Great Islamabad Run

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.

Anyway because of lastminute call, we didn’t get anything booked to stay overnight but just managed to get good friends coming over to help me with the round. I stayed overnight at Bens to leave early with Ben and Ben’s parents. Jill was coming over to help with road support too. We left around 6 am on Saturday morning and my starting time of 10am was delayed by 45 minutes. I was meeting Beth and Matt who were joining me on first leg and may continue on second leg along with Mark, who I was meeting with the first time and it was very nice of him to just turn up to support me. Ian was at the Pinnacle Café in Capel Curig too who was joining me later on second leg. It was our first meeting too. The weather wasn’t looking promising but I didn’t have any other option but just to give it a good shot.

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.

Ramsay Round 3rd Time Lucky

 This was the 3^rd time I was going to try to get round a Ramsay Round but the training hasn’t been great because I keep injuring myself (twisting my bad ankle, nearly falling off the cliff and hurting a good ankle, etc) and then lacking enthusiasm. Anyway as planned me and Ben went up to Scotland 2 weeks (13^th-15^th May 2016) before the attempt to check if the snow has gone and reccie few sections. On the way up to Scotland I mentioned to Ben I don’t think I am well prepared and my ankle is still swollen and it hurts if I go slightly over it and I feel I need to be 100% to give myself a better chance this time.

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 27^th 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.

See you all at the next challenge!

Copen