Absolutely fantastic! Review over.
This was always going to be my first ultra. The initial date was postponed due to the C word of covid-19 in April. The Moray series has been popular and I have taken part in two of the races finding the volunteers absolute angels. The photos included in the price. End race beers. The scenery I am ashamed to never have ventured to before were just amazing.
The race itself starts in Grantown and heads North East to Forres taking in the old railway line before finishing in the race directors backyard ( almost physically on the old GPX). The course was beautiful in November autumn colours and with the weather playing ball we were on for a good day.
There is a famous saying “excuses are interesting but irrelevant” . Please don’t think I am putting up excuses, but what I have learnt about the ultra running is that the running is the easy part…dealing with the un-foreseen circumstances during the race is the part that needs experience. Some things can be avoided, but some just have to be dealt with … head on.
Preparation is key, fail to prepare prepare to fail….or in my case fail to pack toilet roll, prepare to use an alternative (R.I.P Metro buff).
Pre Race
The day started in Elgin Premier Inn – flat lay perfectly set out. Nutrition set up – calorie intake on point and a mix of fluid and firmer foods. The mandatory kit checked and packed. The kit of the day would be:-
All packed up we gathered in Forres, jumping on the second bus. Waited literally 3 minutes and we were off. Sitting next to a fellow Metro runner we chatted shoes, goals, races and expectations. The mood was buoyant and there was a sense of calm, excited but not nervous tension that a lot of races produce ( Apart from Richard Horne – he was like a wasp in a jar for his first ultra) He was assuring me he was going to take it easy, when in reality he was out the traps like a hungry greyhound.
Numbers picked up – seamless. Number attached seamless. Now to wait….it has been described somewhere that an ultra is like lying on the beach waiting for the water to overcome you, the calmness is a funny and unique experience I have only ever felt with the ultra distance. First at Bennachie and now Dava….just sitting waiting for the water to overcome me.
The Race
We gathered at the school. Kyle introduced the signs we were looking out for. Yellow and black, purple and white and red and white. What could go wrong. The race brief was brief ” if you haven’t watched the video watch it in the first 2-3km”… thats what makes the racing ultras so pleasant. Safety was in no way compromised as a brief then took place but the easy and reassurance from Kyle and Debbie over the whole course of the events has been warm and all encompassing. Racing from runners for runners.
Off we headed past the golf course and into Anagach Woods. The terrain was trailly and lush under foot for 2.5km until a turn in Crow wood which took us on a firmer path alongside the river Spey. Beautiful, dawn was rising and the colours were coming to life. Such an sensory orgasmic experience the pace was always going to be hotter than expected. Following the river up stream and back into the woods, through the golf course into the Grantown Square – there were crowds out as this time already.
We ran through the caravan park to more applause and turned sharp right up stairs onto the main event 22 miles of THE DAVA WAY. Things were going well – pacing was more controlled but it became apparent I had had a little nightmare.
In my preparation of my salomon flasks – I had the bright idea of using anti-bacterial hand soap to clean the little piece of mould that was in them. Needless to say the taste hadn’t left the flasks. Both flasks (one tailwind one water) tasted as chemically as eating an urinal cake. I had to first of all react to this and slowly process and then respond. Its ok I can just fuel off gels until the water station where i can get fresh water and that will be better.
I was happy with the plan. I continued on to mile 10 awaiting the water station. The line was beautiful, heading through raod sections, gated sections and making our way up hill although it never felt hard work at this stage. The steep sided banks of the rocks either side of the line were cool to run through and fun.
The water station was at the top of the climb, physically I felt ok, but knew i hadn’t had water or tailwind just 3 gels, choosing to pop one more due to the lack of water. I switched the water out and left the tailwind as in my head didn’t want to loose the calories…second mistake. I figured for every gulp of tailwind I would wash down with water. I had responded to the situation and I was happy with this plan.
When they say you know when shit is about to hit the fan, I knew. I was running well. The pace was spot on I had covered between 21-24km and then I was gut punched. In my head I was trying to figure out a plan but the inevitable was going to have to happen.
I believe the chemicals in the tailwind from the anti-bacterial hand wash along with solely using gels affected my stomach. Unlike the slow tide coming in approach it was literally one minute I was fine next I was crouching in a field with two beautiful deer watching me.
Returning to the race route, I set off again over the viaduct which looked amazing. I was frantically recalibrating pace, finish time, distance, calories left. All the while I was still drinking from the same bottles or starting to not drink and starting to not take as many gels on, so not fueling to the plan…it was survival. It was finish or be finished by the Dava way.
I made it to the second water station and although it wasn’t on the plan had jelly babies and sweets, using my graze bag more and more. Flushed out both water flasks and refilled. It was starting to turn into a run walk. The sun was coming out and the scenery over the Dava moor previous and in the Belnain woods made it like a wonderland. If my stomach was miserable my senses were still tingling.
The run walk strategy was taking me closer to home closer to the 50km mark. The last water station was at 46km – here there was bottled water – a saviour to say the least. I had caught up with a few fellow runners who were having their own experience. It is amazing how one distance, one race has so many different stories that unfold for everyone.
We headed up the stairs onto a small road and around another glorious trail section before following the boundary of Muirshade golf course. Into Forres, and onto the climb to Nelson’s Tower / Column. It was here where I ran out of gas, my positive approach was waning but arriving at the top and over looking Findhorn bay left me with no qualms about why the race directors popped this in. It had to be there, it was a special part of Kyles heritage and training and it was fantastic. The descent was fast – everything feels fast when you have walked the last 1-2kms. Into Grant park the finish line in sight it was eyes down. The orange carpet was out – subtle touches like that made the Dava way a great experience for the newbies like myself and the experienced guys too. A nod to those no longer with us I crossed the line in 5:05:45. A tricky day out. Excuses are interesting, and in this case relevant as they teach you a strong lesson.
The Aftermath
Debbie placed the medal around my neck, carved wood. Everyone has the debate about do you want a medal or not. The medal reflects not just the race, but the journey to the race. The influence that one race has had on my running and life is immeasurable.
The Dava way training was something that kept me on the rails when I had the potential to derail. It’s been a tough 18 months for all, and personally I have experienced true loss for the first time. My perception on life has been flipped around and left not knowing answers. Being perceived as a fixer person for so many, I needed fixing myself. The training, the race day experience, the whole process of using running for far more than just running had never been so important.
As my late great friend Ritchie said ” Life is for living, life is short, enjoy the ride” – I have to reflect on the race as one of the most positive experiences I have had from that point of view. Yes things went wrong, time is irrelevant. When things go wrong you can react or respond. Reacting might have been me to drop out the race DNF. Respond is to to grow to meet the challenge thats infront of you and cleverly think your way out of a situation rather than shout your way out.
There are so many people to thank on my journey – Coach and inspiration Ginie Barrand. You have been keeping my mind busy with the training, you have given me a controlled tool where I could have completely fell off the rails – thank you. Kyle and Debbie – great race, great atmosphere and great passion for running that spread across all the runners who attended. Zoom run – advice and guidance that was priceless. Sarah and the boys – supportive as always.
Lastly Richard Horne – thanks for the lift and well done on smashing the glass jar and buzzing to the end – ultra cherry popped and onto the next.
Life is short, do what you love, love what you do. Appreciate the journey you’re on, this race was merely a station on my journey. I won’t forget the journey on the Dava Way.
Thanks For reading – please feel free to subscribe for all the Physiorun content.
James