At 12.28 I completed my 250th lap, or 100 km in distance, and left the track. I had been having a number of problems since 10.30 or so: I had been violently sick a couple of times and couldn't keep any food down; because I couldn't take food I was really struggling to run at all and was having to walk; and as I walked I was getting really cold in the near freezing conditions. So I decided to cut my losses, get to 100 km and decide that was enough. As I sit here at Dave's at 3 am, having had a hot bath and some Weetabix, I have no doubts it was the right decision. There was no point at all walking round a track for another 11 and a half hours, probably risking hypothermia.
Thanks to everyone for all their messages of support, but especially to Dave, Lee, Hannah and Jamie who put up with some very cold conditions without the slightest moan. I'm huegly grateful to you.
I'm sure I will have a fuller report in due course. On the positive side at least it wasn't a DNF - it was just a bit less distance than I had hoped for.
Ian
It's 03:10 and I've just logged on to Ian's blog to provide an update for those logging on in a few hours. Ian's beaten me to it and the reigns of thos blog are now back in the author's hands. I'd just like to say that, on arrival at Tooting I thought: 'Hmm...I'd quite like to experience this.' As I sit here at home with a glass of wine, while others continue to go round and round and round and round that track, I'm thinking: 'I've experienced enough. Adrian Stott, you will no=t receive an application with 'Waterman' written on it.'
ReplyDeleteThe biggest issue tonight, I think, was that as injury, debility and heartbreak reduced many of the runners to a walk, the near freezing conditions were able to penetrate their bodies. Ian was freezing at the end and the mere action of leaving my 1.25l Bad Boy and waiting for his case from the boot turned him into a shivering mass of Scottishness.
I think that a support crew at Tooting tonight is highly desirable if not essential. While the runners are, to a certain extent, a captive audience and intervention will occur in the case of a health problem, it takes the watchful eye of someone close to spot the early onset of problems: the vomiting; the confusion; the shivering;the brown coloured pee; the lack of fluid and food or their excess.
There are runners alone there tonight- Paul Hart and Ray McCurdy being two examples. I hope (I'm sure they will be) they're gonna be OK. It is truly wintry tonight. I'm happy to have Ian here in the warm and, in all likelihood (there's still time for a wee spot of over-indulgence) back on his scheduled plane home to his lovely wife, Alison.
This blog doesn't record the countless texts I've received asking after Ian's progress. Not to mention the texts I took on his phone while I was its guardian. Many (most) from West Highland Way Race personnel. Truly a great big family. Thank you all.
p.s Check my blog for the picture that Alsion wouldn't post. It has artistic beauty.
ReplyDeletep.p.s. OK, that should read Alison. I'm kinda getting into this wine now at 03:39.
ReplyDeletewoke up this morning with my netbook by my bedside so I could check how you were doing. I was sorry to read that you had to stop but reading your account it definitely was the right decision.
ReplyDeleteI was concerned through the week when you said how busy you had been and how little rest and proper food you had eaten.
These races are very tough on the body when you have been able to prepare properly but impossible when you can't.
Rest well and I look forward to catching up in a few days.
John
So sorry to hear you had to pull out but from what you and Dave have said, absolutely the right decision. You're a much braver
ReplyDeleteman than me for even contemplating tackling such an event!
100K on a track! Amazing...but mental :-)
ReplyDeleteDebs x
For people like me who think 42.2k is a big deal the idea of anything above this is too much contemplate. Congratulations and rest well.
ReplyDeleteWell done Ian 100k is fantastic on a track, your some guy. Love to you and Allison.
ReplyDeleteEllen & Murdo xx
Well done Ian. 100k may not have been the result you wanted but it is a great result none the less.
ReplyDeleteWell done for keeping going as long as you could.
Well done Ian...mind boggling!
ReplyDeleteA think the time has come to rethink what you want to achive as a runner. In the last 2 years all you have achived is a giant step backards. ultras, marathons, half marathons, 10k and cross country you are now just average. You our better than this Ian.
ReplyDeleteJohn
As I said in my text, a great effort and a wise decision. No food = no energy to generate heat, and given the plummeting temperatures overnight you'd have been skirting with hypothermia for sure.
ReplyDeleteOnto the next challenge my dear fellow!
Hey Ian,
ReplyDeleteYou made the right decision to pull out when you did. In the end you did fantastic. My mind would be mush running around a track for 100km
Looking forward to hearing all about it and running again with you soon.
Take care and all the best to you, Ali and the boys.
Marco
I don't normally comment on my own posts but was interested in John's comment above - especially as I am not sure which 'John' it is. Can you give me some more details of your identity?
ReplyDeleteIan ... it wasn't me!
ReplyDeleteJohn Kynaston
So sorry that you had such a crap time, most of us know what an agonising feeling it is to pull out of a race and the 'what ifs' that go through your head later. But you will come back stronger next time Ian.
ReplyDeleteRachel McCuaig
Hi Ian, I was so sorry to see you pull out, and you know I was routing for you stick it out, but the sickness thing can happen to anyone, and sure enough a load of other people pulled out with similar complaint just after you. Me and you went through 100km at about midnight and I plummeted down hill after that. I avoided sickness for the first time ever due to advice from Sharon Gaytor. We all know what a great runner you are mate, see you at the next one.
ReplyDeleteIan McCuaig
Ian. Well done mate. It wasn't your day but you stuck it out to a point where you decided to pull out and were not forced too.
ReplyDeleteJohn - Don't know if I know you. I mean nothing personal by this but your comment was twat-ish. Ian has nothing to prove to anyone other than himself.