The Caledonian Challenge

I told you that my next post would be from Scotland and, after a hiccup, indeed it is.

Yep, despite likening myself to the all conquering hero and haggis-muncher botherer, Edward Longshanks, I still breathe and have avoided a visit to the Glasgow Infirmary to arrange the removal of a rusty shank from my being.

What have I to say, then, about the Caledonian Challenge? Well, it's a 54 mile trek from Gairlochy, 8 miles outside Fort William, to Tyndrum, following the West Highland Way, to be completed in under 24 hours. It's a 'challenge' rather than a race and therefore attracts walkers rather than a hardcore group of ultra runners and as such has occasionally received critical comments from those of us involved in the ultra running community.

What else I have to say is that I supported Mrs Mac on said event this weekend and experienced something that demands respect. Not the type of respect that half-witted rude-boys from South London insist upon before increasing the knife crime figures.....I mean real respect.

But I should allow herself to tell you what's what since she got the blisters. And she's said she will so keep an eye on her usually dormant blog for an update. Right now she's plotted up in her bed with rakes of skin hanging from her over-sized feet so expect not too much too soon.

But until then, make do with a bullet pointed, supporter's account and pics:

• Team Strathaven was made up of Mrs Mac and Ma, Anne Thistlethwaite and Lorna.


• Support was yours truly, Eddie Welsh and Tony Thistlethwaite.


• The event is brilliantly organised.


• There are a fuckin' lot of walking poles.


• It's a shame so many competitors chose to disable themselves with 4 season boots and 70 litre bergens when a pair of decent running shoes and a Sainsbury's carrier bag would have sufficed.


• It's a lot different supporting than running.


• Is it cheating as support to spend a couple of hours in the Clachaig Inn while the girls are struggling out of Kinlochleven and over the Devil's Staircase?


• Linda Welsh demonstrated that when you're at your lowest ebb, all is not lost. This she proved while lying supine on a Thermarest at the White Corries and I was considering requesting the services of a Royal Navy Rescue chopper. Twenty minutes later she was up and flying.


• Marvelling at the beauty of the landscape at 04:00 as I ran up the hill from Bridge of Orchy to meet the girls- and realising that if you have the privilege of your five senses and a functioning body, this delight is open to anybody.


• Realising that there are procedures in place under the Mental Health Act to detain people that run up the hill out of Bridge of Orchy at 04:00.


• Having the living proof of the existence of the West Highland Way Race Family pleasantly shoved in our faces when George Reid and Karen Donoghue arrived at Brodie's store to cheer on Team Strathaven.


• Not disappointing George and Karen in the belief that I'm a half-wit when they couldn't locate me at Brodie's and I alerted them to my presence by locking myself in the support car and then actuating the alarm as I attempted to release myself.......... at 07:00 on Sunday morning........without knowledge of how to turn off said alarm.


• Having further proof of the existence of the West Highland Way Race family texted to us in messages of support from Ian Beattie, Mark Hamilton, Dino McInness, Murdo McEwan, Keith Hughes, Dario, Martin Hooper the Paratrooper, Rosie Bell and Irene Wilson.


• Team Strathaven crossed the line in 23:27 to rapturous applause and a pair of midge net clad pipers. Quality.

So, Mrs Mac is now wandering about like Douglas Bader considering her next event (after saying 'never again' yesterday I told her it wouldn't take long) and I'm preparing for a return trip to the scene of her triumph this coming weekend.

I'm kinda hoping I can find within myself the same level of courage, spirit, determination, guts and drive I witnessed this weekend past.

Laters.