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EDDIE'S AFTERTHOUGHTS

HUMAN MIX

Considering the immense pressure, the perpetual tiredness, need to concentrate, and the fact that whilst someone always wanted to sleep, others had to get ready, and others still wanted wakeful recreation, it is amazing how well we all got on. I lost my temper twice, Alwyn occasionally flared up and equally quickly forgot it, Dave swore at me once, whilst others failed to completely hide niggly frustrations. Considering the mix of people, many completely unknown to each other, there was never any show of feeling which got near to affecting the team performance. In fact everyone worked extremely hard for each other.

TEAM ASPIRATIONS

We were all aware at the start, of the difference in aspirations of the team members. Alwyn and I had discussed the wisdom of being involved with the lack of experience that Rob brought with him, and had decided that we wished to be involved despite this. During the meeting I attended, I assessed a major commitment to putting up the fastest time possible – to me we were setting up a record for anyone else to fire at, the faster the better – Ian at the other extreme merely wished to achieve the finish withing target time if possible.

One thing that seemed to be quietly ignored was the possibility of going into a third week, despite the fact that our schedule did exactly this. Most of us had a job to go back to – We were all committed to stay to the end, but what would have happened? When the first six legs took us nearly an hour over schedule (not including the driving,) I for one was getting concerned about finishing in time to get back to work.

Tony had been confident we would beat the schedule, as I had, but we needed to beat it well. Three hours inactivity per night had been allowed for, but as half the team were not committed to keeping going overnight much of this time might have been rightly allowed for.

As the event went on, the team moved steadily more towards my point of view, with a determination to put up good times, and the gradual assumption that the night would not stop anyone. Rob's going off that dreadful night on his longest leg really put the pressure on any remaining doubters.

It was Rob's misfortune that as we all became more clock conscious, his exhaustion really took its toll. Earlier on, I don't think his Glen Dochart excursion would have caused nearly so much angst. As for his night drive prior to this, I unreservedly apologise.

SUPPORT

In theory all incoming runners had someone allocated to look after them, and provide basic sustenance. Sometimes, this was wonderful, but on other occasions it simply did not happen. I think that we all did the job magnificently at times and I suspect we all fell down at others. Whilst Tony was ministering to me after my second outing, we discussed who we'd most like to do the job for us. Our separate experiences meant that the top of my list was the bottom of his, and vice versa.

When it worked it was great, but because it was relay policy, I think we all set our hearts on it, and therefore got upset when it was less than perfect. Maybe the idea of someone who desperately needs his sleep getting up to feed someone who, however tired, is still hyped up enough to be able to help himself, was not as good as it seemed.

The perpetual problem of the non-active part of the team wanting undisturbed sleep whilst this was other people's 'day' was and probably never could be satisfactory. Imagine the succession of short Glen Lyon legs occurring at night – it would hardly have been less awful than the actual night that followed them.

FUTURE CHALLENGES

A few weeks after the event, a missive from Tony dropped on the mat entitled “How to achieve one peak per hour.” This would mean knocking six minutes per peak off this effort – (I defy anyone to get from Geal Charn to Aonach Beag in under 4 minutes!) - to produce a time of 11 days 13 hours.

I am sure that this is possible with a strong team, but his suggestion that the number of vehicles and support crew needs increasing vastly defies my pocket. It would however require a team committed to maximum effort throughout, and they would be lucky to get on with each other as well as we did.

FEEDING

Diana had a hard time. Her work prior to the event was essential, and generally accepted with little open acknowledgement from the team. During the event there seemed to develop a them and me atmosphere – she undoubtedly found us selfish and unhelpful, but in turn, to us, she seemed to lack appreciation of what we really required, and commitment to the outcome. Her organised efficiency certainly was alien to most of us. (It seems to me that the most efficient people aggravate each other most, as each one's organisation fails to concur with the other's – as for me I can accept anything as long as I am allowed to be chaotic.)

Diana's idea was to have mealtimes at conventional times. I was not aware of anyone else who felt this was wrong, but surely each person's requirements were totally different depending on running times. I would have been far happier getting my own food as and when I felt I needed it. The wonderful meals she cooked each day were much appreciated, but were invariably of the type that could be heated up as and when required. Larger quantities would also have been appreciated – we certainly had enough food left over at the end.

Requiring quantities of drink regardless of flavour, I never turned down a cup of tea. I was aware that these became greater in number as the event wore on. Apparently others decided they could not stomach Diana's tea. She seemed to reheat the old one and add hot (rarely boiling) water.

Diana got upset about our selfishness and lack of help. The problem was that you could get your head snapped off for being in her way – this meant that one by one we decided to leave her to it.

ACCOMODATION

The van, being stocked with full catering facilities and two mattresses was a comfortable alternative home. It did however take me, (and I think some of the others,) some time to realise this. The only problem was that there was no Diana to clean it out, and we were very bad at replenishing stocks – once having no means of lighting the cooker was very frustrating.

Flexihol, in the shape of Colin Powell was magnificent. Having a comfortable base which was without exception where it was asked to be was essential to the relay's success. The support that Colin gave by accompanying runners in and out of remote changeovers provided a great psychological boost, as well as a small lightening of the overall physical effort required. His daily “No-one could do it in that time,” “He'll be hours yet,” or equivalent provided entertainment rather than gloom, as time after time he was proved wrong. Colin was the only person realistic(?) enough to believe we had set ourselves an impossible task, but he was also determined to do everything he could to prove himself wrong.

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Route Summary

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