AFTERTHOUGHTS
Tony biking to a changeover. Photo Rob Howard
Tony writes:
While feeling very satisfied with the organisation and team performance, on a personal level I feel cheated that, after months of training and preparation, because of my ankle, my performance at best could be described as mediocre.
During the relay I averaged 4 hrs 40 minutes sleep a night – This compares with my normal sleep of 8 – 8 ½ hours a night. For two nights I got no sleep at all (I don't think I slept at all during the daytime.)
I don't know how many more days we could have kept going. At the end of the relay Ed's knees were shot, John's feet had septic blisters and the rest were very tired.
On reflection I still think the presence of a non running team manager would've made the event run smoother. I found it very difficult trying to both look after my personal requirements during the relay and maintain an overview of the whole event. Incidents such as those at Loch Quoich dam and Killin could have been better resolved. I suspect someone else would've done Cairnwell West while I was allowed to recover and there were other times when I was expected to arbitrate/ make decisions for others when all I really wanted to do was rest.
LIFE IN THE VAN
Ed On the top bunk supposedly sleeping (with curtains pulled) but always putting in his sixpence worth in any conversation going on – when you slept is beyond me.
Tony On the top bunk resting but never sleeping ( with curtains pulled) arm at the ready to pick up any cup of tea heading my way.
Alwyn Food, food, food (and being the most demanding of all the runners. I doubt if seven Alwyns could've lasted the duration without falling out.)
John Nice run, saw … plant.
Ian Becoming progressively drained and disorientated as the event progressed
Rob Always shattered, seemed to spend every non-running minute sleeping.
Dave Quiet and composed (most of the time!)
Colin Depth of knowledge, keeping cool when he saw his 'customers' physically and mentally deteriorate before his eyes.
Diana A study in alienation?
As the only pictures we have of Dave are on the last page, here is his invaluable other half Pippa.
Dave writes:
Monday 2.7.90, 5am in the kitchen in Abernethy: I find myself getting my recently washed shorts and helly off the drier convinced I have to get ready to run the next leg! When will the event stop?
Rob and Diana
Rob writes:
Driving home with John – near to Leicester about 2 a.m. When a rain squall hits the roof of the car. John and I look at each other and both feel exactly the same thing – a shiver of sympathy for whoever was out on the hill.
POST RACE: Waking in the mornings with a start, not realising I was in my own bed and ready to face another run. Only after a brief period of confusion did I realise where I was and relax.
Ian relaxing in the mothership
Ian writes:
I had lost all concepts of reality and time when the event finished so much so that it wasn't until about two weeks after that I finally stopped waking up at various times in the early morning expecting to find Ed wittering on about some ill conceived outing from his past or Alwyn storming in after some all night mountain vigil expecting all to jump at the cries of “Where's my cooked meal?”
I'm definitely hooked on night running … the ultimate ethereal experience.
The end was a triumph over the odds and confirmation if any were needed of the tenacity and resolve of the human spirit. Indeed when the “going got tough,” the relay team got going.
I was all for a celebration at the end but bodily weariness got the best of me … a few pints in the pub and a can of lager and I was out cold.
Anti-climax set in for days after the event as a wandered within my thoughts, striving to find some other idea that could match the magnitude of our achievement. I know now that the experience was unique and one which I personally do not wish to emulate … doing any event over again often involves disappointment as with many life experiences the first time is often the best.
There is no charge for reading this account but please consider donating to Worldwide Cancer Research, the new name for the charity that we ran for.
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