Big Ben Nevis Half - Sat 24th Aug 2013

[Don]

Where: Ben Nevis - Fort William, Scotland
When: Saturday 24th August 2013
Organiser: No Fuss Events
Course details: 1.9km sea swim; 90km bike; 21km run/hike
Technical: Chip timing
Marshalling: Marshals dotted around at various junctions on the bike, and the half way point. On the mountain marshals were at the foot, half way point and summit to register progress and check no one has died.
Facilities: Not a great deal as it was a small event.
Freebies: T-shirt; Hi-5 Water Bottle; Energy gels; Sandwiches, snacks, cakes and sweets at the half way points and at the end.

This race was my ‘biggy’ of the year, so bear with me as this has turned out to be a bit of a novel.

A half iron distance was firmly on my tick list for the season, so when I stumbled across this event it drew me in straight away, plus being of Scottish blood, the appeal of racing in the spectacular Highlands was too tempting to resist.

Training had gone pretty well since recovering from ankle surgery at the beginning of the year, and although not particularly structured consisted of a number of standard and sprint distance tri’s, some long rides and a hilly half marathon to get me to a place where I thought I would have enough in the locker to complete this challenge.

Registration was carried out the evening before along with the race brief, but with registration quickly done I ditched the briefing, instead choosing to go out for a few beers, lovely meal and bottle of plonk with the missus who had come up with me to support … perfect preparation!

Come the morning of the race, we were due to set off on the swim around 8am when the tide had come in, and as I was staying in a hotel pretty much right next the start I was first into rack and prepare. I thought I’d give myself plenty of time to set up, no last minute mishaps – yea, like that was ever going to be the case!

Also next to the start was a McDonald’s, so it was obviously rude not to use this fine eatery for a pre-race brekkie! A couple of bagels and hash browns were dispatched with minimum effort so now it was time to leisurely get ready for the start. The weather was typically Scottish at 7:30am, with drizzle and mist in the air, and I realised then that I didn’t have any decent bags to keep my kit dry in transition. Cue a quick dash back to the hotel to nab some bin liners. Right 20 mins to go; let’s get my race stickers on the bike. Bollocks – where are they?? A mad dash back to the hotel room to find them – not there! Did I chuck them in the car? Sprint to the car- No. Pub from last night? – Maybe? … Nah, wouldn’t have been that stupid! Another dash to the hotel room – and they were definitely not there. 10 mins to go I leg it back to transition and speak to one of the organisers. “No race number for the bike mate!” … “No bother Son, you don’t need it!” .. Phew!

Wetsuit quickly on, walk to the sea shore, and I’m bringing up the rear. Pre swim I always fill myself full of gas from my asthma pump to fend off any attacks when I get into the cold water. Shit – I’d forgotten and now I’m dipping my toes in the water. Too late to run back ... Oh well, here we go anyway!

The water was I’d say a nippy 9 degrees, but having done quite a few cold and non wetsuit swims already this year, the temperature didn’t affect me too much other than a minor bit of brain freeze.

I fancied myself to do well in the swim, and had been training hard for this moment, so I grabbed a spot right at the front. The course was two laps of a straight out and back anti-clockwise route, and once the start whistle sounded, I went out pretty hard. I’m with about seven or eight other guys at the front pack for the first few hundred metres or so, but some of them begin to pull away, and knowing that I probably wouldn’t get back to them I settled into my own race. Jellyfish and seaweed were my main protagonists for the best part of the next few hundred meters up till the turn point, a good 180 degree turn was executed so then I opened up the stroke length with the tide back to the start turn buoy for the second lap. Now there was a standard distance race being run on the day too and they went off 15 mins after us, so inevitably I ran into a huge amount of traffic as I hit the turn point just after they had gone off. OK I thought, I am not taking any prisoners here, so bullied and battered myself past many flailing bodies. I wasn’t the only one doing this in my wave, and as such managed to tag onto someone’s feet for the final out section. Another turn from home, and I’m in a battle with three other guys. I decided to change my stroke pattern slightly for the final section, opting for a choppy, high cadence stroke rate over long and smooth and this worked a treat as I pulled ahead. Out of the water and a 50m run to T1. A shout to a marshal confirmed I was seventh out of the water in 33mins.

Into T1 and I’m absolutely loving the longer leisurely transitions for bigger distances. Wettie off, towel down, couple of tops on, shoes, gel and a Jaffa cake, and we’re off!

The bike route started with a trip round the town before taking us out onto the highland roads. Bugger, my computer’s not working so I stopped rectified the minor alignment fault, hopped back on again and set about getting into a good rhythm. The course profile I looked at beforehand indicated that it would be about 40k of climbing to the turn point, then a fun fast downhill section on the way back. This wasn’t quite the case. About 5k in I’m getting caught up by a few other riders who pass with words of courtesy and encouragement. As yet another cyclist comes by, I manage to pull back and lock onto their wheel for a while but soon we’re caught up behind police cars escorting a heavy load up the road. A quick pull alongside the cops and a chat about getting past was flatly refused. In the main, this wasn’t too bad, as the convoy was travelling between 20 and 25mph so took the positives and just drafted off the cars. Other quicker riders had also caught up and people were getting agitated now, then the convoy inadvertently came to a halt. We then made a collective decision to dismount the bikes, hop onto the grass verge by the road and run past the convoy. There were a few grumbles from the police, but this worked a treat.

The bike section was awesome. The sun was breaking through as I climbed through the highland mountains and the scenery was simply spectacular ... I was loving this!

However another minor blip was just around the corner as I pulled out my asthma pump out for a blast. Sod it, I dropped it, and it’s come apart in the middle of the road. Quick stop, off the bike and I dived into the oncoming traffic to retrieve it. Cars swerved round me and another couple of competitors flew by with a shout of “No time to sit down and rest now!” ... Ha bloody Ha!!

Out now to the half way turn point and to the fastest section of the course, a long steep downhill which took me up to near 40mph, again the views are amazing and the adrenalin flowing … only slight issue with this downhill is that I had to come back up again! I’m not here to break any world records so picked a low gear on the return and spun my legs on the climb conscious of conserving every ounce of energy I could.

The route back to T2 I thought would be fast and fun, but the undulating course and exposure to the wind made it not so. 70km in and every hill that comes up is met with an expletive. 80k in and Ben Nevis is looming in the distance. As I get closer to, I’m muttering to myself … “Right, I’m coming for you!”

Back into T2 after one of the best bike rides (not time wise – completed in 3hrs 18mins) I have ever done, I ditch the bike - trail running shoes on, pre-packed ruck sack with mountain survival gear slung over my shoulders and I’m off to tackle the half marathon mountain.

I’ve never run off the bike after such a distance cycling, but surprisingly didn’t feel too bad. The first kilometre of the run was through the town to the base of the mountain, and this is where the fun starts!

I didn’t know what to expect on the climb, but it soon became apparent this was going to be brutal.

Up the first few sections, I managed a broken run/walk/jog pace, however soon I’m hitting the steep rocky sections, and running was impossible. Clambering up through the rocks and streams was becoming an amazing experience, but after no more than 5km I’m slowing down dramatically. Words of encouragement came from fellow competitors and climbers alike, but it wasn’t long until mentally I was struggling to converse with anyone. Another few km’s knocked off and I see some runners take a trail off the beaten track, this looked a shorter route, but crazily treacherous. I spoke to another runner who told me that he had been told under no circumstances should we take that route, so I played it safe and stuck to the rock pathway. Nearing the half way point up the mountain, I was starting to struggle badly so I stopped and sat down to get some rest bite. My heart rate was going like the clappers and knew I had to bring it down as the air got thinner and thinner. One guy comes past me and offers some sage words of advice ... “I’ve done this 3 times and right now, it’s not what’s in your legs that count it’s what’s in here”, as he point his fingers to his head! Wise words!

Asthma pump, energy gel and water taken on board and I set about again battling my way onwards and upwards.

So I reached the half way point after about an hour and 45 mins and I’m busted. I ask the marshals how long it will take to reach the summit and does it flatten out and get easier? … The look on their faces instantly said to me ‘No’. Then I’m told it would be about another hour and twenty mins before I get to the top. I was also told it was about seven switchbacks on the route then a straight hike to the summit. I plodded on and ticked off the switch backs as they came ….. One …. Two … Three … Four! Now I was hurting big time and mentally in a very dark place. I sat down a few times to regain some energy and draw on any kind of motivation I could, however there was absolutely nothing there! My mind and brain were dead – what do I do? I can’t and won’t quit so the only option to me was to get up and carry on. Five switchbacks down … six … seven … Hang on! Eight … Nine! No way, I’m cooked now – how much further? Runners were now coming back past me on the way back and had been for a while, but now I’m getting shouts of “You’re so close” … “15mins and you’re there big man!”

I’m in the clouds now and it’s like a lunar landscape up here, no vegetation, just grey rocks and the inability to see 10 metres into the distance. All of a sudden it flattens out and I’m there at the summit! Bingo! I check in with the brave marshals at the top, and then turn around to take it all in. All I’ve got to do now is cover another 10km and I’m done.

Now I start the tricky decent down through the rocks and rubble. I’m running with another guy chatting away when all of a sudden I smash my ankle on a loose rock which sends me flying. I tumble two or three times down a small sharp precipice smashing my whole left side up on the rocks ending up on my back with my head in the dirt. My run buddy checks if I’m OK and I just lie there for a minute in agony. Quick check and nothing is broken, just plenty of blood oozing from my leg, arm and hands. It was a stupid act talking and running on such a treacherous trail track where 100% concentration is needed, so I tell my new mate to press on without me and I’ll just walk for a while ensuring I’m still in one piece. Soon I’m feeling better and pressing on, scrambling down as fast as I could while trying to stay safe. Drinking from the mountain streams was heavenly while rehydrating!

Past the half way marshal’s and down to the final tough slippery sections. Off the mountain to the check point where there’s a pub and I see people relaxing, laughing and drinking cold beer! Only a couple of Km’s to go Don and soon that will be you!

So into the final part in town and up to the finish with a sprint and my smile is beaming as the wife greets me as I cross the line! BOOM!! I’ve done it! 9 hours 3 minutes and 49 seconds. This had nothing to do with time for me, just completion!

It was an absolutely EPIC day that truly tested me to the limit, putting my mental state in some places I don’t think it’s been before, and now three days later I’m still in a whole world of pain struggling to walk, but totally buzzing!!

[Jimba]

Epic. Well done mate that sounds like IM mental strength to me not half!

[Bopomofo]

Sounds like an utterly brutal day out. Great write up... I was cheering you across the line.

I'd love to do a real 'endurance' race like this. Well, I'd love to be fit & strong enough.

Superb!

[Sir Jibbenstein]

Awesome effort Don! It sounds a brutal race. The fall sounds nasty, so much respect for getting to the finish line!

Sit back and enjoy a well earned beer or ten now!

[kfjatek]

Sounds like an absolutely fantastic race - and an awesome challenge!

Congrats on digging deep and completing!

[King Sad]

Impressed with the pre-race 'carb loading'

Cracking report and a great race - damn fine effort - well done

[wannabetri]

Top bombing Sir! That's an incredible account of what sounds like a true endurance challenge. It's not a race it's a feat of mental and physical resilience and you came through that in blood spattered colours.

Glad the race lived up to be everything you hoped it would be. Love it!

[Bendy Ben]

Don

Great report and very descriptive. Well done mate - that's on hello of a race.

Would you do it again and what gearing did you use on your bike ?

Well done indeed

[Jack Hughes]

what gearing did you use on your bike ?

58x11 fixed. He just pushed it up the hills.

Good work Don, looks like a race to add to the bucket list.

[Don]

very descriptive.

... You mean long?!

Would I do it again? ... Definitly, and knowing what to expect on the mountain would be a massive help. Not next year though as the plan is to go longer!

As for the gearing, I'm a total ignorant when it comes to bike technicalities so all I can say is I did it with the gears that came with my bike when I bought it! The bike section wasn't overly challenging in terms of steep gradiants, just loooonnng uphill drags.