The West Highland Way Race
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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 15) |
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Tim
Nov 14, 08 - 7:15 AM |
Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
John has posed this question on his blog and I think it deserves a wider audience. What are the top four lessons that you learned from completing the WHW race? |
John Kynaston
 Nov 14th, 2008 - 7:36 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
Thanks Tim. I will be interested to see what folks come up with. I'll give my four after my talk tonight. John |
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bobby miller
Nov 14th, 2008 - 7:54 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
1 always opt for being back up for the last 10 years (approx} 2 don.t rely on a chippie in Milngavie at midnight 3 dont nod off driving somebody elses car 4 practise hill starts on said vehicle 
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Murdo McE
Nov 14th, 2008 - 10:08 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
Good thread! I'll need to think about it a bit, but I reckon that about the first lesson I learned when I completed the distance for the first time was that I could actually do it. What is the longest distance that folk have run before embarking on this 95 mile race? A marathon? 30 miles? 35? The Highland Fling race maybe @ 52 miles. A few guys may have done a 100km race, but that is still a long way adrift of 95 miles. So, whatever, the longest distance done prior to WHW race may have been, it is likely that there will be a huge journey into the unknown. In many ways that is where it can become "interesting", and those embarking on it for the first time won't actually know if they can go the full distance. How much is then in the mind, and how much is in the body, is another question. Maybe start another thread on this aspect??? Murdo 
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Tim
Nov 14th, 2008 - 10:13 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
FWIW, these were my four (second changed slightly after deliberation) 1. If you think you can do it you probably can 2. If you think you can't do it you almost certainly wont. 3. When you hit rock bottom mentally and physically, things can only improve. ;-) 4. Don't forget your nipple tape! |
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Drama Queen
Nov 15th, 2008 - 1:55 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
Holy Macaroni! Tricky one. 1. Be prepared for the unexpected. 2. Don't follow Mike Mason. 3. Put as much time into Mental Training as you do Physical. 4. Try and enjoy it. It may be a life changing experience. |
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Keith Hughes
Nov 15th, 2008 - 12:01 PM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
All of the previous comments I agree with. Here are some of mine. 1. Start with a time in mind, but with the only real goal of finishing, that is the reason for starting. If you get to Kingshouse you will finish ! 2. Remember it is only a running race across some beautiful scenery and with some great people. It is not really that hard when compared to some really hard things in life - ie don't get up yourself too much ! 3. Dry yer eyes and have a crack, if it gets to hard, go and have a cry in the bush and then dry yer eyes and have a crack.. 4. Enjoy it, you are running across some beautiful scenery and with some great people. It is a privilege and honour to be there. |
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Fiona Rennie
Nov 16th, 2008 - 1:30 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
When I first saw this thread yesterday, I was like Murdo and thought I’d have a wee think and come back to it and when I do I find Keith has said everything I was going to, is that spooky or just great minds? So I’ll revise my four lessons for lifes great adventure to 1. Enjoy 2. Enjoy 3. Enjoy 4. Enjoy |
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John Kynaston
Nov 16th, 2008 - 1:52 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
My talk on Friday night seemed to go okay. I enjoyed it anyway! Click here if you would like to see the powerpoint presentation. The four main lessons I shared that I'd learnt from running the whw race were ... 1. The importance of teamwork 2. The importance of encouragement 3. The importance of focusing on the goal 4. The importance of total commitment I've enjoyed reading other lessons learnt. Any others? John |
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Dave Waterman
Nov 16th, 2008 - 11:58 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
1. Be nice to your support crew. It's a team event and your crew will be as knackered as you are so remember that before making ill-thought comments.....Glasgow airport is a long walk from Fort Bill. 2. Avoid fried chicken outlets on the M6 the day before the race. 3. Maintain a sense of humour and remember that when the sweat is in your eyes and you're focused on the path in front, look up and have a look around. 4. Be nice to the race marshalls.....you never know where and under which circumstances you'll bump into 'em again. |
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Brian Mc
Nov 17th, 2008 - 7:03 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
As a completer on my 3rd attempt I'd say ... (1) believe that you can do it (2) actually want to do it (this might sound daft but I think it is possible for people to think they want something when they don't really want to go through the process of achieving it) (3) keep trying even if you fail at the first attempt (4) give yourself at least 1 or 2 years of running ultras before you try - it's no chance that this isn't a particularly young man's game But, other than that I firmly believe that ultra running is the most accessible form of competitive running. Not everyone can run a sub 5 minute mile, but anyone who can run, in my opinion, can run an ultra (if they really want to). |
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Debs M-C
Nov 17th, 2008 - 8:30 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
Good one, John 1) Mental strength is more important than physical ability. 2) Whilst you can still put one foot in front of the other, never give up. Each step is a step closer to the end. 3) Set a few goals. Your ultimate dream, the achievable and the when-things-go-wrong plan. Where ever you get to, as long as you gave it your best shot then you succeeded. 4) Train, train and train. But accept that no amount of training will prepare you for it. |
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Davie Bell
Nov 18th, 2008 - 11:19 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
1. Don't scrimp on the vaseline I thought someone was holding a blowtorch to my a*** at Tyndrum  2.Persevere when you're feeling bad it does pass. 3.Socialise with the other runners whenever possible, you meet some wonderful and daft people. 4.Pack a pair of sandals for post race comfort or Garfield slippers as Marco did 
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Murdo McE
Nov 18th, 2008 - 11:37 AM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
I'm glad you suggested the sandals, Davie. I've suggested this a couple of times (at least)previously; and got reprimanded by Kinlochleven Pete for being repetitive. So it's good it has been flagged up by someone other than moi. Murdo
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John Malcolm
Nov 18th, 2008 - 1:06 PM |
Re: Top four lessons from completing the WHW race
I've also been pondering this and couldn't think of anything different from the above until a short run got me thinking about it so.... 1 - Be wary of over-training (I'll post seperately on the other training thread) 2 - Make sure you refuel properly after long runs 3 - Make sure you've climbed some big hills before the race. That way even the Devil's Staircase will appear small in comparison 4 - Pack a special bag with clothes for the worst possible weather. Night-time in Lairig Mor can be a pretty bleak place, even in June. |
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