was suppose to run with me on Leg 2. We
made over thirty minutes on first leg. I was following 23 hours and 30 minutes
schedule. Beth mentioned that my schedule for Glyders leg was very tight and I
had no idea, I just hoped that it was not.
We got to car park at 5:06pm and Jill was there with food
supplies. Forest, Tracey and George have arrived there as well. Beth and Matt
called it a day there and after a quick stop I set off with Forest and George
on second leg. Ben just drove Ian at the car park to join us for this leg.
Forest was taking some interesting lines up Bryn Banog and George was feeding
me with oranges. We were taking it steady and making minutes here and there.
The boulders were quite slippery and was reminded that if the weather stays wet
the Glyders will be really hard work. Anyway didn’t think about it much and
just stuck with it.
We made another two minutes on this leg and had quite a
pleasant reception at the road crossing with John and Dave families shouting
for us. Ben’s parents quickly fed me with some pasta and I set off on third leg
with John and Dave. It was starting to get dark now and John was in charge of
finding the route and I was busy chatting with Dave. We were still moving well
without losing any time. Dave was slightly struggling after the Snowdon. He hasn’t
been running much and said has lost some fitness. Anyway Ben was meeting us at
the top of Foel Gron along with Jill and I was still in good shape so once we
met up with Ben and Jill, Dave decided to get down with Jill while I carried on
with John and Ben. Again, this leg went well and we made another 20 minutes on
this leg so now I was over 50 minutes up on my 23:30 schedule and have only 2
legs left.
We arrived at Llanberis at 1:30am. Jill was waiting there
along with Ben’s parents. I was feeling slightly cold so changed my top and tried
to push some food down. I have now started to struggle with food. John was
continuing on next leg with Ben. The first climb was never ending and I am
feeling tired and weak now. I was getting slower and slower and was losing
time. My watch battery has just died too and I can’t keep an eye on the times
but I knew I am lacking behind and had no strength to fight back. All I can do
is crawl forward slowly but surely. The Glyders and Tryfan were nightmares. It
was a struggle to stand straight and we were on our all fours. I kept dragging
myself forward and the last descent from Tryfan to Glandana was very painful.
As soon as I got to the road crossing I got my phone out to
see how I was doing against the clock. It was 7am and I have only 3 hours and
45 minutes to do the last leg to be able to do it in under 24 hours. I had lost
over 80 minutes on this very last leg. I was in pain and even running on road
was painful. I talked to myself that I don’t have enough time left so my mind
has decided to gave in and my body has already given up a while ago. Ben and I
run together so we both know each other when we struggle. I looked at Ben and
we both knew that we are not looking forward to continue it anymore.
We were cheerfully greeted by Jill and Ben’s parents. Forest earlier mentioned that he may do another leg and it was so refreshing to see him there along with Tracey. With their motivation and encouragement, we had a change of heart and forced some tea, banana and cake down to give it a last big push. On the first climb to Pen Yr Ole Wen I was pushing beyond my strength and energy. The tears were falling inside me because I wanted it so bad now and knew how tight it is but had no energy to fight back and it was very painful to say the least.
Forest has taken charge of navigation again and all I am trying
to do is only think about one step at a time. After battling for another 50
minutes we just got to the top and made up some 6 crucial minutes. This was the
first time I told myself I can do this and raced downhill with Ben. I am also forcing
some food down to have enough energy to keep going. I have now rolled back in
over twenty minutes along the next two climbs. I am still trying to force food
down and have just vomited not only through mouth but nose as well, and this
was the first for me. This didn’t stop me and we just kept moving forward,
however running downhill has just become too painful and this was also the
first time where I was moving well up hill and limping downhill.
I just bumped in to Paul who has walked up with his dogs to see me. We had a brief chat and went our way to climb the last top before dropping back down to Capel Curig. I limped all the way down to the road and raced the last half mile back to the start where it all began about 24 hours ago.
Ben stopped his watch and shouted its 10:20am so I have done
it in 23 hours and 35 minutes. This wasn’t as hard as Ramsay Round but
definitely more emotional for me because this was all new territory for me and
it wasn’t easy to fight back when you are at your lowest and have no strength
to dig yourself out once you have given in. I don’t think it was possible
without the support of my friends who believed in me and spurred me on. This reinforces
the fact that having positive people around yourself lift you higher and higher.
Labels:
Adnan,
Adnan Khan,
Buckley,
Buckley Round,
Paddy,
Paddy Buckley,
Paddy Buckley Round,
Paddy Round,
PBR
Location:
Capel Curig
Sunday, 29 May 2016
Ramsay Round 3rd Time Lucky
After our Friday reccie run which I felt very strong at and
Ben noticed it too and try to persuade me I am fit enough for it. I was
still not convinced so after Ben went in to the tent to get some sleep I lie
outside under the clear sky looking over Binnein Beag listening to upbeat songs,
getting adrenaline rushes, off course a cup of coffee helped too. All I wanted
to do at that moment to run up that mountain. Ben asked about an hour later how
was the party going and all I replied was 'I will do the Ramsay Round with
you!'.
Ben sounded pleased and I was too. However, on Saturday run, where we were
racing each other, I kept reminding Ben I am starving and after 2 hours of
running on empty I bonked really bad (that was one of the worst ones and that’s
usual for me to bonk on long runs). Our bags with food in were at the top of Sgurr
an Lubhair, I asked Ben to carry on while I lie on the ground looking dead. I
did eventually get to the top after lying dead for over half an hour. So my
worry for Ramsay wasn’t my bad ankle anymore it was my sickly stomach and
burning out completely.
This weekend of running really helped building our confidence
up and as soon we got back, we got busy trying to arrange support and organise
everything. We were very humbled with the amount of support we have in place
and Grace making sure the organising is going as smoothly as it could.
Day before the attempt
On our way to Fort William on Friday the 27th May
2016, I mentioned to Ben that I feel strong but I am scared of myself, not sure
what I’ll be like after 8 hours in to the run when I run out of energy and
won’t be able to eat and continue. Ben said the same thing that he feels strong
but scared of himself and been feeling niggles all over his legs. I assured Ben I have more faith in you over me to get round and Ben replied he has more
faith in me getting round than himself. So, basically we both were in the same
boat.
After arriving at the campsite we met up with Kerstin,
James, Nick, Joy, Kate, Margaret and Emir. We went for some food first and then
started setting up our tents to have couple of hours rest before the start at
2am. Jill has now arrived at the campsite too. I decided to sleep in Ben’s car.
After an hour in I heard a car stopping, I looked out of the window to see if
its Tom’s car but it was Karen at the passenger seat. What’s Karen doing here
and this looks like Ken’s car? I got out with a pleasant shock to see them
there and Ken said he wanted to give me a surprise, he definitely did! It was
so good to see them, really gave me a boost and lifted my confidence. I walked
them up to the campsite to get them settled while Ken reminded me to go back
and try to get some rest. I have only snoozed for half an hour and saw Ben
outside the car knocking and saying its time!
Ready, Steady, Go!
Grace, Tom and Richard have arrived sometime during the
night. Ben and I were busy having some breakfast and packing our bags. I walked
up to the campsite to check on James. He was up and getting ready. I saw
Lucie’s post to say they have arrived at the Youth Hostel. It was so lovely of
Lucie to persuade Paul to come up to help me and they were driving straight
back to attend Jason and Kim wedding.
Ken and Karen have started walking up to the start. Grace,
Jill, Kate, Kerstin were up too to see us setting off. We met up with Paul,
Lucie and Pawel at the Youth hostel. Final few pictures at the start and
thanking everybody for turning up to help us, we were reminded last few seconds
to the start and off we (Me and Ben with Paul and James) went.
Few strides in to the run Ben said Adnan which meant slow
down. I let Ben to lead. We discussed so many times that we should not try to
get to the top of Ben Nevis in quicker than 97 minutes rather 100 minutes. I
felt if we were pushing a bit too hard but I knew Ben is slightly faster than
me walking uphill with his long kangaroo legs so I kept quiet and tried to keep up. Now a
mile in and I can see Paul and James feeling a bit too. I said to Ben that this
pace feels quicker than the schedule to which he agreed and I took the lead to break
our pace. I just realised and got very worried that I have left my emergency
food in the car so I got my phone out and texted Grace to try to give it to
Josh who was joining us later from Corrour. To lift my mood, I started playing
music on my phone. Not sure if others appreciated it though. We are half way up
now and the clouds are low and it’s very misty. Ben got his gps out and started
navigating. We are nearly at the top I looked at the watch and it took us 88
minutes to the top of Ben Nevis. I wasn’t surprised because we all felt the
pace! Ben’s fault.
Its downhill over the big boulders now to CMD. The type of
terrain I enjoy running on but it was very misty to see where we are going. I
was leading down with Ben shouting instructions behind me. Ben kept saying I am
going off too left. I got my lefts and rights mixed up and instead of staying
right I still keep going left to the point where I realised I am nearly at the
cliff. Good job they couldn’t see me in the mist and I turned around and
started to go right. Finally down over to the CMD arête now. I keep going up
and down to find the chicken run and in the end I give up and decided to stay
on the ridge. Ben, Paul and James were just behind me. We couldn’t see each other,
can only hear. I realised their voices are coming from below and confirmed if
they were on chicken run. I got to the CMD first and decided to get down
knowing they will catch me up on the next climb up to Aonach Mor.
I have been running by myself for nearly 40 minutes and
feeling very thirsty. I knew there were few streams on the next climb and I was
carrying an empty water bottle to fill it up from there. What the streams are
all dry? I carried on climbing I took the third gully up (everyone takes the
first gully up) and was pleased to see some water higher up. I drank about half
a litre and filled up my empty bottle and carried on. The gully still had loads
of snow, it was wet and very slippery and I was struggling to stay on my feet
and on the last steep section I had to kick in the snow to make steps to get to
the top. Just before the top I saw Ben and Paul. Ben looked relieved to see me
and asked where I have been. I didn’t say much just mentioned took more
interesting line up. I touched the top and asked Where’s James?
Ben said they lost James at CMD and said we need to find
James. It was James first time over the Scottish hills but I assured them he
will be fine and has a map and a gps. We were worried about James from the
start because of the huge amount of stuff he was carrying in his rucksack. The
visibility is still very poor so I ask to talk loudly and as I said in a loud
voice James replied ‘Where are ya, where are ya!’ We got our head torches on
and shouted back to come straight. We all very pleased to be re-united and
carried on to the next top but as soon we starting to get down off Aonach Beag,
Ben said Adnan, meant slow down.
Jill and Kate were waiting for us at Coire a Bhuic with food
supplies and Kerstin and Pawel are going to join us to run the next section
with us. This is one of the steepest descents and I took the lead. The first
bit is very exposed and steep, what I like and was bouncing down but turned
left very early on. Ben asked if it was okay and I said no, don’t come down
this way because it was very wet and slippery and I said to carry straight down
and I will try to cut back but realised it wasn’t possible with big crags. I
was struggling to stay on my feet and I twisted my bad ankle very badly. This
wasn’t a good sign and I was struggling to find a descent path to get down. I
was still trying to cut back to right and Ben finally saw me and shouted to
come straight down. Ben told me to stay with them the next time!
I have been looking forward to Cheese pasties but being
greedy I bought the high calories version meant the pastry was very thick and
dry. I managed most of it with the help of Lucozade but wasn’t looking forward
to the same pasties in the next 12 hours time. Ben reminded it was time to keep
going, we had been resting for over 7 minutes. There’s now 6 of us heading to
Grey Corries. Its uphill so I started playing music again. Kerstin shouted to
say I may be using too much energy dancing up the Sgurr Choinnich Mor. Got to
the top in no time, music off and nice ridges to run on along with good ski
descents on the ice section.
The grey corries went quickly and we enjoyed the nice icy
descent off Stob Choire Claurigh. Kerstin was in front going up Stob Ban. I
noticed Ben is feeling low. I got some Lucozade jelly beans out and asked if he
wants some. He said no but I still gave him some to get down. We were meeting
Ben’s parents with some food and water on the next descent before going up the
Easain (assassin). That’s the hill that killed me every time in the past. It is
such a long drag and I have not been looking forward to it. We stopped for 8
minutes with Ben’s parents and got some food down before continuing on.
Its uphill so must get music playing. I was with James and
Kerstin at the back while Ben was slightly ahead with Paul and Pawel. I started
to feel the drag but it looks Ben is feeling it more. I walked up just behind
Ben and started talking and pushing him. I also got some mint cake out and
passed around between us. What? I am not hating this hill anymore! looks like
Ben has taken my hit. Even Pawel looked slightly worse going up. We all trying
to work out how much time and more height to climb. Finally got to the top. One
more top before we get down and have some proper food. Kerstin left us at the
top of Mheadhoin to join us later on the Mamores.
It’s a long downhill to the dam Ben asked if I can navigate.
The clouds have finally started to lift up and I was in front with Paul and
Pawel while Ben and James slightly behind. Its downhill and I can move well
again. We were moving down quickly and there was a little gap appearing between
us. I carried on because I knew Ben can eat really fast and will give me little
extra time to get some food. I was following Ben’s last attempt’s route which
went slightly right to join the track to the dam but what, Ben and James have
gone straight and got to the dam first! Cheating!!
Dam or Damn!
It was good to see so many faces at the dam. Our food was
already prepared and Grace looked in control with the help of Margaret. I
started to feel sick but still forced the food and some cake down. John took
the time keeper role and kept reminding us how many minutes we have left. We
were supposed to stop for 10 minutes but took 15 minutes as we arrived there
earlier than expected. Tom and Richard were joining us on the next section.
John reminded us that it was time to keep going.
I like it when people assume that I must like running in the
heat. I don’t! The sun was out blasting with full power. I know I was suffering
but kept quiet and keep going up Coire Sgriodain. Tom is keeping an eye on me
and after 20 minutes when I was getting behind and behind Tom asked to take off
my bag. He said looking slightly disgusting, its soaking wet with sweat and
then asked to remove my top too which was dripping sweat. I was overheating but
has started to feel better now. I got the music playing again and just caught
up with Ben and Richard and managed to the top without any further issues. Its
downhill now and before I get going Richard stopped me to give me my bag back,
why?!
Tom was navigating and I was just behind Tom until the
uphill section started. I suddenly felt so sleepy and asked Tom if he has
anything with caffeine in. I have been awake for over 24 hours now, I didn’t
get much sleep the night before and been up since 5am. No, Tom said, I realised
I have a caffeine gel in my emergency bag and got it down with some water. We
got to the top of Chno Dearg and Ben asked if we should take the ridge or scree
down to the river crossing. I said any and we decided to take the scree
descent. Ben let me go first because I like to slide on the scree which causes
a little scree avalanche. Tom and Richard has stopped to fill up the water
bottles.
Ben and I carried on climbing up the Beinn na Lap. The first
steep section went with no problems but as soon we got to the long dragging
ridge something has hit me and very hard this time. I am struggling to keep my
eyes open and instead of going forward I am moving sideways. I started to get
behind again. Tom stopped half way to have his fruit cake and passed me a
little bite. I still am moving like a zombie and Tom keep shouting
encouragements to keep going. Finally, I hit the top and everyone is already
half a mile down.
Come on, Tom shouted and passed me some shot bloks and got
my bag off me again. It was a relief! Tom reminded me its downhill now and ‘do
what you do best’. I threw myself down and started to go down like a flash, I
must be moving so fast that I didn’t give enough time to one of the Grouse to
fly off and kicked it half way in the air. I apologised not that I or him
stopped to have any confrontations. Tom kept shouting instructions to keep me
right. I can see the track and instead of going left as Tom shouted I cut right
to take a direct line towards John and Joshua, they have taken a train from
Tulloch to Corrour to meet us for the last big section. James is with them too.
I thought James had enough of it on the first section but knowing James I knew
he wouldn’t resist a good day out on the hills when the weather is so nice?
John passed me some water and was ready to go. I asked to
wait and let Ben catches us up. Tom and Richard have stopped for water while we
continued on. It was a hard track and coming from road running background I can
move well but after half a mile Ben said Adnan which off course meant to slow
down. I let Ben to take the lead and Tom and Richard are now with us too. Ben’s
parents are meeting us again at the end of Loch Treig. We briefly stopped there
for 4 minutes. I really struggled to eat anything while Ben enjoyed some cake
and a banana.
Ben on a Mission
I have been noticing every time after we stop for some food
Ben gets the pace going which I struggle to keep it to. Ben is pushing the pace
again, my fuel tank is nearly empty so decided to let them go while I stay
behind with James. Tom has passed my bag to John and John has stopped to be
with us while Ben is pushing on with Joshua, Tom and Richard. John mentioned
that we are about 20 minutes ahead and if I think I can keep to the schedule
with my current pace he is happy to let me walk/jog. It started to look John
will be in well control of my fate on this last big section. He then got a
little bag of cheddars off James and asked me to get down with some water. I
didn’t want it but felt had no choice. The gap between me and Ben started to
get bigger and can see Ben is in a proper zone with his shirt off.
After going for over half an hour Ben’s group has now disappeared,
John saw me going towards the river and must have thought if I was going for a
swim? I said we have to cross the river now. The rocks were slippery and I
nearly slipped but James made sure he slips properly. John has also taken
charge of navigation while I keep watch over it. This was John’s first time on
the route too but I knew the route well apart from this section and the last
section.
The ground is very rough now and we can only walk until hit
the next trail path. John gives me a choice of food but not hearing my reply he
passes me a piece of protein bar and asks to get it down with some water! We
finally hit the trail and can jog now. Got to the ruins and saw Ben’s group
half way up Sgurr Elide Mor. John passed me couple of shot bloks and said he
will stay slightly ahead to find the route. I got music playing again. James
must have got bored of it by now but John seems to be enjoying it. I kept
marching up and knowing I might catch Ben again on the next descent. But what?
we have nearly caught Ben and others just before the top. Tom seems to be
struggling and I asked if he has joined my club, his reply was, ‘Tom is
f@@@ed!’ Ben mentioned he is struggling too, not a surprise the way he sped off
at the glen.
Mamorey the Glory
We hit the top but I had to sit down for few minutes as I
was empty, not knowing this is just going to become a routine for me from now
on. I got some dextro tablets and some water. This time Joshua reminded me,
‘it’s a downhill now and I can go for it’. Music track changed to upbeat song,
jogged to the corner and then leaned forward and let the gravity do the work.
Richard and Ben heard the scree avalanche coming and stopped to let me pass and
all I heard from Ben was ‘Luuunaaticcc!’. We hit the stream at the bottom and stopped
to get some water. Everyone is down now and heading for Binnein Beag.
The last support point was after the next top but I asked Jill
and Kate to meet up before we start climbing to give us some food. It was good to see Helen with her friend
Michael, Kerstin and Frank. John asked if we wanted to stop for few minutes to
have something to eat. We said no, I grabbed a bottle of Lucozade while Ben got
some cake. Tom has decided to miss the top out and will see us when we get back
down. We hit the top and then got down I really struggled to walk up to the
support point.
Jill and Kate were ready with our food. Helen and Michael
have already set off to meet us along the way. I wasn’t looking forward to the
same Cheese pasties, they were just too dry for me. Jill then got me some pasta
and I was struggling to eat that too while I see Ben stuffing his face. I
looked at him with awe and asked how can he manage to eat. Ben replied, ‘I
didn’t want to eat but I need to eat’, he meant business! Next minute Ben has
been sick on his hand. Kate got him cleaned while Jill took off the pasta pot
from me, she noticed me gagging too. Ben stood to get going with Frank, Kerstin
and Joshua. I knew this was the last support point and have at least another 7
hours to go. In a desperate move I try to neck a bowl of rice pudding down which
triggered the vomiting, twice!
James said he is stopping here along with Tom and Richard
while I carried on with John. We saw Ben and other taking the direct steep line
up Binnein Mor and I said to John that they were supposed to go right to join
the ridge but we decided to follow Ben up the steep path. It was very steep and
slippery, John felt it too. We got to the top and I have to sit down for few
minutes while John feeds me with couple of boiled potatoes and water. Ben with
Frank, Kerstin and Joshua were half way down and looking strong. I knew there
was another big descent coming soon after the next top and we might catch Ben
and others again.
We got to the top of Na Gruagaichean and I have to sit down
while John feeds me again. I could see Joshua stopping and looking back for us,
maybe trying to tell me ‘it’s a downhill and go for it’, while the other have
caught up with Helen and Michael. After a little down and then up it was a nice
big steep descent, instead of taking the path I chose to go down a straight
grassy steep line. John followed me and we caught up with Ben and others. I checked
on Ben if he is feeling fine. He was feeling good with Kerstin feeding him well
and Frank finding the route and Joshua carrying some kit. This was a last water
point we got our bottles filled up and climbed up the An Gearanach together.
We hit the top and I have to sit down again. Not sure what I
wanted to eat Joshua gave me couple of chocolate bars. Everything was tasting
awful and I needed water to get it down. We started walking back down. Ben and
other have already half way up the next Mamore, its now nearly 8:30pm and
starting to get slightly cold. Ben shouted for Joshua who was carrying Ben’s
jacket. Joshua shot down to get to Ben while me and John took our time. I felt
like I was getting slower and slower but John kept reminding me that we are
still making minutes on every top even with my obligatory stops.
We took our time on the next two Mamores with my routine
stops and have caught up with Helen and Michael. Helen offered her energy drink
and a salt tablet to me which I got it down. After a brief chat Michael gave me
a hug and let us carried on. They were stopping at the bottom while we had to
take the devils ridge out and back for one of the highest Mamore. I was pleased
to see Ken at the bottom who has walked up to meet us. He looked slightly cold
and have been waiting for us for a while. Kerstin and Frank have left their
bags there to pick up on their way back. I asked Ken if he was coming up with
us to the top and he said he’ll wait here.
On the way up to the top I stopped to ask Frank as they were
coming back down if its better to go right or left to avoid the bad step. I
have already jumped over the bad step but its now getting dark and its slightly
trickier to jump over it from the other side. Frank said to go left and Ben
mentioned he chickened out the bad step. We raced over it 2 weeks ago and to
lift the mood I asked Ben are we racing it? knowing Ben would say no and I am
glad he did. I make it Ben was about 10-15 minutes ahead of me now. John and I
got to the top, I sat down while John passed me the jacket and some food and
mentioned he forgot to eat himself and felt a little blip. On the way down
along the ridge I stumbled and just managed to balance myself and laughed about
it that I don’t want to fell down hundreds of feet to come back up again and
may not make it in time.
After a fast downhill we met up with Ken again and run down
to see Grace and Margaret who have brought up some hot drinks and cake for us.
Grace offered me some coffee and gave me half an orange which she fought off
Ben to keep it for me. Good job there Grace! Ken gave a nice rub to my legs
while John got the head torches out. Ken was still very cold and said he will
go down and mentioned Helen and Michael have gone down already. After 5 minutes
with them we decided to carry on, Grace reminded we are nearly 50 minutes up on
the schedule and only one more big hill before the final climb. I can relax
now, maybe not until I get to the top.
We got to the top and this was my final pit stop. John gave
me some more boiled potatoes and sip of water to get it down. Apparently Grace
and Margaret were looking at us slightly worried from the bottom as I sat down
there for quite a time. We have been rationing the water and have only couple
of sips left. I mentioned to John I don’t know the way from here as I have only
been up here once and that was in the dark. John got his gps out and started to
navigate. GPS gone slightly funny but I have an idea which top it is but
struggled to find a nice path and getting stumbled over the rocks.
We saw Ben and others head torches descending off the Sgurr
a Mhaim and I made it they are about 25-30 minutes ahead and there’s no way I
can make that time up so got more relax about it. Apparently Ben was on his
last wind and left others to run to the finish with Tom and Richard. GPS is
back on working, John and I shared the final sips of water and climbed the last
top. We shook hands and John said we have loads of time for this final section.
I mentioned to John that the first half of the descent is not nice until we go
over the stile. John soon found out what I meant and asked if I just wanted to
go for it. I said its fine and took our time.
It felt a long time to get to the stile. We saw a little
stream and John stopped to get some water, I then realised how thirsty he must
have been when I saw him gulping litres of water down. I felt a bit embarrassed
about it, at the same time feeling so humbled and impressed that he looked
after me so well and made sure to give me just enough food/water to keep me
going and was in good control. We jogged to the track then cut through the
forest to get down to last track before hitting the road.
John mentioned a head torch coming towards us. It was Ken
and passed some water while mentioning that Ben is just getting to the finish. Ben
got round in 22 hours and 47 minutes. We walk to the next forest crossing where
James, Jill and Karen have lined up with their head torches on to find us a
path. We ran down it to the road to be joined by Margaret, Kate, Joy, Grace and
everyone else waiting by the finish. We started jogging and John said to race
to the finish and I just managed a final sprint to touch the finish and stopped
my watch at 23 hours and 24 minutes.
Handshakes and hugs all round and so relived to make it
within 24 hours. I was more impressed with Ben waiting for nearly half an hour
knowing what he is normally like at the finish. I was so chuffed and very
humbled by everyone’s help. Good job I wasn’t as emotional as I thought I would
be and maybe I can stop being too harsh at me for last 2 failed attempts
because I now know what a difference a good weather and a great support team
can make.
Thank you everyone.
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)