For all the Tortoises thinking about an ultra here’s an excellent report from Dave Ruthven – Great report Dave !!

Cateran Trail 55mile Ultra – Running on Empty

I didn’t know if running two 50+ mile races within three weeks was a good idea or just ultra-madness when I entered them, particularly as I had never ran this sort of distance in my life, but I was determined to run my age sooner rather than later and just completing one would be enough. The views of seasoned ultra-runners were very mixed on this one, would I recover in time?

My body was feeling good after completing the Highland Fling but this was very short lived as I succumbed to a heavy cold which quickly developed into a bad chest infection and over the next 3 weeks I manage to run only 2 miles. Not feeling very clever I thought that the sensible thing would be to have a DNS (Did Not Start) against my name. However, after a course of antibiotics I thought I should at least turn up and enjoy the weekend away.

The accommodation at Gulabin Lodge was excellent and the forecast for the day of the race was to be sunshine and showers so I decided to assemble with the rest of the runners for the 06:30 race briefing. Out in the cold wind, however, I started a coughing fit and the residual effect of the previous three weeks was evident. It was going to be a case of seeing how far I would last.

There had been a lot on facebook about getting lost on the course so, all being that I had downloaded the map of the course on my garmin, I decided to try and keep up with others that knew the way. This, I had seen first-hand on the West Highland Way to be a bad idea. However, keeping up with the majority of the field proved difficult as they quickly disappeared into the hills.

As I settled into my stride I began to feel good and my breathing unrestricted. The first check point at 6 miles came and went and as I ran towards the second at 15ish miles. I had caught up with some good company (an Ironman plus a multiple West Highland Way finisher) and feeling better by the minute. However it was not long before I began to think that perhaps I’m in the wrong company and running too fast for me and given my lack of recovery I dropped off the pace. Into the 26ish mile check point for a quick stop for refuelling and off heading for the next at 31ish miles and all is well. Running again with the Ironman finisher we came across one of the double cateran runners who started the previous day at 4pm and was now in a bit of distress despite the painkillers.

There were road sections between the trails that were not agreeing with me and my trail shoes and one particularly long road climb had me starting to have doubts as I began to seriously wane. I felt I had nothing left at this stage and running was now non-existent and I was not much beyond half way point. The lady alongside was having serious hip problems having ran the Kintyre Way the previous weekend and was going to bail out at the next check point. I said I was thinking similar as I was spent and she offered me extra strength caffeine gels which I decided against remembering the gold rule of not trying anything new on race day. I was now on my own again, too tired to go any further I stopped and sat down and the emotions of the undertaking overcame me. This seemed to do me good as I got myself to my feet feeling better and started to run again following the glow sticks in the forest that marked the way during the night for those on the double cateran. I arrive in the 31ish mile checkpoint to be greeted by cheery marshals and enjoyed a rice pudding and a wee seat and was on my way to the next checkpoint at 38ish miles after a hug and encouragement from a fellow runner.

Somehow I managed to get to the next checkpoint at 38ish miles but I knew that the next section was going to be tough to the 49 mile checkpoint. I ran slowly where I could but it all seemed to be going uphill. At 43ish miles I took a turning off to the left convinced I was following the route markers, albeit my garmin was telling me I was off course. I continued to push on, up an ever increasing hill, climbing higher and higher looking out for route markers with the weather closing in on me and it was getting wetter and the wind stronger. I eventually decided to take shelter behind a ruined building and consult my A4 picture of the route which was of no help so I decided to call the Race Director, but there was no mobile signal. Despondent, I decided to retrace my steps down hill. Eventually, I was so pleased to see two runners below who turned out to be doing the double cateran. I couldn’t afford to go off course again and I was starting to get concerned that even if I did get to the last check point I would be timed out so I decided to follow them as, at this stage, my garmin with course route had no battery life left.

It seemed to take forever to complete this stage and by now I was reduced to short sections of shuffle running at best. We eventually arrived at the 49 mile check point. From here on it was going to have to be a walk over the hills the last 6 miles to the finish. This section goes on and on uphill and is the steepest climb of the day but by this stage the evening sun made it quite pleasant. I was not able to run any of the flatter sections before the final climb to the top. When I eventually got the top and could see the finish a couple of miles in the distance I was really struggling to walk downhill as my foot and knees were hurting. As the incline eased off and the paracetamol kicked in I was able to run again and before I knew it I was on the road to the finish. It was all worth the warm welcome I received on crossing the line.

While I may never be at the sharp end of races it was great at the prize giving that everyone was called up and presented with a lovely engraved quaich in recognition of their efforts. A big thank you to all involved in making it such a great weekend.