Scottish Ultra Marathon Series (S.U.M.S.) 2010
The Scottish Ultra Marathon Series (S.U.M.S.) came into being in 2010, kicking off with the 33 mile D33 race.
The D33 was my first ultramarathon and, despite finishing the event feeling like a had a hole where my stomach once was, I had the ultra bug! In some respects it was fortunate that my first ultra was not much over the traditional 26.2 miles of a marathon as I basically messed up my nutrition… or rather, my lack of nutrition. At this point, I still could not stomach eating on the run and, as such, pretty much finished the event with the food that I started it with. At the end of the race, standing there swaying, I realised that I was really going to have to work on my nutrition. I also experienced something else that has become quite familiar following runs – a total inability to sleep. Departing for Aviemore to join a family holiday straight after finishing the D33, I expected a good nights sleep but, instead, lay awake the entire night!
I experienced my first Did Not Finish (D.N.F.) later in the year at the Montane Highland Fling, something that really affected me. At the time, I knew it was the right thing to do, pulling out at approx 28 miles and returning to the Rowardennan checkpoint. However, I devoured every blog and report that I could find from that point on in an effort to find out where I went wrong.
Basically, a number of factors were to blame. In the unseasonal heat, I was sweating far too much and, with no knowledge at this point of electrolytes, I ended up with a stomach that felt like it was slooshing around in an effort to stay hydrated. Hardly conducive to running! I had also underestimated the difference in terrain and, having relied on the very flat Formartine & Buchan Way as my main training ground, I found that the undulating West Highland Way terrain, and in particular Conic Hill, just took it out of me.
I bounced back later in the year to complete the 37.5 mile Speyside Way Ultramarathon, a route close to where I grew up. After the disapointment of my D.N.F. earlier in the year, it was good to get a finish. However, I found the last 10 miles approx really difficult. Approximately 5 miles from the finish there were individual notes from friends & family pinned to a fence, a really nice touch that helped to see me through those last few miles.
So, 2 out of 3 in 2010. Plenty of room for improvement and my ultras left me with a desire to continue running ultramarathons in 2011.
S.U.M.S. Yearly Review
- S.U.M.S. 2010
- S.U.M.S. 2011
- S.U.M.S. 2012
- S.U.M.S. 2013
