Lairig Ghru 2014

This was my fourth run at the Lairig Ghru Hill Race and it remains one of my favourites. With my form having been very mixed this year I didn't go into the race with a lot of confidence and aim was really just to make sure I beat all the cut-off times and finish within the maximum of 6 hours.

Alarm woke me at 6 am and quickly into the car for a long drive up to Braemar. The weather was pretty nice at the start. Running in my inov8 mudroc 290's. Plan was to head off at a good pace and keep going as long as my legs would carry me before the rough terrain would bring me down to walking pace.

Nice smooth run through from Braemar to Marr lodge along the road. The last time I'd run I had tucked in at the very back but this time was pushing along at 160 bpm heart rate and had people behind me. The terrain moves to runnable trails for the next section through to Derry Lodge. I was beginning to feel a bit of fatigue after an hour and was glad to fill up my water bottle at the river as it was getting hot. Was at the checkpoint at 1 hr 20 just ahead of the 1 hr 30 cut-off.

Kept moving at a modest pace over the next section through the Luib river crossing and did the first walk up the steep section immediately afterwards. The terrain starts from this point to become rougher but is runnable until you approach the boulder fields. Tiredness meant I moved into intermittent run and job mode for this section. In my fitter days I would have still been going right up to the steeper ascent to the boulders.

Got shouted at/encouraged by Charlie Ramsay to keep running and photo is courtesy of this hill running legend.  http://www.ramsaysround.com

After a bit of walking I reached the boulder field and made some quick progress here passing around 6 runners who were struggling with the slippery rocks. The weather changed for the worse at this point. It seems to always be raining on this high mountain pass. Coat on and slow progress over the rough ground over which I couldn't have run even if the legs were able.

After some great views emerging over towards Aviemore and Rothiemurchas I reached the downward    

trails through the forest. Struggled here to move at any pace even with the help of gravity. Reached the bottom of the slope and the final trail home at around 4 hr 50 mins and a tight but achievable final section. Set off at a fast walk in the hope that this would let legs recover. Made occasional efforts at running pace but was toiling. Was finally helped along by running the final section with a couple who helped me get into a reasonable rhythm. I finally fell off their pace a half mile from the finish but after a short break gritted my teeth and pushed on the finish and a happy arrival to cheering crowds in Aviemore.

A tough but really enjoyable journey. Nice soup and cakes to celebrate at the end and then a scenic bus drive lasting around 90 minutes through Boat of Garten and Tomintoul before getting back to Braemar at 6.30 pm and arriving home by around 9pm.

Whilst the time was slow I was never particularly uncomfortable and feet and legs recovering reasonably quickly from the battering. Definitely one to do again.