WHW 2009

I've either been too ill or too busy since Sunday to make sense of the notes in my notebook about how this year's race looked from a backup perspective. I usually spend a lot of time collating them and trying to write a witty account of events but I haven't been well this week. The journey home from Fort William was eventful as I spend most of it hanging out the car window being violently sick and having hallucinations. Poor Beardie was turfed out the car at Tyndrum and had to hitch a ride back with someone else so I could get home faster. Thanks George.

So thanks to The Runner's suggestion, this post is exactly what I wrote in my wee notebook at each checkpoint (you can see it at the BBQ if you really want!) Since most of you know who everyone is anyway, I haven't changed real names to nicknames.

WHW 2009

12.55am

Left Milngavie just as the race was about to start. Arrived at Drymen to find teenagers' party in full swing. Half dressed wee lassies - obviously not bothered about getting bitten by the midges.
Cars parked all over the place but got pole position beside path. People clapping and talking loudly.
Got 20 mins sleep
2 hrs to Drymen -Ian arrived with skint knee and elbow - covered in blood. Managed a piece of banana loaf and a coffee.

Balmaha - bitten by midges

Rowardennan
Midge ridden hell - eaten alive
Managed a sleep
Ian looked good apart from being covered in dead midges and dried blood from his fall

F of F
Wet
George packed a bag to go back to gate.
I dropped him off and went to Auchtertyre.
V busy and noisy - 45 min sleep

Note - people at Drovers Inn!!

Auchtertyre -Smelly
Met Lee

Back to Carmyle
Parking was haphazard and some people were taking up too much space
Some people had been there hours instead of 20 mins!
No space to set out stuff for Ian
Me - v grumpy with 2 Lizs (Sorry guys!)
Ian - tired, sore, not happy

Back to Auchtertyre
Set up properly, much better
Ian- 20 mins earlier than we thought
Weighed- lost 2.5kg
Seemed a bit better than previous stop

B of O
Had a bad patch, not in a good way here. Same in previous years
Bit emotional
Eating becoming harder - tried to eat a bit of everything

Kingshouse
Long wait
Saw John and Marco (struggling). J interviewed by BBC man with camera
Got text from Liz T - Phil plodding on, getting slower

Kingshouse
Much better - believing he can do it again. Had to work hard over Rannoch Moor. Passed Thomas who is walking
(Spoke to Silke after - not sure he can go on)
Filled up on soup. Wanted bananas. Tea. Coke
Using the Settlers to stop feeling sick
Left KH at 5.45 with G.
Expected at Kin @8pm

Kinlochleven
Spoke to Jo
Only 1 drama at Glasgow. Austrian guy taken to hospital - no details
Spoke to Murdo - said a lot was riding on Ian to finish
Used hall x2 for loo
Got a single fish and pickle
2x Liz + Kaz and Al - talked to them
Phil plodding on - not enjoying it
Midges got bad. Lent Kaz net

Lundavra
Got there with 20 mins to spare
Later than expected due to eating fish
Midges bad despite Duncan's fire
Saw Marco and John M.
Ian violently sick - coudn't eat any more
Hardly drunk coffee all day

FW
Checked into hotel and went to loo
Went to sports centre
Didn't know anyone - inside or out
Dr and massage people all set up
V relieved to see Ian and George

Thoughts
Changeover crews - a lot of runners don't have the same crew throughout
Maybe why some crews don't behave!

I promise this is exactly what I wrote on the day. Rough, raw and unedited.